A Budding Birthday...

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The lovely ladies at 2 Sketches 4 You provided another wonderful sketch this week. Interestingly, they are also choosing a new design team member (how excited was I for the amazing Angie Tieman, a fellow Gallery Idol contestant, for her recent honor? -- excellent choice, ladies, as Angie's work is some of the most creative out there!) I can't begin to think I have a chance, as their DT is one of the tops in the industry. But, a challenge is a challenge, and when I like a sketch I just have to make a card.
One of my very best friends, Natali, is celebrating a birthday soon, and I wanted to make her a pretty card that would show her how I think of her. Nat is a terrific mix of both sweet and refined, and so I thought I'd try to capture that in her card.

For this card, I began with the paper rosebuds. Though I find this to be a time-consuming technique (see sidebar for tutorial,) I think it well-worth the effort. I began by creating some faux suede in cream card stock and after making the buds sponged on some pink ink along the edges. I then added each to a punched green "leaves" and set them aside.
For the card base, I chose some pretty patterned paper and embossed a panel of So Saffron with an elegant embossing folder. I created a ribbon treatment from some gold organdy ribbon, which I knotted and then adhered onto a punched strip of pink card stock. I added a very happy sentiment and a few little pearls to finish off a card for my dear friend.

BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Birthday Bash Sentiments Stamp; Stampin' Up Close to Cocoa and Regal Rose Classic Dye Ink; SU Certainly Celery Designer Series Paper; SU So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette and Certainly Celery Card Stock; SU Scallop Border and 5-Petal Punches; Sizzix Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Amuse Pearls

HAPPY BEANS: Gold Organdy Ribbon (generic)