That's Life: Sweet Little Sixteen...

Hello friends and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. This week, we challenge you to create a project to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY because we're celebrating Simon Says Stamp's 16th Birthday and the DT are showcasing the products of PaperArtsy.

For my make, I created a card that uses PaperArtsy Infusions to make a background for a very special delivery from Theodore the Bear.

So, let's get started, it's time to say Happy Birthday and make a card!

To begin with I created a card measuring 13.5 x 19cm tent fold card blank using white card.

CARD LAYERS

This card has multiple layers to frame the focal point, and to begin with I cut a panel of Watercolour Distress Card, 11.5 x 17cm and a second piece measuring 8.7 x 13cm. I lightly misted the card with water and then sprinkled the PaperArtsy Infusions over the card, focusing on the centre of each piece and leaving white space at the top and bottom.

I misted more water to start blending the powder ~ Infusions are water soluble particles with a dye colour pigment and all you need to do is use the smallest amount, less is more!

Between each layer, I tend to heat dry and once the first layer was dry, I then spritzed droplets of water across the card, and added some more of the Infusions ~ The Sage and Sleight Blue. If you feel there's too much colour, just dab some away with a towel but I just kept going until I achieved the desired effect.

After heat drying the cardstock, I added some random stamping to the larger panel, using the Seth Apter/Paperartsy cling stamp, sam 033 inked with Black Soot Archival Ink and then machine stitched a border around each panel.

Put the smaller panel to one side whilst we add the first layers to the card blank.

Matt the larger panel onto a piece of storm cloud cardstock and then mount onto the centre of the card blank.

After adding some stamping to the smaller panel, the "Special Delivery' stamped in Fired Brick Archival Ink, across the bottom of the panel and the 'Received" stamp mark in Black Soot Archival in the top left hand corner...

...both stamps are from the Stampers Anonymous Correspondence stamp set, I matted the panel onto silver metallic Kraft card. I then use the AALL & Create Quirky Post Dies to cut another piece of the Cloud Blue cardstock, and then mounted the inky blue layered panel onto the die cut before attaching the layers to my covered card blank using foam pads.

I added small piece of Cello Sticker Tape to the small panel and the larger panel.

THEODORE

Now for Theodore who is delivering a birthday card inside an envelope, ready for the special day!!

I used the new released Mini Theodore from Tim Holtz and Sizzix and cut the pieces from inked Mixed Media Heavystock Card.

I used various shades of brown tones of Distress Spray Stain which I spritzed onto the card, misted with water to blend the colours and then once dry, I ran them through my die cutting machine.

I assembled Theodore to make the character and then added some white pen work to add highlights and on the bridge of his nose, I added a pair of glasses. The glasses are from the Mini Accessories Colorize die set.

I then placed Theodore onto the right hand side of my card using foam pads to add dimension.

THEODORE'S ACCESSORIES

The balloons are die cut using the Mini Accessories Colorize Die Set, and I cut them from inked Mixed Media Heavystock card that I had in my stash. I chose pink and yellow for this fun make, with gold metallic strings. I attached the balloons with foam pads.

I added a little bow tie to Theodore, again cut using dies from the Mini Accessories Die Set and card in my scrap box.

Finally, I added the oversized envelope and I cut a scrap of some of Tim's patterned paper, using the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Love Notes Sidekick Dies and Texture Fade Set.

After folding the die cut along the scorelines to create the envelope, I attached the flaps with glue and then placed a small piece of Cello Sticker Tape. Finally I added a Remnant Rub, "hello friend" to the envelope. I believe this is from a retired set of Remnant Rubs, so if you don't have it in your stash, then you can always handwrite the message.

I attached the envelope to Theodore's paw.

Finally, I added the quote that sits at the bottom of the card. This is a sticker from the Small Talk Snarky Sticker Book, and I thought it was perfect for this card. After all, Theodore is ready to party and it would be rude to not have cake.....

For the finishing touch, I added two Screw Heads to either Side of the Small Talk Sticker.

So that's my card complete and I hope you love the piece I've made because it was so much fun to create....

As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....