I hope you are all having a great weekend so far! Quick post for you tonight.
Tonight's card is my creation for the Paper Players challenge this week. Nance has a fabulous sketch challenge for us. I changed it up just a tad. Nance's original sketch was for a circle, I changed it for a rectangle. I am sure she won't mind!
I really wanted to use the "Sail Away" stamp set and it just wouldn't fit into a circle. So, I made mine a rectangle. The two circular elements inspired me to use the compass from "The Open Sea" and a sentiment from "Hodgepodge Happiness".
Here's what I came up with:
Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!
Card stock: Naturals White, Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy
DSP: Nautical Expeditions
Stamps: Sail Away, The Open Sea, Hodgepodge Happiness
Accessories: Metallic Brad
Inks: Going Grey Marker, Night of Navy Marker, Bashful Blue and Not Quite Navy inks for the background focal image, Stazon Black for the focal image
I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend. I have had a very relaxing, but busy weekend. I did get a little stamping in, so I will have cards for you this week!
I also managed to spend a little time in the garden. I can't believe how quickly everything is growing. As my darling hubby is away for a couple of weeks, he is missing just how things are moving along. Consequently, I took a couple of pictures whilst sitting on the deck drinking tea this afternoon. I thought he might appreciate them.
Before I show you the last of the Masculine Week cards, let's take a look at a couple of pics from the garden.
I've been hoping to catch this pic:
I also couldn't resist taking this picture. Our Crab Apple tree is in full blossom and the plants underneath are really starting to come in. I thought the whole vignette was serene and calming.
And lastly, who could resist this. It was one of the sweetest and most amazing things I've seen recently. A hummingbird taking a bath! It's not the best pic... these things move fast - even when they are bathing! But here she was, grabbing on to the side of the fountain, having a bath!
Now.... I thought you might actually like to see the card! Lou, this one is for you.... we are all thinking of you and missing you.
I have so enjoyed reading your answers. I mean, I always knew that you were a creative bunch, and I should have just known that you were all smart - and funny!!!. I can't wait to choose a couple of winners and post their names up on Tuesday.
Have a wonderful Monday everyone. As always, thank you for visiting my blog you know I appreciate it - and I appreciate your comments.
Prayers for those who need a little lift or a warm hug
Quick post for you tonight. Here's number 5 in the Masculine Week series.
As I've said before, there are few sets that I own that are non-SU. This set is one of them. Having lived in Africa for as long as I did, I couldn't help but buy this set when I saw it. It brought back so many amazing memories of being in the African bush.
All paper, inks, etc are SU. The background stamp is also SU - it's the Wonderfully Worn background stamp. One of my favorite background stamps. Not only does it work, well... wonderfully :-) on vintage cards, but also on fairly clean and simple ones. The paw print is from the SU C is for Cat set.
I used the camoflage colors as the basic color scheme: Always Artichoke, Early Espresso and Basic Black. I originally stamped the elephant in Basic Gray, but he just wasn't standing out enough. So, I stamped him again in Basic Black and snipped him out and adhered him using dimensionals.
I also stamped the canopy of the tree twice. When I adhered the snipped out canopy, I did it using glue. This allowed me to give dimension to the tree, but not have it on same plane as the elephant. I created the grass from various colors of green, and shaded the area under the elephant and to the right side of him.
It's amazing how different each of the cards have been this week. I've used the same layout and the same theme - masculine, but each card has really felt so different.
Now... spot blog candy. How about a little fun tonight?
Let's have a trivia quiz. How can you tell that this is an African elephant and not an Indian - or Asian elephant? Leave me a comment giving me the answer. I will then choose a random winner from the answers. I will give one prize to the person who gets the right answer - and one to the person who gives me the funniest answer. So... two spot prizes - one for the right answer and another for the funniest answer!
As always, you know I appreciate your visit - and your comments!
Continued prayers tonight for those who continue to be affected by the storms. For those of you who need a little lift, or a warm hug
Hi Everyone. Happy Thursday. Yay!! Tomorrow is Friday!
I have the fourth card in the series for you tonight. This one is very clean. Only a single embellishment, no coloring, just focusing on the sentiment. I so rarely use Bravo Burgundy. It's a fabulous color and I think works really well for a masculine card.
When you have a sentiment as fabulous as this, I really don't think it needs much in the way of "dress up". However, I really felt it needed a little something. The star brad works well because the shape echoes the circles on the background paper. Also... it's hardware! :-)
Now... as you seem to have been enjoying the pics of the garden... I thought I would amuse you with some pics from our birdbath today. I actually caught the Oriole having a bath, but couldn't get to my camera fast enough. So, I am hoping that they will come back again tomorrow - at a time when I happen to be passing through the family room!
Before we get to the fountain pics, I had to share this! I set all the pics for you to be able to zoom them by clicking on them. I had to take the pics thru the window... so they aren't as clear as I would like them to be....but you get the picture :-) (ha. ha. ha!)
Isn't he just gorgeous????
So... on to Penn Street Station... or is that Jaydee Fountain Street Station?
What is happier than a cowbird having a bath?
Two cowbirds having a bath? Or,
A bathing Cowbird splashing the competition ??? :-) Or,
Hogging the fountain while the cowardly goldfinch plays, I think I can. I think I can?
As the Orioles seem to be le loving the jelly and the oranges that we put out for them, I decided to mix up some Oriole syrup and put it into an Oriole feeder. So, what did the Oriole do?
Yep, the Oriole drank from the hummer feeder!
That's all for tonight... I promise some more pics for you tomorrow.
On a personal note....
I am hoping to get some time to stamp this weekend. I had better, especially as I have not done my Paper Players challenge card yet and... guess what... yes.. it's my challenge this week! So, I had better get my you know what into gear! Talking about stamping.... SU demos got a tiny little sneak peek of goodies coming in the new catty. Oh, it was but the teesiest, eensiest, weensiest peek.... but at this stage we are all eager for anything! I must say, I really did like what I saw. I will be putting in an order on June 1 so hopefully will have a few goodies to share with you a couple of days after that.
Thank you to all of you who have left messages about my garden and my pics - oh yes, and my cards! You know that I greatly appreciate all of them.
I especially appreciate it when someone stops me from making a total twit of myself. Beverly, thanks for reminding me that I had changed out the butterfly bush picture and put in the Peony instead! DUH!!! So, I have renamed that particular plant to the Peoniebutter plant. I was going to call it the Peoniebutt plant, but somehow it just didn't seem quite right :-)
Talking about comments... I am coming up to a huge milestone on my blog. Well, for me it's a huge milestone. 5000 comments. Yep, sometime very soon, I will be reaching 5,000 comments on my blog. I am, quite honestly, astounded. I know that for a lot of SU demos that is nothing... but considering I am a very low key demo who started this blog with no expectations of getting more than a couple of comments a week... I am in awe of the fact that so many of you have been commenting for so long and become a part of the jaydee community. Consequently, I decided it was time we had some JAYDEE BLOG CANDY. More info tomorrow.
JAYDEE BLOG CANDY will go to the person who leaves me the 5,000th comment. We still have a ways to go and it may take a little while, but just wanted to let you know that I do appreciate you all and wanted a good excuse to offer up blog candy, and say thank you at the same time.
Also... as the new catty is coming up very soon, I am thinking its time for another OPERATION WRITE HOME CARD DRIVE. I will be offering up the usual incentives of free goodies from the catty. This time - they are from the new catty. How exciting is that? I will give more info on the OWH card drive this weekend.
Prayers tonight for those affected by the never ending storms. Prayers also for those of you who need a lift, or a warm hug.
As always... thank you for visiting my blog - you know I appreciate it - and I appreciate your comments.
Well, you all knew that The Open Sea would make an appearance this week, right? Once again I paired it with the Nautical Expeditions DSP. I went with a totally blue card for this one.
Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Card stock: Night of Navy, Whisper White
Stamps: The Open Sea. Sentiment - Papertrey Ink
DSP: Nautical Expedition
Inks: Night of Navy (marker for the ship), Classic Ink for the sentiment. Crumb Cake for the globe
Accessories: Glitter Brads - basics
Tools: I cut out the anchor using my paper snips and then covered it in Crystal Effects. Once dry, I adhered it to the sentiment - in the place of the "O" and secured it with the glitter brad. I used stampin dimensionals to lift both the ship and the anchor.
Here's a closeup of the anchor - I know you cant see the Crystal Effects, but it really is pretty cool when you touch it. It also made it much stronger, which was necessary to keep it from tearing or getting caught. I'll tell you something.... my snipping skills have certainly improved recently!
So, what do you think of this card? It reminds me of pyjama's. I love the masculine lines, the color, the addition of the metalware. I think it all adds up to a masculine card?
Here's a look at tomorrow's card:
I have some more pics of our garden tonight. I swear I could hear the plants growing.... Here's the view of our fairy garden... the ferns are really starting to take shape
Oh yes.... and what is this I see? Yes... the butterfly bush is coming back again this year. ÷YAY!!!
And.. finally for tonight, I couldn't NOT post this picture of Charlie asleep on the Chaise Lounge. Now, the reason there is a blanket on the chaise is because of the cat hair... just in case you are wondering..... now... isn't this picture preciousness itself?
Today..... I managed to sit outside for 10 minutes and eat my lunch. In between rain storms. I heard the thunder coming and thought I should come in, but decided to spend just a few more minutes out there because it was just so gorgeous. I am so glad that I did. Just as I was about to come inside, I heard this cacophony and not 1, not 2, not 3 BUT 4 ORIOLES came flying into the tree to the oranges and the jelly. You have no idea how happy that made me. Really, really, happy! We have been unable to keep them around in past years for more than a fleeting, fly-through visit. This time they have been around for a few days and to see 4 of them altogether, that was bliss!
I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday. You know that I really appreciate your visits - and your comments.
Prayers for those in need tonight, for those affected by the storms, and for those of you who just need a lift or a warm hug.
Very little chatter for you tonight, I wanted to share some pics instead! However, here's the second of the masculine cards I made this weekend. It also happens to be the one that I think is the least successful. I tried it on Whisper White and it was just too bright, so tried it on Sahara Sand... and I'm just not sure.
I love the colors for a guy, I added a little hardware, no ribbon anywhere! I used the Unibal White pen to create the white highlights on the head and underneath the tail feathers. Daffodil Delight marker was used for the claws and the beak. Everything is SU except for the sentiment.
Now.. I have a couple of pictures to share with you. I was jealous of Rach's garden pics, so decided it was time I took you on a little tour. Give you an update on my last garden tour. You remember, the one that produced not a hint of green!
Here are the bleeding hearts at the front of the house. They are a little further along than the ones in the back garden. I can't wait until they are fully grown.
Here's the picture of THE fountain. I swear sometimes it's like Penn Street Station with all the birds and critters trying to get to it. It's much taller than it looks - its well over 3 feet high. You can see the "green stuff" trying to make a comeback around it. I know that the nursery still has to come and plant some stuff that they didn't do at the end of last year, but I'm thinking of putting some low level ferns around the bottom of the fountain. When there is a slight breeze, this area is immensely cool because of the water. It will be even cooler once the tree get its leaves. I'll take another picture for you later in summer when everything is as it should be.
Here's another picture - maybe you get a better sense of how fabulous it is.... well, I think it's fabulous!
Now.... Lynn, just wanted to show you that one of your hummers is at home!
The Eagle... I mean HUMMER has landed...... :-)
Now... here's a sneak peek of what you can expect on day 3 of Masculine week.
As always, thank you so much for spending time in my little stamping space. You know I greatly appreciate it - and I always appreciate your comments.
Prayers for those of you who need a lift or a warm hug tonight.
Hi Everyone. Happy Monday night. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend - and a fabulous Mother's Day!
A couple of weeks ago I was having dinner with Brenda and Cherie. We were talking about how difficult masculine cards are and how many of our supplies just weren't geared to creating them. Well, that conversation stuck in my mind and I decided that the fabulous layout across at cleanandsimplestamping just seemed like an ideal one to use to make a masculine card. That led to... well another one... and another one... and another one.
Then I decided to go one step further and make a box to put them in. Then, of course, that meant the four I had created just weren't enough to fill the box, so I had to make a couple more! Guess what? That's all I made this week. No feminine cards, no pretty cards, no pearls..... so... you are left with masculine week this week. Which, considering Father's Day is coming up next month, is quite appropriate.
Almost all of my supplies are SU. I do have some sentiments that are none-SU... I can never have enough sentiments. I do have a couple of image stamps that are non-SU. Probably about 10 in total. This week you will see two of them. Generally, though, they are mixed with SU sentiments and, of course, all the card stock, DSP and other accoutrement are SU.
So... let's get the guy party started.
I decided to start off focusing on the sentiment. I so rarely have masculine thank you card on hand. I hadn't inked up this great sentiment from the Word Play set, and decided it was time it saw a little ink love. I combined it with my favorite Nautical Expeditions and The Open Sea.
Card supplies all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Card stock: Whisper White, Early Espresso
DSP: Nautical Expedition
Stamps: sentiment: Word Play. compass: The Open Sea
Accessories: Early Espresso satin ribbon (yep. shudder... ribbon on a guy card... it's the only one though! and I really thought that done this way it wasn't too offensive :-) ). Then, of course, I had to add some hardware. The hardware on the compass is from the Game Spinner Hands set. I love this with these with the compass
Inks: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
I apologize for the photo. It was well after 6pm when I was trying to photograph them and wasn't too scuccessful. So, I will photograph the other ones again tomorrow.
However, I do have a sneak peek for you on tomorrow's card. Promise... no ribbon on tomorrow's card! I can't tell you how much fun I had just working on masculine cards. There were no frilly, flowery, blingy things to distract me. Also, this layout is awesome! So, don't forget to come back tomorrow for the full view of guy card #2 in Masculine Week. I will be posting a new card every night.
So, what do you think? Lou wasn't here for me to check whether it ticked the "masculine" box or not, but I was hoping the hardware and masculine paper made up for the little bit of ribbon!
On a personal note:
Lou and I discovered a new chef. A guy called Yotam Ottolenghi. We had seen him on a British TV show called Master Chef. I, must admit, I had never heard of him. However, I am SO glad that we did. His piece on the TV show was to challenge the contestants to make rockin' vegetarian food. Most chefs (professional or not) get horrified at the thought. Apparently, his column in the Guardian newspaper in Britain has caused a sensation and he has become the guru of vegetarian food. The funny thing? He's not even vegetarian. However, he does have a strong mediterranean background and I decided I really needed his book. I ordered it on amazon.co.uk and it arrived on Friday.
RACH... this is for you.... on Saturday we made a dish from the book. The recipe was Polenta al Funghi - or Polenta with mushrooms. I had read that his recipes were uncomplicated but delicious. Oh, boy! Is that the truth. This recipe was not particularly difficult. In fact, it was about 20 minutes from starting to prep to plating. However, the end result was YUMMY. Brenda... it was a Brenda chocolate cake moment! Here's a link to the recipe online. Unfortunately there is no pic... but it really is gorgeous. Here's a link to a page that someone has translated the quantities into US and included the pic of the finished dish. I doubled the mushroom quantity and used Shitake and portabellos. I really think adding some reconstituted dried Porcini mushrooms would add an even earthier flavor. Lou is traveling for the next two weeks, so I won't have an reason to try something special... however, I might do it this weekend - just because!
Talking of weekends, this one was nice and relaxing. Time in the garden watching the newly arrived birds and enjoying what was great weather on Saturday. It really has been a very long winter and spring is certainly taking her time taking hold. It's wonderful to see green things appearing though. Our bleeding hearts and ferns are on their way back. The grasses that were planted at the end of the year are starting to take hold. There are a few plants that were planted at the end of the year when we landscaped the side of the deck that I don't think have made it through winter. The next couple of weeks will tell us whether they have or not.
Prayers tonight for those still being affected around the country by the rains and storms. Also, for those of you who need a little lift or a warm hug.
Have a fabulous Tuesday everyone. You know I appreciate your visit - and your comments.
The Paper Players has a fabulous color challenge for you this week.
Now, these fabulous colors screamed masculine to me, so I decided it was time to bring out The Open Sea again and show the stamps a little ink love.
Talking about love... I am totally in love with this set. I don't think I have not liked a card I have seen made with this set. It's amazing what everyone has done with it. In fact, several of our design team have used this set, so you will get lots of inspiration for masculine themed cards this week!
As you can see, I decided to focus on the Early Espresso. I love this Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper. I inked up the stamp using my Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy and Cherry Cobbler markers. Using the markers produces a really crisp image.
Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!
Card stock: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Stamps: The Open Sea, Something to Celebrate (sentiment)
Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy.
Designer Series Paper: Nautical Expeditions
Tools: Big Shot, Two Tags Stampin' Up! Bigz Dies, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Border Punch
As the tag die was a little too big for the look I wanted, I trimmed it and rounded the bottom corners.
To tie the sentiment strip into the rest of the card, I off-stamped the compass on one corner and added a brad to the other side.
Snipping out the ship and mounting it on dimensionals really makes it pop off the page
To add movement (to mimic the movement of the ocean waves), I took my bone folder and ran it under the sentiment strip. This allowed me to adhere it to the card base with some snail in some places and keep it lifted in others
We hope that you will pop along to the Paper Players and join us again this week and share your card, 3D project or scrapbook page created for our challenge. Don't forget to check out what the other fabulous design team members have created, too. I know you will be inspired.
On a personal note:
A gorgeous day here today. It started off very cool and wet. It was a little cool when we went to the Farmer's Market. Fresh kale, Swiss chard, lettuces, arugula, radishes, cucumbers, carrots and scallions to be had this morning. Yummy! By the time we had been to the market, popped along to Caribou for a bite of breakfast and a chat, the morning was still young and the weather just starting to warm up. This afternoon, we got the chance to play in the garden a little, added a new bird nesting box to our fountain area, hung a fabulous fuschia and spent a little time just enjoying our fabulous deck. I still get amazed every time I get to sit out there. What a difference the back yard is from this time last year. The new deck and the landscaped fountain area really do make such a difference. The sound of the running water is so soothing.
Prayers tonight for those of you who need a little lift or a warm hug.
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday. I will be back with a new post on Monday.
As always... thank you for your visit - and your comments, you know they mean a great deal to me.
I really wanted to show you the card I made for tonight's post. However, the card, using Sail Away well... it ended up being my blooper card.
So, YAAAAAAAAAAAAY.. Spring is really, officially, finally, really, truly, seriously, here! How do I know? Well...
The Junco's left our yard yesterday for their summer home north of us
The wren arrived this morning. Yay!
The oriole arrived 2 hours later. Double yay!
The hummers arrived 3 hours after that! Triple yay!
oh... and we have 3 daffodils! Quadruple yay!
That officially makes it Spring! Yes sireee, spring has finally arrived! Guess, you can hear that makes me happy?
The winds must have been just right over the last two days. They were certainly blowing very strongly from the south. Ideal for the birds to finish the final leg of their migration. So, Lynn, you should be at least 2 hummers less in your garden now that they are in ours! Lou and I were both very happy to see our little birds return. Then, if that wasn't enough - Lou came home from his ride tonight to find Aflac (our returning Mallard) sitting on the crest of the roof of our house! Now, considering Aflac cannot land on the grass without doing a nose... I mean ... beak dive! How on earth did he manage to land on our roof - which is REALLY steep? Who knows! He was happy, though!
Next.... oh... ladies, all swoon! Georgie boy turns 50 today. I read an article on MSBC entitled "50 reasons to love George Clooney at 50". Sorry, Lou. You know I love ya, but the boy... well... he's just ... well... gorgeous! :-)
Now... for those of you who came for a card. I have one for you. It's an absolute blooper. I spent ages on the image of sail away. Got it all ready. Then decided I would use a sponge dauber and a little Tea Stain and take some of the starkness of the Very Vanilla card stock.
Here's my word of warning.... NEVER color an image with Cherry Cobbler and decide to use a little distressing ink over the card stock - BEFORE the Cherry Cobbler is dry. If you don't, this is what happens.
Yep... red gulls, red sails, red sky...just a very strange shade of dark pink! I won't tell you how long I had spent constructing this card, either!
Prayers tonight for all those affected by the flooding down south. I was astonished to see satelitte pictures of the Mississippi on the weather channel last night. The images link here show the Mississippi and its tributaries on May 6 2010 compared to May 6 2011. I know its hard to visualize what that difference means, but it is huge. My heart goes out to those who have been affected, and those that are in the path of flooding rivers everywhere across the US.
Happy Monday. I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Me? Wasn't quite long enough!
I did get some stamping time though. I really needed the diversion. A little fabulous classical music courtesy of kdfc.com, my inks, paper and rubber... and I felt a whole lot better.
I saw this great sketch across at 411 and decided it was calling for me to use one of my favorite new sets, along with the new DSP. Both of these are available from Stampin' Up! starting today. Don't forget to pop along to 411 and check out the fabulous design team cards - and I know they will appreciate it if you play along.
I have had great fun playing with this set. I love it for masculine cards. It's also fun to add the elements in the set to the card. Of course, a little baker's twine was added to finish it off. I decided to tie the bakers twine around the vertical element of the card instead of all the way around.
Here's what I came up with:
Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!
Card stock: Night of Navy, Very Vanilla
DSP: Nautical Expedition
Stamps: The Open Sea. Sentiment: Something to Celebrate
Inks: Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, tea stain
Accessories: Baker's Twine; metallic brad
I stamped the focal image and the compass twice. I cut them out using my paper snips. They were adhered to the other stamped version using dimensionals. The middle part of the compass was snipped out and adhered over the original compass. I gave it a little dimension with a piece of left over stampin' dimensionals and ran the brad through the whole thing.
I was really pleased with the way that it came out and thought it was perfect for a Father's Day card - it works equally well for a birthday card - or any male occasion, I think!
On a personal note:
The last two weeks have been pretty tough going work wise. So many rush projects, so few people to do them and so many deadlines. All this leads to a very grumpy Jaydee. Especially, as I can't get into my stamping space, or get any downtime. However, Lou and I did take some time last night to do back to back movies at the local International Film Festival. Lou overheard two people talking about the film festival at the Farmer's Market... ahhhhh.... the Farmer's Market.... so we checked it out online and, sure enough, the film festival is on this week. The two movies were saw were polar opposites. We started with a movie called The Lutefisk Wars. If you live in the mid-west, you will probably know what Lutefisk is. The movie was hilarious! We went for coffee in between movies. I can tell you I NEEDED a glass of wine after the second one!
The second movie is called Aftershock. The timing of the release of the movie was before the deadly earthquakes in Japan. It relives the story of the massive and absolutely devastating earthquake in Tangshan, China in 1976. At the end of the movie, the credits appeared, but no music. There was absolutely stunned silence in the audience and all you could hear were snuffles. It truly was an incredible movie. I completely forgot that it was in Chinese and that I was reading subtitles. I highly recommend both movies.
Well, I was right about a few things regarding THE wedding on Friday. Lace - but not all covered in lace. Tiara. Pouffey bottom - but not too poueffy - just right for the occasion. No obey! Way off, though on the colors of the bridesmaids dresses and the types of flowers. I thought her choice of ivory for the bridesmaids dresses was fabulous. The dress that Pippa wore was stunning and sexy. gorgeous! Kate's dress was as beautiful was I had expected. I was so pleased not to see pearls and stuff.... the dress was so reminiscent of Grace Kelly's dress. A little more modern, a little sexier, and not quite as pouffey on the bottom. A dress that is for the age - and timeless. Her veil was absolutely stunning. They both looked so incredibly happy and I love that he is so protective of her.
Please... don't get me started on the hats of the Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. Oh brother! Those hats and that makeup. I do want to share a video though..... I absolutely loved this.... the sheer joy and exuberance of this reflected the whole wedding, I think. In fact, I bet Kate felt like doing this herself! CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO I know that the Abbey is very ticked off about it, but seriously, it was wonderful!
Prayers tonight for those who have been affected by the storms down south. The extent of the damage is amazing. My thoughts and prayers to anyone of you who have family or friends affected.
Have a fabulous Tuesday. You all know that I appreciate you visiting my blog.
Happy Tuesday night. Very quick post for you tonight.
If you haven't gotten the idea that I love the new "The Open Sea" set yet, you might do after you see yet another card made with it! :-)
I really do love this set and couldn't wait to try this card that was shown in the Stampin' Up! demo only magazine. I saw it, fell in love with it, and couldn't wait to recreate it. So, I cannot take any credit for the design! CASE from start to finish!
Well... I did change one thing....the color of the baker's twine. On the original, they used the crumby cake colored baker's twine - I chose the red. I love the fact that it uses so many elements from the set and that there is a little bit of distressing.
Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!
Card stock: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Stamps: The Open Sea. Sentiment is from the Thank you Kindly set
Inks: Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Basic Gray
Accessories: Baker's Twine, Vintage Brad
On a personal note:
Long, long, long week this week. It's only the end of Tuesday and I have already done nearly 30 hours work in the last two days. I just wish that at the end of it I felt as though I had accomplished anything! I really need a bumper sticker that says... I'd rather be stamping! :-)
Yesterday was the MOST glorious day. The temps were around 60 degrees. I got to spend 10 minutes at lunch time and then another 10 minutes in the afternoon, sitting on the deck, soaking up the sun, the warmth, the breezes, the sounds of the garden. Perfection. Today... rain. So, the only soaking that went on today, was the grass soaking up the rain!
Talking about rain..... my prayers for those affected by the flooding, the tornadoes and the terrible storms that continue to ravage parts of the US. My heart goes out to all those people who have been affected. Prayers, too, for those of you who need a warm hug or a quick lift tonight.
I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday. Filled with peace, love and laughter.
Hi Everyone. Happy Good Friday. Happy Earth Day. Chag Sameach!
Whatever you are celebrating today, I hope it was a fabulous day!
I saw this great challenge across at Moxiefabworld. The challenge? To use tissue paper in an innovative way. Well... as you can imagine, my first thought was flowers. Then I thought... no... I need to challenge myself a little more. Don't forget to pop over to moxiefabworld to check out the great cards and inspiration pic!
I decided I wanted to work with another new set from the Summer Mini - Sail Away. I thought about creating the sails in tissue paper, but then had a brain wave. Well, I think it was a brain wave anyway. :-)
I got out my brayer and brayered Night of Navy and Not Quite Navy onto a piece of tissue paper. I then spritzed it with Vanilla Smooch Spritz. My last task was to crinkle up and then cut out little pieces. Here's what I came up with.
Here's a closeup of the waves for you:
I applied some glue to the card stock and then cut out pieces of my brayered/spritzed tissue paper and gently laid them over the glued area. I wanted it to look as though the sail boat was riding through the waves. I left little gaps behind areas of the tissue paper pieces to give the waves a feeling of movement and dimensionality. I love the spritz, it just catches the light and throws back a little florescence from the "waves".
So, what do you think? I'd really love to hear what you think about this use of tissue paper. Brenda... yes.. I can hear you.... putzy!!! I know I can hear you saying that! But I think it was worth it :-)
I must say.... I am in love with this twine! I really think the pop of red helps lift the card, and the twine has that nautical feel.
Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Card stock: Whisper White (plain and textured); Night of Navy. Tissue Paper (non SU)
Inks: StazOn (for the sail boat). Night of Navy for the sentiment. Night of Navy and Not Quite Navy for the waves. Cherry Cobbler for the flag. Early Espresso for the birds. Crumb Cake marker used to shade the sails.
Accessories: Circular metal elements from the Game Spinner Hands. Baker's Twine.
Tools: Modern Label punch. Crystal Effects (to adhere the circular elements). Snail. Stampin' Dimensionals
I stamped the focal image twice. Once on the card stock, and then again on scrap card stock. I cut the second image out and mounted it over the first image using Stampin' Dimensionals. I also put dimensionals behind the sentiment.
On a personal note.
A little time in my stamping space today - yes... to make this card. I must admit, I was exhausted when I finally finished work today, but grateful to have a little time to play. The weather here is still pretty miserable... It has now been snowing and/or raining since Tuesday. I know it is fabulous for the grass and for the plants, but we were hoping to get a little time on our deck this weekend. Maybe not!
Have a fabulous Easter Weekend. I'll be back tomorrow with the Paper Players challenge card.
Tonight's card uses the fabulous sketch across at stamping411. I loved the sketch and decided it was an opportunity to try another masculine card using the new stampin set The Open Sea. This, along with Fabulous Florets, has proven to be my two favorite stamp sets for quite a while.
Before I show you tonight's card, I'd also like to give a shout out to the operators at 411 and thank them for chosing my Fabulous Florets card HERE as an operators choice last week. I am always thrilled when my card is chosen. There are so many fabulous entries, and it is wonderful to be in such great company. The operators work hard on their challenge site, are a very talented group of ladies... and I hope you will visit them and play along.
Here's my take on the sketch
Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!
Card stock: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Stamps: The Open Sea
DSP: Botanical Gazette
Accessores: Baker's Twine. Neutrals Buttons
Inks: Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand, Basic Black, Early Espresso
I really had fun coloring this image. I honestly find coloring so relaxing. I have to zone out to all the little conversations going on in my head, my list making of things that I need to do tomorrow, etc. A little relaxing classical music and my markers... and I can generally switch off and concentrate on not going outside the lines :- Mommy would be proud of me! :-)
Talking about mommies.... I want to give a huge shout out to Rach tonight. Her little Beanie is 1 year old today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE! I so clearly remember when Rach was very, very, pregnant last year and went for a walk... and, of course, her water's broke on the walk! Rach has been fabulous about sharing the stories of Lily and Ellie as they have grown this year, both independently - and together as sisters. Rach, thank you for your blog. It is a little spot of family haven for me every day. I hope you all had a truly fabulous day celebrating The Beanie's birthday. If you want to check out pics of the Beanie at 1 year old - click this link.
On a personal note:
I'd like you all to know that the world is white. YEP! We have had about 3 inches of snow. Everything that was even remotely green is now smothered in white. I should have known that this was coming. How? Well, the Junco's have not yet returned north. They are still hanging around their winter area - our garden for instance! I was wondering why on earth they were still here considering how gorgeous the weather has been the last couple of weeks. Well, they knew something I didn't know. The snow was wet, heavy, with very big flakes. It seemed so surreal watching the little green buds (yes... we do have some now!) being covered in a thick layer of sticky snow.
Margaret... I looked at Charlie's nose markings... you are right... they do look like the decorative label punch! How very observant of you! I love the idea of a Cat Painting Angel. I think the Angel had been imbibing in a little to much heavenly wine when she painted Charlie :-)
Prayers tonight for those affected by the storms down South. Also for those of you who need a little lift - or a warm hug tonight. Missy, we haven't heard from you for a little while - just wanted to let you know that I am still thinking of you.
Have a fabulous Wednesday everyone... or as Cherie would say, Happy Hump Day
I have a sneek peak for you tonight. I was REALLY excited about this set - and this DSP - when I saw it in the Summer Mini preview. I couldn't wait to get it. I HAD to make a card tonight. I know I will be getting lots of use out of the DSP and this stamp set. I love everything about the DSP. The theme; the colors; the masculine feel; the versatility for occasion. The stamp set is just as cool. I used several of the stamps on the inside and outside of the card.
This card also gave me a great excuse to pull out my spinners! I thought they were ideal with the compass stamp from this set.
Here's the inside of the card. Left blank for any occasion. (I thought that was appropriate as this card will be going off to the troops.)
I used a strip of the DSP from the outside on the lower part of the inside. I also used the compass stamp to tie the inside and outside together. I then stamped the map of the world onto the middle of the card.
Here's the outside:
Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!
Card stock: Night of Navy, Whisper White
Stamps: The Open Sea (available May 1 - 123032 - clear)
DSP: Nautical Expedition (available May 1 - 122343)
Inks: Night of Navy, Sahara Sand, River Rock, Soft Suede (all markers)
mmmm... now I am off to finish the taxes. Yep, not finished yet :-) But I had to take a little break between work and finishing my taxes and at least play with my new goodies. I really was excited about receiving this set!
Today we finally saw the first green buds. 6 little daffodils are showing about 2 inches above the soil. Green stuff - finally!!! :-) There were three little tulip bulbs about 5 inches above the soil, too. However, the white tails like tulips. So, we are left with about 1 inch showing above the soil!
This morning was cold and gray. This afternoon was warm (in the 50s), sunny and absolutely glorious. I really can't wait for the warmer temperatures.
Oooooh.... before I go..... shout out to Lynn tonight... she is a proud new grammy to little Madeline! Congrats, Lynn. How absolutely wonderful for you all.
Warm hugs and prayers for those who need it tonight.
It's not often I create masculine cards. In fact I get completely flumoxed by them. So, I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone after seeing Terri's card featured on this post.
I really do love the In Wilderness set. It just doesn't get ink-love as often as it should. I also love Always Artichoke - it is absolutely one of my go-to greens. For tonight's card I also used my new background stamp, too!
Inks: Always Artichoke, Early Espresso, Chocolate Chip. (The buffalo is actually Chocolate Chip on the back end and Early Espresso on the front.) Buffalo image was inked with Stampin' Write markers
Tomorrow is the new Paper Players challenge and I have a little sneak peek for you. In fact, you get a sneak peek of my card for tomorrow - and my card tomorrow features a sneak peak of a brand new set!
It's a really cool stamp set - and for a very good cause. I'll be sharing all the details with you tomorrow night with the Paper Players Challenge reveal. I hope you will play along with us this coming week. It's a great challenge hosted by the fabulous Ann Schach. This week also sees the return of the wonderful Anne Marie Hile. Marian is our guest designer again this week.
On a personal note...... It got to the low 40s today... yes.... the low 40s. We awoke this morning to hoar crystals coating every available surface. It was magical. Even though I am truly tired of winter now, I can still feel awed by the beauty of Mother Nature.
Then.... I can be awestruck by the might of Mother Nature. The earthquake that struck off Japan this morning was devastating. It never ceases to amaze me how far the tsunami waves will travel. What scares me even more, is that radiation is now 1000 higher than normal around the nuclear plant in Japan. I am still not sure why we build nuclear reactors on such active geographic faults.
Continued prayers tonight for Missy. Prayers too for those in Australia who were affected by massive storms - and are now affected by flooding. For those affected by the Tsunami in Japan.
I hope you all have a fabulous Saturday, one filled with love, laughter and time spent doing the things you love with those you love.
I will close out tonight's post with a quick photo of Mr Charlie sitting on top of my desk organizer whilst I work.
Hi everyone... now I bet that headline caught you and you wondered what on earth I'm going on about! :-) Well, at least I've proven that I know a little about alliteration:-)
I wanted to share with you a couple more swaps from the regional. The swaps were really all very different, there wasn't two that I got even somewhat alike. I love that.
I have three cards I wanted to share with you tonight, some of them using things I had forgotten about - and one using something I hadn't even noticed in the catalog! How on earth did that happen? You will see: Two Tags Die, In Wilderness, Beautiful Wings, Pom Pom Trim, Texturz Plates and Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric. So, lots of variation for you tonight.
Firstly, though, I want to give a shout out to Jan A. Jan lives down under in Western Australia. I was wonderfully surprised - nay, gobsmacked - when Jan sent me a whole packet of cards for the troops. How amazing is that?! All the way from Oz. She really wanted to help all of us and I thought it was so darn cool. So, now we have had cards for Australia, Canada and the England joining the ones that we have collected locally. So, Jan. YOU ROCK!!!!! I will be photographing some of Jan's cards and posting them for you to see.
Also.... I will be doing a video this weekend on how I made the ribbon flowers for this card and this card. Its really quick and easy - and I love it :-) So, I will do a video for you this weekend.
Now... on to the swap cards
I loved this card from Carla Heckathorne. The pom pom trim is perfect with this card. The thin grosgrain ribbon and piece of linen thread acting as the body and antennae of the butterfly is so cute. I loved the use of the fabric for the butterfly itself. Really pretty cool card!
This card from Katie Johnson used something I had never even noticed in the catalog. The two tags die! Yep... we have one... and I will have one tomorrow when mine arrives from SU, too! So, thanks, Katie for enabling me. Like I needed another enabler :-) She used the two tags die to create the fabulous bookmark. The bookmark was attached to the card with a magnet and was folded over the front and the inside of the card. I loved the Pear Pizzazz and Whisper White colors.
Terri Thill at terrisstampingspot.blogspot.com created this fabulous masculine card. She did a fabulous job with distressing on the focal image and I loved the textured layers of green and not quite navy. The Birthday Wishes was popped on dimensionals and added even more interest. I thought this was a great masculine card.
On a personal note: another 5 inches of very wet, soggy, heavy, snow today. I keep telling myself 13 more days til Spring! I haven't had any time in my stamping space yet this week, but hope that will change this weekend!
Continued prayers for Missy and the family of her friend. Prayers and warm hugs for those of you who need a little lift tonight.
Have a fabulous Thursday everyone. I hope it is a wonderful day wherever you are.
Hope you all had a fabulous day. Tonight's card features DSP and buttons and I tried to make it gender neutral.
It uses the sketch from the fabulous design team at getsketchy and features Elegant Soiree DSP and the new Stampin' Up! Neutrals buttons. I really do love the new configuration buttons!
I really liked the sketch because it allows you to play with different DSPs in small amounts. Here's what I ended up with. Don't forget to pop along to get sketchy and check out all the inspirational cards.
I don't often use Crumb Cake (aka Kraft), but really love it with this paper and with this color scheme.
Card recipe:
All supplies Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted
Card stock: Crumb Cake
DSP: Elegant Soiree
Stamp: Signature Greetings (Papertrey)
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Neutrals Buttons, Twine
Tools: Corner rounder, mini glue dots, snail
Card instructions: This really is a card you can make in less than 10 minutes!
Cut Crumb Cake to 4 1/4 x 11 and score and fold on the left edge.
Cut strips of your DSP to 1 1/2" high and cut 6 strips to the width you desire to fit the card and adhere to card base
Cut piece of striped DSP to 5 1/2 x 1/4" and adhere over the edge of the strips
Stamp sentiment in Early Espresso ink
Take three coordinating buttons - put twine or cotton through - if you wish. Adhere buttons to the card using 3-4 mini glue dots each
Round the right hand corners of your card
Decorate inside
Tips:
The great thing about this sketch is that you can keep it really simple and it can be either masculine or feminine. Depending on the type of DSP you use, it could also fit any age!
Instead of the masculine striped horizontal layer, you could dress it up with gorgeous ribbon and a bow instead of the buttons.
Using the Early Espresso ink - even though it doesn't appear in the color scheme, works really well to highlight the sentiment and yet it doesn't introduce another color. Basic Grey is the other color in this scheme, but would have been much too cold for the greeting
Rounding the right hand corners helps to balance out the roundness of the buttons
Notice, too.... the buttons echo the round features in all of the strips. Each strip has a rounded aspect somewhere in it. This small detail actually has a lot of impact on your eye - because it all seems to "fit"
On a personal note:
It has been confirmed that we have had the hottest summer on record. We have had record highs and record humidity since the start of summer on June 1. In fact, it started before that in May! I am really tired of this heat :-)
oooooooo........ we may be able to see the Aurora Borealis tonight... Lou and I will be taking a little drive later on to gaze northwards just a little out of town. I've never seen the Northern Lights and it's one of the things on my life list. So, I am hoping that we will be lucky tonight.
Robin.... I got your parcel and I LOVE it. Robin sent me the most adorable mini Longaberger basket for my business cards. It will be featured on my desk with pride. (I'll take a pic later this week and post it!). You know you shouldn't have done it - but I will cherish it. thank you!
Tomorrow I will be featuring another OWH slide show for you - Beth's gallery. So, I look forward to you all coming back and sharing a little love with Beth. Don't forget to check out Janna's cards from last night if you haven't already done so.
It did get chance to play in my stamp room for a little while tonight. It's really rare that I manage to during the week. BUT.... Mr Brown in his UPS truck arrived with a little parcel for me, so I couldn't help but sneak away and do a little playing. Some yummy goodies to show you!
Prayers tonight for Trish - as always, my friend. For Germaine. For T, Pri, Arthur, Angela, John and Sue and Hugo.
I hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday and thank you for spending a little time im my area of the stamping blogosphere. You know your visits, your support and your comments are much appreciated. Your comments are as much appreciated by more than just me - so don't forget to say hi to each other!
Hi everyone. Hope you all had a fabulous Tuesday. My card for the PDCC challenge is followed by Jannas Operation Write Home card showcase.
Tonight's card, using Studio Sketches is for theplaydatecafe (still love that name!!!) challenge. This week's challenge was a color challenge. The colors? Black and white with a touch a green. Oooooo..... I couldn't resit that. I don't often do black and white challenges, but have enjoyed the ones I have done for playdatecafe.
I really wanted to make a masculine card. Now, these are pretty tough for me - and Lou and I have long discussions about whether or not it's "masculine". Lou, isn't in to the whole "outdoorsy", golf, tool-type stamps. So, it makes it a little tougher. Also, his number 1 rule for masculine cards. No glitter, no ribbon, no buttons, no bling! I know that sounds like more than 1 - but he makes it 1. So, getting away with a little ribbon on a card was an amazing feat for me!
I LOVED playing with this color scheme and used one of my favorite "go-to" layouts.
So, here's my DH approved masculine card using the black, white and green challenge.
I thought the image would work for a thank you card. I've had dinner cooked for me by several male friends and this is a perfect thank you image. In fact, I could do this one for Lou when he cooks when Cherie and Brenda come around for a playdate! I thought the sentiment of celebrate life worked well considering that I had chosen to highlight just the green pears - and... well, it's just a super cool sentiment! We should celebrate life, every single minute of it.
Card base is Basic Black 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored and folded at 4 1/4 with the fold across the top
Cut Old Olive card stock to 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 and adhere to card base using snail
Cut DSP to 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 and adhere to Old Olive
Cut horizontal strips - one Old Olive 5 1/2 x 2" and Pear Pizzazz to 5 1/2 x 1 7/8 adhere to horizontal pieces to each other. Stamp "Life" sentiment onto top layer.
Stamp "celebrate" sentiment onto Whisper White card stock and punch out using Tiny Tags punch. Punch another tag using Old Olive. Adhere these two pieces together at an angle. Put aside
Wrap grosgrain ribbon around this horizontal layer and tie a bow. Once bow is tied adhere knot to the card base using a mini glue dot - before you press it down though, adhere the Tiny Tags sentiment underneath the knot
Ink up your Studio Sketches image using StazOn on the Whisper White layer. Ink up around the pear piece and stamp again onto a piece of scrap Whisper White. Color the scrap piece image using your makers and then carefully cut around the pear image. Using stampin' dimensionals, pop the pear image over the original image.
Cut a piece of Old Olive to 3" square and a Pear Pizzazz piece to 2 3/4" square. Adhere both layers together using dimensionals. Adhere to card base using dimensionals.
Adhere the focal point image to the other layers also using dimensionals. I love the raised layers for this card as it really helps to elevate (excuse the pun) the focal image!
I was actually really pleased with the finished product. I love the black and white and the way the filigree on the upper right and lower left corners add just a little interest to the background, without drawing away from the focal point or the sentiment. This is one time that Lou approved of the ribbon - especially because it was a dark masculine color. He wouldn't have been happy if I had used Old Olive.. which was what I originally wanted to do. Really.... he was right. The Old Olive satin ribbon would have made it more feminine.
Of course, choosing the pear image was the perfect "pearing"... mmm... I mean pairing. (sorry, can't help myself with the terrible puns tonight!)
Tips:
What makes it masculine? Color for one. The very precise angles for another. The fact that there are no "soft" elements on the card, other than the ribbon. The fact that the ribbon is a strong bold masculine color, and is very thin, makes it a lot less feminine. I know, though, that Lou would have preferred not to have the bow! Lastly, the image. The image works for masculine or feminine cards.
NOW..... On to Janna's Operation Write Home cards. I am blown away by how fabulous all the donated cards are - and Janna's are no exception! Thank you to Janna for agreeing to make cards for our Christmas Card drive, too. You rock, Janna! Without further ado, here's a sampling of her wonderful cards:
I love this card! the red, white and vanilla work so beautifully together and the little bit of embossing really adds to the overall card.
The bright and cheerful color combo and the super sweet sentiment, make this an ideal card for a serviceman/woman to send home to a love one. The pumpkin pie ribbon was the perfect touch.
I am always amazed the the different and creative ways you all put these animals together! the giraffe just peeking in, the crocodile giving the penguin and the bird a lift and the elephant stopping to take a look! And.. of course, it features my all time favorite Kiwi Kiss and Vanilla ribbon!
I loved the flowers popping up behind the beehive - such a fabulously composed card and the background DSP was just perfect for this card. Who wouldn't want to send this card home!
Perfection! I really need to get my glossy paper out!
No comment necessary! What a perfect sentiment to end this slide gallery!
Thank you, Janna.
On a personal note: still hot and humid here. I am almost wishing for winter! I am really looking forward to the weekend, we have lots of things going on - not least of which is Lou's birthday. Yep, it's my honey's birthday on Saturday and then a playdate with Cherie and Brenda on Sunday. I hope to get in some play time, too.
The landscaper came around to day to discuss the landscaping around our new deck. I'm not entirely sure that we are on the same page. It's a bit of a worry. But I decided to leave it and see what she comes back with. She was talking tall grasses and lots of rock... mmm..... for those of you who have seen our garden, you will know that I tend to go for the soft and frondy, fairy garden type of planting. So.... not too sure about that! We will see.
I am adding another fellow SU demo to our prayer list tonight. She is known as ladybugsmommy on splitcoast and her spirit and love for life always come through in her posts. She has some major health problems and young children. So, please add ladybugs mommy(Angela) to your prayers. If you would like to pop along and show her a little love you can do so here. Prayers as always for Trish, who has a chemo day tomorrow. Trish, stay strong - we will all be lifting you up in spirit tomorrow. For Germaine. We haven't heard from you after your Doctor's visit - so hope that you are OK. For John and Sue. For T, Pri, Arthur and Hugo.
Robin.... a package for me.... oooooo (squeal of delight)! I love packages. Robin doesn't post comments very often, but I do believe she visits quite regularly. Robin is an amazing person and I am so pleased to have met her through my blog. Robin also sold me some pretty cool uppercaseliving goodies for our house, too. Anyway, I look forward to receiving your parcel.
Cam let me know that she already has 30 Christmas cards for our Christmas card drive for Operationwritehome! Way to go, Cam.
NOW..... I have a question for everyone. PLEASE will you tell me what your favorite white embossing powder is and why? Yes, you can name your favorite brand, too. Also, if you have any tips on how to get the best coverage for white embossing powder without the "pitting", I am all ears!
As always, thank you for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere. I hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday.
Today is the inaugural Paper Players Challenge across on Lesley's Always Playing with Paper site. Today's challenge is a theme challenge - create a masculine card. So, please pop along and join us - we really would like you to join the party. LeAnne, Corie, Lesley and our June guest designer Jeannie have put some amazing inspiration cards up for you - and they are all so different. You can click on the Always Playing with Paper link and also visit the individual sites by clicking on the players names.
Remember:
You can use any products when playing along
You have until Saturday 6/12 at lunchtime to add your link
You can add your link to your blog, or to a public gallery such as splitcoaststampers
We are happy if you combine our challenge with others for the week
All that is required - create a masculine card this week - any masculine card will do
It's really exciting to see our first challenge up and running and I am very grateful to Lesley for asking me to be a part of the Paper Players Design Team. We'd really love to see what you come up with.
Here's the take on a masculine card. It introduces you to two great new colors - Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso - and is a sneak peek for the brand new level 2 hostess set called Cute by the Inch.
I am so in love with Cherry Cobbler. It really is the color red that we were missing in the collection and I can't wait for you to see the new Christmas DSP using this beautiful color.
How I created the card:
I used two stamps from the Cute by the Inch set the Love and the bottom one actually says Thank U. Because the Thank U didn't fit with my design, I inked up the stamp with my Cherry Cobbler marker and missed out the Thank part and just colored the outline and the U.
I punched out the two stamped images using my 1" punch and 4 squares of Cherry Cobbler with my 1 1/4" punch.
I popped the two stamped images up from the Cherry Cobbler square using Stampin Dimensionals
I put my Early Espresso card base (size A2) into my Polka Dot embossing folder - but only half way. That way only the bottom half of my card base was embossed. I also turned it around and highlighted the debossed side instead.
I tied a piece of the new 1/8" inch Early Espresso ribbon around the card and secured it with a retired brad from Spring mini.
Quick, easy and perfect for a masculine card, especially for those men who don't play golf, fish, etc.
Tips:
This card could easily be changed to fit a color scheme appropriate for your man. Whether it's college football, basketball or other sport colors. Brenda for instance could do this in Green and Gold for the Packers. Both her men are Packers fans!
You could also repeat the Love stamp and put it into the 2 squares that only have the Cobbler
As this card is appropriate for any of the men in your life, it would be easy to personalize it with a stamp that says "Father, Dad', Son, Brother, Uncle, etc" and could be stamped onto an oval and placed over the ribbon.
You could easily make this into a feminine card by changing out the colors, adding a more feminie color ribbon and adding a pearl or flower brad.
Products used:
Stamps: Cute by the Inch (120131 Clear, 116992 Wood) -both available July 1
Paper: Cherry Cobbler (119685), Early Espresso (119686) - both available July 1
Ribbon: Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119959)
I really enjoyed working on this challenge and now it's all your chance to inspire us with your favorite masculine cards. The Paper Players will also be choosing a winner - the Headliner for the week - and three submissions that were - A cut above the rest.
Have a fabulous Sunday everyone. I hope it is a day filled with love, laughter and time to enjoy those you love the most. Me... time with my hubby, my cats, the critters in our garden, our new deck - and my new SU goodies!
Happy Sunday. I'm guessing that many of you will either be stamping in your craft room, or watching the Super Bowl! Me.... well, we are expecting about 8-10 inches of snow and it's gotten cold again. So, after doing housework, I'm in my craft room hoping to find some inspiration. I don't know.. but my Mojo seems to have been AWOL recently. Maybe it went on an early spring break!
A quick card for you tonight- using Jayne's Type Alphabet which I have had forever and just never seem to find a use for! Well, the challenge on ourcreativecorner was to creative a masculine Valentine's card and the color challenge on stampsrus was to use red white and black... so, I decided to combine the two!
Tomorrow I will have for you a photo tutorial on how I made my new wood mount stamps into clear mount stamps! So remember to check back for that!
Before we see the card, check out the fabulous inspiration cards on both challenge sites - and don't forget to check the submissions. I promise you will find something that inspires you.
So, here's my masculine Valentine. I ran it past Lou to see whether it fit the bill - and he loved it! But then, he was probably just being nice to me! Actually, I'm really lucky that he does provide so much support for my hobby. He really is a very special man!
I wanted a clean and simple line, especially with the black, red and white theme. I also wanted something that would be quick to replicate and easily changed to more feminine colors. I also toyed with using a HEART instead of the V, which I think would work perfectly. In fact, I might make a feminie version of this card doing just that... ok.. so now my mind has gone to stamping! :-)
Card recipe:
Basic Black, Real Red and Whisper White card stock
Real Red classic ink
Jayne's Type Alphabet (114401)
the heart-u stamp is from the You and Moi stamp set (111716) - one of the ones available free during SAB
Two pieces of gingham ribbon, the black and white and the red and white
I used my 3/4" circle and 1" circle punches. I used my 1" and 1 1/4" square punches
I used my polka dot texture folder (117335) for the black
All that was needed was to pop the LOVE and the heart-u with dimensionals.
Have a Happy Monday everyone. I'm off to finish up the tutorial for the clear stamps and to try to get some more challenges done!
As always, your visits are much appreciated. Don't forget just a few more days for Blog Candy give away - just leave a comment and you will be entered into the draw. The draw this month includes two sets of card stock and a stamp set! So, over $30 in free goodies up for grabs - and all you have to do is leave a comment!
Hugs
Jaydee
Subscribe Here
To keep updated when I post to my blog, enter your email address below or choose to subscribe in a reader.
This is my personal blog. I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and responsible for its content. Stampin' Up! does not endorse the use of or contents of the classes, services, or non-Stampin' Up! products I may offer here. Almost all stamps are copyright of Stampin' Up. You are welcome to CASE my projects, but please follow the code of blogging and give proper credit. It's the right thing to do :-)
