Cash Always Works...

Here's another card for Father's Day. I CASE'd this from Lorri Heiling at Confessions of a Stamping Addict. I don't know if this idea originated with her or not, but I want to give her credit because she's the first one I found who supplied detailed measurements. Thanks, Lorri!

This is straightforward and much easier than it looks. That's always good, right? I think it's a good facsimile of the real thing, and would be fun to fill. I'm not going to repeat all of Lorri's measurements, except to add that I made a bit smaller because I was having a brain freeze and didn't realize that I had card stock that was 9" long--HELLO! Anyway, go with her measurements and it'll all work out just fine.

I used Sahara Sand card stock and swiped the same colored classic ink pad over the surface to achieve a weathered look that might look like leather if you squint. I also used my Mat Pack piercing set and created the appearance of faux stitching around the edges. As you can see, this has 4 pockets that will hold gift cards, as well as a long pocket that will hold real bills. I think this could be made even more meaningful for dear old dad if the kids made "gift cards" good for hugs, mowing the grass, washing the car or just a little note saying how much he is loved and appreciated.

A Warm Place to Rest My Soul...

Since I've started hosting Stamp-A-Stacks, I've struggled with the Father's Day card I wanted to create for the June class. The biggest hurdle for me has been that every Father's Day set that SU! has published hasn't fit my honey or my father AT ALL. This year's version in the Occasions Mini was a pun-oriented set, and selections from the main catalog have included tool sets, old cars, and fishermen. Okay, that one would fit my honey and my FIL, but it didn't come with any sentiments! So, I've avoided purchasing any of these and put myself in a bind for three years running.

I persevere, though, because I know there's something that will work. What I found this year is actually the rediscovery of a technique I learned in 2007 and deployed first in the form of a baseball bat card for my nephew Drew. It's called woodgraining, and has been used to create this faux hardwood floor.

Woodgraining is a simple technique with big WOW. Simply choose a color of card stock (mine for the card is More Mustard; it was So Saffron for the baseball bat), drag one or more classic ink pads over it, and a "grain" pattern that simulates wood is created. The inks I used for the floorboards were Really Rust, Ruby Red, and Chocolate Chip. On the bat, I used Creamy Caramel. Some crafters even streak the card stock with Whisper White craft ink before using the darker colors. I tried this, but didn't like it as well.

The "planks" were created by scoring the card stock at 1" increments and then going back and inserting perpendicular lines. The "nails" are pewter brads.

Now to the focal image. It's supposed to be a rug on the floor. Did I succeed or not? I hope so! The interior of my Father's Day card is going to say something like, "Thanks for being a warm place to rest my soul." Corny? Probably, but I know my dad will like it. The card the gals make at SAS will be blank inside so that they can write whatever they want to their fathers.

Well, it was a bit rainy here this morning, and my dogs are now muddy. This means I need to go give them a quick bath with the hose. "You play, you pay" is my saying! Have a great weekend.