A Cheerful and Sunny Birthday Card | Altenew BAG Layering Lily

What I Learned

I like to start my cardmaking with a starting point. This can be a product, a sentiment, or a certain feeling I want to give the card. It depends on whether I already have a recipient in mind or not.

This way of thinking has changed a lot during my cardmaking journey, and following the AECP has played a big role in that. In the beginning, I simply wanted to make the best card I could. Now I first think about the recipient and the feeling I want to give through the card. Is it meant to cheer someone up, congratulate them, or let them know I am thinking about them?

The design choices I make, from colors to products and composition, all help reinforce that feeling and support the sentiment.

My Card

I wanted this card to reflect the personality of Jerralyn, the birthday girl. She is such a sweet, warm, and joyful person. Despite what life throws at her, she chooses to stay positive. She always finds ways to encourage others and truly sets an example of the kindness we hope to bring into the world.

So this card needed to communicate happiness, warmth, and encouragement.

The colors play a very important role in creating that feeling. The sunny yellow watercolor background immediately brings a cheerful and uplifting feeling. Combined with the splatters, shimmer, and subtle glitter through the stencil, it creates a sense of light and joy.

The soft purple flowers add a gentle and caring touch, while the hints of orange bring extra warmth and energy to the design. To finish the card, I added a large light-purple sentiment and, of course, a little shiny bling bling—just the way Jerralyn likes it.

Reflection

This card was truly a pleasure to make, and I hope Jerralyn will love it.

Learning how design choices can reinforce the feeling of a card has been both a blessing and a challenge. It has changed the way I approach cardmaking, but it has also made me think more deeply about the decisions I make.

At times, I still find myself overthinking those choices. However, I believe that with practice, they will become more and more natural. After all, it is not one single choice that makes a card successful—it is all those small choices working together.