Hurry and get well, Mike...

The contractor that worked on our kitchen is recovering from a serious illness.  There is light at the end of his tunnel but it will be a few weeks before he's really feeling more like his old self.  We're thrilled that he's feeling better because he's become a good friend and because we have some more work for him to do in the future.  When you find a good contractor, hold on with both hands because they are few and far between.  This card is in the mail for Mike (and I hope he doesn't follow my blog).

This is another stand alone card.  I've grown to love the Sizzix Small Easel which is actually glued onto the back of this 5.75 x 5.75" kraft panel.  Two triangles were sewn onto the kraft panel with my Janome  Sew Mini.  I discovered a really easy way to adhere the Spellbinder accent.  We all know how hard these frilly motifs are to attach.  While at the Owl and Pussycat in Ft. Myers, FL, the designer told me she puts a small amount of Gel Medium down on a piece of paper with her finger, lays the motif in it, pushes it down using another clean sheet, lifts it off with tweezers and places it on her project.  I didn't have any Gel Medium so I used Mod Podge on waxed paper, placed the motif down, rubbed it well with a sheet of printer paper and then used the tweezers to place it on the back panel. (Edited to add:  the second time I did this, I used my craft mat for the Mod Podge and it stayed wet longer, I just wiped it with a damp rag when I was finished.)  I noticed that the Mod Podge dries quickly so either put a layer thick enough to dry slowly or really work quickly.  There are no loose ends on the Spellbinder piece, it is totally attached.  Of course, the bird cage was stamped first using VersaMark ink and embossed in white (a lovely look on Kraft card stock).  The birds were punched from a Stampin' Up punch I've had for some time.  The corners are actually pieces from cutting out the Spellbinder frame.  The easel was cut twice from glittered card stock and glued together.  If you use one-sided paper, cut one out design side up and one out design side down.  Also, pay attention that you don't get glue in any of the creases.  After my stand dried, I added glue to the strip that attaches to the card, I stood the easel up and gently laid my card on the stand making sure the bottom edges match.  Hold in position for a second, and then pick both pieces up and press together - lay the whole assembly aside until it dries.  Then you can fold it up and it will fit in your envelope.

Recipe:  Paper: DCWV The Linen Closet;

Stamps: Just Rite Spread Your Wings, PaperTrey Everyday Classics;

Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder;

Distress Ink Broken China, Vintage Photo;

Spellbinder Parisian Motifs;

Stampin' Up Bird Punch,

Recollections Faux Pearls;

Sizzix Small Easel