Good Morning Fellow Stampers :-)
Kicking of a Monday right, I hope!! At least I'm trying to here. We'll see how it goes. It's going to be a little bit of a tough week for me, so I'm going to try to keep my spirits up and keep a positive attitude! Changes are afoot for me at work, and so I'm feeling a little discombobulated. Hoping for a good week one way or another.
I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was pretty crazy through until about Saturday night. And then Sunday was quieter. I got to spend some quiet time in the Studio Sunday afternoon and just putter through designing and projects, getting ready for the Paper Players [PP337] challenge for this week. I have to tell you that today's card design is one of those that started with one plan in mind, and ended with something totally different! Don't ask me how; LOL I sometimes wonder how I end up where I do. I definitely was NOT playing with "manly tools" when I started this card -- LOL. It's amazing what happens when the lightbulb goes off and you get excited about trying something different. I hope you like today's design as much as I do.
Now when you see my Wednesday post this week, you'll get a feel for where I started today's project - and then you'll be like, really?? LOL Today's color scheme ended up totally inspired by the Urban Underground designer series paper -- particularly one piece in that collection that is my absolute favorite!
Doggone Delightful Stampin' Design Tips:
- Layerothology. This card is cut from Thick Whisper White cardstock, 4-1/4" x 11", scored at 5-1/2" - a top fold vertical card. The background layering to this card is created from the Urban Underground DSP, matted with Delightful Dijon cardstock. This is indeed, a masculine card.
- Masculinity At Its Best. I have to tell you, when we first got our Spring Occasions Catalog, and I saw the "masculine" offerings this year, it was both euphoric and difficult for me. Since my father passed of cancer in 2009, I have stayed away from anything having to do with Father's Day or masculine-style stamp sets, etc. That is not a good place for a cardmaker to be, trust me!! The Urban Underground collection is beyond fabulous; but I was totally torn on whether I would make the investment or not in this collection. In the end, I just couldn't pass it up; and I'm glad I didn't. I couldn't help but think while making this card, though, that my dad would have loved it!!! I made this card for my sweetie instead. It will come in handy the next time I need something special for just that "moment" when I want to give him a smile. :-)
- If You Build It . . . Ahhhh yes, don't you just adore these Build It Framelits? I mean really!!! And this ended up being perfect to emulate today's sketch; with just a small shift of the "banner" sentiment. I had so much fun with my Silver Foil, and all these little "nuts and bolts" -- LOL. I made a "soft suede" handle for my saw. And I suppose you're wondering how I got that perfect edge to the saw (as no saw I've ever seen has a "straight" edge by the way; I used to watch my daddy saw -- LOL). Do you have all your fabulous Fiskar special edged scissors from years back? I used to have the entire collection they ever offered. I've let some of those go; but I've kept my favorites, and these were perfect to create the edge of my saw - you should have seen me after I cut this - LOL I was dancing around the Studio! Some of the other details include emulating the dots in my designer paper on the Stitched Shapes circle framelit with the Large Polka Dot textured impression embossing folder.
It turns out this was the perfect set up for today's sketch challenge!
And I know my sweetie will get a kick out of this card when he sees it.
Everything about this stamp set, framelits, paper, and embellishments is perfect for a masculine card - one of the most difficult cards we try to design.
- Turn to the Inside. I even had a ball with the inside of this card! I debated for awhile what I was going to stamp for the inside of the card; and then I settled on this perfect sentiment from the Suite Sentiments stamp set. I love a good sentiment set -- and Suite Sentiments is definitely one of those. Check it out if you haven't yet! Page 54 of your Spring Occasions Catalog.
Fun times in the DDS Studios :-) I love it when something unplanned comes together!! LOL :-) Hope you all have enjoyed this today. Remember, we're now down to the final 5 days of Sale-A-Bration. It has whizzed right by us -- don't miss out on getting those last orders in and taking advantage of your FREE SAB products. As always, I'm only an email away if you need anything, or have any questions.
Until Next Time . . .
