Cork Hello with Greens

Some new cork that I needed to try!  A nice monochromatic effect with the green and brown patterned paper and a bit of brown twine.  And the cork is quite thin, not much thicker than PTI card stock, so it's easily mailable.

Technique: I have a tip for working with the self-adhesive cork.  It's not fragile, but after the adhesive liner is removed, it's very flexible, almost like felt.  So on my first attempt, the "hello" was hard to line up, because the letters twisted in every direction.  What worked for me was this:

1. Cut a rectangle from the cork (with liner in place) just a little bigger than the die.
2. Die cut the shape from the rectangle, placing the bottom of the word straight along the rectangle's edge.  Be sure you've cut all the way through the liner. 
3. Remove the die, but keep all the pieces of cork intact - still in the rectangle.
4. Peel off the liner from the word ONLY.  Leave the surrounding liner in place.  Poke out the center bits from the "e" and "o."
5. Position the rectangle on the card.  Press down the "hello" portion to adhere it.  
6. Gently pull off the scrap portion - cork and liner together.  All done!

In this way, it was easy to keep my "hello" aligned, and to adhere it where I wanted it.  This technique wouldn't be necessary for a more compact shape, like a star or flower, but I'll remember it for shapes that can stretch or twist.

Card details:

• Card stock is Authentique 6x6" patterned paper "free bird series, comfort theme" from my local scrapbook store, and Papertrey Ink (PTI) spring moss (light green) and pinefeather (dark green).    
• Twine is PTI rustic jute button twine.  I pierced two holes through the light green card stock to pull the twine through.  My bow is not so flat-looking in real life.
• The sentiment "hello" is die cut from self-adhesive cork by Magenta. 
• Die is PTI wonderful words: hello.  
• Embossing folder is from the Cuttlebug just my type collection. 

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (268)