Fab 'n' Funky ~ Shaker Card or Birthday With A Number

Hey there my lovely crafty pals. We have a super fun challenge starting at Fab 'n' Funky today, hosted by the lovely Wendy Fields. She's chosen a brilliant theme for us ~ 'Shaker Card or Add A Number'. I'm sharing the card I created for my big sister's 50th birthday which was celebrated in high style back in our Summer. 

We are chalk and cheese we two, she's as slim and elegant as I am round and earthy. She's a high flying go-getter entrepreneurial business woman and I'm an earth mama. So different in so many ways, but we love each other dearly. So I wanted to celebrate her in style through my crafting. Which lead me of course to the lovely Stamping Bella images. 

Stamping Bella have such a great range of 'elegant ladies'. The one I chose is so perfect for my sis, aptly called Balloonabella from the Version 2 Bella's which have faces. I really love these as I'm not one for missing facial features on images. I coloured the image with my Copic Markers and was especially pleased with how the balloons came out. I used R37, R35 & R32 to colour the balloons and the flowers on her dress. I added the all important '5' '0' beside her to commemorate this special celebration. I chose papers which were a little 'beachy' in theme, as we celebrated her birthday over on our beautiful island of Waiheke, just a little North East off the coast of Auckland in the Hauraki Gulf. It's a very pleasant 40 minute ferry ride away from Central Auckland. We had a beautiful 'long lunch' at Poderi Crisci, which is an amazing vineyard estate with the most wonderful degustation menu. It was a truly magical way to celebrate my sister and she had a huge turn out of lovely friends and family to help celebrate the day.

I wanted to create a card that felt a bit special, a bit different, so I went for a criss-cross front card design with a lift out insert. I lined the insert with another beach themed paper hinting to the beautiful gold sand beaches of the island we were visiting to celebrate her big day. I used a lovely Unity Stamps sentiment on the insert and added a plain white back for my message on the reverse. The lift out tabs, were created with two little folded bits of black paper, that I then added an older SCACD die from my stash called Ornate Hinge, to create that fun book hinge look.

I forgot to get a shot of the insert inside the criss cross portion of the card, before giving it to my sis, but I'm sure you can imagine the effect. Above are the two portions side by side. I rounded the edges on the insert to make the sliding in and out easier, with no sharp corners that would catch.

Finally, a close up of the pretty organza ribbon I used to finish the card. This was wrapped over the digital papers over the two criss cross layers and then the image panel mounted with foam over this to add a little extra dimension. I tied it in a double bow, which I've loved using ever since finding a tutorial for this by the lovely Jak Heath years ago. 

Thanks for popping in to visit today. I'm like a London bus with three in a row today, it never happens normally! But I posted this morning and have another coming later tonight, so watch this space! Hehe. Head on over to the Fab 'n' Funky blog to see what my talented teamies got up to for this challenge. I'm always so inspired by their creations, so you're sure to be too. Do come and join our Just For Fun challenge with your own Shaker Card or Add A Number creations. We'd love to see what you're inspired to do. If you made it all the way to the end of this post, well done and thank you! I thought I'd share a couple of pics of my beautiful sisters special day, so they follow at the end of the post. See you again very soon. Big hugs, Wends xoxo

Challenge Entries:

Crafty Creations: #367 ~ Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread: #69 ~ Anything Goes

Crafting By Designs: June ~ Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create: #210 ~ Buttons & Bows

Crafty Gals Corner: #167 ~ Summer Colours (My ladybug card made the Top 3)

The Paper Shelter: #342 ~ Letters or Numbers

Simon Says Monday Challenge: All Things Bright & Beautiful

Update: I made the Top 3 at Crafty Creations Challenges. So delighted, thank you ladies! 

Pics from our lovely day celebrating my sister's 50th

My big sis, our mummy and me at the ferry terminal before our journey to Waiheke Island

Our wonderful 'long lunch' was held in the 'cellar' of their beautiful vineyard at Poderi Crisci.

Such an elegant setting!

 My big sis, blowing out her candles. How cute is that candleabra?!

 My beautiful sis and her hubby enjoying the speeches

Everyone gathered in the vineyard at the end of a magical day