I created this sweet birthday card for my sister Roxy using a travel folio theme. My sister adores travel, and when I saw this Mintay “Next Trip” cardstock, I ordered it months ahead as I knew it was perfect for her. I was personally drawn to the soft colors…pinks, blues, cocoa and white. The graphics are simply dreamy. 

“Cardmaking is all about improvising.”

My inspiration came from Roxy’s love of travel. Short trips to her favorite sandy beach or a journey across several states; she is up for it. I think the beautiful graphics capture the heart of a nomad soul and the adventure that travel brings. Mintay makes some of the prettiest papers.

I added cheesecloth to the cover for texture, “pinking it up” with Tim Holtz Spun Sugar, and then painted the frame with Mythical Unicorn Shimmer acrylic to add some glitz. Next I fashioned a bow from pink glitter tulle (one of my favorites). The shaker element was a new skillset for me. (It actually shook when I first made it and then it stopped.) When the sweet little white and pink pearls I envisioned placing inside turned out to be too big for my shaker, I had a choice: Redo it to make it deeper or play it safe.  I found some silver dollar sign and star glitter in my stash that worked. So I wasn’t making a statement (Travel is expensive. Stars in your eyes).  Cardmaking is all about improvising.

Inside the card folio, I included pretty sheets for photos and special places for written travel memories. Pockets and tuck spots invite a collected souvenir–restaurant matchbooks, a foreign coin, a postcard or an admission ticket. That said, people who travel tend to choose experiences over things. They seek exhilarating nightlife, breathtaking views, gourmet food and, of course, good company. After all, memories are forever.

I must mention my guru, Kathy Clement. She designed the basic folio using Azulejos tile paper, and I took inspiration from hers and made it my own, altering as needed for my personal aesthetic.