IT'S GOOD TO BE GREEN

Well, yes, I know it isn't St. Patrick's day, but I'm the designer today for the Card A Day Blog, and our theme for this week is 'MONOCHROMATIC.'  Per dd's request, I have used various shades of the wonderful and soothing color of GREEN to make my card.  So, please don't be green with envy because you didn't get to hit the green for a round of golf, and don't let your kids turn green with a sick tummy because you let them eat too many green apples.  Just sit back with a nice cup of green tea, and enjoy a few moments with me.

I have several dies in my stash that have been feeling neglected, and I thought this would be a great time to bring some of them out to use for a little layering.  The particular dies I had in mind come from the Spellbinders "Mix & Match Classic Edges and Inserts" collection, and my idea was to use them to layer papers for my card front.  I had lots of fun looking for different green papers; it was really hard not to go too crazy choosing papers - I stopped at ten plus one for the base.  I was aiming for a fun mix of solids and patterns in a nice range of green hues.  Here is your first look at the front:

This picture is a close-up to show the different cuts of the dies.  Each edge was used twice because I have six different inserts and only three edges (There are more in the Spellbinders collection.).  After I die cut the papers, using my Cuttlebug, and decided on the placement, I mounted them on a mat, and then cut that piece to size for the card front. To finish it off nicely I used a scallop punch on the top edge.  (The mat is the very light green at the bottom.)  I compared several greens for the card base to choose the one that would best frame the colors used in the front piece.  Here is the full front view:

Since the front piece was already quite busy, I didn't want to clutter it up with embellishments, so I simply threaded a thin ribbon through one of the die cut patterns before mounting to the base.  I have left the card without a sentiment because, as you will see, it can be used for many occasions with an appropriate sentiment being added when needed.

In this angled photo you get a hint of the surprise inside the card.  Yes, there is a gift card pocket inside.

I inserted a piece cut from the front to bring some interest to the inside of the card.  The mat supports the gift card pocket and provides a light space for a signature.  The pocket is simply cut and folded to size with the top punched using the same scallop punch used earlier.  Everything was affixed using my ATG.

If I had been thinking more quickly I would have made the decorative strip into a bookmark, thereby making the card two gifts in one!!  Ah well, perhaps next time.

Here is your list of supplies:

          Papers:  Solids=Stampin' Up for card base, DCWV Lemon Flower, Sizzix Little Sizzles Pastels, Bazzill Pastels, Recollections Colored Core.  Patterns=My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary, Sizzix Little Sizzlets Pastels, K&Company Watercolor Bouquet

          Dies:  Spellbinders Edgeabilities Mix & Match Classic Edges One and Classic Decorative Inserts One and Two

          Paper Punch:  EK Success Scalloped Scallops

Thanks for visiting today, and always keep your creative genius happy and well-fed!

CHRISTINE