Hippo Birthday Chris

The card I have today is another from my drafts... it was made for my son Chris's birthday - in November, and no, it's NOT the oldest I have in there; I really will have to get some more posted, lol.

The image I've used is a digi from (the sadly now defunct) Pollycraft, some of Paula's images are available at Little Miss Muffet Stamps, but not this one, aaw.  In case you were wondering Chris turned 29, but I used another of these images (bought in a mega bundle) for one of Chris's friend's birthdays (no, I haven't blogged it yet, lol) and he loved it, so I thought this would be a nice light hearted theme (he's feeling his age, poor love!)Stamping Sensations has an Animal Antics challenge, so I'm in.
I coloured with Copics and added some extra shading with Prismacolor pencils, gloss to the eyes and toenails and some stickles highlights too.
I've used a lot of layers on this card, I usually do (though it's hard to see in my pics) and it's Chris's favourite "technique" for want of a better word so I made sure there were plenty here, Bunny Zoes Crafts has a Layers challenge, I'm in, and Creatalicious Challenges has Happy Birthday so I'm in there too.
The papers are digital, from Shery K's Party Time pack, with the green polka dotty paper and green cardstock from my stash.  The glittery balloon is from a set of acrylic stickers I've had for yonks, I cut it out and moulded it a little to give it dimension then mounted it on foam dots.  The baker's twine is also from my stash; I cut a little slit in the image panel either side of Hippo's "hand" and threaded the twine under it so it looks more like he's holding it.  
The Card Candi is also from my stash, the sentiment is one I made on the computer, here's a copy if you want to download it - or it will be on my Freebies page if you want it later- don't forget you get the best results if you open the image first, then right click and "Save As"
I finished the inside of the card using the same sketch and elements as on the front, this sentiment was yet another fab freebie from the ever-generous Paulette at Create With TLC :-) 

As Chris's gift was a certificate from his favourite clothing shop, Politix, I made this card with a shallow gusset and glued the envelope with the certificate in to the inside cover, I used another of the acrylic stickers to hold it shut.  Tuesday Throwdown has "For a Special Man", Chris is very special, a true gentle-man, so I'm entering there and also in the Digi Sketch Challenge, Papertake Weekly challenge, Bearly Mine Challenge and Aud Sentiments challenge all of which have "for a guy" theme.  I'm also entering Through the Craftroom Door, Paper Crafting Journey, Stampin' for the Weekend and Colour Me Copic's Anything Goes Challenges.
Well that's it for today's card.  I'm pleased to say Chris liked it, he got the tongue in cheek reference to partying... he doesn't drink, but he does like to party - and he's determined never to be too old to do that; wish him luck with that one, lol.
 I'll be back soon with another project from my drafts... though I have just made a Card in a Box, which will make an appearance soon - I'm planning on using it for a DT card on Saturday, but if it's not suitable or I can't wait that long (I'm pretty chuffed with it, lol) I'll be sharing it sooner.  Either way, until then Happy Crafting, Donna