Catching Up With the Card-A-Day Challenge!

I really cannot keep up the blog posts with this card a day challenge, lol!  Along with the cards, I still have that LIFE thing every day too!  ;)

Here are a couple of cards from this week to catch up on.  First is Day 14: Woodgrain...

I used the retired Dakota papers that I have been using all month!  Love that woodgrain pattern paper.  I also used the Laughing Lola WOTG Cardmaking Kit My Acrylic Stamps.

Day 16:  Use hearts...do NOT laugh, I know this picture is sideways!  But I could not for the life of me get it to load the right way, lol!  :)

Red shimmer trim and hearts just naturally go together.  :)  The black and white papers are from the For Always Paper Packet.  The adorable little "i <3 u" is a leftover cut from the Artbooking layout I made HERE.  I save these things for a reason, people!  ;)

Finally, Day 18:  masculine card...

OF COURSE I used the Dakota!  ;)

I also used natural hemp, the Chantilly WOTG Cardmaking Kit My Acrylix Stamps, and Durables Round Studs.

I am WIPED!  See you back here again soon! 

OWH Midweek Throwdown! Welcome!

Hi everyone!  I'm super-excited to be the sample card maker for Operation Write Home this week!  I have a fantastic series of motorcycle cards to show you today to get those creative juices flowing for the OWH Midweek Throwdown--Masculine Cards. 

Personally, I am a sparkler, lol, so glitter and bling are my thing!  I am all about expanding my horizons though, and when a potential client wants motorcycles, you don't try to talk them into tiaras!  I came up with these six designs using the Close to My Heart Born to Ride My Acrylix stamp set after a tiny shopping spree for the proper unblingy supplies..sometimes, you see, when making your man cards, it's all about having the right embellishments!

No bling here, but plenty of shine from this printable silver foil from Silhouette.  It is sticky-back and works a lot like vinyl (which is what I have been calling it before I READ the package, lol.)  It comes in 8.5 x 11 sheets and embosses beautifully, as you will see!

  
These two are my faves!  Inside, the sentiment reads, "enjoy the ride!"

See, embossing folders can be manly!  Take this Diamond Plate folder from Cuttlebug, for example.

Hey, washi can be manly too!  I found this roll at Archivers--but threw away the packaging, I'm afraid!  I could have also used the fantastic tire tread stamp from Close to My Heart's Fast and Furious My Acrylix stamp set. Can't wait to see how that works out next time!  :)

See the little staples?  Another FUN manly addition--with the Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher!  I stamped the motorcycle in this one with a second generation image to give it a worn look.

More man-bling here too!  These 3 mm nailheads from Mark Richards are a GREAT alternative to sparkle.  I can just hear Tim, the Tool Man, Taylor now!  ;)

Alright, so a girl can only go so long without bling!  Still appropriate for guy though...or even the Harley girl in your life! 

The bottom left corner of this one sports two pewter Durables Round Studs from Close to My Heart.  Perfect on a card for YOUR stud!  ;)

I am so happy to be a guest on Operation Write Home today!  I hope these cards were able to inspire you to get some manly bling to use on your future cards.  For me, anyway, shopping for the right embellishments can be inspiration in itself!  If you haven't checked out Operation Write Home yet, please do!  It is a fabulous organization that collects and distributes handmade cards for American troops, and I can't wait to send off another box of cards to them.  If you are interested in seeing what they are all about, check out the details HERE on their blog!

Thanks for stopping in!  If you are involved with OWH--thank you so much for your time!

If you are interested in any of Close to My Heart's limited edition patriotic stamps pictured below, you can find them on my website by clicking on the links in the name.  They are available only through the end of July, and a portion of the proceeds go to the USO! Plus, they are PERFECT for making Any Hero cards!

B1437 Courage

D1576 Home of the Brave

One Last Ride!

I'm back with those last two motorcycle cards I promised you!  These have a touch of color thrown in for a bit more fun.  Again, I used the Close to My Heart My Acrylix Born to Ride stamp set for these cards.  They are a manly theme, so they fit right in with Heart 2 Heart's June Tool Time Challenge as well, so it's linky, linky time!

This birthday card might just be my favorite!  I love the FUN factor.  :)

When I saw this "Keep Calm" sentiment from Technique Tuesday's Turn 29 stamp set, I had to get it--just HAD to.  Can you see why?  I think it is perfect for the guy in say his 20's or 30's.  The pennant banner and hat are also included in the same stamp set.  The papers are CTMH CS and a pattern from the retired Fanfare Paper Packet.   The banner is stamped in Cranberry My Exclusive Ink, and I even threw in a big red sparkle to match!  I knew I could find a way to sneak some glam into a guy card!  ;)

The card also happens to fit well with the Tool Time Challenge because I used my corner rounding TOOL to take off opposite corners on the sentiment box.  I have been wanting to do this FOREVER and finally remembered!!!  ;)  That white rectangle is actually a shape from the Cricut Artiste Cartridge that I had in my scrap drawer.  Save those extra cuts, trust me!

My final motorcycle card features the retired Cruisin' Paper Packet.  My Whisper (or Slate, I have no clue at this point!) Ink matched great with the colors in this pattern.

The sentiment is from D1475 Card Chatter--Birthday.  The inside reads, "and many, many, more!"  I added a couple of pewter Durables Round Studs to make this one totally stud-worthy!  ;)

Thanks for taking another look at my blog, and I'll be back soon!  Go spread some sparkle!

Hexagon Play

I love the look of using hexagons in some of the layouts in the current Idea Book.  I decided to give it a go on a card.  I also wanted to give a more manly card a try, so I used the Victory Paper pack.  This is one of the four papers carrying over to the Fall/Winter Idea Book that goes live on August 1st.  The others are Stella (my fave!), Pemberley, and Florentine.  If you had your eye on any of the others in the current book, better get em before the end of July!  The retiring packs will be gone after that.

Here is what I came up with for the card.

The sentiment I used is from the Tag the Occasion My Acrylix set and stamped in Chocolate Ink.  This set will also be gone after July 31st.

Both of the stars were cut from Bamboo cardstock on my cricut with the Art Philosophy Cartridge and stamped with coordinating images from the Typeset Workshop stamp set (retired.)  The round metal embellishment is from the Durables Round Collection.  These are great for a rustic, man look. 

Thanks again for stopping in!  :)