Man Up! with Blue Ribbon

I can not believe that this class posting, somehow didn't make it to publishing??

This was a Saturday class I recently did, tailored to everything Masculine.

Many of my ladies had expressed their concerns of making masculine cards, so with Father's Day at that point, on the horizon, I decided to set the theme and challenge myself to come up with something that I hoped everyone would actually enjoy making and might just inspire them to want to make yet more masculine cards.

We made use of the stamp set Blue Ribbon, which I'm pleased to say isn't on the current Retirement list and is so versatile. We covered a few different techniques in this class, making a Rosette for the Kraft Box Topper to add dimension and interest.

For one of the cards, we covered the ever so popular Chalk Board and Drift Wood Ink Techniques, which I believe lend themselves beautifully to masculine cards. 

I have to say, I too have fallen into the trap of enjoying feminine cards more so than masculine, but I really enjoyed creating this little set and was thrilled with the versatility of both the stamp set and the variations possible.

Supplies used:

Stamp Set: Blue Ribbon

DSP: Comfort Cafe

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Midnight Muse

Inks: Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze, Midnight Muse, Soft Suede, Whisper White

Punches: 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circles

Accessories: Natural Trim Ribbon, Naturals Designer Buttons, Kraft Gift Boxes

I plan on making a few feminine cards using this very stamp set, so watch this space!

Man Up! that Comfort Cafe

Last week I was designing, albeit a little late, what we shall be making at next weeks Man Up! Craft Class, where we are dedicating everything to a Masculine theme.

Who would have thought that such a flowery Designer Series Paper Pack could inspire me to create something masculine .... well it did!

I have to say, I've not previously enjoyed making masculine cards for any occasion and I know I'm not alone here, but once I chose the Blue Ribbon Stamp Set and the Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper Pack, I thoroughly enjoyed creating the set I have.

Here is a little sneak peak ... I shall post more next week after the class.

Journalling delight ...

This weekend, I created my spin on the Journal on the cover of the Spring/Summer Catalogue, making use of a few left over doilies, some Flower trim and a Tea Time Trinket. 

I just loved the pretty papers from the 'Comfort Cafe' Designer Series Paper pack and the simple stamped detailing of the French Foliage Stamp Set that I've grown to love for it's rustic charm. 

There is no right or wrong in a creation like this, just simple layout, grouping and pulling colours together. Here I used Night of Navy, Summer Starfruit and Cajun Craze. 

It's a great way to brighten up an otherwise bland journal book and use up a few scraps or off cuts of ribbon.