How can it be 2 years since the AAA Birthday challenge blog was first launched? I’m so grateful to have been given the chance to be on this design team with the wonderful Jane at our helm. We wouldn’t still be here two years on without the support of all of you…the amazing creative community who enter the challenges.
This months challenge is simply HAPPY BIRTHDAY and we would love to give you all the opportunity to win some crafty goodness. We have 9 amazing companies who have graciously sponsored this special month. See further down for all the details of how to win.
We also welcome Kuni as our guest designer for this special month.
For my DT card I’ve used My Favourite Things stamps and dies.

Fun Extra way to win

We are a multi country DT and have all placed our country’s flag on our personal blogs. We’d love for you to go on a flag hunt to discover our countries.
Note down each DT – there are 13 – and their country and email your answers to Jane – aaabirthdaychallenge@gmail.com.
All correct answers will be put into a draw and one lucky winner will receive a $25 MFT gift certificate.
Visit all the Design Team blogs below to search for the flags:
PRODUCTS
- My Favourite Things
- Stitched Rectangle Frames Dienamics
- SY – Pawty Time stamp set
- Loose Lemon Crafts Mini Tag Dies
- Pink Paislee Birthday Bash patterned paper
- Copics, embellishments, gold embroidery thread, green glitter card
Process
I won’t go into too much detail but just give a few tips on how I go about working out my card layout.
- Decide on images to use – dog/present and streamers – and what medium I want to use. My usual go to is copics for images but the streamer I just stamped in a coloured ink as there is enough detail on the image I don’t need to colour it in.
- I chose the background patterned paper next so I could use the colours from that in my images.
- Once the images are coloured and cut out I arrange the images on the background paper. I felt the composition needed more dimension as the paper was quite busy and the image didn’t stand out so I decided to add tags. To match the colour scheme I coloured plain white cardstock with the copics I used in the image. I then stamped the confetti stamp image onto the tags with a darker ink to give them a tone on tone look. The sentiment also fitted perfectly on the larger tag.
- I arranged the images again and still wasn’t happy with the overall look so added the frame, diecut out of more paper from the same paper pad. The size of the frame was perfect for adding the streamers.
- Notice how each side of the frame has parts of the central images handing over the edge. This gives a bit more interest to the look of the card.
- Using different thicknesses of foam tape gives extra dimension – I try to avoid placing everything on the same layer.
finishing
- The last thing I do is add all the little embellishment touches
- enamel dots on the streamer and present
- glitter dot to the hat
- small glitter heart
- tie on the tag
- glitter pen on the dogs hat and scarf
- Once these had been done I knew I wanted one last element so I matted the patterned paper onto the glitter cardstock.
I hope you’ve been inspired to join us in this months challenge.
Thanks for stopping by and have a good day.
Handmade by Pip

Kia Ora from New Zealand
Such an adorable card, love the papers and the design.
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I very much enjoyed reading about your creative process Pip. You can see that your layering has been carefully thought out and that all your details and embellishments have space of their own to breath. A lovely bright birthday card! Vicky x
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Love the cute puppy with the big present…happy 2nd birthday.XX
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My 2 dogs & I like the cute wonderful birthday card.
Melissa
“Sunshine HoneyBee”
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It is a lovely card! I recognize the papers, amazing, you at the other side of the world with the same paperpack !!
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The world isn’t such a big place after all! Glad you liked the card.
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Love all the layers to this card, starting with the cutest pup. Awesome!
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Thanks so much Cari.
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Your little birthday puppy could not be sweeter, Pip! I love the colors and dimension you achieved! Thanks for the inspiration! hugs, de
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Thanks so much Donna. Glad you liked it. I’m a really big fan of adding dimension.
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I LOVE the layers and cute little pup!!! Great colors too!
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Thanks Meghan.
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Woohooo.. what a fun birthday card! I love everything of his: the cute image, the bright colours and the fun design! Very very nice!
Nga mihi & Arohanui from Germany 🙂
Happy Birthday, many thanks for this fun challenge and stay safe!
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Thanks so much and I appreciate you using te reo (Maori language) in your comment.
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Woohooo.. what a fun birthday card! I love everything of his: the cute image, the bright colours and the fun design! Very very nice!
Nga mihi & Arohanui from Germany 🙂
Happy Birthday, many thanks for this fun challenge and stay safe!
Doris
Kleido’s BastelStüble
*Owner* Do-Al(l) Kreatives
*Owner* Easter-Fun Challenge Blog
*List Manager* Challenges for Days
*DT* Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2
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Gorgeous card – pretty colours and great composition.
Katrina x
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Thanks for your kind comment Katrina.
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What a fun card with all those fabulous layers!
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Thanks Renee.
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A fabulous card – I love all the layers in this super image.
Kath x
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Thanks Kath.
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Your card is really adorable. I especially love the pup.
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Thank you Joyce.
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Beautiful birthday card – just gorgeous for a child birthday!
Wishing you and your teamies a happy Blog-Birthday!
Crafty greetings
Alex
*Owner* Creative Crafting Uncles
*DT + Co-Owner* Easter-Fun Challenge
*DT + Admin* Do-Al(l) Kreatives
*DT* Kreativ-Tanten Challenge
Alex’ Kreative Seite
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Thanks so much Alex. I appreciate your kind comments and birthday wishes.
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Loved the way you explained your process. Its of value to share that we can make changes along the way and have the card turn out so cute! ❤
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Thanks so much for your kind comments Kinjal.
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Great with so many layers and appealing card design with so many cute elements!
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Thanks Vinita. Glad you liked my card.
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I love Clusters on cards and especially with adorable images like yours, Well done and Happy Birthday AAA!
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Thank you Donna.
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Hello Pip, from a fellow Kiwi. Love your card with so many elements – really cute!
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Hi Glennis. Thanks for your kind words. Nice to connect with another kiwi crafter.
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Hello Pip. What a fab card with lots of little details. I totally agree what you have said above in your process points 5. and 6.; they make your card very interesting. Enjoy the birthday month with the rest of the team. You certainly have all deserved a party. Regards, Tiina, Helsinki, Finland
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Thanks so much Tina. I really appreciate your kind comments. Glad you stopped by.
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Adorable card..love the combo of colours and patterns.
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Thank you Mary- Anne.
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So many gorgeous layers to your card and a very cute pup!
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Thanks so much Jen.
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This is gorgeous, there are so many lovely details.
Jane Willis
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Thank you Jane
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Loving all those fabulously co-ordinated celebratory layers – happy birthday AAA
Kathyk
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It’s a great way to use up my papers…even just a tiny tiny amount of them. Glad you liked the card. So pleased you’ve joined us in celebrating our special birthday month.
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Darling card! I love the layering and dimension, and that pup peeking out from behind the present is just adorable!
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Thank you so much Denise.
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Wonderful layers on this fun card! I love all the dimension and interest you achieved.
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Thanks Catherine. I appreciate you kind words.
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What a fun, birthday card! Love that green glitter background and all the great die cuts!
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Thank you Debi
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Congrats on the 2 year milestone! Thanks for keeping it going. Lovely colourful card.
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Thanks Janet. I always love to see your cards entered in our challenges.
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Beautiful card – a really cute image and I love the colours you’ve used.
Helen x
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Thank you Helen 😁
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What a great bunch of layers!!! Great card!!!
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Thanks so much 🙂
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Such a fun card – love all those colours together!
Helen x
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Thanks Helen 🙂
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Beautiful colours and layers. Hugz
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Thank you so much 🤗
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wonderful card, Pip – and thanks for all the tips on how you designed your card!
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Thank you so much Betty 🙂
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I love the bold, vibrant and colorful card with so many layers.. I love the pattern paper but never been able to use it so creatively like you have.. I always end up hoarding them at the end.. Totally amazing card to create and receive.. Thank you for sharing with us and inspiring ❤️❤️
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I appreciate your kind words 🤗. I am also a hoarder of paper and am trying hard to use them…so I don’t feel so guilty about buying some more 😀.
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Such a fun card! I love all of the layers!
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Thanks so much Lucy 🤗
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fabulous colourful card, such fun and bright colours and a cute pup, you can’t go wrong with a puppy
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Thanks Maaike 🙂
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Such a wonderful mix of papers and a mega cute image. Love it!
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Thanks Jane 😀
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