I built this card around the large address numbers I had in my stash. I had been thinking I would use them when my MIL turned 93, but wasn't sure how...
This photo collage is what I came up with. She lives alone and asked a couple of weeks ago if I was working on her birthday card yet. So I know she is looking forward to it.
I started with 3 panels of tag board about 5.5 x 8.5. DH has bookbinding skills so I asked him to put together (hinged) and cover the panels with the BG paper I had printed out--a horizontal highway with blue skies.
My in-laws used to own a car similar to this one and it was her favorite car. I cut out the window on the driver's side and put a little photo of her head--at the age when she would have been driving this car. The car is cut out, mounted with dimensionals. I added some marker shadows under the car. Then the sky looked a little empty, so I put a plane with a birthday banner up there.
The second panel has a billboard I made from a beach photo of my MIL when she was young. She is a fanatic about drinking cokes in the small bottles, so that was the theme of the billboard. When the card is closed, the top of the billboard shows, so I stamped the back with *Smiles across the miles*.
Next is one of our favorite more recent photos of her all decked out for July 4th. She was drinking from a can, so I put a little coke bottle in her hand. Cut her out and popped her up. (Yes, I spent too much time overthinking this card, but it was fun.) Then I added my two favorite signs from En Route.
The last panel is filled with the highway sign. Found and printed several times to get the size right. I added a current photo of my MIL to remind her that she has more life left to live.
DH is also a calligrapher and signed the back in calligraphy. She will love that he helped with this card.
Incidentally, I liked the little billboard I made so much, that I ordered photo tiles of it for everyone in the family for Christmas. Bam! Christmas list check-off!
Thanks for looking and if you've read all this way...I'm surprised! So thanks for reading too.
Date: Friday, October 27, 2023 GMT Views: 328
Favorited:3
Registered: June 29, 2004 Location: Sugar Land. Texas Posts: 79904
Fri, Oct 27, 2023 @ 8:39 AM
I love this. I love buying up calendars when the go on the 90 per cent off racks, because of their wonderful pictures to generate into slimline cards. Your card reminded me of some of those I have been able to generate from them.
------------------------------ LizThe joy of the LORD is my strength.Right Brain Madness --My blogProud member of the redDivasKSS certified multi-step stamperFan Club member since 2004
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50761
Fri, Oct 27, 2023 @ 8:46 AM
OMG this is brilliant!! She's going to go nuts when she sees this. I love all references to her life and the photos (!!!!) of her. And ordering the photo tiles for Christmas gifts..good thinking.
Super creative!!
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Registered: January 19, 2014 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 91299
Sat, Oct 28, 2023 @ 2:18 AM
Oh my goodness this is fantastic! I love the large numbers, love that you used it for your MIL's 93rd birthday. I love that she asked if you were working on her card too. I know she will love this. Great take on the challenge to use this large sign.
Registered: August 22, 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1353
Sun, Oct 29, 2023 @ 11:39 AM
I love how you've personalized this, thinking carefully about every piece. It is a challenge to use some of the huge elements we have in our stashes, but you've created a meaningful and heartwarming card. Simply beautiful!
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Leslie
�The best kind of happiness is a habit you're passionate about.� ~Shannon L. Alder