Dam Good Birthday!

How cute is that little beaver? I think he turned out really adorable, but I am also a little biased. ;) The card is 5 1/2"x5 1/2" with a 5"x5" mat. The base of the card is kraft cardstock and the mat is a cream cardstock. I scored the mat on all four sides at 1/4" and a second time on the top, this gives the mat a frame without using paper to do it. I like that look and might try it more often. I cut a dark blue strip of paper 1" wide and just short of 5 1/2" tall. I punched three flowers from a EK Success punch. I took three buttons and tied twine through them and adhered them to the center of the flowers. The log is from Create a Critter, I used my Gypsy to stretch it to 4 3/4" while keeping it at a 1 1/2" height. I drew in the tree rings and then inked the log. The beaver is also from Create a Critter and cut at 2 1/2." I used the hide contour feature on my Gypsy to hide the face when I cut it out. I inked around the edges and then used a Peachy Keen stamp for his face. I used a white gel pen to color in the teeth and eyes. I stamped "Happy Birthday" on a piece of light brown cardstock, then I trimmed it down. I used my computer for the inside sentiment and I inked the edges of the paper. I also added a couple more of the same punched flowers, this time I used some blue gems in the middle instead of buttons.
I made this card following the sketch from Peachy Keen. They also added a twist, you had to use kraft cardstock on your creation. I also used the Simon Says recipe from Papercraft Star. Their recipe was: make a card, base-5 1/2"x5 1/2," mat-5"x5," score mat 5 times at 1/4," 3 flowers from a die cut or punch, 3 buttons and twine. Enjoy!!