Congrats Man!

I was a bit light on the masculine cards so I thought it high time I made a concerted effort to remedy that.  Inspired by the fortnightly C84FN Color Challenge offering up Coral, Brown, and Tan, I set my sights on making a few fun "Manly" cards. The colour coral doesn't generally conjure up the most manly of images to me, but the colour Tan most certainly does.  So, I fossicked through my papers, embellishments and inks and chose the most butch of these colour offerings as I could find.

The stamps are a melange from across Stampers Anonymous and Papertrey Ink stamps.  The stamp of the gent with the cane is a cool image from Wendy Vecchi's/Stampers Anonymous Studio 490 from a set called Art for Men.  The congratulatory sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Masculine Motifs (I do love that font).  The other stamps used to complete the background are from several sets from Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous as well.  I must say, I really do enjoy making my stamped background paper, complete with lots of distressed inking and splotches galore.  Good fun.

The shapes used on the card are a few assorted Spellbinders labels dies. From memory, I used Grand Labels 11 and Grommet Tags.  I textured the card base with a Tim Holtz Texture Folder in Checkerboard and nibbled at the edges with my Yellow corner Chomper.  And of course, I couldn't resist the lure of a few debonair lashings of coral coloured waxed string. Each layer was then propped up on loads of dimensional adhesive.  So there ya go:  My attempt at a masculine Congratulatory card. Fun

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit.  I enjoy each of our meetings so.  Enjoy the day!

Friendship, Coffee & Hairspray!

I must say that every time I come across this fabulous "say it like it is" sentiment from Crafty Secrets it brings a smile to my face.  I just love its fun, no nonsense approach to life.  I created this card based on The Play Date Cafe's colour combination this week showcasing Mint, Soft Yellow, Coral, and Tulip.  These colours are most probably used best in the hands of a less grubbier crafter than mine, but I couldn't resist the lure of this pretty as a picture pastel palette.  It's only that I understand my crafty shortcomings all too well when it comes to doing "pretty and unspoilt"'.   That's why I added that wee pearl earring as a nod to all things pristine and prepossessing.  Maybe one day, I'll clean up my crafting act...just maybe.  *wink*

Thanks a mega bunch for visiting and here's to a beautiful day for us all!  See you anon.

Believe In Yourself!

This card is a quasi-Asian inspired offering for this fortnight's CR84FN Color Challenge showcasing Yellow, Red and Neutral.  Not a particularly difficult combination for me to work with, so I thought I'd use it as a stepping stone for a card with a multicultural themed influence which is more of a stretch for me.  Not sure how the Papertrey Ink sentiment fits in with my Eastern theme, but I am sure Confucius would have had something snazzy to say mirroring some sentiment nearly the same.  Bit of a stretch perhaps, but hey...it seemed a good idea at the time.  The nifty Bonsai tree and decorative strip below are from a cool set from Waltzingmouse Stamps called Asian Gardens.  It's a delightful set with additions that I believe add a lovely difference to my collection.  The barely visible background stamp used on the mustard colored decorative rectangular die cut (Spellbinders) is an Impression Obsession red rubber goodie called Wallpaper.  

I also tried my hand at using some Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder that I had kicking around my stash.  It's a funky alternative to traditional or more slick and glossy embossing powders.  It embosses rather sand papery and crumbles off in patchy sections which is very cool.  I don't use it very much, but its fun texture is worth considering from time to time for another crafting point of difference.   After lassoing the card with a few rounds of wax string and cornering the edges, that seemed enough for my stained paper offering.  

Thanks a big bunch for visiting my blog.  It means a lot knowing you've taken the time to stop by.  Cheers!

Hogs & Kisses!

I know, I know!  Hogs & Kisses.  I just thought that sentiment from Papertrey Ink's reasonably new farm set was too adorable not to use.  Not sure that I will get much mileage out of it being that it really doesn't work without the hogs does it?  ...And I certainly don't get much call for hogs in my papercrafting, but hey.  I was just mucking around with this set and the fab Chicken Wire Impression Plate (also from Papertrey Ink) and jumped at the chance to throw this card together using these fun elements.  The chicken wire stamp is from Waltzingmouse Stamps however, and it's a good'un.  If your after a nifty, easy as pie, chicken wire stamp to line up then I can, wholeheartedly, recommend this one.  That smudgy bit of acrylic  paint behind the stamped ATC from Tim Holtz Alterations is lick of Old Paper Distress Crackle Paint.  I cannot say that I have absolutely gotten a  firm hold on how to best use this paint, but I don't half mind it as I have tried it here.  It adds the requisite "pig sty" feel to this puny card I think (well, that was the plan in any case).  I am looking forward to creating a bit more with this collection of farm inspired goodies soon, that's for sure.

Many thanks for stopping by for a wee look-see.  Your visits are appreciated so.  Here's to an inspired day for us all! Oink!