Happy Birthday, Dad

Any reason for a celebration is glorious in my book.  This world needs more joy and happiness...  The difficulty, I've found, is making a birthday card masculine - for those moments that require creativity for the men in my life.  How in the piles of buttons, flowers, and bright colors can you create something for a man - that isn't completely embarrassing for him to receive?

My latest attempt at crafting masculinity:

I began scowering my stash of crafting supplies for browns, blues and greens.  Yes, I realize that those colors aren't distinctly male but for the 70+ year old recipient, no doubt they are preferred to pinks.  I used a grey card backing and began layering, tearing, and inking. 

First, I cut out a white sheet and ink the outer edge with two ink colors (Tim Holtz Distressed Ink).  After which, I made little incisions and peeled back the paper to add a vintage quality. 

Next, I tied twine around a banner I cut out and continued by using punches to add various shapes and colors; adding buttons for additional embellishment.  

I just hope he enjoys the finished product!

Materials:

• Paper: DCWV Paper Packs, Recollections Paper Packs, kraft, white and colored cardstock
• Stamps: Market Street Stamps - Simple Salutations
• Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Vintage Photo and Paper, Memento Ink - Tuxedo Black
• Embellishments: Twinery Twine, buttons, self-adhesive gems, alphabet chip board, embellished stick pin
• Other: Fiskars - Trimmer, circle punch, square punch, scissors, and scalloped circle punch, black paint and fabri-tac

Sorry About Your Broken Heart...

There are no words that can stop pain in its tracks.  No matter how hard we try and protect those we love, life happens...  Sympathy cards are some of the most difficult.  The following was created for a friend that just lost a loved one.  I can't say anything to take away the loss but I hope I can offer my love and support during the difficult moments. My prayers and thoughts go out to all those hurting.

Materials:

• Paper: Colored Cardstock
• Stamps: Unity Stamps - Stitched Up Heart
• Embellishments: Sewing machine, Twinery twine
• Other: Fiskars Trimmer, Copics - Lipstick Red, Memento Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black, Fabritac, Tim Holtz - Chipboard

Feeling Happy - The Return

After a year's hiatus, I am back with a crafting vengeance.  I am refreshed and ready to make-up for some lost time.  But first, below are some pictures from the last year showing some of the exploits that took me away from crafting.

It's been a glorious year but it is time to get back in to the groove of crafting.  Below is a card I made for a friend's birthday.  She's one of the most important people in my life and was a great way to restart my crafting fever.

Materials:

• DCWV Cardstock, Kraft Paper
• Fiskars Trimmer and Corner Punch
• Fabritac
• Twinery Twine
• Self Adhesive Gems

Baby Shower Invites - Tea Party

Recently, I helped a friend create invites for a baby shower she is planning. The party is Tea Party themed, so we thought it would be fun to use tea cups. 

Materials:

• Tea-cup stencil - Created from Google image
• Twinery Twine
• DCWV Paper Packs - Assorted
• Memento - Ink Pads
• Fiskars Scissors, Trimmer, Punch
• Fabri-Tac
• Glue Stick
• Ribbon