Happy Birthday (with patterned papers) - Lily Pad Cards Challenge

Hi, it's Saturday morning...so it must be time to get crafty, huh?  Well, the laundry is almost done, so I gave myself permission to spend some time at my craft table :)  This card is a lacy, frilly one.  These cards take quite a while to make (at least for me), but I was in the mood for frills and some soft, subtle patterned papers.

I'm playing along in the Lily Pad Cards "Simon Says Stamp Presents a Patterned Paper Challenge".
We're supposed to dig out something from that stash of patterned paper that most of us crafters hoard...ah, collect.  Maybe you can relate?

My card ~

Ahhh.  This is one of those times when the card turned out just as I had envisioned it.  Believe me, that doesn't always happen!  I used 2 patterned papers, 2 types of lace, a piece of ric-rac and a piece of that oh-so-pretty Pool Party seam binding that I bought recently.  I did some stitching on the main panel and the focal panel.   I also added a stick-pin, a tiny button...and as a finishing touch, a little tinsel glitter above the layers of lace.   Yeah.  Frilly fun.  Seriously.
Anyway, thanks for looking!  I hope you'll leave a comment.

P.S.  I'll be putting this card in my Etsy shop soon.  There's a link in my upper right sidebar that will take you to my shop.

The recipe:

card stock: white (PTI), pool party (SU)

patterned papers: basics white 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey)

ink: onyx black (Versafine)

stamp: think big favorites #12 (PTI)

other: pool party seam binding (SU), button (Basic Grey), die-namics edge die (MFT), crystal tinsel glitter (MS), wide white lace (The Paper Studio), narrow lace (from my stash), beachfront white ric-rac (SU - discontinued), pewter stick pin (Jenny Bowlin)

thanks {so much}

Whoo - my second post today!  I usually don't have the time to do that, but, I'm spending the day stamping  :o)
This card is going to a former co-worker and friend.  Each year, my friend Pam and I co-host a Christmas party for a bunch (the attendance varies each year) of former co-workers/friends.  Our workplace closed down in 1999 but, thankfully, we continue to stay in touch.  This annual party is SO much fun!  Each year, one particular friend brings gifts for me and Pam.  She is just so sweet.  Even though she has dealt with the loss of loved ones, 2 years in a row - in November...she still is so thoughtful and giving to others.  What a blessing she is to those around her.
This card is going out to her, in thanks for the sweet gift...and her friendship.

I'm participating in the following challenges, with this card ~

The Play Date Cafe - Color Splash Challenge (PDCC60 ~ black & white with a splash of yellow)

Paper Pals Arts Challenge - CAS Elements of Style - Get your lace in place!!

In fact, this is my 2nd entry in the Paper Pals Arts challenge today.  I had so much fun working with lace earlier today...that I decided to use lace on another card.  This beautiful lace is one that I bought recently, and I've been looking for an excuse to use it...yea...like I need an excuse.
On to the card ~

Maybe I got a little carried away with the number of photos.  I was trying to capture all of the details.  It was difficult to show the dry embossed black panel, so I included an angled photo (closeup).  In the bottom photo you can see some of the border punched yellow cs that I added to the inside.  I thought this MS punch mimicked the V shapes in the lace, on the front of the card.  The black brad, in the center of the bow, is covered in corduroy...it has such a soft look, in real life.  I attached my tiny thank you sentiment with a piece of bakers twine.  The black and white swirled pattern is actually a piece of vellum, that I found in a mixed media pack that I've had for a while.
Well, I've chattered enough!  If you've read all the way to the end of this post..thank you for your patience!!!

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My recipe:

Card stock: whisper white, basic black, so saffron (SU)

Stamp: tiny tags (SU)

Patterned paper: printed vellum from mixed media pack (Best Occasions)

Other: swirl embossing folder (Cuttlebug), brides mother trim white (Offray), white satin ribbon (Celebrate It), corduroy brad (from my stash), baker's twine (Really Reasonable Ribbons)