APPLE BLOSSOM BACKGROUND/BACKING PAPER: A4 with Commercial UseCompleted by Pamela Horton The whispering Platypus

I have used this apple blossom background sheet many times in the last 2 weeks.

I had used them for 2 cards I had made designed by Russ Smith as the background sheet for inside and outside for both cup494826_37 and cup494824_37, and today I have made a card on the theme of the Apple Blossom Time hit from the 20’s made popular by the Andrews Sisters up until the 60’s.

I printed the backing sheet 4 times on the one sheet, back to back at the size of each image measuring 12.7 x 8.9cm, so that I could fold it and have the front, back and full page insert visible.

I used a small single punch to punch a hole in the card front at 2cm down from the top edge and 2.5cm up from the lower edge and 0.5cm in from the folded edge.

I threaded the greenish gold ribbon in from the inside to tie a simple knot on the outside. I used a coffee stained 10cm doily to colour the edges with a gold metallic pen and then attach the very centre of the doily to the card front using white glue.

I used the discarded centre plastic ring from a D.S. tape to squeeze into an oval shape and traced this shape onto a cream marble finished card.

I used the same pen to define the edges of this oval and then attached it to the card front using D.S. tape.

I then printed the Apple blossom backing sheet at the A4 size and cut out 3 sprays of apple blossom and used thickened white glue to attach these as the decoupage using a step by step method.

I used a small length of the same greenish gold ribbon to tie a simple knot through the focal ribbon in the centre of the insert.

I found the copy of the Apple Blossom time record and attached it to the insert.

I printed the sentiment, which I have attached on the outside, Never a day goes by, and the rest of the sentiment, that we don’t think of you, on the right hand side of the insert.

I then used the gold pen again to define the edges of the card front. I am pleased, I chose this background sheet as the original art work by Clare gives an authentic touch to the theme I wanted to create, and I am more than delighted with the outcome.

I will use this style and theme to make similar style cards and add sentiments for Sympathy , Get well as well as other greetings, and as the lucky word this week is Wedding for very obvious reasons, I will strike while the world celebrates.

Thank you Clare, I really love this design. Pamela Horton. The Whispering Platypus.