SHAMROCKS & FOUR-LEAF CLOVER: 7x7 Quick Card Front for St Patrick`s Day/Good Luck Cards, With DecoupageCompleted by Pamela Horton The whispering Platypus

This is a very traditional motif, hand painted by Clare Walker, to help us celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Shamrocks, three and four leaf clovers are always prominent amongst the green that is used to help the mood and ambience of this celebration. I made multiple use of the green theme in making this card. I printed the sheet supplied onto CB gloss 200gsm photo copy paper. I cut out the main image and made a light spring floral print backing sheet which measures 11.5cm square. The next backing sheet is a white card which measures 12,5 cm square. Before I attached these together with padded D.S. tape, I used a green permanent pen to colour the edges of the main image and the 2 backing sheets. I then used a gingham check green and white 1.5 cm wide duct tape to attach to all 4 edges of the white backing sheet. I used the mitre method to cut the corners to make them seem seamless and to fit cleanly without bulk. I made a lace and duct tape ribbon with a white spotted, green duct tape, attaching the lace onto the sticky side before attaching this ribbon 1.5 cm up from the bottom edge of the main image, using D.S. tape. I matted the backing sheets, using the padded tape and then wrapped the lace and duct tape ribbon round to the back of the duct taped edged backing sheet, securing it with D.S. tape. I then made the main card. I used P.S. to change the Christmas Lace Effect, cup814313_79993, to be a deep green and white, and printed this on both sides of a white 180gsm card. I cut this at 28cm x 14cm and then scored and folded it before attaching the completed topper using regular D.S. tape. I made a simple bow with 2.5cm wide green organza ribbon and made a 4step concertina tag for the sentiment. I coloured some silver strips with green and attached those onto the frame around the main central image. I coloured 6 yellow gems green and attached them to the card front. I coloured 4peel off corners green and attached them. I then cut out the small elements and used tiny padded spots to attach these to complete the decoupage. For the insert, I sourced a photograph from the internet of a 4 leaf clover and added the sentiment. I made a green space for the greeting,, using the duct tape, lace and floral print, 3 green gems and a tiny mandala coloured in green and black. I have made use of the Christmas lace effect on many cards recently, by simply using P.S. to change the colour. So I must thank you Clare, for this most effective Saint Patrick’s Day design and for the backing sheet, I purchased many weeks ago I hope you like what I have made with this design.

A big Hug with many thanks, Pamela Horton.