A close family member recently celebrated a milestone birthday and I wanted to come up with a way to show how much she is loved by everyone, from family to friends to coworkers. Weeks leading up to her birthday, I asked everyone to send me a couple words or short phrase to either describe her or a memorable moment. It’s fun to read everyone’s responses and, of course, there were a few head scratchers but I knew there was a good story behind those!
I love the visual impact of creating a lot of the same thing. In this case, I created 60 faux envelopes using Pop-Tone Blue Raspberry Cardstock with the help of my Silhouette Cameo cutting machine. These faux envelopes were evenly spaced within a 24in x 36in IKEA picture frame.
In case you were wondering how I created the base of the decorative piece, I wrapped white art paper (the kind that comes on a roll for easels) over the plexiglass and taped it secured. Then I re-assembled the frame and worked off the top of the frame.
The pen tip of the Tombow Mono Liquid Glue is perfect for squeezing thin glue lines along the insides of the faux envelopes.
Next, I typed up each response and printed them on colorful cardstock from the Core’dinations Botanical Collection and Darice Beachside Assortment. These responses looked like little letters popping out of the faux envelopes and also brought lots of fun colors to the large framed decoration.
Because I am a little OCD with my craft projects, I laid out the colored cards on top first to make sure the colors were evenly dispersed. Once I was happy with the colors, I inserted them into the faux envelopes and kept everything very orderly.
Lastly, I made diecut words that read “60 things we love about you” with my Silhouette Cameo cutting machine. If you don’t have one of those machines, you can use scrapbooking letter adhesives!
Not only was this an eye-catching focal piece at the birthday party, but it was also fun to sit around the birthday lady to hear all the different things her friends and family love about her. Lots of good laughs and retelling of special stories!
This project was super easy to make and a wonderful way to let that special someone know they are loved! Post this to your Pinterest for later!
xo,
Christine (@studio_xtine)
