Much Needed Set Of Birthday Cards

I was really trying to get these cards posted last night, but it was so dark and dreary yesterday that I wasn't able to get any photos taken. The sun is out in full force today, thankfully, so I was able to snap these photos while the daycare kids were napping. And if all goes well, I'll get this post finished before they wake up.

I always need birthday cards, and yet they are the one kind of card I never seem to make that often. I have a crazy amount of thank you card, just saying hi cards, miss you cards, cheer up cards, and good luck cards. You know, the kinds of cards that I never seem to actually use.

There's always birthdays popping up randomly throughout the year. Some that I know about, and some that are total surprises to me (meaning the girl's friends!). Although, if I'm being totally honest, even when I know a birthday card is needed, you will most likely find me tossing one together two minutes before we're leaving for the party! True story.

I recently worked with the new DIY Boutique collection from Simple Stories for an upcoming layout in Scrapbook & Cards Today. Somehow or another, I accumulated a TON of scraps while working on my layout. I was cutting into papers left and right, not really having a solid idea in mind going into the design process. Instead of filing all of those scraps away, I figured I might as well put them to good use now, instead of hoping that one day down the road I'd want to do something with them.

These birthday cards were so easy to throw together. I choose a "happy birthday" sentiment from the Silhouette store, along with a fun scalloped border (both by Lori Whitlock). I sized them to fit the front of a standard card, and arranged them so that I could cut them from four different colors of paper. That would give me two "birthday" and two borders in each color that I could mix and match.

On the backsides of some of the patterned papers were bright solids that matched the patterned papers in the collection. I simply used a three inch strip of the pink, orange, blue, and green papers, and lined all four of them up on my cutting mat at once. Afterwards, I cut eight of the "happy" part of my sentiment, all from black cardstock.

I ended up using the same exact patterned papers for all eight cards. I cut a one inch piece of the "Lovely" sequin patterned paper to adhere across the bottom of the card, and a half inch strip of the "Newspaper" patterned paper to adhere directly above it.

I then added one of the border pieces that I cut underneath the newspaper print strip. I waited until I had adhered my sentiment before I added my machine stitching. I knew I was going to do a zig zag stitch, which would partially stitch on the "birthday" piece.

To finish off the cards, I added a few enamel dots to the newspaper strip, and a few stickers to the top right corner. Easy peasy, right? I did these all assembly line style, so I would adhere one element to all eight cards. Then the next element to all eight cards. So on and so on. Not sure how long these eight birthday cards will last me, but it's nice to know I have some on hand.

Comments

[Deneen]

I never have Birthday cards on hand either and usually throw them together right before we head out as well LOL. Love your cards they are bright and colorful and fun!

[Kim Thomas]

That's such a great idea, and oh so cute! Thank you for the inspiration. Take care. :)

[SandraA]

Awesome! Assembly line work is a great idea. And with this design, I even get to use my banner punches. Yay!

[Diana Waite]

perfect! I make a TON of birthday cards myself--LOVE assembly lines!