Project 232: See you later gator card

Another week, another commission!

My colleague's boyfriend is American and is getting transferred back to his New York office. She wanted to make him a special card that would be big enough for people to sign at his leaving party on - incidentally- today, the 4th of July.

I love 'See you later, alligator' in goodbye cards. It keeps things light and fun and doesn't dwell on sentiment so people can write whatever they want in their message. I have been having fun with paper cutting lately so I decided to go big and bold on this one.

Originally she asked me to have the gator over the Union Jack but it was a mess. So busy, so hard to see anything. So I made a small flag on the corner and a bigger one on the back:

All but the blue background paper are scraps as well that I was able to cut into my shapes. Everything on the gator is cut by hand except the white eye, that's a die, as is the banner which is Simon Says Stamp from Claire. The flag was dead easy, just red and white strips layered up and the scraps used to make the mini flag on the front.

I didn't think the banner stood out enough all white when it was folded so I added some hand drawn lines for texture and depth - I really like the result and will definitely do this again.

This has been a very busy time personally and at work and yet I've managed to produce some pretty crazy commissions. When I make cards for other people I cement the idea really quickly in my head and I'm able to get the details crafted precisely; when I'm just mucking about on my own things seem to take longer and with fewer good results.

Anyway, I'm grateful my colleagues continue to come to me for fun and unique cards!