I really like the By the Bay Suite in the mini catalogue for its quintessential New Zealand beach imagery.  I especially love the mama bird and her babies in this suite - they sure look similar to a lot of our beautiful shorebirds like the New Zealand Dotterel/Tūturiwhatu.  She is the focal point of this fun fold beach-themed birthday card...

Bundles: Seaside Bay Stamp Set + Seaside Bay Dies (cling: 160445), Charming Sentiments Stamp Set + Sentiment Silhouettes Dies (photopolymer: 158734).  Ink: Night of Navy (147110), Sahara Sand (147117), VersaMark (102283).  Stampin' Blends: Petal Pink (154893), Mint Macaron (154889).  Card/Paper: Sahara Sand (121695), Night of Navy (147110), Basic White (159228), By the Bay 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (160434).  Accessories: Flat Adhesive-Backed Pearls (160449), Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (Metallics: 155555).  Tools: Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (149653), Embossing Additions Tool Kit (159971), Heat Tool (129056), Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (144108).

I have stamped the birds from the Seaside Bay Bundle onto Basic White cardstock in Night of Navy ink and then added a quick wash of colour in the same tones as the By the Bay Specialty Designer Series Paper, which it is paired with.  I have used the Light Petal Pink Stampin' Blend above her beak, on her face, and down her front.  I also added the Light Mint Macaron Stampin' Blend on the back of her head and down the front of her wing.

I used a distressing technique to get a rocky-shore look to my card.  I took a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock, stamped the shell and sand images in Sahara Sand ink all over it, and then tore it right down the middle, adding it to the left edge of my card front.

Seaside Bay Stamp Set + Seaside Bay Dies Bundle (160445) - $114.25

The design of this fun-fold card is called a Tri-Fold Accordion Card, which was inspired by Lisa Curcio.  I have altered her original design instructions and re-created it to fit a standard C6 envelope.  This stunning card opens and unfolds like this...

... revealing the other half of the torn paper and more of the stunning By the Bay Specialty Designer Series Paper.  The camera doesn't quite capture that this sheet has lovely pearl highlights on the shells.

By the Bay 6" x 6" Specialty Designer Series Paper (160434) - $32.00
48 sheets of patterned paper: 4 each of 12 double-sided designs, some with pearl or gold accents.

I finished this fun birthday card with some Flat Adhesive-Backed Pearls and gold-embossed words from the Charming Sentiments Bundle.

I really enjoy the soft, serene beach and water imagery in the Seaside Bay Bundle and the beautiful brushstroke style and natural tones of the By the Bay Specialty Designer Series Paper.  There are more projects in the pipeline...

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