"ART WITH HEART" TEAM BLOG HOP - MEN IN OUR LIVES

Hi all

Today is a very exciting day for me - not least of all because it's time for another blog hop with some of my wonderful Stampin' Up! team members.  IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!  21, again :)

As a Leo, it's a little difficult for me to accept that it's not "all about me", but I'll move on and talk about the blog hop, which is probably why you're visiting my blog today!

Being the first Saturday of the month, it's time for our "Art With Heart" team blog hop. This month our theme is "Men in our Lives". We hope to inspire you with our male-focussed projects, for Father's Day, birthdays, or just celebrating the males who are special to us.
The "Art With Heart" team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators comprises over 90 women, spread across Australia, and is led by Claire Daly (based in Melbourne). We have a very active online team forum, that is a great source of inspiration, support, and friendship. If you'd like to join us, whether it be as a hobby demonstrator (to receive great discounts, every day, on Stampin' Up! products), or to start up your own rewarding, home-based business, please email me; I'd love to have you join our friendly team!

As with each of our blog hops, we offer *blog candy* - a little prize for one person who visits all of the participating blogs, leaves a comment, then emails Nikki Sadler to confirm that all blog posts have been commented on. The offer for the blog candy is valid only for 72 hours from the launch of our blog hop; so, to be in to win, make sure you email Nikki by 6.00am AEST Tuesday 10th August. Blog candy cannot be won by Stampin' Up! demonstrators, but we would dearly love for you all to visit our blogs and leave comments anyway!

Today there are 9 of us taking part in the blog hop. You may have come from my talented friend Judy May's blog, or may be starting off here.  Either way, it's lovely to have you visit - thank you!  When you've finished looking at my blog post, just click on the link below to go on to Tina Gillespie's blog. You can start at any of the blogs along the way; you'll do a 'circuit', and cover all 9, as long as you follow the links on each blog.


Now, onto my projects. I have chosen to make a couple of Father's Day cards, using the wonderful sentiment from my Occasional Greetings stamp set, that's on page 112 of the Stampin' Up! catalogue.  This set contains a great variety of sentiments, including greetings for Mother's Day and Father's Day - I love it.

I really love the colours in this first card that I have to share with you.  Let me know which is your favourite!

Stamps: Occasional Greetings, Sanded, Party Hearty

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Basic Gray

Ink: Kiwi Kiss and Basic Gray stampin' pads

DSP: Urban Garden, Urban Oasis

Other: Basic Gray corduroy buttons (retired), dimensionals, White gel pen, sponge daubers, mini glue dots, edge distresser

Some of the things that I like to use often on male cards are Jumbo Eyelets, Weathered background stamp, and paper piercing/edge distressing.  Here's a simple card that incorporates all of these elements:

Stamps: Occasional Greetings, Weathered

Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

Card: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze (smooth and textured), Whisper White

DSP: Urban Garden Designer Series Paper

Other: Mat pack and paper piercing tool, Jumbo Eyelets (set with a Crop-a-dile), Top Note die, sponge dauber, dimensionals

 


Finally, I'd like to share with you a project dedicated to a young man who is very special to me.  The scrapbook page below includes two of the most important males in my life - Andrew (hubby) and Jack (our eldest son).  In April, Jack went on his first overseas cricket tour, representing the Yarra Valley (in Melbourne's outer east).  Such an auspicious occasion - I had to scrap it! 

Here's a close-up of the journalling:

Hmm, now that I see it on screen, it's not exactly crystal clear - sorry!  The hand-written journalling reads:

"Jack, we were incredibly proud that you, at 14, were selected as part of the Yarra Valley under-17s team touring Sri Lanka and Malaysia.  This photo was taken just before you headed off to the airport.  You and Dad had a fantastic trip.  We're sure you will go on to great things with your cricket, son.  We're with you every step of the way!"

Another couple of close-up shots, so you can see the stamped background (the Just Cricket stamp set gets quite a work-out in my house!):

Here's a list of products used to make this layout:

Stamps: Just Cricket, Starring You

Card: Kraft 12x12, Summer Sun, Whisper White textured, Brilliant Blue

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Brilliant Blue stampin' pad and stampin' write marker

Other: Curly Label Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Mat pack and paper piercing tool, Brilliant Blue brads, title rub-ons (not SU!)

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my projects for this month's blog hop.  Next on the 'tour' is Tina Gillespie, who will no doubt have someting very creative to show you.  Please check out all 9 blogs on the hop, and leave some comment love!  Don't forget you can win a prize by emailing Nikki after you've commented on each blog.

I've included below a complete list of all the participants in today's hop, so that if you lose your way, you can refer back to it.

Christine Blain (that's me, the birthday girl!)http://www.christineblain.blogspot.com/


Tina Gillespie
http://scissorspapercard.blogspot.com


Kristine Thompson
http://inkspotcreations.typepad.com


Nikki Sadler
http://inkyart.com.au


Dianne Dunk
http://www.stampartbydi.typepad.com


Alisha Watson
http://www.ratherbstampin.typepad.com


Sue Madex
http://www.madexcreations.com


Kathryn Ruddick http://www.katlodesigns.com


Judy May
http://www.judymay.typepad.com/

LOVELY AS A TREE Masculine Card

Now that I'm coming down from the hype of Stampin' Up! Convention, I have a bit of catching up to do with birthday cards.  I've already apologised to my much-loved brother for not getting his card in the mail before going to Sydney ... he knows I love him!

Here is the card I made for my brother, Dean.  Whipped out my trusty Lovely As A Tree stamp set, that I think is great for men's cards.  Other items I love to use on masculine cards are the Sanded background stamp and my Colour Spritzer tool.  These got a work-out, big-time, along with a sponge dauber!



Stamps: Sanded, Inspired by Nature, Lovely As A Tree, On Your Birthday

Card: Naturals Ivory, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke

Ink: Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke stampin' pads and markers, Sahara Sand and Basic Black stampin' pads

Other: Top Note die, sponge dauber, Colour Spritzer tool, Jumbo Eyelets (set with Crop-a-Dile), Large Oval punch, edge distressing tool



Right, better go get this card in the mail!

GETTING READY FOR FATHER'S DAY....

I have been asked by a friend if I'd make some Father's Day cards, seeing as it's Father's Day next weekend.  While I was in the process of stamping out the fantastic sentiment from the Occasional Greetings stamp set, I decided to get a bit of a production line going.  I'm up to my fifth card, and need a little break, so decided to upload some photos to share with you.

The first few cards are made using the colours Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss, with either Whisper White or Very Vanilla as the neutral - such a beautiful colour scheme, and nice and earthy for cards for men.  This first card is all Stampin' Up! :



Stamps:  Occasional Greetings, Lovely As A Tree, Linen (retired)

Card: Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Mellow Moss

Ink: Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss stampin' pads

Other: Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Always Artichoke brads, sponge daubers, dimensionals, 1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch

For my second card I combined Very Vanilla with the two greens.  On the main panel I stamped the trees first in Always Artichoke ink, then (using my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig) slightly offset the image to the right, and stamped again in Very Vanilla ink.  I like the soft effect that resulted.



Stamps: Weathered, Occasional Greetings, Lovely As A Tree

Card: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss

Ink: Mellow Moss and Always Artichoke classic stampin' pads, Very Vanilla craft stampin' pad (retired)

Other: Dimensionals, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, corner rounder punch, edge distresser, sponge daubers, brads (not Stampin' Up!) from stash

The last card I'll share from my 'green series' incorporates Jumbo Eyelets, which are a favourite embellishment of mine, when it comes to cards for males.  They are so easy to set in place using the Crop-A-Dile - love that tool!  If you are tired of noisy or labour-intensive ways of setting eyelets, please talk to me - I can change your life in this regard!



Stamps: Occasional Greetings, Lovely As A Tree, Weathered

Card: Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Mellow Moss

Ink: Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss stampin' pads

Other: Dimensionals, sponge daubers, Jumbo Eyelets (set with Crop-A-Dile), string from stash



Finally, I have something completely different.  I recently bought a new Checkerplate embossing folder for my Cuttlebug - it's great!  It really does make silver or grey cardstock look like metal.  Here's what I made:



Stamps: Occasional Greetings, Weathered

Card: Whisper White, Brushed Silver, Riding Hood Red, Coredinations Black

Ink: Basic Black and Riding Hood Red stampin' pads, Versamark

Other: Jumbo Eyelet (set with Crop-A-Dile), 5/8" silver brad, Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain ribbon, sponge dauber, Cuttlebug and checkerplate embossing folder

One "male" card, and one decidedly pink one!

The other day I posted a photo of the card I'd made for my brother, Mark.  Today I have another Trendy Trees card to show you; I made this for my other brother, Dean, whose birthday is in a few days.  Yay me - actually getting a card made and posted BEFORE the event!  So, my brothers' birthdays are only a week apart; but, hey, my sister's and my birthdays are only a DAY apart!  Mum and Dad must have wanted to cut down on birthday party costs by combining for our entire childhood; precision planning on their part, don't you think?

I am really pleased with this card.  Started off not knowing what I was going to make, but once I'd chosen the colour scheme (Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss and Not Quite Navy) it all came together quite smoothly.  The Urban Garden paper, and the fantastic Trendy Trees and jumbo eyelets, made it easy - love all those elements (just in case you hadn't noticed!).  Loving these colours; they are great for guys' cards, don't you think?



Stamps: Trendy Trees, Occasional Greetings, Linen background (retired)

Card: Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White

DSP: Urban Garden

Ink: Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, White craft

Other: Crop-A-Dile, pewter jumbo eyelets, Kiwi Kiss 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, stamp-a-ma-jig, edge distresser, sponge dauber, dimensionals



The photo on that card is a bit dark (I always leave it until night-time to remember to photograph my cards, but hey you can see it alright).  Nothing dark about this next one - a little over-the-top pink number. 

I got the Fast Flowers wheel with my starter kit, and wasn't sure how I wanted to use it, but realised it is designed to co-ordinate with Fun & Fast Notes (a great collection of cute images and sentiments).  I used the wheel to create the little pink panel on which the bird is mounted -  see how the cute little flowers complement the flower in the bird's mouth?  Sweet.  I paper-pieced the bird, by first stamping her (has to be a girl, with that colouring!) in Basic Gray on Whisper White card, then stamping again in Basic Gray on Bella Rose paper.  I stuck the cut-out paper version onto the card; love this easy technique that saves colouring in! I have used the same Designer Series Paper in the background.  Anyway, enough talking - here's the card:



Stamps: Fast Flowers wheel, Fun & Fast Notes, Pocket Silhouettes (sentiment), Cute & Curly, Weathered background

Card: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette

DSP: Bella Rose

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray, White craft, Certainly Celery

Other: Pink Pirouette 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, curly label punch, rectangle nestabilities, mini glue dots, flat-back pearls (from Pretties Kit), dimensionals, aquapainter



That's it for today, folks - hope you like them!  I had a lot of fun making them (especially the 'boy' one, I have to say, because sometimes male cards can be a bit tricky, can't they?  I get a bit tired of the fishing and tool themes.)  I am feeling a bit under the weather, with a cold (thanks darling son for sharing those germs around), but plan to have a couple of early nights so that I am in fine form for a big stamping night with my lovely friends on Friday night - can't wait!

'Til next time - thanks for visiting, and I love reading your comments, my lovely friends :)

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS......

Sorry, ladies, but the photos in this post are probably not what you were imagining, from today's title!  I have a couple of birthday cards for men to show you.  Ha ha.  PLUS ......drumroll, please......I have a scrapbook page to post!!!  This is noteworthy, because I am a cardmaker, and have only dabbled verrrrry briefly with scrapbooking.

Work has been more than a little challenging this past week, and I have not even set foot in my craft room - other than to open the door, switch the light on to check that all is okay and is still there waiting for me, turn off the light and leave.  I have done this a few times.  Sad, isn't it?!  My little family and I have been away at our cabin for a couple of nights, to reconnect, and recharge our batteries.  We really needed that; it was lovely.  Now we are back home, and I have mountains of washing to contend with.  While the machine is churning away, I have managed to have a little play, and decided that it's high time I shared my male-oriented creations.

First up, here is a simple birthday card that I think would be particularly suitable for a man (no flowers or pink in sight).  I have used ribbon, but as a simple accent to complement the card's colour scheme.  A couple of jumbo pewter eyelets help to give the card a masculine feel.



Stamps: Seeing Spots, Upsy Daisy (sentiment)

Ink: Versamark, Old Olive, Jet Black Stazon, Whisper White craft ink

Card: Whisper White, Basic Black, Old Olive

Other: Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, White Embossing Powder, Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Old Olive and Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon



My next card is one I have sent to my brother for his birthday.  I think it's safe to assume that he won't be looking at my blog.  I have used my much-loved Trendy Trees set, and my new favourite jumbo eyelets on this one.  All the other details follow th photo:



Stamps: Trendy Trees, On Your Birthday

DSP: Good Morning Sunshine

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango

Other: Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, wide oval punch, edge distresser, sponge daubers, brads (non-SU)



Okay, so now I am going to be brave and share my scrapbook page.  I have had a photo of Jack (who is now in his second year at high school) that I have wanted to scrap, but hadn't got around to. It was taken on the night of his graduation from primary school - a very emotional time for me!  He felt very grown up, but I was grieving the loss of his truly innocent days, and the changes that were about to take place with his friendships.  (His closest friends were to go on to different high schools to the one Jack would be attending.) Everything on this page is Stampin' Up!, except for the lined paper I stole from my other son's school book. (It's okay, he had to remove a page, so I just used some of the unwanted paper - just wanted to add this disclaimer in case any teachers are reading!)  I set myself the challenge of using no designer papers - just cardstock, stamps and punches (and, boy, did I use a few of these!), with a couple of other embellishments.  Here is my handsome boy ....



Stamps: Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel, Best Yet, Season of Joy (just the letter "j")

Ink: Basic Black stampin' pad and marker, Real Red stampin' pad and marker

Card: Basic Black textured 12x12, Whisper White (textured and smooth), Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Real Red

Other: Round Tab Punch, Curly Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Spiral Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, black brads (from Vintage brad assortment), SNAIL adhesive



It's good to be able to post on my blog again, after what feels like a looooooong absence.  I am hoping to fit in some more 'play' time this coming week, as I have new stamps (YIPPEE!!) - will be back to share when I've made something.  Hope you all have a great week.  

Christine :)