Saddlewood Acres: Tropical Birthday Card

Tropical Birthday Wishes

Happy Day - it's Friday!!

I hope you've all had a wonderful week! I've still been busy with spring cleaning this week but thought I would pop in quick and share this tropical birthday card with you. I think I might have to keep this card out to remind me of warmer temperatures once Fall hits - doesn't it look toasty??

I don't have a visual tutorial to create a background like this but I can give a few step by step tips

with a post it note first mask off the horizon line on a piece of Whisper White Card Stock
punch a 1-3/4" circle from a post it note and place approximately 1/3 to 1/2 over the horizon line post it
beginning at the top of the card stock begin sponging Strawberry Slush ink working in a semi-circle
blend Tangerine Tango ink into the Strawberry Slush ink and work slightly downwards working in the same semi circle shape
blend Calypso Coral ink into the Tangerine Tango ink but this time work the ink so that it falls in more of a horizontal line
blend Crushed Curry ink into the Calypso Coral ink and work the color all the way down to the horizon line. Add a small amount of Calypso Coral ink just above the horizon line
remove the sun mask and lightly sponge So Saffron ink inside the sun, darkest in the center and lightest on the edges
remove the horizon line mask, flip the paper over and re-mask the sky so just the water area is exposed.
sponge Coastal Cabana ink on the entire area
blend Bermuda Bay ink along the edges and anywhere in the center to add shadow
remove all masks and sponge Tuxedo Black Momento ink in a semi circular shape along the bottom of the water area.
stamp the leaf and flower images from the World of Dreams set in Tuxedo Black Momento ink around the outer edges of the background.

To Create the Palm Tree:

punch four Small Ovals from Basic Black Card Stock. Use Paper Snips to cut the bottom 1/3 away then cut small leaves into each oval
cut a strip of Basic Black Card Stock approximately 1/4" wide. Cut into small squares (around 15 or so) then using Paper Snips cut each square into a slight taper at one end
punch three medium sized circles from the Owl Builder punch using Basic Black Card Stock
assemble the trunk by layering the the small squares atop one another, creating a slight lean as you work your way up the trunk of the tree.
glue the three circles into place at the top of the trunk
stagger the four palm leaves around the top of the trunk and glue into place.

Supply List: