My baby brother Pete turned 40 yesterday. I can’t believe it. I’m sure it is harder for my parents to believe even more so than me. Pete was born when I was 15 so I was always less of a sister and more of another parent for him. My mother would get so angry when people would mistake him for my child. We did favor each other when we were young and of course, me carrying him on my hip only enhanced the assumption.
Anyway, Pete and his family live in San Diego. We were able to go out and see them in February when we went to California to go to the Super Bowl. It was a great visit and I wish we could see them much more frequently. As for his card, I started to make it all bright and cheery and it was not coming together at all. I then realized it was because this is a 40th birthday card. What was I thinking making it bright. I needed to go black. Here is the final version.
I used the Pals Paper Arts Sketch challenge as inspiration.
With my color scheme now in mind the card really came together quite easily. I pulled out the Large Number dies and cut the 4 and 0 out of Black and Soft Sky for a shadowed look. Then I started looking for a background paper, and as what so often happens, I decided to create my own. I found a video on line from Stamp T V on making background paper using wax paper and embossing folders. Here is a LINK to the instruction video. I had done this several years ago but forgotten how exactly so the video came as a timely reminder.
I used a non Stampin up folder from Sizzix. The key to this technique is to use an embossing folder that has more of a design and not so much a texture look. In the Stampin Up annual catalog the Lovely Lace or Fluttering would be great options for this technique.
Cut a piece of wax paper larger than your card stock, crinkle it up into a little ball to add texture to the wax paper. Spread it out flat and place it in the embossing folder. You might need a shim or extra piece of card stock when you run it through your big shot in order to get a good emboss. Now place it between two pieces of card stock. With this technique you get two pieces of card stock for every one piece of wax paper. Place the card stock, wax paper cardstock sandwich between two pieces of copy paper, or one piece folded in half. Then iron the paper using your standard clothing iron, with no steam or water in it, or use a small craft iron on high setting. The iron will melt the wax onto the paper. Using a sponge or dauber, add ink onto the card stock. The ink will adhere to the paper but not where the wax is letting the design show through. For my card I used Tip Top Taupe over the entire piece then added some areas of Soft Sky.
I still wanted some other focal point besides the numbers and pulled out the Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper. I found this advertisement for Spectacles and Eye Glasses on one of the pieces designed like a newspaper. Awesome. What better way to make someone feel old.
The oval is punched with the extra large oval punch in Very Vanilla and stamped with an image from First Sight using Basic Black. I punched two more ovals of the same size in black and layered them behind for a half mat look.
I pulled out the Going Global and Happy Birthday Everyone Hostess set for the inside.
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Lynn
Lynn, this is such a great card! I love the technique you used for the background and the way you used this specialty designer series paper. Pete is going to love it, too!
Great card, and I know exactly how you and your mom feel, my little sister is 14 years younger than me and everyone always thought she was mine and would make my mom mad. Now her children are closer to my grandchildren ages and they feel more like grandkids to me than nieces.
I have the same feelings for Pete’s boys. They are age 1 and 5. My granddaughters are age 6 and 3. So, yup, they are more like grand kids to me. thanks for sharing
Fabulous card, Lynn! The glasses ad made me chuckle.
I’m going to try the wax paper technique. Thanks for the step by step info there.
Love tour blog!
Happy birthday Pete!
Great card. Very apt for a baby brother turning 40.