Old School Masculine Card for Tic Tac Toe Challenge 248

Hi everyone I'm very excited to share the good news that I have joined Team X at Tic Tac Toe Challenges. I'm really looking forward to getting to know the TTTC faithful and this week we have a fun board to play along with chosen by Felicita. 

I just had to choose the bottom line (die cut, drink, masculine sentiment) as I bought a stamp set because my partner actually does drinks Whiskey BUT I've never used it for him after many years of hoarding it, so this seemed a really good reason to ink it up.

I've managed to pick up a head cold from my grandson and I meant to make a card using this set last week and it would have looked a lot different than today's efforts. So the head cold turned out to be fortuitous as it delayed me making the card and I got to watch Kristina Werner making a piece of white card stock look like weatherboards this morning whilst I was lying in bed watching YouTube videos on my tablet. So I thought I'd give it a go and would make my own DSP (instead of using a brown one in my stash). You can click on her highlighted name to see her blog post and links to the video.

Basically you score the card. Kristina used the old kind of rounded embossing tools we all used to have and yes I have several in my stash but I have no idea where I have stored them so I just used a bone folder and my Scor-pal and scored at 1/4" marks. I used  Distress heavy card stock for this step. You then swipe ink over them semi-randomly, I didn't go as dark as Kristina as I knew Whiskey is a golden brown/amber colour.

I then went a bit rogue and did my own thing as I thought it might look quite cool with an a bit of woodgrain embossing folder on it as well.

At this stage I decided it needed darkening and I had originally wanted to add Scorched Timber to the mix so decided I might as well be brave and add it now on the raised embossed areas lightly.

I've then trimmed my A2 panel down to 4" x 5-1/4" and used an old school distressing tool to distress the edges but I do think they might have made a come back.

I've never coloured up whiskey before but it looks pretty close compared to my partner's bottle.

Copics used (darkest >lightest):

Whiskey: YR27/24/23/21

Decanter and glass: C5, B34/32, 0

Decanter stopper: C7/5/3

Ice cubes: BG11/000/0000

And the final card all by itself:

Supply List:
Stamps: Whiskey Business (SU!)

Distress inks (RNG): Scattered Straw, Tea Dye, Shabby Shutters, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Scorched Timber

Ink: Crunchy Leaf (LF), Mango Melody (SU!), Acorn (Versafine Clair)
Paper: Distress Heavy (RNG), Natural white (Neenah 1101b)

Dies: Fancy Circles (PFS), Stitched Sentiment strips (MFT)

Other: Copic markers, 1mm and 2mm foam squares (SP), Scor-pal, Woodgrain embossing folder (SU!), distress tool (SU!)

Challenges: TTTC #248

If you're new to my blog I have a list of abbreviations for my favourite companies at the very bottom of the blog.

Well thanks for popping in, I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone KReates, do check out the fab designs from the rest of Team X as inspiration for more masculine themed cards.

✿Karen✿

Happy Father's Day

I'm playing along with the latest colour challenge as Just Add Ink. The colours screamed masculine to me and it's Father's Day in NZ come Sunday so I used that for my inspiration for my card today.

Supply List (all SU!):
Stamps: Handsomely Suited

Inks: Old Olive
Paper: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Pacific Point
Dies: Best Plaid Builder, Tasteful Labels

Other: Dimesionals
Challenge: JAI #618

This is a great colour combo for a masculine card and the Plaid Builder die made making a card very easy.

✿ Karen ✿

Masculine birthday card

Yes the dreaded word "masculine". It's our son-in-law's birthday today and he's a keen crazy golfer so I bought the Clubhouse stamp set and matching dies at 2021's retirement sale from SU! 

When I went off to find the matching DSP I discovered in my stash the also retired Well Suited DSP from SU! and went ohhh, the Pacific Point was pretty similar in colour to the tees in a pair of socks I'd garbbed to go with Jake's voucher.

 So I changed my mind how the card was looking and went with the Double Fancy Fold card I blogged about HERE

The cutting measurements are all the same as the first blog post but I added a Cajun Craze mat which is the size of the smaller white mat and obviously the white mat inside it is now ¼" smaller.

Cutting and scoring dimensions are:

Pacific Point Card stock: One piece 4¼" x 9½" (score at 5½", 6½", 8" and 9"). One piece 3½" x 5¾" (scored at 4¼" and 5¼").
DSP mats: One piece 5¼" x 4", one piece 4" x 1¼", 2 pieces 4" x ¾" and one piece 3¼" x ¾"
Basic White mats : Back mat 4" x 5¼", front mat 3¾" x 3"
Cajun Craze mat: 4" x 3¼"

I used Hero Arts mid-tone Charcoal ink for stamping out the golf images as I don't own a dark gray ink in my SU! stash. I also used a Zig real color water brush (Persian Blue) as I actually thought that was a closer match to the Pacific Point than my stampin' write marker but  I used Granny Apple Green marker for the grass. I also paper pierced the trousers for the image on the back mat which has a got of room for writing on but I should have snapped it before we wrote on it!

Looking at my original blog post I can see I've added the smaller "rectangle" in the wrong spot and it doesn't fold very well for an envelope but it stands nicely and looks fine in the gift bag with the birthday goodies. 

 
✿ Karen ✿

Using A4 (metric) card stock to make a gatefold card

I'm not sure if I'm the only person in the world that wishes our card stock was just plain inches, it would make cutting and scoring a lot easier.

Anyhow I shared a cool gatefold card that a friend taught me the other day using the Geared Up to Celebrate stamp set & I thought I would share the cutting dimensions as going metric isn't that easy.

So to get started take a piece of A5 card stock (21 cm x 14.85cm). I find the easiest way to do the half measurements is go to the bigger number then bring it back a teeny bit.

Score in from each end at 5.25cm mark. I just used my paper trimmer that has a scoring blade as an attachment otherwise the Stampin' Up! metric scoring plate has a grove at 5.25cm.

Other cutting dimesions for card above two pieces of 14.35 x 4.75cm (card stock) and 2 pieces of 13.85 x 4.25cm (DSP)

I used the largest layering oval framelit for the biggest oval, I then used 2 ovals smaller to make the hold in it as I wanted it to be sturdy. Then I could have used 1 oval smaller but I used the 2nd largest Stitched Shapes Oval as I wanted the stitched details.

I've used On To Adventure  stamp set for the cute wee golfer (149334) which goes nicely with the very cool Country Club DSP in our current mini catalogue, as well as cool golf-themed papers there are some lovely plaids etc for masculine cards. The only other trick is when gluing down the oval enclosure is to only glue half the oval, attach the largest oval ring first.

• All my bits & bobs to start constructing. 

• I've flipped over my oval ring so you can see I have only attached the Tombow mono glue to one half of the oval.

•  It's a good tip to have the silicone craft mat under your work surface so it doesn't get sticky.

• This is what it looks like open at this stage. 

• I added the glue to the RHS half stamped image which is attached to the Crushed Curry oval. I found it easier to close the card down & pop the oval straight through the hole to line it all up.

•  Again just an image to show you what it looks like from inside at the moment.

• The completed card I have added a scrap of the plaid DSP underneath the white mat for the inner.

The colours in the DSP are Night of Navy, Garden Green, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade (& Whisper white). I also saw on a You Tube video a good tip for making a wee closure if you want something to close which is using an embossing buddy on a mini glue dot, it's not really necessary for this card as it is actually a really snug closure.

Well I sincerely hope everyone is safe & locked down. I have tidies up most of my crafting room & it's a much nicer space to play in :)

Inky hugs
✿ Karen ✿

Geared up to celebrate with a vroom

Just a quick post sharing the fabulous gatefold card my friend Denise Allison taught me that was just perfect for my car-mad man!!

Apart from the absolutely classic masculine images in the set Geared Up Garage and the cool closure using the oval dies; what I really loved the most was her thinking outside the tool-box & using tourist maps she had picked up on her travels for our DSP!! What a fab idea Denise & Pete though the card was awesome!

Recipe:
Stamps: Geared Up Garage (148590)
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, street maps from her travels as DSP
Dies: Layering Ovals
Technique: Gatefold card

Well I hope everyone stays safe and well. The only good thing I can say about being self-contained is we can spend some time crafting. I am on shift at my hospital job this weekend so it's business as "usual" though there is nothing usual about the times we find ourselves in just now.

Inky hugs
✿ Karen ✿

Another Centre Step card

I shared a few days ago the card I made for Neville's 80th & I'm sharing an even more special card given to me by a fellow demonstrator when we swapped cards at the Creative Inkers stamp camp recently in Rotorua. It's an absolute fab, fun card and another masculine one. Little did I know when I received this card that the demo that swapped with me would die unexpectedly a week later. This has been a huge shock for those that knew her personally and even for myself who had just meet her it also makes you realise how precious life is, so I'm actually thrilled in someways to have something that Janice McConnell made and happy to share what a talented card maker she was.

Life is all a bit surreal at the moment with life as we know it changing so rapidly with COVID19 so being able to take some time out for oneself each day is a blessing & hopefully some of my KReations will give the recipients as much pleasure as Janice's card does to me.

Supply List:
Stamps: Mountain Air, Pedal to the Metal, Itty Bitty Birthdays, Peaceful Place
Ink/Markers: Basic Gray, Memento Black, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Old Expresso
Dies: Majestic Mountain, Wiggly Bugs
Punches: Classic Label
Other: Dimensionals
✿ Karen ✿

Happy 80th Birthday Neville

It was my friend & neighbour Neville's 80th birthday last week so I had just the perfect card for him saved in my stash.

Neville was a keen sailor & I felt the saying on the card was perfect as he's about to move to the next phase of his life; moving to a retirement village later this year.

This card was taught to me at a Creative Inkers Extravaganza event in 2019 by Rachael Knight, Heather Stewart & Christine Gedye. It was one of my favs on the day as it is always nice to have a few masculine cards in our stash.

This is a Centre Step card & if you've never made one before there is a very cool tutorial on SplitCoastStampers which you can view if you click HERE.

Recipe/Supply List:
Stamps: Sailing Away
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Balmy Blue, Sahara Sand, Night of Navy, Soft Suede, Mossy Meadow
Paper: Sahara Sand, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Come Sail Away DSP
Die: Smooth Sailing
Other: Baker's Twine (Night of Navy/Sahara Sand), Denim ribbon, Sail Away Trinkets, mini glue dots, dimensionals

Well Neville had a fun afternoon surrounded by family & friends & I certainly hope the direction his life is taking him this year leads to much happiness.

✿ Karen ✿

Party like a rock star

I just love this saying & when my best friend's hubby turned 50  & the theme for his party was to wear glasses I decided I was going to use Stampin' Up!'s Marquee Messages for the card, as when I bought the stamp set I bought it to make masculine cards & I hate making masculine cards (don't we all) but this was a great set to whip up a card but I did a bit of fussy cutting & popped some of the images up with dimensionals.

I can't believe it I didn't take a picture inside the card but it used the saying from the set "Party Like a Rock Star" and a few stamped images of sunglasses from the Day At The Beach stamp set (also SU!)

I must admit I made the card not that masculine but thought it had to be sparkly as a BIG 50 party & it's not every day you turn 50

All supplies are SU! apart from the glitter paper which is American Crafts which is called Powder but it matches the Soft Sky card stock really nicely.

I really like to dress up so decided we'd go a bit silly with our sun glasses. I found these fab daisy sunglasses at Look Sharp & if you're going to wear silly sunglasses you might as well find a matching costume to go with the glasses & I loved my boho hippy gal outfit & then I had a yellow wig in my dress up box at home. So not sure if I looked like a rock star but I partied like I was one. Happy big 50 Paul! I had a blast & hope you did too.

Well I have 6 birthdays in one week so I am into mass production of birthday cards at the moment which are all using the same design but different DSPs. Times like this I just want to hug my MISTI! So will be back to share them later in the week.

Thanks for popping in.
✿ Karen ✿

Hands up who hates masculine

Happy weekend all & wow its a grey gloomy day today in Auckland - glad I'm going to be stuck inside playing with other demos in my team the Creative Inkers playing with mds & making a card plus we're swapping & the theme is masculine. So I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone has managed to come up with.

This is my swap which was inspired by this fabulous card of Deb Fearn's which I embellished a bit & added some colour to make it more nautical I hope. One of my lightbulbs has blown in my light tent & I am struggling to take photos of cards at the moment but hope I've done it justice.

The top stamped piece is KReated by using 2 large post it notes; tearing & making a mask with them; sponging & then over stamping, remove the mask & WOWtastic.

Stamp Sets:
The Open Sea (125802 W, 123032 C)
Sassy Salutations (126705 W, 126707 C)

Ink:
Cherry Cobbler (126966)
Baja Breeze (126960)
Not Quite Navy (126971)

Paper:
Whisper White (106549)
Baja Breeze (116207)
Not Quite Navy (108606)

Other:
Extra large tag punch (119866)
Pewter embossing powder (124114)
Cherry Cobbler bakers twine (123125)

I also tried making the card with a Cherry Cobbler mat & with Bashful Blue/Midnight Muse combo. I actually really like the Cherry Cobbler mat version but was too far down the road with my prep for the 20 I am swapping today to change.

On your marks

Get set go.... I created this card many months ago at a team weekend stamp camp & knew I had to save it for my Pete for his birthday as it was so fabulous and he loves red sports cars. The card was taught to us by Bev Poultney & it was my favourite card of the weekend. Not sure why but masculine cards are damn hard, I'm sure we'd all agree on that score.

Stamp sets: Need for Speed, Word Play, Solid Stripes 
Ink: Early Espresso, Versamark
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Well Worn DSP
Punches: 2-1/2" circle, Petite Pennants Builder, Itty Bitty Shapes
Other: Cherry Cobbler EP, aluminium foil, cork, Houndstooth embossing folder
Techniques: Faux Metal, Easel card

Thanks Bev, Pete was impressed with his birthday card today!

You have to admit that the Solid Stripes does make a damn fine racing flag & it's one of the stamp sets on the retiring list & at $24.95 it's great value, so get in quick as after August 31st it will no longer be available, or sooner if it sells out earlier.

Sailing Away...maybe forever gone after tomorrow

Hi all & happy weekend - just a  wee reminder that tomorrow is the last day to order from the Autumn-Winter Mini catalogue and  we have 2 fabulous a la carte stamps perfect for men-themed cards in it,  this is one of the cards I showed at my masculine card class last night  it uses the fabulous Sail Away stamp which is priced at only $17.95 & maybe after tomorrow no longer available to purchase ever again.

I saw this card on Amy Celona's blog & I really loved the cut out sails they really popped out to me - just changed it a wee bit as I wanted to show ink to paper directly as a technique for men plus added the wee pendant which adds a nice nautical touch which my upline Jacque had showed when we played with the stamp a month or so ago.

Here's my cutting directions as we use A4 card stock down under.

Soft Suede: A5 card and a piece 10.5 x 9 cm for the torn mat.
Whisper White: 14.3 x 10 cm
Marina Mist: 13.8 x 9.5 cm
Crumb Cake: 8.5 x 7 cm

Stamps: Sail Away, Live Laugh Love
Ink: Marina Mist, Soft Suede
Paper: as above
Other: Dimensionals, hemp twine, neutral brads

Who hates masculine?

I can see all your hands from here - I'd do anything to not make a man's card but I think you'd agree that most men would love this card as it could almost be used in emergencies for fixing things!

I made this card ages ago at one of Debbie's classes & then shared it with my ladies the other night - got to love team work!

Stamp set: Totally Tools
Ink: Basic Brown, Earth Elements & Neutrals watercolour crayons
Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Punches: 1-3/4" circle
Other: Crimper, vintage brads, sweet treat cup, blender pen, dimensionals, nuts and bolts

Happy Birthday Neville & more reflection

It's Judy's hubby's 70th birthday party today so I made the reflection card again & inked up a stamp set that I hadn't used before (as that's my team's cyber challenge for this month).

I bought Uncharted Territory from our last spring mini as I'm aware that I don't really have much masculine stuff - so this will be perfect for Neville as he's really into his model boats (making them & racing them). The stamp set has a really cool saying with it as well :  Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time - Leo F. Buscaglia I'm sure after 70 years on this planet Neville will have charted a few things by now but I do sincerely wish him more to come.

Stamp set: Uncharted Territory
Ink: Bordering Blue, Going Grey, Basic Black, Night of Navy
Paper: Bordering Blue, Basic Black, Whisper White

PS I hope he likes the cloud in the sky ;-)  don't you hate that when your card falls into  wet ink or an ink pad

Design Team Member announcement

I was asked to be on the 2nd design team for Janet Rossi's Corrosive Challenge - after I got over my initial shock & I thought yes I can do this, I know I need to be challenged & pushed outside my comfort zone to grow as a stamper.

The the list comes & yes I'm outside my comfort zone straight away with week one (week 15 for the challenge). The theme is Father's day (I think it's happening in the States soon) or masculine. Must admit this is an area we all struggle with. Lucky for me I've just been to Convention & Nicki Tidbold did a talk on "male projects". She suggested using the following images: trees, stars, circles, spots, sports. Techniques which are good to use: sponging, spritzing, thump & bump (with the ink pad), tearing, crumpling, crimping. Good accessories to include: hodgepodge hardware, chipboard, jumbo eyelets, twine or twill tape, brads and clips. PS lucky for me I also got one of her swaps which I've used as my inspiration.

For Leslie thumping and bumping is just touching the ink pad to the background - I really like the effect & perfect for those that have problems holding a BIG background stamp


Stamp set/s: Lovely as a Tree, Everyday Flexible Phrases (retired)
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy
Paper: Old Olive, Watercolour paper, Four Seasons DSP (retired)
Other: Watercolour crayons, aquapainter, word window punch, vintage brads, sponge dauber, crimper, dimensionals

Here's Nicki's inspirational card made using Seaworthy. So we've thumped & bumped, torn, sponged, crimped & used brads. So hope you can play along too - lots of ideas above to use/inspire.
NOTE: Anyone from New Zealand that enters the challenge I'll put you in the draw to win some goodies from ME. Janet also has a random winner every week so what are you waiting for! this week it's a Gina K stamp set of a man & a golf bag sounds worth winning.

You can check out the bios of the rest of the team HERE too.