Ruby Slippers?

As it's the first Friday of the month the new challenge on the Daring Cardmakers is another from the birthstones theme that's running throughout this year, 

The birthstone for July is the  

Ruby
Rubies are associated with  devotion, integrity, courage, happiness and said to promote vitality, confidence and strength.
The healing properties related to Rubies are in connection to blood problems and infection, it's also considered helpful in increasing positive thought patterns.
Rubies are also thought to enhance  energy, generosity and to bring prosperity and success. 

You might be inspired by something there, or simply by the glorious Ruby Red colour when it comes to making your card.

We now waved a fond farewell to Kaz and Andrea who've been such wonderfully inspiring Guest Designers over the last few weeks, and we're hoping that they'll come and do it all again sometime soon.  We do, however, have a very talented new Guest Designer joining us this month and I'm especially chuffed as her blog has been in my favourites list for ages. We're very happy to introduce Ania (aka Nutki) who'll be sharing her creations with us all through July.

 I'm sometimes asked to make special cards to celebrate Wedding Anniversaries, so I decided to make a card that would be suitable for something like that - I've (cunningly, hehe) left space to add a customised message!  However, if I don't need such a card before October, then it will be for my Aunt's birthday as red is her favourite colour - so I've not made it lovey-dovey either!

It was seeing the new little Prima bouquets  that are around atm that gave me the idea for this.  I used to make bouquets for cards a few years ago and I really enjoyed putting them together.  You'll probably find a few examples if you scroll back through the years this blog has been going!  If you really wanted to, that is!

Card base is Red Stardream card, as is the top red layer. Between them is a white hammered card square.  I've used two sizes of Nesties scalloped circles to cut apertures in the top two layers.

The narrow ribbon was threaded through some of the holes in the gorgeous lace, then adhered to the upper layers of the card and folded around the edges.  This whole section  was then adhered to the base card with sticky pads.  The depth isn't as great as I was hoping, but never mind, eh

The bouquet was then tucked into place and glued there  - easier than trying to get the position right on the base card before adding the upper layers.  

In the bouquet are various types of paper and fabric flowers - I love the one at the top (John Lewis) - it's already got a little feather and some beady bits and is soooo pretty - I must remember to get some different colours next time I'm in the shop. Some of the flowers weren't quite the right colours so I added a bit of ink and then spritzed them all with a couple of Glimmer Mist shades.

To complete the bouquet there are a few leaves and some crystal stems - you need a bit if bling to "lift" the monotone red.

The upper corners looked a bit bare so I added some tiny pearls to the right side.  I'm always amazed how just a couple of brads, gems or a little tab of ribbon is just enough to pull everything together and add some interest to a dull corner.

I hope you like it.

I've not forgotten about the little book tutorial, that'll be along in the next few days.

I'll do the draw for last week's blog candy this evening and edit this post to announce the winner - if you want to win the birthday book, leave a message on last Friday's post before 6pm UK time and you'll be in the draw!

Right, back to the next project for Funky Hand....with a bit of luck it's Hubby's turn to make the coffee next.