Friend foreverCompleted by Pamela Horton The whispering Platypus

This is such a poignant image which depicts so many emotions and is able to be used to express so many sentiments as a topper for a greeting card. I have made 2 cards today the first card is for a friend remembering the anniversary for the loss of her partner and the second card for an elderly friend, who due to her own hospital visits will be unable to come to our Caffe Craft Charity days for some time. I printed the sheet, designed by, Sharon Vieria, for each card onto A4 white 170gsm, satin finished photo paper. I adjusted the sizing slightly to measure 20.3x25.4cm so that the main image measured 13cm square. I removed the gold frame from the first image, to retain to use as part of the decoupage for the topper and I removed the gold frame from the second image to retain and use as part of the insert. I cut out all the elements and set them in order to attach using, the step-by-step method, padded D.S. tape and white glue. I attached the coffee and tea cups first using spots of white glue, allowing it to dry slightly, so as to be more tacky than wet. I next attached the track suit top for the friend on the right, using padded D.S. tape cut to the shape and size I needed and the white glue on the collar, holding it in place for minute or two until the collar stayed down in position. The third step was to attach the tracksuit top with the fingers attached using the D.S. tape as before, white glue on the collar and on both the hands. The next and fourth step was to attach the last piece of the tracksuit top using the padded D.S. tape, the white glue on the collar and on the zip point at the wrist, and slightly curving the track suit top to complete the definition in the decoupage. I cut the hair pieces, which have the ends fringed at the neck edges of each, with tiny scissors and then coloured the hair with matching dry pencils. I attached the hair pieces with padded D.S tape in the centre back of the element and curved each piece slightly before attaching them in place. I set this aside to complete each of the the main cards for each of the differently finished cards. The first card has the topper section completed, with the attached blank sentiment, extra backing sheets and tiny peel off letters, Thinking of you. To make the main card, I have used a soft green floral backing sheet printed onto both sides of A4 photo paper, cut at 28cm x 14.5cm, then scored and folded. To make the backing sheet, I have used 14x6.5cm, blue textured card together with 14x7.5cm, soft green card to join to measure 14cmx14cm, to which I have attached the gold retained frame, using a glue tape runner and placed the grosgrain, dusty green across the join, securing the short tails at the back of the blue, green backing sheet. I used regular D.S. tape to attach this topper to the card front. I was then able to place the main decoupaged completed topper onto the card front, attach the sentiment and the tiny knotted style bow. I used the smallest of the extra images as extra embellishments in the insert and left the space to write my special message. To complete the second card, I have used, Frame Number 9 of the set, designed by Sandra Carise, cup1076749_719, aptly named Brickwork Patterns, to print at 14cm square, onto 170gsm white photo paper, placing the image to sit onto the left side of the A4 photo paper. I was then able to turn it upside down and score and fold to form the card front. I attached the completed topper using D.S. tape. To complete the insert I have used TPSS Country Flowers Papers A4 Pack Number2, cup943944_95318, a set designed by Simply Stated Scrap Designs. I have chosen Number 12 to print twice onto the same A4 sheet and cut this down to measure 28x14cm, scored and folded it before attaching it to the inside section of the card. I have then attached the smallest element, provided with the sheet, of the full image, as extra embellishments and the retained gold frame from the main image to place onto the right side of the insert, where I will write my special message. I have used the 2 images, which measure 6.25cm square to make the gift cards. Pamela Horton. The Whispering Platypus.

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