Graphic 45 Penny’s Paper Doll Family Photo Birthday Card
Hello, Friends! I’m kind of excited about today’s post, because I think a LOT of you are going to have loads of fun with this quick and easy idea. Today I’m going to share a Graphic 45 Penny’s Paper Doll Family Photo Birthday Card with y’all. When my dear sister-in-law celebrated a “landmark” birthday, my husband and I wanted to give her a really personal and special gift. I was digging through old black and white family photos and found this great picture of Dale and Becky. Then I found the perfect paper collection and sentiment to go with it. Take a look!
Dale and Becky have always been best buddies. When I found this “Forever Friends” Tag from PPDF Tags and Pockets, I knew I was on the right track! I really love the way this adorable photo taken in 1956 pops against the vibrant colors and patterns found in Penny’s Paper Doll Family. This 5” x 7” easel style card will look great on a shelf, mantel or side table. It’s great when a card can double as a gift, isn’t it?
Penny’s Paper Doll Family Photo Birthday Card: Tips for Working with Old Family Photos
TIP: Scan old photos into your computer and print out on photo paper, or take it to a photo developing booth to make a copy. This way, you preserve the original.
TIP: Amateur photography can be challenging to work with. The subjects of this photo were not framed well, making the composition a little unbalanced. To fix this, I adhered the buckle from PPDF Tags and Pockets on the right hand side of the image, added a Staples Metal Key and a burlap string bow. This fixed the photo problem, and added an interesting element to the card design at the same time.
TIP: Easel style cards are a great design choice for cards that feature a cherished family photo because they can stand upright for display.
Penny’s Paper Doll Family Photo Birthday Card: Make it easy on yourself!
Tags and pockets are a quick and easy way to add a designer touch to a card. They are also very easy to modify.
TIP: Don’t be afraid to alter, fold or cut pockets, tags and ephemera cards to make them work with your design. It was easy to cut this pocket right along the pre-scored fold line. Then I was able to use the other half on the inside of my card.
TIP: When choosing embellishments like flowers and ribbons, let the color palette of the paper guide you. I chose buttery yellow and faded blue flowers for this card based on the colors in the chipboard frame. I knew all these colors would work well together, because they look great on the papers I used.
TIP: Create a “stopper” or a “brake” to keep your easel card standing upright. I did this by adding a layer of waste chipboard to the green striped paper layer. Then I topped it with this pretty chipboard wreath from the collection.
Penny’s Paper Doll Family Photo Birthday Card: A Peek Inside
TIP: You can extra color and design to the inside of your easel card by covering the top half with complementary papers. Just be sure not to adhere papers over the fold line, or the easel mechanism won’t work. And don’t forget to create a space where you can write in your own personal greeting. This journaling ephemera card works perfectly for that assignment!
And where did the other half of that pocket end up? Inside the card! I backed the edges with small foam tabs, punched a little thumb hole, then turned it on its side to be used as a chocolate pocket.
I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures! If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheerio,
kathy
- Penny’s Paper Doll Family 12” x 12” Paper Collection
- Penny’s Paper Doll Family
- Sweet Sister
- Garden Path
- Mothers and Daughters
- Forever Friends
- Ephemera Cards
- Tags and Pockets
- Penny’s Decorative Stickers
- Penny’s Paper Doll Family Chipboard
- Graphic 45 Staples Ornate Metal Keys
- Navy/Burgundy Cardstock
- Yellow and Blue Flowers, Yellow Satin Ribbon
- Tiny Black Buttons from my stash
Not only is it a beautiful treasure, but you have given those of us in bloggyland so many useful tips! Thank you for the wonderful inspiration and helpful information. 🙂 I am sure that this was a big success!
Kathy your sister is going to love it..i adore photos and this card is gorgeous..with the blues and the sentiment about family….ahhh it would be a card to treasure forever
Kathy, I know your sister in law will be delighted to receive this special gift! What a wonderful photo of her and your hubby, and you did a great job of putting the focus on the off centered subject. Great tips through out this post! Well done and thank you for the inspiration! You have showcased this collection beautifully! Hugs!
Love the photo and the folio. These seem to be your “thing” to make. The embellishing is truly amazing as usual! Great colours too!
Have a lovely weekend.
Hi Kathy such a wonderful card and momento for Becky to keep. I love the colours of blue and yellow together they just blend so well. Lots of hints and tips my friend. We are having a few days of beautiful sunshine at the moment not sure how long it will last but nice to feel the warm for a change. Enjoy your weekend my friend. Xx
How delightful, Kathy! Incorporating an old photo into this easel card is such a great idea. The pocket of goodies tucked inside just adds your special touch. I’m already thinking about birthday cards for my family with a childhood photo of each one on the front. Then the gift card can be tucked inside. Thanks for the inspiration.
Kathy, this is such a beautiful, heartwarming card! It gives me an idea for a Christmas card for my two first cousins. They are 10 years apart in age and that photo in your card reminded me so much of them! I have some photos of them where the older one is holding her her younger sister as a baby. How cool that would be to have that in a beautiful card. Have a blessed day and thank you for sharing! Hugs
Beauty of a card! No “derails” in sight! I agree easel cards are extra special.
Oh, there were “derails”…they just didn’t make it into the finished project! LOL Thanks so much, my friend! xo
step right up folks, another brilliant design by Kathy! see the clever and original base design! see the charming use of every piece of paper to make stunning embellishments and functional accessory holders and pockets! see the perfect combination of chic and homespun giving a unique and personal vision to her work! see why ordinary greeting cards will never be the same!
😛 Seriously, Kathy – this is charming – what a lovely gift! And I’m gobsmacked by the clever way you refocused the interest on the photo. I would have just cropped the heck out of it! Your way is the right way!
I think this is the only G-45 collection that I really truly don’t care for – didn’t buy one piece of it – and you made it beautiful!
How sweet this is! Your sister in law is going to luv this card! Luv the papers, luv the design, and luv old family pictures on birthday cards! I do that a lot! It so personalizes the card! And of course easel cards are my favorite …thanks to you! Beautiful card Kathy, just beautiful! Hugs!
What a beautiful gift Kathy…your sister-in-law must have loved it! Thank you for all of the awesome tips!