two pretty bird and floral toppers with bowsCompleted by Pamela Horton The whispering Platypus

Thank you, Nick Bowley, for offering these two beautiful toppers for purchase on the one sheet, it is very generous, and has given me the chance to present them in differing styles, and to use different techniques.

I printed the sheet onto 170gsm white smooth surfaced matte card, so that each image measured 13 x 9.25cm, in the oval shape, and once onto white 80gsm white copy paper at the same siz.

To complete the humming bird card, I have used white 200gsm Crafty Bob Matte photo paper cut at 24 x 15 cm, then scored and folded it.

I have attached the copy paper image onto the centre front of an aqua swirled effect 14x11cm backing sheet and used a gold metallic pen to outline the gold oval, then attached the 1cm wide aqua ribbon across 5cm up from the lower edge and secured the tails at the back.

I have used D.S. tape to attach this to the card front. I have then used the 170gsm copy of the main image to attach to the card front.

I have used gold, silver glitter decorative peel off strips to define the edges of the backing sheet and tied and attached a matching bow as embellishments.

To complete the insert section of this greeting card, I have manipulated the way in which the verse, which I have chosen from the free verse section, is read, and added a simple pansy image and attached the supplied matching bow.

The second topper featuring the two small cheeky brown birds amongst the blossoms I have printed a pink with white spot onto both sides of 170gsm white smooth finished white matte card.

I cut it at 27 x 15.5cm, then scored and folded it. Before attaching the aqua spring birds in blossoms backing sheet, cut at 12.5x14.5cm using padded D.S. tape.

I made an 11.5 x 13.5cm backing sheet using both rose pink and swirled aqua card joined at 6.5cm up from the lower edge.

I have attached this to the larger backing sheet using D.S. tape.

I then used a deep rose pink coloured, fine line, peel off strip to define the edges of the two toned backing sheet and used the deep rose pink 1cm wide ribbon to attach horizontally across the join and secure the tails at the back.

I was then able to use the 170gsm copy of this image to cut out the birds and blossoms in 3 pieces to attach onto the card front as the decoupage.

I tied a matching bow and used red power tape to secure it in place.

To complete the insert, I have used a very small image of the finished card front and the matching bow off the sheet provided.

I have not attached a verse as I want to use this finished card as part of my letter writing to a friend.

Both finished cards were very easy and quick to complete, and both have such universal use, I will be able to use this design many times.

Pamela Horton. The whispering Platypus