Masculine birthday card using Autumn Splendor

Well, what a wonderful Easter weekend! I hope you all had a wonderful time filled with sunshine. We decided to take a trip to Somerset, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world when the sun is shining, and we're all slightly tanned and very well-rested!

When I came back, the unpacking had to wait while I took a peek at the Less is More site (yes, I am a true Limette!) - and here's what I've come up with for this week's challenge: an 'off-centre' card.

Oh I do love an asymmetric card - and I also love the new Top Note die, so it was a great opportunity to use it on the side of my card front for a change! If you visit my blog sometimes you might recognise the sponged and stamped scene from here. Well, I had one left over which I thought would work well today. Waste not, want not as they say!

When Stampin' Up's mini catalogue came out last April, the stamp set I absolutely HAD to have was Autumn Splendor - I loved those stylised leaves! I was so pleased when the set made it into the main catalogue as most of the items in the mini are only available until the end of September, and although I've just about managed to stop myself from using these leaves on everything I make now, they certainly still make plenty of appearances!

Courier is one of my favourite fonts ever, so I was delighted to see it featured in the Plane and Simple stamp set. There are three useful sentiments - happy father's day, happy birthday and thank you. I chose the birthday one for this card, stamping onto Whisper White card stock, cutting it out and attaching it across the scene like a piece of journalling. I finished by adding a couple of staples, which I rather like as an embellishment on a male card.

Here's how to make this card:

• Cut a piece of A4 Bravo Burgundy card stock in half vertically. Score and fold in half to create a card base.
• Run a piece of Not Quite Navy card stock through the Big Shot using the Top Note die. Trim about 2cm off the side of the shape.
• Sponge and stamp a scene on a 6cm x 7cm piece of Whisper White card stock (see here for details) and attach to the Top Note matt.
• Stamp a sentiment onto a scrap of Whisper White card stock using Bravo Burgundy ink. Cut out into a strip with your paper cutter and glue across the Top Note and the scene. Add two staples and and glue to the card front.
• Stamp the leaf onto Whisper White card stock, using Old Olive ink, and cut out using sharp paper snips. Add a touch of Early Espresso to the stalk with a blender pen and then wash over the leaf area with an aqua painter. Attach the leaf to the card front with dimensionals.

Supplies

Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Plane and simple (plus nature-type stamps for the scene)

Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, Early Espresso

Card stock: Bravo Burgundy, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White

Other: Top Note die, ordinary staples

There we are! Now the important things are done, I suppose I'd better go and unpack the bags and get the laundry started! (But I shall be sneaking back and enjoying a look at everyone else's take on off-centre from time to time...!)

Thank you for coming to see my card today - I do appreciate your visits and comments and emails. I'll be back again tomorrow and would love you to join me if you can.