Manly Mondays - Week #3

Ladies, is it time to tell your loved one that a much needed and deserved trip is on the horizon? Why not "tell" him this way....

Went looking for an old map and cut a section that I thought would be a fun place to go.  In this case, Jasper on the front and Banff on the inside. 

I'm giving away this card again! So be sure to leave a comment by Friday midnight and I will announce the winner on Saturday morning.

I glued that with a glue stick to a piece of cardstock to make it sturdier.  I then punched "a road" using the Word Window Punch.  On my Bucket List I have a Silver Mercedes.  I did get one for Christmas quite a few years ago.  Ha!  It can fit in my purse!  So on the list it remains.  Still dreaming about it I tried to replicate it with the truck from Loads of Love by embossing it on Shimmery Cardstock in silver and cutting it out.  I haven't gotten around to getting the Loads of Love Accessories so I have no people :(   The letters were glued with a 2-way glue pen that are from a Sizzix Die - sorry, not SU.

TIP:  When using letters like this, apply the glue to the letters under a piece of scrap paper then apply to your card.  It can get quite messy using a glue pen and this way it won't matter if you get glue all over the place. It can prevent a gluing catastrophe!

Used two punched circles from the 3/4 Punch in Basic Black and put Silver Brads in the middle.  

TIP:  To ensure that your brad is in the middle punch a circle from scrap paper.  Fold in half, enfold and fold in half the other way.  It will be much easier to find the middle.

I layed the map over a piece of Basic Black Cardstock and drew white lines with a white gel pen. I then took a couple of pennies, put a dimensional on one, layed another penny on that and another dimensional and layed the truck over that.  I then gently inserted it in the "road".  You need to fiddle with it a bit to make sure it gets in there and when you go back and forth the truck will spin! 

The tutorial can be found here on Splitcoast Stampers.  If you haven't been to this site, go, now!  It is full of resources and inspiration.

I did not use dimensionals to lay this on the piece of Black Cardstock.  They are not thick enough and my truck wouldn't spin.  I used thicker squares that I believe I got at the local dollar store.  Since there is more "height" with these the truck spins at lightning speed.  Well, not really, but I think you get the idea.

This was all layed on a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 Brushed Gold cardstock that was folded in half. For the inside a piece of Old Olive was used with another part of the map, again glued down with a glue stick.

A la prochaine.

And The Winner Is...

Congratulations to Rhonda!  Her comment number was picked as the winner for this week's Manly Monday Card. I'll be sending her the card as soon as I get her address.

Rhonda said:

I love your card, I need to do that for my husband as that is how it is with my husband. My kids had a sleep over so I had to tell him he was taking me on a date.


Please come back on Monday and check out Week #3.

A la prochaine!

Wanna Be Cowboys

Yesterday I had a little time between coming home from work and a Lions dinner meeting so I sat down to finish a project I'd had in mind for a few days.  On the weekend I was walking around the basement and came upon a box full of these things (vapor barrier that house electrical outlets) 

I ask my husband holding one up "Are these things expensive?", he says "Naw".  So I say, "Can I have one?" He replies "Ok" with a tone of unsurety.  I say "Great, I'm gonna make Frankii a hat" he groans with an Oh God! that poor dog.... I'm always trying to play Barbie with Frankii and my husband just shakes his head. So I started by rounding the corners with a small Corner Rounder.  Added strips of Bella Bleu designer paper on each side.  I had some Soft Suede cardstock left over from my swap for Calgary Regionals so I cut a piece to size for the front and added a brad with a star on it.  It needed a little something still so I "borrowed" the feathers from a card Carole'Anne taught at her Sunday class.  Put a Pewter Jumbo Eyelet on each side and some Chocolate Chip Ribbon. "Frankii come see what I made for you" as I make my way upstairs to find him.  Oh No! he seems to say and walks away from me.  I grabbed some cookies and convince him in front of the fireplace.  I had also grabbed a toothpick thinking I could get one cool shot.

So, we're all ready to get a perfect shot, and BAM!! the doorbell rings.  ARGHH!! Bill comes walking in and that was it.  Toothpick falls, hat goes crooked and Frankii runs over to greet him.  Bill says "what's that on his head" and Evan says "she's playing Barbie with the dog again" Of course they are both laughing and Frankii is thankful for the rescue. So this shot was the best I could get.

And later on I tried it on Wesley and he did really good except for trying to eat the ribbon so I didn't tie it under his head.

Maybe I can perfect it for Halloween.

A la prochaine!

Manly Mondays - Week 2

The supply list for this week's card is rather long.  I saw a similar card in a crafting magazine. As soon as I saw it an idea struck and I ran with it.  All along, I was thinking of my husband.  If yours is anything like mine, he doesn't cook!  His idea of a recipe book is a big yellow one and his favorite section is Restaurants.  

Started with Barely Banana, added a layer of Chocolate Chip.  I came up with my own background using parts of recipes on my computer.  Printed those in black and brown on paper I had sitting by my cutting table.  Have no idea where it came from but do know that it is not Stampin' Up.  I laid the Chocolate Chip layer by the cutting table and cut the recipes to fit that layer.  I have no idea what the measurements are.  Once I was done with that I put a piece of Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon in the middle.  Then I stamped the utensils from Compliments To The Chef in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink on Barely Banana cardstock, embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder and ran it through the Big Shot with the Ovals Die.  I used the Distressing Tool for that piece and layered it on a Chocolate Chip Oval.  That was followed by applying letters with the Two-Way Glue Stick in Basic Black Texture Cardstock cut from the Decorative Strip Billboard Die.

For the inside I made a coupon of sorts:

I pulled on the ribbon a little too hard and managed to rip the paper a little. OOPS!! This was strategically placed so that when the recipient opens the card what he sees is only the first few words. I used a piece of Textured Chocolate Chip adhered with Sticky Strip on three sides, the sentiment is from Backyard BBQ stamped on Barely Banana in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink again embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.  I punched that out with the 1 3/4 punch omitting the ? from the image.

Once he pulls out the coupon the full message reads

I can hear Betty laughing now as she knows my man well :) 

Leave a comment attached to this post by Midnight Friday March 26, I'll randomly pick one and send the card to the lucky winner!!  Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you to get your mailing address.  I'll post the winner on Saturday morning so be sure to come back and see if you won!

Here are a couple of pics from the adventurous "kids" at bath time last week. 

Little Frankii dog.  It's his birthday today! He's 3 years old.  We spelt his name with 2 i's just to be different.  We tell our friends he's European.

And Wesley. No sooner was he in the bath the water went dark!  He looks 20 pounds thinner all wet.  Wesley is an outside dog so his coat is super thick yet very soft. 

A la prochaine!

Manly Mondays Week 1

I've been giving this project a lot of thought and without further ado I will attempt to provide inspiration and ideas for masculine cards every Monday. I will be using current and retired Stampin' Up products.

 

The consensus among card makers is that it is difficult to come up with a masculine card. Let's face it, the industry is catered to women. There are not a lot of images that can be used for men. We tend to over think when making a card for a man, at least I do. The first card I wanted to post for today was causing me much "over thinking" as I was trying to add to many elements. I wanted the first one to be a real "wow" and "why didn't I think of that" kinda card and went back to the drawing board.

 

I present to you the 1st Manly Monday Card:

For the base I used Sahara Sand.  I cut a piece of Close to Cocoa Designer Series paper and scored it at every 1/2" inch to form a diamond pattern.  I folded the score lines and sanded them lightly with a Sanding Block.  I stamped the You sentiment from Define Your Life in Always Artichoke Craft Ink and embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder.  Punched it out using the Key Tag Punch.  I layered that piece using Dimensionals on a Wide Oval Punch piece of Always Artichoke.   Added a piece of the largest Twill Tape and a rub on from the Chateau Bella collection.  And there you have it, a masculine card for a nice neighbor who shoveled your walk, the waiter who always remembers how you like your coffee, or the guy that helped you out when you ran of gas. Thanks Bill :)

 

It was a beautiful day yesterday and "the kids" were outside playing.  No sooner are they out there, I hear a rukkus.  They're fighting over a stick and look how dirty they are!!!  Oh My!!!  To make matters worse I notice that Wesley, the bigger and younger one on the left, has been chewing the deck that desperately needs staining. 

So I sit Frankii down, the older and smaller one on the right,  and give him a scolding.  This is how he holds his head when he is not happy, I call it his stubborn look. 

 

  

I'm telling him that he is older and wiser and should know better and "now you're going to need a bath and stay in for the rest of the day". Aww, the look of Spring in the country.  Gotta love it :)

A la prochaine!

 

Calgary Regionals 2010

I'm a little late posting my favorites from last weekend's Calgary Regionals.  Apologies for that. It's been a tough decision so I decided to go with more than 3. Carole'Anne and I sat with 3 amazing ladies, waving to Josée, Jeanine and Tina.  We hope to get together soon and create into the wee hours!  We had awesome traveling weather. When Carole'Anne picked me up I mentioned that my shoes were not exactly comfortable. So she says "why don't you bring another pair just in case" and I said "naw, I'll be fine, I just haven't worn them in awhile, I'll be okay".  Well, I wasn't....  I know, I know, Carole'Anne, I should have listened to you.  Good thing I brought my slippers as I spent all day Saturday at regionals with them on.  So, if you noticed someone walking around in a pair of very worn purple slippers, that was me.  In the hallway a lady mentioned what a good idea that I was wearing slippers, Ha, if only she knew.  

I was thrilled to finally meet Judith Burns. Judith has hosted swaps that I've participated in.  At regionals there are door prizes.  In the first round I notice Judith's name up on the screen.  I tap Josée on the arm and say "I have to find her sometime today and say Hello"  and Josée says "She's right there" pointing to a woman sitting at the table right in front of us. OMG, I had just swapped with her not realizing it was her.  I ran over to say Hello and got the best Hug Ever!  Thanks so much Judith and hopefully one day we can spend more than a few minutes together! This is the card that Judith made. 

The Bella Toile background stamp is embossed.  In swaps you are encouraged to put the supplies and techniques used on the back.  Under techniques Judith wrote: Nothing Special.  I chuckled at this as this card is absolutely stunning!

The creator of this beauty did not identify herself.  If you made this card please let me know.  It is an astonishing piece of art and I would love to give you full credit.  The details are spectacular!

Debbie English used Embraced Life for this beauty.  The color combination is exquisite!

My table partner Jeanine made this one.  Vellum, sponging, embossing, cutting and layering. Amazing Jeanine!  

Laura Harris shows us that you don't need a lot of color for a striking effect!

You can't help but think spring with this one by Wanda Cleveland. First rate color combinations!

Carole'Anne came up with this incredible creation.  Well deserved Oooh's and Awwww's from everyone that swapped with her.

This was my swap. I had several left so I layered it on Rich Razzleberry and Basic Black to have on hand.

Thanks for swapping ladies.  It was an incredible day. 

A la prochaine!

My Friend Betty

I won't be posting anything new this week as I am busy making a swap for the Calgary Regionals on Saturday. Carole'Anne and I are taking a road trip.  Pay attention Highway 2, 2 French girls will be driving south. Oh My!! The design I chose has turned out to be quite time consuming to produce "en masse".  I'll be posting my top 3 swap picks when I get back.

I thought I would share a card I made for my friend Betty awhile back.  She's been there through thick and thin and lights up a room.  Just look at that smile!!

Betty and I worked together for almost a year. I miss seeing her 5 days a week and hearing "mail call" at 1:00pm when she would arrive in my department to work the afternoon. The laughs we shared and the chaos we caused (well, that was mainly me) will always be remembered. The laughs continue as we get together once a month to make cards.  My little Frankii can hardly wait for her arrival.

This is what he does when I say "Your Betty's coming". He waits patiently by the window and as soon as he sees her car on the road he high tails it to the door and I just can't get there fast enough to open it.  That boy can fly off the front step!  From there, he is all over her.  He even lays his head on her lap when she making a card.  I love the special bond that they have.

A la prochaine!