Numbered Birthday Card

Hello crafty card makers! Today I’m sharing how to make this numbered birthday card. It features 3D embossed textures, along with multiple metallic finishes. I made this one a birthday card, but the sentiment could easily be switched out to suit many different occasions. This numbered birthday card could easily be turned into a Father’s Day card as well. In fact, I already have a tutorial showing how you can slightly alter this card layout to make it work for Father’s Day. The tutorial for that card can be found here.

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Supplies Used / Substitutions:

Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlits Dies – Bold Text #1 #665847 | *Sb.com | *SIZ | *AMZ | SSS |
Sizzix Tim Holtz 3D Embossing Folder – Numbered #665753 | *Sb.com | *SIZ | *AMZ | SSS / Any embossing folder
Sizzix Tim Holtz 3D Embossing Folder – Cracked Leather #665766 | *Sb.com | *SIZ | *AMZ | SSS / Any embossing folder
Black Cardstock / Any color cardstock
Tim Holtz idea-ology Metallic Kraft Stock – Silver | *Sb.com | *AMZ | SSS / Any color metallic cardstock
Sizzix Luster Wax – Rose Gold | *Sb.com | *SIZ | *AMZ / Any color luster wax or distress foundry wax

Tools Used / Substitutions:

Sizzix Big Shot | *SIZ / Spellbinders Platinum Six | *SB / Any die cutting machine
Tim Holtz Tonic Guillotine Comfort Paper Trimmer | *Sb.com | *AMZ | *RI | SSS / Any paper trimmer
EK Scoring Board | *AMZ | SSS / Any scoring board
Bearly Art Glue | *Sb.com | *SB | *AMZ | SSS / Any liquid adhesive
Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer with water | *Sb.com | *RI / Any spray bottle with water
Die Pick | *Sb.com | SSS / Toothpick
Foam Squares | SSS |
Washi Tape / Any low tack tape
Sheet of Copy Paper / Scrap paper
Post-It Note

Making The Numbered Birthday Card Base

Take a sheet of black cardstock and cut it in half with your paper trimmer. You should now have two 8½ x 5½ inch pieces of cardstock.
Score the half sheet of cardstock at the 4¼ inch line.
Fold on the score line and reinforce the fold with a bone folder.

Your card base should be 4¼ x 5½ inches, a standard A2 card size.

3D Embossing Tips

Before we emboss, here are some tips for getting the best 3D embossing.

Spritz the front and back of the paper with water before putting it into the 3D embossing folder. The water helps to soften the fibers of the paper so it doesn’t crack.
Then, you’ll put the misted paper into the 3D embossing folder and run it through the Sizzix Big Shot/any die cutting machine 3 times**. Remember, 3D = 3 times (it makes for a deeper and crisper impression.) See photo below for a side-by-side comparison.

**NOTE: Each machine applies a different amount of pressure. Older machines tend to be well loved and will probably need the three passes. Newer machines don’t need as many passes. For instance, the Sizzix big shot foldaway machine applies a lot of pressure, and would only need one pass for a 3D embossing folder. The weight of your paper is also a contributing factor. The thinner the paper, the less number of passes you’ll need to run it through. For heavier weight paper, you may need an extra pass through the machine. I recommend doing some small test swatches to see how many passes is ideal for your machine with the different weights of paper that you will be using. For more examples of why I recommend using the water spritz, check out my side-by-side photo comparisons in my Elegant & Simple Card tutorial.

Embossing The Numbers

Take the leftover half of the black cardstock used to make the card base and cut it in half. It should be 4¼ x 5½ inches.
Lightly spritz the front and back of the cardstock with water.
Place it in the Sizzix Tim Holtz Numbered 3D embossing folder.
Next, run it through your die cutting machine.
Remove the paper from the embossing folder and let it dry. Put a cutting pad on top of it so that it dries flat.
Once it is dry, trim the numbered panel down to a size of 4 x 5¼ inches.

Applying The Luster Wax

Luster Wax Tips

Firstly, you’ll want to take a little bit of luster wax out of the jar with your finger tip and rub it onto the post-it note or scrap piece of paper. This removes some of the excess wax globs and will save you from ruining your project with hot spots of wax all in one area. It also makes for an even application of the luster wax. Then, rub the wax onto the high points of the embossing. Here you’ll want to use a light touch and take your time. Continue this process until all the panel is covered to your liking. When finished, wash the luster wax off your hands with soap and water.

Rub rose gold luster wax over the numbered panel with your finger. Apply the wax just around the outer edge of the panel since the inside will get covered by the birthday sentiment.
Add as much (for a more metallic finish) or as little (for a subtle hint) as you like.
When finished, wash hands with soap and water.
Then, glue the numbered panel to the front of the black card base.

Making The Sentiment

Die Cutting

Cut a piece of black cardstock to a size of 3½ x 2¾ inches.
Tape the birthday sentiment die from the bold text #1 set to the cardstock, centering the die on the cardstock with equal spacing on all sides.
Then, run it through you die cutting machine.
Remove the die and pop out all the letters.

Embossing

Lightly mist the front and back of the birthday sentiment panel with water.
Place it in the Sizzix Tim Holtz Cracked Leather 3D embossing folder.
Next, run it through your die cutting machine.
Remove the paper from the embossing folder and let it dry. Put a cutting pad on top of it so that it dries flat.

Assembling The Numbered Birthday Card

Cut the metallic silver kraft stock to a size of 3¼ x 2½ inches.
Glue it behind the birthday sentiment die cut and set something heavy on it while it dries.
Put some foam squares to the back of it.
Adhere it to the front of the card base, centering it on all sides. Add some glue on the foam squares if you want a more secure hold.