Stampin! with Jaydee

 Hi Everyone.  Happy Tuesday.  I hope you are all having a great start to your week.

On Sunday I got to play in my craft room and managed to combine two challenges for this card.  The sketch at casethissketch and the theme across at Friday Mashup

Now, this gave me the excuse to use a couple of the new goodies from SU that I haven't really given any love.  The Hardwood background stamp and the Perfect Pennant stamp set.

I loved the idea of making a masculine card, but the second part of the fridaymashup challenge was to use stitching on a masculine card.   As I'm not that adept with my sewing machine on card stock, I used the Lil Inker Stitched Border die for the focal layer.

Here's my card for the two challenges:

 I inked the Hardwood stamp in Sahara Sand ink and pressed the Naturals Ivory focal layer on top of the inked stamp, pressing very lightly to get a subdued woodgrain effect.  I die cut the two tags and used my Early Espresso ink pad and some clear embossing powder to heat emboss the "make a wish" sentiment.  I then used an old birthday set for the "happy birthday" sentiment - also stamped with Early Espresso ink.  I needed to do something to finish off the tag, but Lou doesn't approve of ribbon - or buttons - on a masculine card :-)  So, I decided to go a different route and combined three different colors of hemp and made it look more like a leather shoelace.  He approved of that!  I approve of it because it brings the colors of the card together :-)

I also like that there is texture on each of the layers - the stitching and woodgrain on the focal layer.  The heat embossing and dry embossing on the tags and, of course, the hemp twine.

Now... I have to share a photograph with you.... many of you will be wondering why I have this photograph......

That, my dear readers, is melting snow!   Yes, siree!  Standing - unfrozen water... water just sitting glistening in the sun and not turning immediately to ice!  We haven't seen that since November!   That MUST mean that spring is on her way!

One last photo for you tonight.  Bailey sleeps in unusual places.  He rarely sleeps anywhere comfortable.  It's normally a hard surface like the floor, or the stairs, but this chair in the dining room has become his little spot for an afternoon nap.  Now.. this is 19# of cat...... and he was so incredibly comfortable and all stretched out!

Who couldn't fall in love with that face :-)

On a personal note:

I am finally starting to feel better.  I can't believe how long it has taken to get over this bout of the flu.  I never take sick leave, but this bout left me in bed for two days at the beginning of last week.  So, Kate, I can see why you and the family were incapacitated for two weeks with it!  I hope you are all feeling so much better.

I'll be back tomorrow with another card.  In the meantime, warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Hugs

Jaydee

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Naturals Ivory. Early Espresso
• Inks:  Sahara Sand.  Early Espresso
• Stamps:  Hardwood background stamp.  Perfect Pennants
• Accessories:  Hemp twine
• tools:  PTI tag die.  Big Shot