A Man's Man's Card

My husband's brother's birthday is later this week, and my dear man asked me if I had a card he could send him. Well, of course! Honestly, I had it on my "to-do" list to make him one, but, as I have already revealed, I am challenged in terms of stamp sets that provide inspiration for cards for men.

So, I was surprised when this turned out to be one of the best cards I've ever made for a guy. I started with a bunch of 1" square pieces of retired Designer Series Paper called Outlaw. I'm really trying to use what I have, and this paper coordinates with several colors that are being retired at the end of June, so it's time to stop saving it for a later day! That day is NOW!

I attached the squares to a 4" x 5" piece of card stock. Normally, I wouldn't put Really Rust and Going Gray together, but because it was already paired in the DSP, I took courage and went with it. Another thing I did that I haven't ever done before is stamping on DSP. I took my Wanted stamp set, which this paper was designed to pair with, and stamped a variety of images from it on the DSP in Going Gray. I stamped them off once, so that they wouldn't overpower the pattern in the paper.

I distressed the edges with a pair of kid scissors I have specifically for this purpose. Then I wrapped the whole thing in twine. For the main image, I took the horse stamp and stamped it four times, starting at the right side of the piece of Going Gray and moving to the left without reinking. Then I distressed this piece too and crumpled it up to make it more rough.

Then I got the idea to stamp the large Linen background image on the Going Gray base. I did it first with Really Rust and then again with Going Gray ink.

I carried the theme inside by using the largest image from the set and stamped it off along the edges. The sentiment is from Full of Life, and it's just something I know Bob's brother will resonate with.

What stamp sets are you drawn to when making a card for a guy? How do you choose a color palette? I'd love to hear how you manage this challenge. In fact, if you are inspired to make a card for a guy because of this post, include a link to your picture of it in the comments!

Father's Day at Ronald McDonald House

This is the week each month that I go to the Ronald McDonald House and provide a crafting opportunity for the families staying there. Because we only go once a month, I try to provide a card that is suitable for the next holiday on the calendar. This month, that would be Father's Day.

This card was inspired by something I saw on Kristina Werner's blog almost a year ago. She made a photo card with a patchwork background that was 4" x 12", scored at 3" in from each end to create a trifold card. Since I didn't have any 12" x 12" card stock, I chose to make mine a bit differently. I cut a 4" x 9.25" piece of Really Rust card stock and scored it at 3" in from each end and then got to work.

I cut dozens of 1" squares from the Outlaw Designer Series Paper I have had for several years and determined to use instead of save for later. The sentiment is one of my all-time favorites, from a long ago retired set called Gratitude. Isn't it a perfect thing to say to a father?

Then I got out my Wanted stamp set and my only Father's Day stamp and started stamping. I only used RR ink because it's easier for all concerned if there's only one color of ink to stamp with. The trifold panels could be used to place pictures of kids and dads, but the families at the House probably don't have those handy, so I didn't go that route.

The trifold is mounted on a single sheet of 4.25" x 5.5" RR card stock. I thought the 4" x 9" just turned out to be a bit too small on its own.

Last month there were all boys at the house, so I hope the census is similar this month. I think they'll like stamping with this Western themed set.

Same Sentiment, Different Application

Have you ever met someone and wondered how it is that you've not known them your whole life? This happened to our family last fall when we met Allison and Kyle from IN. Allison and Kyle came here for a bloggers' party and stayed with us.

Well, today is Kyle's birthday. I love that this man is a thinker and that he's striving, struggling, and wrestling with making his life count for Jesus. So, the same sentiment I used for the card for Larry was the one I chose for Kyle. He's all about making the years count, so I knew he would resonate with this quote.

Not sure why I went with the western theme, but this retired Outlaw Designer Series Paper sure fit the bill. The gate fold is a 4.25" x 11" scored at 2.75" in from each end. I chose Very Vanilla for the base, layered on Really Rust card stock and some more of the Outlaw DSP to create some panels. I stamped the sentiment, which is from the retired set It's Your Birthday, in RR and crumpled it to get a worn looking focal point. I also frayed the edges with scissors, then used my Creamy Caramel marker to "age" it a bit more.

Kyle, I know you're not one to enjoy the spotlight on your day, but Happy Birthday! We Nahrstadts are proud to call you friend. By the way, be on the lookout for something in the mail. I'll give you a hint: it's brown.