The little things that make me happy here on Bliss Road~~Emily Keaton

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A few cards for my hubby

Know what's making me happy today? It's just been a great, feel-good day today. I got to talk on the phone with my dear friend who moved away over the summer. Both of my kids had great days at school and couldn't wait to tell me all about it. When they got settled here at home, they took charge of their school paraphernalia and got right down to work on their homework all on their own--no handholding required! Supper was quick to fix, delicious, and appreciated by the entire family. The fact that I found time to make not one but three much-needed note cards to be used by my dear hubby was icing on the cake! I had such a light-hearted, fizzy feeling inside the whole while. :)

It is no secret that my dear husband is, in addition to being an EE and my main IT squeeze, a complete gearhead. He is, always has been, and always will be totally into cars. He subscribes to four different automotive magazines, has two different car projects in the works, never misses a Formula 1 race, and claims Top Gear (both UK and US series) as his favorite TV show. So what's a crafty gal to do when her gearhead guy needs a supply of note cards for writing thanks yous and such? Dig out the car stamps in my collection, that's what!! Unfortunately, I don't have that many, and the cars I do have aren't exactly his style (he's more into exotics than classics). But the classic convertible in {ippity}'s Authentic Man kit is, well, just classy! So I'm pretty sure my husband will still be happy to write his missives on what I created.

My idea for this card started with wanting to try my hand at Piali's stamp blocking challenge over on Do More With Less. I'm also playing in the All Things Unity challenge to make a one-layer card, as well as the {ippity} challenge to tie it up with twine, ribbon, or string on your project. Finally, I thought it would be fun to join in the challenge to "alter your spooled items" in the Ribbon Carousel Challenge. I choose hemp twine as my spooled item and altered it by tying it into a decorative knot called the Long Single Strand Plait. You can find a picture tutorial here.

I started by stamping ink-coated acrylic blocks on scraps of watercolor paper to get the hang of it, and I also experimented with lightly misting the inked blocks with water. Once I got the kinks worked out, I was ready to block stamp directly onto my one-layer watercolor paper card base! Turned out great! But I also liked how all of my warmup stampings turned out, so turned them into these CAS cards.

I am inordinately pleased with my results. :D They are all ready to turn over to my dear hubby!

Thanks for dropping by to see what's making me happy today!
Emily

One-Layer Card:
Stamps: Authentic Man from {ippity} by Unity Stamp Company
Paper:
watercolor paper
Ink: Ranger tea dye distress ink, Ranger antique linen distress ink, Versafine vintage sepia
Accessories: hemp twine
Techniques: clear block stamping
 
Blue Card:
Stamps: Authentic Man from {ippity} by Unity Stamp Company
Paper:
watercolor paper, SU Marina Mist CS, yellow CS from The Paper Company
Ink: SU Marina Mist, Versafine onyx black
Accessories: washi tape
Techniques: clear block stamping, sponging
 
Rust Card:
Stamps: Authentic Man from {ippity} by Unity Stamp Company
Paper:
watercolor paper, DP from Provo Craft, cream CS 
Ink: Ranger tea dye distress ink, Ranger antique linen distress ink, Versafine vintage sepia
Accessories: MS modern garland border punch, foam tape
Techniques: clear block stamping

21 comments:

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

Wow, love how you've done the clear block stamping, great way to add another layer to a one layer card.

Benzi said...

What car enthuiast wouldn't like these cards that were made straight from your heart to his. I'm sure he'll notice that and appreciate it. Super work, Emily!

Pauline said...

What fabulous block stamping! It makes a wonderful masculine background in these colours, love all your creations!

Auntie Em said...

These are all so awesome Emily! I love your stamping technique and the braided string makes such a great trim. Beautiful techniques!
Thanks for sharing! :)

Pam said...

Your new technique looks great Emily! Glad to hear you had a wonderful day, and a happy stamping day! My cold has had me in a fog this week, and not much creativity is going on! Will keep trying though! I'm sure your hubby will love these cards!
Pam

yyam said...

Oh wow! These are amazing Emily! Love how you've experimented with the technique! :)

Thanks for playing along with my guest Piali's block stamping challenge! :)

Jessi Fogan said...

Awesome! I really like these. My son is a gearhead too - and as far as he's concerned, a car is a car. Even when I stamped him one with flowers on the wheels, it was still a car ;)
I like how much visual interest the block stamping adds, without the bulk. I've got to clean my blocks off so I can try it!

Rona said...

Emily, your cards never stop inspiring me!!! WOW these are all just fabulous!! I need to come hang out at your house so some of this amazing mojo can rub off on me!! Perfect card for the Ippity Challenge!! Thanks for the inspiration!!

Colleen Dietrich said...

I am mighty impressed with that soft, watercolor-y background for the car stamp. Card number one is my fave, because it is uber-CAS, and the colors go so well together, and the twine braided like that is a superb touch!

I am happy for you that you had a wonderful day. We all need more days like that!

Marisa said...

My hubby loves Top Gear - the UK version is better he says. Think he just enjoys seeing the crazy things the guys do as he is not a gearhead at all. LOVE the first card with the washed BG and the way you tied the twine. I'm sure hubby will love them all :)

Stacy Morgan said...

Great masculine cards, I am sure yout hubby will love them.

Lynn said...

these are gorgeous! I've been meaning to try this technique. I really like how you used it with that car stamp too.

Debbie Carriere said...

These are all fantastic!! Love that classic car image! Great job combining the challenges and using your practice stampings!

lisa arana said...

awesome 'gearhead' cards!!!

veronica said...

your knotted hemp is a very cool addition to your masculine card.

Unknown said...

Wow ....lovethe cards you came up with.I admire anybody who can make masculine cards...and yours are simply gorgeous

StampinCathy said...

Your manly man cards are fabulous. I just love each one. I love how you knotted the twine in the first one. Thanks for playing along with us at ATU!

Meg said...

Very cool car cards, Emily! I bet Mr Bliss will be itching to write those thank yous now. Love the knotted twine on the first card and love the acrylic block technique on the others...may have to try that out today!

nise said...

Manly. I like the one with the hemp knot best - great touch!

Bonnie said...

I love that naughty er knotty hemp! Great job on the acrylic block. I've never mastered that.

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

OHHH! Each of these are beautiful--I LOVE that first one! LOVE the simplicity but the knot is SUPER AMAZING:) I love that you have so many cards for your husband:) THANKS for joining in the fun and playing along with us over at the RCC!