Masculine Birthday

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

I never seem to have enough birthday cards in my stash so today I'm working on more birthday cards ... specifically masculine cards today!  

When my mojo isn't quite up to par, I like to use a sketch as my jumping point ... today I've used the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge for an excellent starting point.

I knew I had a variety of masculine/woodsy type design papers in my stash which are from an old DCWV 12x12 paper pack so that was my next step ... choosing papers that were more masculine to go with my sketch.

I liked this basic sketch design but then improvised a bit using a few extra dies as accents.

The Creative Expressions Sue Wilson 'Trailing Ivy' #CED1423 worked beautifully with the ivy background paper.  And I couldn't wait to die cut this fabulous Amy Designs 'Wintertide' Owl #ADD10083.  He's been hanging around for a month or so and finally I found just the right opportunity to use him.  He's die cut from white card stock then I went over him with a light gray Spectrum Noir alcohol marker just to showcase the highlights of the die.  Isn't he handsome! 

I really like how this card came together and I hope you find inspiration in it too!  

Challenges to share in:

Card Mania Challenge #88 - Layer It

Country View January Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafts and Me January Challenge  - New Beginnings / New Stash (New Owl Die)

Happy Little Stamper January Challenge - Anything Goes with Dies

Let's Craft and Create Challenge #121 - Things with Wings

Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #83 - Birthday Bash

The Male Room Challenge #51 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Please stop back tomorrow when I'll have a card post telling you all about the second half of the Anniversary Celebration at the Double D Challenge Blog.  Extra prizes will be given away just as we did in the first challenge of the new year.  You'll want to be sure to check it out and come join in the fun!!

Till tomorrow ...

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  DCWV 12 x 12 designer paper, white cs, dark gray cs, forest green cs

Dies:  Amy Designs 'Wintertide Owl', Tutti Designs 'Nesting Stitched Circles', Tutti Designs 'Happy', Tutti Designs 'Birthday', Sue Wilson 'Trailing Ivy'

Accessories:  Gold Pilot Marker (gold trim on background panel), Spectrum Noir Alcohol Marker (IG1), Forest Green Offray satin ribbon, dimensional tape

Masculine cards . . .

Hello my friends!

I hope you're having a fabulous week!

I have SO MUCH to do in my cave between my DT obligations and getting enough cards/goodies ready for yet another show coming up on the 21st but instead I've been having fun and enjoying a surprise visit from crafting friends who popped in from Illinois (more on that at the end of this post!).

Oh, and for those of you who have asked ... last weekend's craft show at our local high school was FABULOUS!  I sold LOTS of just about everything ... cards, tissue box covers, Hershey pouches, Nugget boxes, Emery Board covers ... yep it was AWESOME!!!

Now, even though I've been playing outside my cave,  I did take time to create some much needed MASCULINE cards for my stash the other day and thought I'd share a few with you today.  I always get such a great response from cards I've created using my Stampscapes Stamps and I think they are the perfect images for the guys.  At last week's show I actually had a compliment on the fabulous array of masculine Birthday cards I offer ... but was asked to make more masculine GET WELL cards too since they are so hard to find!

These cards really didn't take me any time at all!  That's just one of the things about Stampscapes that I LOVE!  You can create a scene so quickly ... looks so complex but it's really so easy! 

 I've had this big stack of 6x6 Stampin' Up papers that one of my SU suppliers was selling for $5 a pack a few years back and I had totally forgotten about them.  Several I thought would work great for today's cards and since they are double sided, I simply scored and folded the back side forward to create my coordinating decorative panel.

A few challenges to share in are:

Craft a Scene Challenge - Trees, Trees, Trees

Inspiration Destination Challenge #6 - Anything Goes

Little Red Wagon Challenge #262 - Home is Where Your Heart Is

The Male Room Challenge #22 - Wood

Paper Shelter Challenge #181 - For the Man in your Life

NOW ABOUT MY CRAFTING ABSENCE!!

Yep ... crafting friend Bette Henson [on the left] (one of the ladies I met at Joan's Gardens workshops out in Indiana several years ago) surprised me with making a trip to Ohio along with her good friend Sharri.  Their actual destination was Amish Country (southern Ohio) but 'since they were in my neck of the woods', took the time to come visit my home, meet the hubby and do dinner together.  

 That was on Monday and they were headed to Berlin, Ohio for the remainder of the week to take in the Amish sights.  THEN ... a text invitation on Tuesday led me down to link up with the ladies once again for a day of unique experiences and fun!  Here's a few peeks at our day:

 Yes, the Amish were out if large numbers for today's auction of Hay, Livestock, Fresh Produce as well as the Flea Market.

Here's Sharri and Bette waiting for the Livestock Auction to being.  Under advice from the guys sitting in the row behind us ... we moved out of the 'splash zone' to a higher (and safer) location before it began.

Bette had her registered number all ready JUST IN CASE she decided to bid on something!   I wasn't sure how she was going to get it all back to Illinois but I'm sure she had a plan!  LOL!

We were a bit disappointed since the Chicken Auction wasn't until 1:00 and there was only going to be standing room ... so we had to skip that one!

I wish I would have gotten a photo down at the HAY ROLLS auction ... that was really WELL ATTENDED!  Of course with winter coming on and everyone having horses & cows to feed ... I'm sure it was an important time!

If you follow me on my FB page, you already know about this adventure as I did take the time to post a little about it there too.

Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen was our lunchtime destination.  I simply enjoyed the salad bar (trying to be good ya know!) ... AND it left me room for that wonderful Amish Blackberry Pie!!  LOL!

On our way down to Walnut Creek Stores, we stopped by the Wendell August shop to check out their hand hammered items ... what beautiful works of art.  AND look at this ... claims to be the LARGEST AMISH BUGGY in the World!!  The wheels on this thing stand 5' high (and I'm only 5'2" ... yikes)

 Well had such a good time!  We laughed & laughed while driving through the different Amish towns as Bette wanted a photo of EVERYTHING and insisted she was going to tow one of these Amish buggies back home to Illinois behind her little Prius car!  LOL!

Along the road we spotted this Amish gentleman taking in the corn for the winter.  Of course with a horse drawn machine.  LOTS of work but he was doing a fabulous job!  And, God granted him another beautiful day to get it done!  Here's a larger view ... looks like he'd been at it all morning!

 Well as I said at the beginning of this long post, I have A LOT of crafting to get done so I'd better get busy!  Thanks so much for stopping by ... I can't tell you how much your support and comments mean to me!  Happy Day All!!

As always . . .

Recipe for cards:

Papers:  Very Vanilla cs, various SU design papers

Stamps:  Stampscapes Cabin - 140E, Cabin with Fence - 144F, Pin Row - 150E, Fence - 289D, Anita's birthday stamp

Accessories:  Spellbinder Classic and Scallop Circles and Ovals, Tim Holtz distress inks, sponge daubers, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Elizabeth Craft Get Well #790, Martha Stewart border punch

A snack while you wait ...

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!

WOW!  Can you believe it's the end of yet another week???

Where has the summer gone ... kids are starting back to school ... home canning season is in full swing and you know what will be flying here in NE Ohio before we know it!  YIKES!!

I have a fun little 'giftie' idea for you today.  Hope you like it!

I have to admit, I've had this idea swimming around in my head but when I saw it similarly done over on Heidi Blankenship's Blog 'Embellished Dreams', I knew I just had to 'get it done' and shared!  Heidi used product from  The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store and Graphic45 papers . . . 

I have used product from the Crafty Secrets Store 'Crafty Vintage Girl' and the product I used today is the Digital Barber Shop Kit #D-116.  There are SO MANY options available at the CS store that you could use for a project like this.  My container is simply a clear A6 card box which I've purchased through clearbags.com.  I have these clear boxes in various sizes ... did you know you can actually mail your dimensional cards in these boxes?  Yep ... costs typically around $2 to mail via USPS.  I've inserted the digital paper into a Word document to resize it the length I needed for around the box.  Printed & fussy cut the ephemera then added a little 'manly' string, fall leaf button and VIOLA!  

I guess I'll be handing this box of almonds to hubby next time I cut his hair!  Afterall, I did steal borrow the almonds from his stash for my project! LOL!  He commented the other day that he didn't realize he had been eating so many almonds ... ssshhh!  Don't tell him where they disappeared to!  LOL!

Here are a few challenges I'd like to share in today .  .  .

4 Crafty Girls Challenge #24 - Anything Goes

The Crafter's Cafe Challenge - Anything But a Card

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #190 - Anything Goes

All Crafts Aug/Sept Challenge - Anything But a Card

Perfectly Rustic Challenge - Masculine

Whoopsi Daisy Challenge - Fussy Cutting

Before I go, I want to share the news about the wonderful sale Sandy has going on right now in the shop.  She has assembled a fantastic goodie box of Summer themed stamps, journal booklets, Vintage Cuts, Creative Scraps and more at an amazing price!  Look at all the beautiful materials you get for just $19.95 plus $4.95 shipping:

You can click on this photo to get an even better look at all these beautiful projects.  There's even a beautiful album included so you can scrap your summer memories with ease.  Here's a list:

 

You can order as many of these super summer sale kits as you'd like.  They'll make great birthday and Christmas gifts for all your crafty friends.  The link to finding these in the online store is Summer Super Pack Blowout.  No code is necessary, just click on the link to order.

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a FABULOUS weekend and I'll see you back here next week!

As always . . .

Delicious Doodles ... check 'em out!

If you are looking for an awesome digi to create masculine cards with ... you'll find it over at my friend Teri Sherman's (Teri's Cards & Toppers) site. On her left sidebar, you will find a link to her store where you can see all of her digis available for purchase ... Delicious Doodles Digi Store. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this Deer & Fawn image because I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it!! I know my SIL and grandson will LOVE this image!!

While you are at Teri's blog ... check out her personal works-of-art for inspiration. She's very talented in her creations! I just love how she adds a lot of dimension to her cards by cutting out and popping up! Well ... you'll see what I mean when you scan down through her work.
What do you think?? My background paper is from the DCWV Rustic 12x12 pack and I've used Stampscapes images/Versafine black ink to stamp over the dp for my "wooded scene". Using the Nestabilities Labels 9, I've diecut my image and gold metallic mat. I've used Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol to color the deer and although it's difficult to see, I've used a makeup applicator and blue chalk to soften the white backing around the image. Added a strip of brown gingham ribbon and my creation was complete.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend! We made the 2 hour trip to Pittsburgh, PA yesterday to celebrate Thanksgiving with Mark's Mom. She didn't know who we were but she seemed happy to have the companionship. My Brother & Sister in Law live close by the home where my MIL resides and my SIL is a true saint!! She goes over EVERY day and spoon feeds Mom since she's unable to feed herself anymore. It was a nice visit and they were happy to see Mark too since we haven't made it back to Pittsburgh but once since his transplant.

We will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year and the kids are joining us. I purchased the turkey today and it's in the fridge thawing (I hope) ... I'm always afraid it will still be half frozen come Thanksgiving morning! Have a wonderful remainder of the weekend!

I have a surprise for you tomorrow !!! I've been asked to be a Guest Designer for >>>>>>>>> ooopps, can't tell you yet ... you'll have to stop back tomorrow to see WHO it is. See you then!!

SCS Featured Stamper Challenge

Happy Sunday to you All!! It's kind of rainy & dreary here in N.E. Ohio today ... I hope the sun is shining where you are!! Since I can't play outside ... what better to do than PLAY inside with paper & ink!! So today I'll have two cards to share with you.

Today's Featured Stamper over on the SCS Featured Stamper Challenge is Teresa (va.sunshine) and HERE is Teresa's card I chose to case. I've kept the basic layout with a slight change in the sentiment placement. I've also changed the theme from Christmas to a Masculine (possibly birthday) creation.

I just LOVE my Stampscape images for masculine cards ... so easy peasy! And this scrap of DCWV designer paper I had laying on my worktable seemed to be the perfect masculine background panel. Here are all the details on this creation:

Stamps: Stampscapes, It's the Little Things Rubber Stamps, Penny Black

Papers: Close to Cocoa, Basic Black, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, DCWV dp

Inks: Versafine black, Old Olive

Accessories: SU ribbon, SU watercolor pencils/blender pen, dimensionals, detail clear ep, SU slit punch, Nestabilities, Making Memories olive drab brads

For those of you who enjoy seeing the inside of the card as well as the outside, I've been trying to accommodate you!! I don't always finish a card until I have someone in mind to send it too (try to make it more personal) ... but where I can, I've been trying to be a little more creative with my INSIDE card and share it with you. I see more & more ladies being VERY creative with the inside of their creations as well as their envelopes and I think they are on the right track ... truly makes that creation even MORE special to the recipient. (click on photos for larger view)

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope to see you again real soon!