My Son-in -Law's Special Birthday Card!

My son-in-law, as I've mentioned in a few posts in past years, has a great love of fishing, but it seems there has not been time in his life lately to do much about that; therefore, I thought a fishing card with the BIG CATCH depicted would be appropriate this year!  And, need I tell you, there is a bit of humor attached by using Karen's Doodles digital image: Who Caught Who?

I decided to use the diagonal quarter-panel paper layout that I have used in the past and always enjoyed the end results.  Please note that I do not know the official name for this type of layout, and maybe there isn't any, but I think my name suits it just right.  I wanted my background behind my popped up digital colored image to be a nature scene that one would see while out fishing.  I wanted the top panel for the sky, the side panels for a patterned paper of trees, and the bottom panel for a dock.  I have to tell you, I just love my finished dock with its roped pilings on each side.  I have seen this embellishment technique on Pinterest, and one of my cardmaking buddies used it as well several months ago on a get well card for my husband after his knee surgery.  My dock is a diagonal view, so I decided there would be pilings on both sides of the dock for balance.  

Once I decided on my papers to use, I was able to begin the coloring of my chosen digital image with Copic Markers. . .the poor guy was so successful in landing the BIG CATCH, but unfortunately, his aim in reeling him in was to land him on his head rather than in the boat!  Though you can't see it in the photo, I used Wink of Stella: Clear on the fish to add a sheen to his scales.  (This is a brush-tip glitter pen.)  I know my son-in-law will get a kick out of the man with the fish head and will be intrigued by my clever little dock.

At the stage in the birth of one of my card, I turn to the inside to create a design that compliments the outside and to make a verse that goes with the theme of the card.  I have now finished this step and will share it.  I have to say I'm in love with my little acrostic verse, using the word FISHING. . .it's all about fishing bait.  I feel sure that my son-in-law will love his birthday card.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Old Olive (card base); Night of Navy.  Bazzill Basics: Avalanche (sandable).  Reminisce: Dog Park/ Scentral Park.  Recollections Signature Especial Textured Cardstock: Tan (like SU/ Crumb Cake).  SU Embossing Folder: Clouds.  Karen's Doodles: Who Caught Who?  Wink of Stella: Clear (on fish).  SU Stamp: Hardwood; Guy Greetings (sentiment).  SU Ink: Chocolate Chip; Soft Sky (sponging image area).  Spellbinders dies: Labels Three #6/ #7.  Maya Arts Hemp Twine.  Distressed edges.  MFT dies: Photo Corners (inside).  Size = 5-1/2" x 5-7/8".