
Have you ever thought about using an actual photo as part of your card design?
After all, what better way to personalise or use a favourite image?
Poppystamps have quite a few Sidekick Frames to choose from for this idea. I've opted for the Garden Poppy design that has a matching smaller Stitched Frame option.
A very soft colour palette in the background keeps my silver and grey distressed frame looking as neutral as can be... except for that pop of red from the sentiment and those stark black enamel dots...
But take a closer look at that outer frame. Can you see what I've done?
Here's a 'how to' guide...

The first step is super easy. Simply cut out the frame and snip away part of the inner design so that it matches this photo!
Then cut out two extra flowers... One that matches the very top and one that matches the very bottom poppy.
Carefully use the blade from an open pair of scissors to distress all the edges. That's every inner edge and every outer edge of the frame.
... And please be careful and take your time with this step!

Next, cut out this smaller Stitched Frame twice as shown, removing all the inner detail from one.
Save the flower from the taller poppy (as shown).

Next, add a touch of colour to just a few of the flowers and at random places around the frame...

... As you can see, I've also added some ink to the taller poppy from the smaller frame... as well as to the cut out that matches it.
I've also inked up the flower that matches the poppy at the very top of the big frame and then sprayed everything pictured with silver glitter varnish.

Once dry, add the photo (glued from behind)... and use Distress Collage Medium on the smaller frame that's pictured here.

Add silver gilding polish to the empty frame and also to the taller flower and its matching cut out.
Then stamp and heat emboss the word Grateful on to a scrap of card and cut it to size.

Glue on the flower at the top at a jaunty angle... and glue the one at the very bottom from behind.

Then glue your smaller frame together with the empty frame on top and add that matching flower as shown.
Glue it into position so that it surrounds the photo...

... And then create a very simply, partially inked background.

Put the whole card together, adding a layer of acetate between the frame and the background. I know that you can't tell it's there from the photo, but it really does add to the design if you add this layer... (plus you can keep costs down by recycling it from packaging supplies).
Will you be trying this distressed look on your designs, I wonder?
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by.

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