Day 1 - Graphic 45 The Twelve Days of Gift Tutorials

I am teaming up with the Graphic 45 Design Team for an amazing Twelve Days of Christmas event!

Starting on December 1st, on the Graphic 45 Blog, you will see a card designed by me, plus a gift tutorial inspired by my card and created by one of the current G45 team! 

On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me...

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The soft green and gold of pears inspired this card. The vintage images capture the imagination. Plus, nothing says Christmas like a pop of red!

I created a 5x5 inch card from black cardstock, lined with cream. Each of my designer paper layers are also backed with black cardstock. This is my "signature" method for making cards as I think the solid cardstock behind each layer makes them pop.

I used sharp scissors to fussy cut the partridge and the pear from the Turtle Doves paper. I wanted to give the images more dimension, so I not only popped them from the paper with foam squares, but I added die cut leaves, a wire stem, and a pearl to the pear. I also hand cut the title from the paper with scissors. I edged it in ink to make it look like an old sign. 

I wrapped the layers with lace and a shimmer ribbon. I made a double-loop bow from the ribbon and glued a flower to the top.

The card contains a lot of layers, like most of my cards, requiring extra postage. However, since this card can also be home decor, I think some extra funds to mail it is not too much to ask! I would pack this in a bubble wrap envelope or a box of some sort.

I also decorated the inside of the card. I created another dimensional pear and added a sticker and a strip from the Joyeux Noel paper. I lined both the top and the bottom inside of the card. Often, with a Christmas card, I will either write a long message or attach a photo, so having the plane background on both surfaces on the inside is helpful.

Now, hop on over to the Graphic 45 Blog to see what gift tutorial Alberto has to share! Plus, make a stop at Alberto's Blog to say hello! Alberto is an amazing designer with a flair for mini albums and layered art pieces!

Remember, leave Graphic 45 a Blog or Facebook comment for a chance to win this amazing prize! A grand prize winner will be announced on the Graphic 45 blog at the end of this event, on Friday, December 13th. 

Graphic 45 The Twelve Days of Christmas papers:

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Turtle Doves

Pear Tree

Swans a Swimming

Joyeux Noel

Graphic 45 The Twelve Days of Christmas Cardstock Stickers

Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Treasures Textured Pitch Black, Original ColorMates Light Totally Tan

Pearls: Couture Creations

Wire: Artistic Wire

Flower: Petaloo

Ribbon: May Arts

Lace: Really Reasonable Ribbon

Ink: Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Chestnut Roan

Die template: Spellbinders Little Leaf Sets

Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares; Scotch 3M ATG tape runner; Beacon Fabri-trac; Aleene's Tacky Glue