Buon Compleanno, Mio Amico!

I hope everyone's having a wonderful weekend so far! I was so excited about making this birthday card for my friend Scott that I had a creative block. Part of it probably has to do with the fact that I was trying to make a wedding card at the same time. I hemmed and hawed over which colours to use and also the shape of the card. Finally, after much debate and input from hubby, I settled on this. It was hubby who suggested the dark gray background and I have to say that it sure comes in handy being married to someone with an artistic side! ;)

Our awesome friend Scott has been in Italy for nine years! He's a fellow Canadian who went to school with my sister and he's an avid cyclist - both road and mountain. We're always envious of the riding Scott gets in Italy. Hubby moved to Italy the same year but only stayed one year. We actually had our first date there! How romantic, eh? I guess that's why we plan to retire there. ;) Anyway, I digress. As far back as I can remember, I've been making Scott cards with some sort of cycling theme, whether it has a bike or the Alps in the background.

For this card, I just had to ink up one of the new sets I bought at the CreativFestival last week. I thought this window was so Italian! I love photographing the windows and doorways when I'm in Italy or anywhere in Europe because they're so pretty. It's part of the reason why I bought this set. I know the bike is proportionately small which is why setting it outside the red paper works fairly well! Scott has been sweet enough to find an Italian stamp store for me so I know what I'm getting for Christmas. LOL Since I don't have my Italian sentiments yet, I wrote in this one. It was hard writing smoothly on that textured cardstock! Thank goodness it turned out well. ;) Happy Birthday, Scott!

Sources: SU textured basic gray & textured going gray cardstock; SU ruby red cardstock; GinaK 120lb pure luxury white cardstock; Local King Rubber Stamp Welcome Inn window; The Old Island Stamp Company bicycle 608-B; Chapel Road Artstamps cobbles; Memories Artprint Brown ink; SU Garden Green & Basic Gray inks; Versafine Smokey Grey ink; Copics; SU tearing edge; Sharpie Ultra Fine Black Pen; dimension squares