London Inspired Accordion

Simon Says Stamp and Show would like you to dig out those 6" x 6" paper pads and see where they take you.  There are small paper pads of cardstock, patterns, and just about any design you could choose. Whether you choose to use a small piece of a large paper, or dig into your 6" x 6" paper pad stash, we would love to see what you create.

I was inspired to create a birthday card for my husband who spends a great deal of time working in London.

I love the Karen Burniston Flip Accordion Album die, its perfect for the embellished look I love, so much space to get creative. The Bracket Frame and Label die makes decorating the flip album so easy and I loved using the Prima 6" x 6" Engraver paper pad to decorate and stamp throughout. I will definitely be decorating more of these, they are great fun and give movement and dimension to all your card makes.

All the background pieces have been embossed with the stencil Texture Fade and coloured with brushed corduroy and black soot Distress Ink. I cut the mini pocket watch from thick card, adding several layers for dimension, painting the edges with black Paint Dabber.

In the background of the pocket watch I stamped part of the Union Jack flag onto a piece of the Prima paper using black Archival Ink and then added a layer of acetate and stamped part of Big Ben onto the acetate using Tim's London Sights stamp set. I used the postage stamp from this stamp set to stamp around the front edge of my pocket watch. I also added some bead chain to the pocket watch, colouring a little with black Paint Dabber using my finger. I stamped the guard onto shrink plastic and also added two Prima mini numbers to represent my husband's age this year (don't think he will be too happy about me announcing that)!

I also added Big Ben to the front accordion and from this angle you can see the wonderful dimension I added to the mini pocket watch.

I also used images from Artistic Outpost's London Underground and Loverly London and embellished with Blue Moon metal charm London tokens.

I stamped the Union Jack from the Artistic Outpost plate onto a piece of the Prima paper, distressing the edges and colouring with black soot Distress Ink. I also found a broken earring in my collection of a heart Union Jack so added that to the top of the flag along with a pewter Big Ben embellishment.

I have added the guard from Tim's London Sights stamp set and again stamped the image onto shrink plastic and added as an embellishment.

I added more images  from Artistic Outpost and LONDON from Tim's London Sites stamp set.

When I cut out the pocket watch I had lots of circles of card left over so I used one, stamped the text "Keep Calm and Carry On" and added as an embellishment to the card. 

For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp and Show blog and take a look at my fellow team members they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated.  Enjoy your week. Tracy x x 

Products Used:

Karen Burniston Flip Accordion Album Die
Bracket Frame and Label Die
Prima 6" x 6" Engraver Paper Pad
Tim Holtz Alterations - Mini Clock Key and Pocket Watch, Subway and Stencil Texture Fades
Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous London Sights Stamp Set
Artistic Outpost Stamp Plates - London Underground, Loverly London
Pitch Black Paint Dabber
Prima Mini Numbers Sunrise Sunset Vintage Trinkets
White Shrink Plastic
Distress Inks - Brushed Corduroy, Black Soot
Archival Inks - Black
StazOn Inks - Black

Blue Moon Metal Charm Tokens London
Tim Holtz Tonic Paper Distresser