Variety being the spice of life...

In case anyone was wondering, I do still make cards for special occasions.

 Next week is my MIL's 85th birthday, so I get to make something "pretty" :D

LOC's challenge this week is Hip to Be Square so that gave me my choice of shape.

 The trouble with having so much "stash" is that you forget what you have...

and I found this lovely collection of papers from Debbie Moore and one fit perfectly for the current challenge over at Crafting When We Can # Things with Wings.

 and I have just bought the "Graveyard scene" die set from X-Cut.

 Now I know what your thinking.."graveyard scene fr MIL's birthday card?"

 but you don't have to use all the layers.

I just cut the railings and the tree layer...

 to form a frame around the song bird on the background paper :D

 No MIL card is complete without a few flowers...

 so I coloured some paper ones with watered down inks

(top one was my tester)

 I used some pointy petals as leaves and gold liquid pearls to add texture and interest to the flower centres(as well as dotting patches on the flat background paper)

Just a little tag for now as I will personalise it after hubby has approved.

It is tricky taking photos of projects using mirror/satin card, but I hope you can still see the colours clearly.

Enjoy :D XXX