Masculine Stars

Happy Friday and thanks for taking the time to visit the Great Impressions Stamps Blog. Another week-end is almost upon us. Hope you have some fun plans.

We are expecting snow here and if it warms up on Sunday it will turn to rain. It's only 5 more days until spring. I am ready to let go of our winter weather and welcome somewhat warmer days. How about you??

I decided to make my card today a masculine one and this sentiment stamp from Great Impressions Stamps is a good one for this type of card.  The stamp is "catch a falling star E482".  As soon as I saw this stamp I had a card of this type in mind.

I used kraft patterned paper on my first layer and embossed it with my Cuttlebug stars embossing folder. On the next layer I re-purposed some corrugated paper that came in a package. You could also pull out your paper crimper for the same effect.

Stamped my sentiment on kraft card stock and added a black panel underneath. I used a Martha Stewart edge punch that has a more masculine feel to it.

To complete the card, I punched some stars and added some licorice bakers twine. Well that's it for me today. See you next Friday.

Mary Marsh

Birthday Wishes in Blue

In just a few weeks my son will have a birthday, so I've got masculine birthday cards on the mind! No flowers, butterflies, no ribbon or glitter...

The largest frame is on the outside of the card, framing the window. The others are mounted on the inside. 

To top it off, the DT challenge this week was 'no coloring'...what?! That's almost as difficult for me as making a CAS card! lol  But I do so love a challenge and stretching my creative muscles, so after a few attempts using a rainbow palette ( I know...doesn't sound very boyish, right?) I decided on layers of blue, brown and white with silver accents.

My son is one of those boys that comes home happily covered in dirt, so a little distressing was called for using my favorite Distress Ink - you've got it - Vintage Photo! The silver brads were a little too 'clean' so I distressed them, too, with the Tim Holtz texture hammer using the attachment with the metal beads.

Have you taken a peek at the Challenge Post? Lots of great inspiration to be found...hope to see something you've made, too!

Inky hugs,
Angi

Stamps: Great Impressions Stamps: Patterned Balloons (F514), Flourish Birthday Wish (E742)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Vintage Photo
Paper: Stampin' Up! Cardstock
Other: clear embossing powder, silver brads, Tim Holtz Texture Hammer, Spellbinders Labels Two

"To Unpathed Waters & Undreamed Shores..."

Ever have one of those weeks where you wish you could play all the time? This week has been crunch time for me - I've whipped up 4 cards, 1 box and 2 special projects all using Great Impressions' stamps in a matter of days...whew!

This week the Design Team had a "Not a Square" challenge and it took a bit to think outside the box...(pun intended!)

This type of card is known as a rocker card or a wobble card. Texture & movement...sigh. Love it! I've had this Cat Tails stamp for awhile and have been looking for just the right project to use it on...this was it!

And remember I said that I use the Water Swirl Border a lot?  Uh huh...it's subtle, but it's there. I think clear embossing is the easiest way to add texture and interest on a project without being too much. (I wanted to use glitter, but seeing as this lovely is going to be on it's way to my grandfather soon...I thought better of it!)

Here's the inside of the card...

Love this stamp. So much left unsaid...imagine the possibilities! This would be great for someone starting a new adventure...parenthood, college, new job...or just because!

Alrighty...if you haven't entered our Challenge #1 - check out the details in THIS POST. You have until the end of March to enter and have a chance to win. Can't wait to see what you create!

Inky hugs,
Angi


Stamps: Great Impressions To Unpathed Waters (E680), Cat Tails (H91), Water Swirl Border (H200)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Copics
Paper: vellum cardstock, Basic Grey scraps
Other: Sizzix Eclips, clear embossing powder, Tim Holtz Distress Stain Picket Fence, hot glue gun, garment pin, 7 Gypsies key charm, twine

These Old Boots...

I don't know about you, but hiding out in my closet from the fashion police is a pair of old shoes... platform sandals...an old pair of thick Sketchers that are like walking on air...wrapped in silky soft fabric...

They're red, white and blue. Yep.

Worn for many summers...should be retired, but no matter how worn the fabric, how 'off' the white...I just can't give them up! Even if it means I only wear them out into the yard where no one else can see...

Hence the inspiration for this card...using "Old Boots" and "Western Boots" stamps from The March Stamp of the Month Program available today exclusively from your participating local stores!

And because us girls aren't the only ones that need a little upkeep, I decided to make this one a masculine card - a.k.a. sans ribbon and girly colors.

I know it's hard to tell from the above photo that this is a window card...so here's another picture for ya'll!

The sentiment stamp "Old Boots" is one stamp, three lines. I only stamped the first two on the front and stamped the last line by itself to use on the inside of the card...

If you look closely at the "Western Boots" stamp it has flowers on it - definitely girly! To remedy that bit I just used a cotton swab and dabbed it on the embossing powder to 'erase' the flowers before I hit it with the heat gun. Easy peasy!

Pssst! If you haven't signed up to be a follower, hurry up - you don't want to miss out on any of the March fun that's being stirred up around here!

Inky hugs,
Angi

*Stamp of the Month Program stamps

Stamps: Great Impressions *Old Boots (E752), *Western Boots (E754), Distressed Background (K94)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink Vintage Photo, Versamark Watermark
Paper: Authentique Journey Explore, Kraft Cardstock, White Cardstock
Other: Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder Walnut, copper embossing powder, copper brads, Spellbinders Nesties Rectangles, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher