*Cough, cough* Whoa, sure is dusty around here! Dusting off the blog today to post a card I made for the monthly MFT Birthday Project Challenge.

I used the MFT Balloon Strings background stamp and heat embossed in Wow Fine Silver embossing powder. I used MFT Block Happy Birthday Dienamics to cut the letters from silver Glitter paper from DCWV. I created the balloons from the MFT Birthday Balloons Dienamics, and I popped up every other one on foam tape for dimension. I didn’t have any number stamps or dies from MFT, so I cheated and used the Avery Elle Numbered Balloon Elle-ments dies for the 60, also cut from the same glitter paper.

I made a pop up on the inside with 3 more balloons spelling the recipient’s name. The letter B was taken from the same MFT Block Happy Birthday Dienamics used on the front, but since “Happy Birthday” doesn’t have an O in it, I had to get creative. The off cut from the 6 was a circle, but it was too big and wouldn’t have looked right without the middle hole. I was able to take the 0 (zero) of the same Avery Elle Numbered Balloon Elle-ments dies and line the hole it cuts over the hole cut from the 6 to get the O. It created an O in the perfect size to match the MFT letters! I love when you can use your stash creatively like that! I added a computer generated sentiment that I really wanted for this card and didn’t have in a stamp. My brother, who was the one turning 60, used to argue in his youth that age is just a number and you wouldn’t feel old unless you thought you were old. Well, with age comes wisdom… and aches and pains, lol. I think he was feeling every bit of 60 on his birthday 🙂 I think I made it worse by reminding him that my son, his only nephew, is graduating in a few months. That makes me feel old too, and I’m 12 years younger than he is!!! My brother, that is 🙂

While I had all my supplies out, I made sure his mailman would know how old he was too. I had a tiny 60 stamp from the PTI Haunted Headstones Sentiment set (retired) and used it in ink colors that coordinated with my balloon cardstock. The envelope art is from the Pinkfresh Happy Mail set (also retired).

Linking to the following challenges:

• MFT Birthday Project – You’re How Old?
• Just Us Girls – #47 Trend Week – Background Stamps
• Time Out Challenges – Be Unique…. this card is unique as it is personalized for Bob!