PP83 – Clean and Simple Masculine Challenge

Hi Everyone.  Happy Saturday night.

The fabulous Anne Marie has a great challenge for us across at the Paper Players this week.

I was tempted to go the route of dark colors and wildlife or nautical but decided that it was a good time to challenge myself and make a child's card.   I never make cards for children and decided it was about time that I did. 

Now… the card that you see, is NOT the card that I started out to make.  I had chosen the harlequin paper from the Big Top Birthday DSP.  I loved the turquoise, red and white color scheme.  I was getting ready to cut a piece to act as the backdrop to my sentiment when I turned over the DSP and noticed that the big top would fit perfectly on my card base.  Ah.  Ha.  Light bulb moment!  That changed the whole card!  Of course, I had to dress up the inside, too!

Here's my take on the challenge

I used a non-SU sentiment and stamped it in red craft ink and used clear embossing powder and heat set it.  That gave a little shine to the sentiment, which I thought was perfect.  All that was needed to finish it off was a few silver pearls.  I was really pleased with it – and it was much better than my original card idea!  I added two smaller, flat, pearls to the top of the posts to add a little more interest.

Here's what I did with the inside.  I used some of the same DSP and adhered that to the inside card base and covered it with vellum to allow for the stamped sentiment and a hand-written greeting.

As I adhered the vellum only at the top of the card, the recipient can lift the vellum and have a good look at the strong man and lion underneath.

Supplies – all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

• Card stock:  Tempting Turqouise, Whisper White
• DSP:  Big Top Birthday
• Ink:  Real Red craft ink.  Basic Black for the inside sentiment
• Accessories:  Silver pearls (non SU)

Well, now it's your turn.  We hope that you join the Paper Players this week – we can't wait to see what you do with this great challenge.  Don't forget to pop along to see what the fabulous team have cooked up for you in terms of inspiration, too!

On a personal note

Lou and I couldn't resist a trip up to the house yesterday and a side trip to West Elm, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel.  As the cats are now fine, it was safe to spend a few hours away from them, knowing that they wouldn't need pills or other medications!  So, we made the most of the time that we had and really made a day of it.   Not much had happened at the house as they are waiting for the framing inspection…. but… they had marked out the cupboards and so we found this on the floor!

Yes… a marker for the cooktop!!!!!  I could stand there and look out and see the view that I would have whilst cooking.  Generally the builder puts the sink in this spot (in the center island) and the cooktop against the wall.  We changed that…. I really wanted to have the cooktop in the island so that I could see the view and enjoy it – rather than looking at the wall.   It took a lot of rearranging and stuff to get it there… but in the end, we managed to get it agreed to!

I also took a photo of the place where the patio is going next to the trees.  We want to put down a patio with a picnic table and a fire pit here.  The views are fabulous from here and we think it will be wonderful in spring, summer and fall…. so long as we use Citronella Candles that is!!!

Well, I am off to go try to make another card.  It felt good to get into my stamping space knowing that I could hang out there for a couple of hours and that no-one needed me for anything.  Well, the house needed some cleaning… but I decided that could wait!!!

Warm hugs and prayers for those who need a little lift tonight.  Beth, it was so good to see you comment. I was worried about you and was thinking on the way back from the house that I should send you an email and check that you were OK… and… then saw your message!

Have a beautiful Sunday everyone.

Hugs

Jaydee