Mojo157-NAUT(ilus) Your Average Birthday Card

Ssssh...don't tell, but this is my hubby's birthday card for next week. Amazingly, I actually got it done early! Somehow, I manage to get designs done for deadlines, but my own family somehow fall by the wayside. Kind of like the shoemaker's children who have no shoes. Now that I have a blog up and running, I really have less excuse for missing these big days. Anyway, my hubby loves nautilus shells and fortunately Dreamweaver Stencils just happen to have the most gorgeous shell stencils out there. I ran this shimmery copper cardstock through my Big Shot with the stencil, and ran the background stencil through again with the Bazzill Java cardstock. Spritzing a little rubbing alcohol on both sides before running through the machine helps to soften the paper fibers just enough to get a deep emboss. For this card I followed the Mojo Monday week 157 sketch ('cuz, hey, I might as well kill two birds with one stone...or card), which included a panel along the side using my cute herringbone patterned paper. Some type of circular item was supposed to be placed along the right side. I chose to use one of Tim Holtz' Tag Fragments, since it is clear and I didn't want to lose any of the detail of that beautiful embossed shell. I've had these rub-ons forever, and since I'm usually stamping or stenciling, I've never used them. This seemed to be the ideal opportunity, and the curve in the type fit perfectly. I chose antiqued copper brads as the three elements under the main focal point. I think he'll like this card. He'll love the stencil and the masculine feel accented by the hemp twine, plus the simple, clean design. Now I just need to work on an anniversary card for him as that comes up two days after his b-day. Got any suggestions?
Pam

"Nautilus" from Dreamweaver Stencils (LM104)
"Flourishes" from Dreamweaver Stencils (LJ890)
Bazzill Java Cardstock
Graphic 45 Proper Gentlemen Collection "Man About Town"
metallic copper cardstock
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tag Fragments
brad fasteners from Creative Impressions
TLC Quikwords Rub Ons "Birthday Party"
brown hemp twine
Big Shot