Masculine Birthday Wishes

I'm sharing a masculine birthday card with you today for my wonderful hubby's birthday this weekend. Happy Birthday, Jim!  :)

I used some beautiful patterned papers from a DCWV paper pad I got for Christmas from my youngest daughter.  She has good taste in paper...makes her Mama proud!  :) The 'Happy Birthday' stamp is from Impression Obsession and the ornate frame is from the Bonjour stamp set by KaiserCraft.

 Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Happy 90th Birthday, Cecil!

My father-in-law celebrated his 90th birthday last week and this is the card that I made him. Cecil is such a sweet man and is in such fabulous health for his age. I think he'll be with us for many, many more years to come.

Here's the inside of the card.  The picture of him was taken back in the early Spring with the beautiful Miramichi River in the background.

We had a birthday party for him and this is the sign that was outside the church where we had the party.  He was pretty surprised about the party.  We drove the 5 hours to Jim's hometown the night before the party, stayed in a motel for the night and showed up at Jim's Dad's place two hours before the party...just enough time to get him ready.  I think he was still in shock here in the picture!  lol  :)

A special thanks again to the many people that made this party a success.  We couldn't have pulled this party off without you. Also, thank you to those who attended the party in celebration of this special milestone.  I know Cecil was honoured that you all attended and he had a great time after he got over the shock!

OK, stay tuned, I still have a few more cards to show you...

Thanks for stoppin by! :)
 

TSC42: Tic Tac Toe Challenge

We have a fun "Tic Tac Toe' challenge for you this month over at The Stampsmith Challenge blog.  I opted to use a picture frame to incorporate the metal into my project, but you're welcome to do a card or whatever strikes your fancy.

Here's the Tic Tac Toe board...simple choose a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row and work with those three elements.  I chose Metal-Manly-Distressed for my project. A metal frame stand, manly image and design and a distressed crackle finish on frame.  In case you can't read the quote, it reads:

A question that 

sometimes drives 

me hazy: am I or 

are the others crazy?

~ Albert Einstein

Remember each project that contains at least one stamped image by The Stampsmith will qualify for the random draw for a gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store valued at $21.00.  I'm excited to see what everyone comes up with for this challenge since they'll all be so different. 

Happy creating!  :)
 

Happy Birthday, Jim!

I know I haven't posted anything in a while...but, I've been plagued by a lot of migraines over the past month, along with having a bad chest infection, which I thought I got rid of and then I relapsed!   So, I've been doing the bear minimum and unfortunately, I just haven't felt crafty.

But, it was my hubby, Jim's birthday on the weekend and I had to make him a card.  He likes fooling around with his guitars, so I thought I'd take a stab at making him a fun guitar card.   I just looked at his acoustic and roughed out some of the components.  The wires (I had to use silver elastic cord since hat's all I had on hand) are giving me a fair bit of grief.   I've had to re-do the card twice.  First, having to fix the piece that has the brads on it.  The piece kept pulling off, so I had to poke the brads through the entire card front and then add an extra piece of card stock on the inside of the card to hide the backs of the brads.   Then, because of the tension, the elastic cords starting pulling from the top and letting go!  Can you can a little bit of frustration!  lol  :)   So, I pulled the top of the card apart and loosened the tension a bit and added lots of new adhesive, so I think the guitar strings will stay put now...hopefully!  If it happens again, Jim may just have to deal with a broken string!  Hey, it happens!  lol  :)

So, the moral of my story is, if you 'd like to make one of these cards, I suggest you use silver string, not elastic cord, for your own sanity!  :)

I thought I'd also share a picture of the spectacular sunrise I awoke to yesterday morning.  The sky looked as through it was on fire.  My picture doesn't do it justice, it really was truly a beautiful site through my trees.

Please check back tomorrow for a new Design Team challenge from The Stampsmith Challenge!

Cheers,
 

Kermit Thank You

This fun card is for one of my colleagues who has just stepped down from a regional committee he's served on for 10 years.  He's a great guy with a fantastic sense of humour, so I thought he'd get a kick out of this card, as apposed to a sappy thank you card.  He happens to also be a musician who has his own band, hence the addition of Kermit playing the banjo.  I hope he likes it.  If nothing else, he'll love the gift card inside! lol   :)

I used a few images from the net and created the sentiments and printed them off.   Paired it with some manly-looking dp from the Craftsman Collection by Prima.  In case you can't read the sentiments on the card, they read as,
It's not easy bein' green...
Nor, is it east bein' on a committee this long!

Thanks so much for your dedication!

inside of card with gift card pocket on left-hand side

back of card

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I made this card for my Dad for his birthday today. He loves to cycle and definitely lives life to the fullest, so I thought this would be fitting for him. For the main focal image, I used the cyclist from the Mountains Landscape photostamp sheet by The Stampsmith.

Here's a close up of the photostamp of the cyclist trailing up the mountain.

Here's the close up of the sentiment, 'Live.'  I added the extra part of the sentiment, 'life to the fullest.'

Just a reminder about the current 'Bags n' Tags' challenge we have on the go over on The Stampsmith Challenge blog.  I see a few entries so far, but I'd love to see all your gorgeous entries, too!   Each entry, which uses at least one stamp by The Stampsmith, has a chance to win a gift certificate from The Stampsmith Store, valued at $21!   I hope you decide to play along in the fun!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

TSC30: Sketch Challenge - using atleast one Stampsmith Stamp

It's challenge time again over at The Stampsmith Challenge - but we're switching things up this month and holding a sketch challenge as apposed to a specific theme.   Follow the sketch as shown or flip it on its side.  However you want, just make it your own.  Our only request is that you incorporate one stamp by The Stampsmith into your project in order to be eligible for the draw.

For my project, I used a funny baby image from the Ooh Baby stamp sheet by The Stampsmith.   I didn't have a stamp of the sentiment I wanted, so I printed it myself using a gel pen.

I hope you decide to play along in the fun and I look forward to seeing everyone's take on the sketch!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Uncle Sam wants you!

Yes, you're reading this card correctly...I'm advertising for the U.S. Army...and yes, I'm a Canadian Navy wife! Kinda funny, eh? Anyway, I had fun gathering stuff for this card to create a DT sample for The Stampsmith. This Uncle Sam photostamp is part of the U.S.A. Patriotic stamp sheet. Definitely some fun stamps! :)

Here's the full sheet of stamps for you to see.

I borrowed the fun sprockets Nesties diecuts from my friend, Janice. Thanks, Janice! The (relish) camouflage background, soldier silhouette, U.S. Army medallion and star clip art are all free digi images that I printed off.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Happy Birthday, Hubert!

I have a birthday card to share with you tonight that I made for my brother. I went with a whimsical design for this masculine card. I love to use pretty ribbon, but I'm sure my brother will appreciate the fact that I opted for twine instead! I freehand drew the stars and then cut them out with my scissors. I finished it off by distressing the edges and by doing some paper piercing to embellish it. I hope he likes it.

I'll be back soon with another crafty creation...stay tuned.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Birthday (Studio G)
Cardstock: Chocolate Brown (Bazzill), Ivory (Staples)
Patterned Paper: Old World Mat Stack (DCWV), The Rustic Stack (DCVW)
Ink: Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko)
Tools: Cuttlebug, Circle Nestabilities, Circle Custom Cutting System (Creative Memories), Paper Piercer, Piercing Mat, Dimensional Squares, Scissors, Distressing Tool (CTMH), Journaling Tool...aka my Spacing Guide for paper piercing (Creative Memories)
Embellishments: Twine

Happy Birthday, Jim!

I made this card for my hubby, Jim, for his birthday next week. I always have a hard time with masculine cards, but I kinda like how this one turned out. I stamped the old pocket watch first, and then broke up the Happy Birthday sentiment, to emboss it. I thought the pocket watch ink was dry. But, apparently it wasn't since when I added the embossing powder, it stuck to it, as well. It makes it a bit difficult to read the sentiment, but you get the point and I think I like it like this even better than my original plan. I love this photostamp from The Mountains plate by The Stampsmith. You can find it under Landscapes on the online shop.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

My 15th Anniversary

I thought I'd bring you a taste of Paris for today's Stampsmith Design Team card. I made this card for my hubby, Jim, for our 15th wedding anniversary this week. Perhaps some day we'll actually be able to go to Paris to celebrate our anniversary! Unfortunately, it won't be for this one as Jim's away at sea right now, but we'll celebrate when he gets home. Oh, the joys of military life...

This gorgeous Eiffel Tower photostamp comes from the Paris plate. The flower is another one that I made when my friend, Val came over for some crafty therapy time. We had a great night making a bunch of these flowers using different die cuts and patterned papers. You can achieve such a different look just by the patterned paper and the die cut that you use. In case you'd like to try making some of these flowers, here's a link to the tutorial that we followed.
Here's a close up of the Stampsmith Sentiment. It's also from the Paris Plate.

Feel free to check out some beautiful samples from the rest of the Stampsmith Design Team by checking out the Stampsmith blog. Also, a reminder that we just started up a new Stampsmith challenge blog, for an opportunity to grow your Stampsmith rubber collection just by playing along in the fun! So, what are you waiting for? Pop on over and join us! :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Paris (The Stampsmith)
Cardstock: Flat Black (CRS), Chocolate Brown (CRS), White Glossy Cardstock (CRS)
Patterned Paper: Elegant Black, Brown and Gold Swirl (Dollarama)
Ink: Ancient Page - Coal Black (Clearsnap)
Tools: Labels 4 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Shapeabilities Blossom (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Scissors
Embellishments: Handmade Paper Flower, Antique Copper Rimmed Clock (Dollarama)

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

I saw this digi image the other day on The Graphics Fairy and knew I wanted to use it for a Father's Day card for my dad. He likes vintage cars, so I think he'll like this card.  Sorry for the washed out picture, it's hard for me to get a picture with the antique brass studs...I should have waited to get a picture in the morning in natural light to avoid using the flash, but I know I won't have time and I wanted to share a card with you, so here it is!  lol  :)

Here's a bit of better picture, not washed out like the one above, but the studs on this one didn't turn out.

Our girls have also made sweet cards for Jim, but he won't be home from sea until this Thursday, so we'll have to have a late Father's Day celebration for him. 

OK, time to call it a day.   I'll try to be back soon with something new to share with you.  Until then...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Digi Stamps: Vintage Cars (The Graphics Fairy)
Cardstock: Flat Black (Recollections), Ivory (Staples), Chocolate Brown (CRS)
Ink: Printer Ink
Tools: 3/16" Pop Dots (EK Success)
Embellishments: Antique Brass Iron on Studs (Hillary Duff Stuff)

Happy Birthday, Hubert!

It was my oldest brother's birthday yesterday and this card is for him. There's a little extra java treat inside for him, since he enjoys his java as much as I do! :)

I'm always challenged to make masculine cards, so I needed a little inspiration for this card.  I found just that from a card by Laurie Schmidlin. I absolutely adore her work, you can see her blog here.   Thanks for the inspiration, Laurie, you rock!  :)

To make the background panels, I crumpled up a plastic bag and inked it up and the pounced it on the cardstock.   Sponged on a little extra ink by spearing it around.  Then, I randomly stamped all of the java words and cut the paper in thirds and mounted them on the chocolate cardstock to make the panels.

I don't think you can really tell in the full card pic, but the stitched medium is actually chocolate brown felt ribbon.  Very cool stuff!  I found this a while back and have waiting for the perfect project to use it with.   I think it works well with my masculine card.   I like to embellish a card, but didn't want it to seem girlie so this gave it just the right added touch.   I hope my big brother likes it!  :)

Here's a close up of the felt ribbon and Fancy Scallop Border Piercerabilities.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Chai Latte - Savoir Faire (Inque Boutique)
Cardstock: Ivory (Staples), Chocolate (CRS), Textured Olive Green (CRS), Olive (Creative Memories)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tea Dye (Ranger), Memento - Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)
Tools: 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success), Cuttlebug, Fancy Scalloped Border Piercerabilities (Spellbinders), Sponge (SU), Crumpled Plastic Bag for Distressed Background
Embellishments: Chocolate with White Stitch Felt Ribbon (Michaels)

Let Your Dreams Find Wings

A friend of mine recently got a promotion and I wanted to make him a card. I always find masculine cards a challenge, but I like this sentiment and I thought an image of an eagle soaring would be nice to go with it. I don't have an eagle stamp, so I opted to use a digi image instead.  Thanks to my friends, Val and Kim for helping me find the perfect one!  :)

Well, we've had a doosie of a day here today along with last night with highs winds and lots of rain.   The power flickered on and off for a while this afternoon and then went out completely for a few hours.  So, we ordered a pizza tonight and ate it by candlelight!   It took 2 hours for the pizza to arrive...apparently, a few other people in the area had the same idea!  lol  :)  Anyway, by the time the kids finished dessert it was past their bedtime, so they went straight to bed.  Jim and I listened to our crank radio for a while until the power came back on.  It certainly is quiet, though, without all the sounds of everything running.  I can't imagine having to go very long without power, it just comes so second nature to try to turn on the lights even when there's a outage, eh?   Anyway, I'm glad it's back!  Ok, enough, rambling from me, time to call it a day.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Let Your Dreams Find Wings (Impression Obsession), Eagle Digi Image
Cardstock: Chocolate Brown (CRS), Lime Green (Bazzill), Ivory and Flat White (Staples)
Patterned Paper: Distressed Brown Stripes (Dollarama)
Ink: Chocolate (Ancient Page)
Tools: 3/16" Pop Dots (SU)
Embellishments:Antique Brass Iron on Studs (Hillary Duff Stuff)

Masculine Shirt Card

I had a great time last night at our monthly Alpha Beta Card crafty night. I think everyone liked the sweet pea card and I loved the card that Louise demo'd. She went with a masculine themed card with an origami shirt on the front and double pockets on the inside. Just in time to give to my Dad for his birthday in a couple of weeks. I just need to go out and get a gift card to out inside and I'll be all set.

**Edited to Add**
I've been fiddling around with the fold of the shirt, does this one look better? I think I folded the collar wrong to begin with...
Here's a view of the card opened. It's hard to see in the pic, but both of the large chocolate chip layers are embossed using Swiss Dots.

Here's the insert for one of pockets to write a little note on.

I had fun doing the little origami shirt and tie, I've seen these before but this was my first attempt at them. A fun project to do and I love the fold and pockets of this card. Thanks to Louise for sharing such a great project with us! We had some yummy treats as usual, too. I was supposed to make an ice-cream cake, but I didn't get a chance to make it, so I bought one instead at Dairy Queen. I'll post a pic of it later. Louise also brought the yummiest Apple Pear Crumble I've ever eaten! Oh, sweet deliciousness! (Is that a word? lol) She also brought a pecan pie, man, we're spoiled on crafty night! It's certainly not a night to be dieting! lol :)

I have more to share with you later today, but the kids are yanking on my arm to go out swimming right now. I'll be back later on, stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Out of this World

My daughter's are attending a birthday party for one of their little friends today. This is the card that I made for him. He's very into spaceships and space, so I think he'll like this little rocket card...I hope so anyway! :)

I tried taking several pictures of the card, but with no success getting a proper picture of the rocket with the card, so here's a close of it to show you.

This is the Mojo Monday Sketch from last week that I followed for my card.
Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Rocket (A Muse)
Cardstock: Silver, Lavender Lace (SU), Distressed Orange and Solid Orange (Creative Memories), Flat Black (Reflections)
Patterned Paper: Space Theme (Creative Memories)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Tools: Scissors, Black 3D Pop Dots (MultiCraft Imports), RedStar font for Sentiment printed off using my Epson printer