Why is it so hard to make a masculine card?

 

In the glorious summer months, I don't have to work.  (I went to school for six years for this, and will be repaying that debt FOREVER mind you).  Instead, I fill my days with reading, lounging around with no purpose, digging in my garden, and immersing myself in my craftroom.  On Fridays, however a friend and I head out at 7:30 to set up for the Farmer's Market.  Yes, I know this is an old lady thing to do, but I'm fine with that.  Just like birdwatching and quilting, I am fully comfortable knowing that my hobbies are that of retired ladies, and nursing home dwellers.  I don't care.

Throughout the year I make a few cards here and there when my workload isn't too crazy.  Basically this means fall, winter, and spring break, and near the end when we're wrapping things up.  I can come up with unlimited cards to make which utilize all of the fabulous toys and products that fill every free space of the room my husband only dares to enter.  However, I find that the majority of my cards are not exactly manly.  It was a colleague's birthday yesterday, and I looked in my giant stash of cards to pull one out for him, and realized that I have no testosterone-appropriate birthday cards.  What to do!  Luckily I thought of Plane and Simple and put something together for him quickly whilst downing coffee (and burning my esophagus) and putting on mascara (and poking myself in the eye).  

I have now pledged to spend my next full day in the craftroom making many cards.  I'm trying to think of the sets that I have that could be manly, and there aren't a lot.  I'm starting to think that even though I don't personally love the sets with trucks and wolves and ships, maybe I should purchase a few.  But for now, Nature Walk and Plane and Simple will have to do.  I figure that green and brown are manyly enough, even of there is a bird.

Stamps:  Nature Walk

Ink:  Early Espresso, Old Olive

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Botanical Gazette

Sneak Peek

I love it when the Purolator van stops outside my house.  In my box of goodies today was a package of one of the designer papers that will be introduced in the new catalogue coming this summer.  As with all of Stampin' Up's designer paper, all of the pieces coordinate well together and this particular sheet includes my favourite - blues, greens, and browns.  I always want to use Crumb Cake since it's such a versatile shade, but I must say that River Rock is claiming its own spot in my heart.

Paper:  River Rock, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Paisley Petals
Ink:  Early Espresso, River Rock
Stamps:  Nature Walk
Extras:  Scallop Trim Border, Basic Jewels Pearls

 

Paper:  Not Quite Navy, River Rock, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, River Rock

Stamps:  Because I Care, En Francais

Extras:  Embosslits Beautiful Wings, Basic Jewels Pearls

Workshop Thank Yous

I had a great workshop a couple of weekends ago and the ladies' orders should be in early this week.  I wanted to make them thank you cards to put in with their orders and here's what I came up with.  The Botanical Gazette designer paper is just beautiful and works perfectly with the Nature Walk stamp set.

I got another chance to use my Build a blossom set, and love how it turned out with the dark colour.







Stamps:  Nature Walk (121997), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370), Build a Blossom (121923)
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler (119685), Night of Navy (100867), Crumb Cake (120953), Early Espresso (119686), Botanical Gazette (121783)
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler (119669), Night of Navy (102997), Early Espresso (119670)
Extras: Blossom Petals Punch (121808), Modern Label Punch (119849), Embosslits Beautiful Wings (118138)

 

 

Nature Walk

 

One of the ladies that I work with recently had her mother pass away.  I didn't have any sympathy cards made up when I found out so I frantically made one up before I went to work the next morning.  I was happy with the result (didn't take a pic though in my rush), but it made me think that I would like to see what other combinations I could come up with that would get the message across without being too depressing.  Tonight I came up with this little number.  I like the sombre note the navy lends, but the images are gentle and, I think, soothing.  I changed the size up a little on this one.  It measures 6" X 3.5."

Stamps:  Nature Walk (121997), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Paper:  Night of Navy (100867), Botanical Gazette (121783), Very Vanilla (101650)

Ink:  Night of Navy (102977)

Extras:  Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon (117291), Modern Label Punch (119849)

Since I had the set out, I decided I'd make another one while I was at it.  This one uses the same stamp set and designer paper, but I've changed up the colour scheme.  I thought about putting a sentiment on here as well, but decided against it in the end. 

Stamps:  Nature Walk (121997)

Paper:  Crumb Cake (120953), Botanical Gazette (121783)

Ink:  Early Espresso (119670)

Extras:  Jumbo Brads (112534), Hemp Twine (100982)