Sherlock Holmes: Evidence of a Birthday Card

Sherlock Holmes is on the case, and so is our master crafter Lorraine Masonheimer! As a master of observation, forensic science and logical reasoning, on behalf of Mystery Playground, Sherlock employs his expansive deductive skills to uncover evidence of a birthday. The card features Sherlock Holmes balancing a cupcake on his finger with his famous pipe snuggled atop the frosting.

Supplies

12” x 12” cream cardstock

Color coordinated papers (two patterns of your choice and one light solid color

Two color copies of the cover of Return of Sherlock Holmes II (Classic Fiction Audio CD)

6 ½” square envelope

Three button embellishments

Color pencils

Cupcake stamp

ColorBox Chalk Charcoal Ink Pad

Glue dots

Circle punches ½”, ¾” and 1”

Scissors and x-acto blade

Step One: Card Base & Cover Sentiment

Cut a 12” x 12” sheet of cream paper to 6” x 12” and fold in half for a 6” x 6” card base. Cut the larger patterned paper to 6” x 6”. Cut the darker patterned paper to 4” x 6”. Take the 8 ½” x 11” sheet of light solid paper and place into the printer. Open a word document. Space down to 5 ½” and tab over to 1 ½”. Type “It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence. -- Sherlock Holmes” as shown. The example uses the type face Harrington at 13 pts and is aligned to the right. Print and cut the sentiment into a 3 ¾” x 6” rectangle ensuring the proper placement of the Sherlock Holmes art.

Step Two: Print, Size & Glue

Make two color copies of a Sherlock Holmes cover. This example uses Return of Sherlock Holmes II (Classic Fiction Audio CD). Reduce the two copies to 3” x 4” and cut out leaving a small white border around the image as shown. Stamp a cupcake onto a piece of scrap paper using a charcoal ink pad and reduce to about ¾” tall or draw freehand. Color, cut out and set aside. Draw and cut out Sherlock’s pipe measuring about ¼” tall. Add smoke if desired. Glue the 6” x 6” patterned paper to the card base. Glue the light solid paper to the dark patterned paper and glue to the card base about ¼” from the right side. Glue Sherlock just above the sentiment. Glue the cupcake to the top of his finger and the pipe to the top of the cupcake.

Step Three: Thumbprint & Embellish

Glue three buttons or embellishment of your choice to the upper left side of Sherlock’s image. Use the charcoal ink pad and your thumb to place a thumbprint at the lower left side of Sherlock as shown.

Step Four: Embellish Inside and Envelope

Using the computer, create a text box about 4 ½” x 4 ½” and type It’s Your Birthday!. The example shown uses the type face Harrington at 18 pts centered. Print and cut the sentiment into a 4½” x 4½” rectangle. Adhere the sentiment to the card as shown. To create the magnifying glass, cut two circles from the dark and light paper, 1” and ¾” respectively and glue them together. Punch a ½” circle from the center and glue Holmes eye into the center. Cut a handle for the magnifying glass and glue as shown. Use scraps to add interest to the inside of the card and envelope flap. Extra postage is required for the larger size card. 

Case closed until next time!