Pink ThankYou

I loved the various shades of pink from this scarf for the Etsy Inspired Challenge and tried to replicate Barefoot Weaver's view of texture and look of windows with the patterned paper and paper edge distressing. I chose a layout from Divine Coffee Break Designs and decided to use a Thank You sentiment for the latest Flourish's Timeless Tuesday. Making this card was a nice and quick break from the masculine ones I have been creating as of late.
Here's the Goods: DCWV patterned paper, SU Rose Red cardstock and ink, Heidi Grace Thank You stamp set, Flower and Brad, SU Paper Distresser

Colored Leaves Birthday

This card was based on a previous Flourish's Timeless Tuesday Challenge #40 in which we were to combine a colored image, texture, and any shades of neutrals we wanted. The texture was created with a sadly often unused Paper Crimper and Edge Distresser and the I colored the leaves with a blender pen. I'm hoping that I didn't add too much "pretties" so the recipient can give this gift to a distinguished gentleman (see my previous post on my Masculine Mission)...
Here's the Goods: Paper Crimper, Chestnut Roan Colorbox Chalk Ink, SU Green Galore and Old Olive Ink, Blender Pen, Making Memories Button, Floss, Paper Edge Distresser

Masculine Mission

I'm on a mission to make some masculine cards for a gift. Any inspiration I can get is at least a boost in the right direction. This card was inspired by the Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World. I liked the different patterns in the leaves, the quilting and the tree itself but rather than just making a tree I decided to piece a collection of patterned paper together with the same kinds of colors from the inspiration pillow and "quilt" around the edges.
Here's the Goods: Patterned Paper from Essentials Junkitz Collection, So Saffron SU Cardstock, Stamps from Craft Affair Owl Garden and SU's Small Sayings, SU Going Gray Ink and Black Marker, Uniball Signo White Gel Pen

Make a Wish

I shamelessly cased the design from the Splitcoast Stampers Inspiration Challenge found here. My son even said "Look Mama, your card is on the computer...." and I wasn't even finished making the card, because my inspiration picture was on the screen. Oh well, sometimes you need to go with the flow if you are inspired. I loved how the trees are all woodgrain in the various wood tones against the blue background and how the white birds popped out from both.
Here's the Goods: SU Woodgrain and So Many Sayings stamps, SU Black Marker, Really Rust SU Ink, ColorBox Chalk ink in Chestnut Roan and Creamy Brown, various cardstock from unknown sources

Wish Big

Here's a clean and simple card that can be easily mailed. This was my first try at the Etsy Inspired Challenge and my inspiration was found here-There is something about the graphic quality and colors of these flowers. This card came together really quick that I thought it would also make a great set in different colors for a gift. I also wanted a lot of white space and minimal layers, as Pals Paper Arts is having a KISS challenge (Keep it Simple, Sweetie) which is a lot of fun to see if I could incorporate both into a card.
Here's the Goods: Spring Solitude, Small Script and Sweet Little Sentiments SU stamps, Tempting Turquoise, YoYo Yellow, More Mustard, Pixie Pink SU ink, cardstock and gems (unknown source)

Woodgrain Birthday

Here's my attempt at M's Sketch#4. I also used the colors from Color Throwdown #70 (Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Dusty Durango) and also my attempt at another masculine card. Not so sure what I think about the overall look of the card, but sometimes you have mojo and sometimes you don't-I think mine ran off somewhere and I need to find it again.
Here's the Goods: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive and Really Rust (substituted for the Dusty Durango) SU Cardstock and ink, Black Brads, Plate from Sizzix, Purple Twine, Birthday Best and Woodgrain SU stamps

Happy Joyful Birthday

Masculine cards are quite difficult for me. Perhaps it is because I have more stamps that lend themselves to girly, sweet thoughts, and hardly any that can be called manly. Perhaps it is because most masculine cards utilize colors that are out of my comfort zone. Or perhaps it seems that most guys just don't appreciate a handmade card? I'm not sure of the exact reason, but this card was certainly an internal challenge. I received guidance and a starting point from the Our Creative Corner Color Challenge and the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge. I thought that by adding the rough texture from the hemp twine wrapped around an acetate bracket that it would further reference some of what men are all about...rough, tough and tumble. How do you go about creating masculine cards, I'd like to hear some thought processes because I need to come up with a few more!
Here's the goods: Archer Paper Cardstock, SU Pumpkin Pie Cardstock, The Paper Loft PP, Chipboard Letters from Target, Making Memories Clear Tag Shapes, Small Sayings SU stamps, Chocolate Chip SU ink

A Krafty Birthday

One of the blogs that I read (My Front Porch-this gal is great by the way) posed the question on why a crafter does challenges? "To get color/sketch ideas, it is just fun, is it that competitive nature in all of us coming out that makes us want to compete for the win or do people REALLY do it just because they want to play, or because we all want to make something that someone else likes?" Umm, can I answer all the above? Anyhow, I wanted to participate in the SCS Inspiration Challenge again just to get my craftiness back on track, so I picked some buttons found here and used the sketch challenge again from Everything but the Kitchen Sink. I wonder how many times I will go back to this mantle for inspiration?....
Here's the Goods: (so many stamp sets...) Sincere Salutations, Upsy Daisy, Sweet Sampler to name a few, SU Kraft paper, VersaMark Ink, SU White Craft Ink, SU Chocolate Chip Ink, American Crafts ribbon, CM Circle punch and cutting system

Cole's Card for Grandma

Our conversation went something like this:
Let's make a card, Cole. Ok, who for? Who do you want it to be for? Grandma Kathy, and I want a black one. Sure, what goes good with black? Hmm, red and white. How many dots does M have? Three. Ok, lets find something that can make three dots. How about these? Yes, those eyelets will make fine dots. How do we keep them on the card? With the Cropodile. (Big brown eyes light up) I think we should make six dots because we have six colors. Ok, lets make six dots then. Cole, do you remember what these are called? Yeah, they are brads. Who is Brad again? No, not brads, eyelets. Oh yeah, and we put them on with the crocodile. Let's do some magic. (Big brown eyes light up) Grab the black marker and write Grandma's name on the card. (Intense concentration) Can I write my name too? Yep. Now we get the white powder and the heat gun. Mama? Yes, Cole. Papa says I shouldn't play with guns. Your Papa is right Cole, let's call this is heating tool, and you only use it with Mama. Ok, Mama.
In Cole words, the card says his name on the bottom and his interpretation of "Grandma" along the side. Thank you, thank you, Savitri and M for giving me the opportunity to share my passion with my son.

The Flowering Brad Button Tree

I realize that out of all my SU Stampin' Spots, the majority of my Bold Brights are not opened, and I've had them almost four years. The colors of the latest Embellish Magazine Challenge were truly a challenge for me to work with. The flowering brad button tree concept started when I pulled the only red, blue, green and yellow brads I had (the rhinestones). The green buttons came out next and just fell around the brads. Buttons are fun, (especially when they fall) and I've just started working with them. Since this is certainly the most buttons I've ever used on a card, I thought it would be good to email Paige at the Cards Blog for her latest endeavor, to use LOTS of buttons. Wish me luck! The card is shorter and thinner than a standard size to account for the knot by the yellow canary. I kept the remainder of the card simple so as to not distract from the tree.

Here's the Goods: Craft Affair Owl Garden set, Fiskars Buttons, Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestone Brads, Black Marker