A Weighty Birthday

For the past two years, a friend at work has asked me to make a personalized birthday card for her husband.  Last year I made a card with a bike theme as he is an avid bicyclist - this year when we were trying to think of another theme - she said 'well, he likes to lift weights'.  Hmmm, I thought, how do a create a card with that theme???

But, as sometimes happens -  when I walked into my craft room - I suddenly thought of the strong man stamp in the Big Top Stamps and Framelits set from Alterations/Tim Holtz!

I just LOVE when inspiration hits - don't you???!!!

So I die cut,stamped and colored the strong man - using Archival Jet Black Ink and Ranger Distress Markers in Shabby Shutter, Tea Dye and Black Soot along with my waterbrush.

I also die cut and stamped the stars in the set.    I rummaged through my Paper Stash papers and picked out a piece from Correspondence of a collage of tickets  for the background.   I used two Pocket Cards - one with blue stars and a red label printed on it - and another with a universal calendar - and I highlighted his birthday with green marker - Apr and 2.

I outlined the Small Talk sentiments, stars and Pocket cards with my black Stabilo pencil - then rubbed the lines with a wet finger to smudge to add a little grunge to the design.

She was very happy and excited about my design - and thinks her husband will get a kick out of it when he opens it on April 2nd.

I'm linking my card to the following challenges:

Seize the Birthday 

I think I hit the toppings - The Great Divide - my card is divided by 3 panels - the ticket background panel, the stars panel and the calendar panel.

Inkspirational Challenge - Geometric (lots of squares and rectangles in my design)

Our Creative Corner - The Return of the Challenge

I revisited Aug 1st 2013 challenge - Words, Words, Words

Stamps:  Big Top - Stamps and Framelits - Sizzix/Alterations
Paper:  Kraft, Rustic Cream - PTI, DP Paperstash/Correspondence - Idea-ology
Ink:  Wendy Vecchi Dandelion, Archival Jet Black.
Accessories:  Ranger Distress Markers Shabby Shutters, Tea Dye, Black Soot,  Water Brush, Small Talk Occasions, Vial Labels, Pocket Cards, Label Letters - Idea-ology, foam dots, Stabilo Black Pencil.