My Sheri Crafts Challenge #142: Birthday Celebrations!

Over @ My Sheri Crafts we're celebrating birthdays this time around, so why not get a card or two made ahead for that upcoming birthday and join us!  That's what I did:

First is a CAS feminine card, using My Mind's Eye 'Lost & Found' for my BG strip and at the center of my embellishment.  Spellbinders' Delicate Doilies and Petite Scalloped Circles Large were used to die cut my focal pieces.  My birthday sentiment is from JustRite's Birthday Vintage Labels Four.

I also needed a masculine birthday greeting, so chose to go CAS again, using My Mind's Eye 'On the Bright Side' patterned papers. For my background I chose an orange weathered wood design as I like the roughness and texture it gives a man's card and added it to my white A2 card base.  Next I added rectangles cut with Spellbinders' A2 Matting Basics (as was my BG piece) in textured linen and chevron papers.  For novelty, I offset my die cuts on the left and right and added my birthday greeting to them using foam squares.  Finishing off my card are 3 small metal squares I colored orange with a Copic Marker and a piece of orange twine tied with a simple knot.

I chose a gray envelope for my recipient and used the dark gray linen paper again to line the flap.  Always enjoy doing that when I remember and have time to add this simple finishing touch, so will need to do one for my girly card, but had already taken my photo before thinking of it this time!

Okay, get those birthday cards made and join us over @ My Sheri Crafts this week!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #134: Anything Masculine!

Your challenge this go-round @ My Sheri Crafts is to create anything masculine -- pretty simple, huh?!

I took this opportunity to create what I will likely use for a birthday card -- always NICE to have in advance. I discovered my Distress Inks are dried out after little crafting these last several months -- especially my go-to Antique Linen! Guess now's the time to grab those new 'Minis' I've been wanting!

Used Echo Park's 6"x6" Note to Self line today, along with DCWV textured CS and a center panel of PTI's Fine Linen CS. Three pennants were cut using Spellbinders' Lacey Pennants, as well as a 'sentiment' cut from Note to Self. I then covered a chipboard arrow from my stash in solid red EP paper and finished this very simple card by adding an 'iron' textured corner @ bottom right from WRMK, using their Main Squeeze tool. Don't worry, before I mail it, I'll add distress ink to up the masculine factor -- LOL!!!

Selfishly hoping you'll all join us @ My Sheri Crafts, as I NEED lots more masculine ideas for the men in my life!  ;~)

Masculine Happy Birthday: Fusion & Moxie Fab Style

Needing a masculine birthday greeting, combining Fusion's #18 sketch (ends 10/02) and Moxie Fab's
Metal, Wood and Cork challenge (ends 10/21) seemed the perfect pairing. My husband really liked the outcome, which is a real bonus!  ;~)
I honestly can't think of much more masculine than metal, wood and cork, so I cut my balsa wood (Michaels) with Spellbinders' Labels Twenty-one and cork from Grand Large Labels. I like their coordinating clipped corners and flipped the sketch sideways, adding my wood piece on the left.
Metal corners (source unknown) were added to my red CS layer. Then using Spellbinders Sprightly Sprockets, I cut both Tim Holtz Grungeboard for strength and craft foil, securing them together with metal screws though the holes. I then centered a
Tim Holtz clock face with foam dots over the sprocket. 'Time for a party' was stamped using JustRite's Market Place Alphabet onto Nested Lacey Pennants to complete this card.

JustRite Friday Challene #095: Window of Opportunity

As I went to put away things on my table today, I decided to throw together a quick little masculine card and chose to make it  a window card that fits JustRite's Friday Challenge that ends tomorrow, making it ahead for Father's Day.

(View shot with window partially open; see next photo!)

This very simple card was created using Recollections Kraft Card Stock and JustRite's Premium Labels clear stamps -- a perfect combination for those 'pesky' masculine cards!
The coordinating dies (Vintage Label & Banner Dies) make this so quick and easy -- cut a window and stamp your chosen stamp inside. I then stamped a different round stamp from the set, cut with a Standard Circles Large #2 die, popping it with foam tape atop the original sentiment (which said 'friend' instead of 'Dad'). Next, took a small scrap of corrugated cardboard, sponged on Black Soot Distress Ink and attached to lower edge of card; stamped my sentiment and die cut with a banner die from same custom die set.

(Inside view -- LOVE that guy stamp!)

Finishing touches: colored 4 tiny stars with a Copic, popped those in place, added a black hemp cord (braided for more 'ruggedness'), popped on a button, tied a knot in the end and done. Ready to give way ahead of Father's Day!

Hmmm, maybe I'll make a coordinating envelope too?!  :*~)

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #105: Read Across America

Our current challenge @ My Sheri Crafts asks that you create a project that has something to do with reading, for example, bookmarks, projects with a book on it, images of reading or something about your favorite book, etc.

I know several avid readers that will always welcome new bookmarks, so I searched my craft room for ideas. I first took a masculine-looking "K" from my chipboard stash. Using a wide satin ribbon, I folded it in half and ironed with Stitch Witchery. The monogram was added by gluing with fabric glue, but it was 'boring' so I grabbed my Crop-a-Dile and added three eyelets -- much more character now!
Next, I cut an "L" from pink felt and die cut a background from brown felt with Spellbinder's Labels Twenty-three. Pink Sorbet twine from The Twinery was woven into a stitched ribbon to give my feminine bookmark more pizazz. Fabric glue attaches the layers.
When I saw the "spring" ribbon and flower in my stash, I decided they would also make a fun bookmark. The flower is a Spellbinders' die secured with a large pearl brad, so I merely punched a hole through the ribbon with my Crop-a-Dile, attached it to the brad's prongs on the back and covered it with a scalloped felt circle -- yep, from my stash. Those formerly unused items can sometimes spark creativity, so see what you find and show us your ideas @ My Sheri Crafts challenge!!!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #104: It's Fishin' Time

Yep, it's fishin' time here at My Sheri Crafts, so we want to see your project with a fish on it!
I went back and forth several times with this challenge, trying to decide what I wanted to do and in the end I die cut my fisherman using my Boss Kut Gazelle and a free die cut from Bird's Cards. If you have an electronic die cutting machine and you've never visited Bird's blog, you are missing a special treat.  Her files all cut beautifully and they're free! Go check out all her wonderful creations and leave her some love!
I used paper purchased years ago from Close to my Heart, as the BG makes me think of a big bridge over a body of water.  My little fish stamp is one I've had for many years also. It has no manufacturer or name on it, but I decided I'd use my Twinkling H2O's for his shiny scales, though the photograph doesn't do it justice. My 'Fishing you' sentiment (Our Craft Lounge) is a little play on words -- I'll likely add 'a Happy Birthday' inside for one of our sports-minded male friends.
Can't wait to see your clever ideas for a fishing project -- share it today with us @ My Sheri Crafts!!!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #101: Favorite Sport

Welcome to a New Year and our new challenge @ My Sheri Crafts is to give some love to the athletes in our lives by creating any project with their favorite sport as your theme.  Simple enough?!!!

For my project I chose to go with golf since I have several male family members and friends who play occasionally. My golf bag is a download purchased from My Vinyl Designer and was quite simple to put together after cutting beautifully on my BossKut Gazelle in my three chosen CS colors.

I decided to keep this fun for a birthday card and used the 'punny' "Who's your caddy?" sentiment I've seen so often -- hope they like this -- Hee! I created it with my JustRite (retired) Times New Roman 25-point alphabet, edged in Memento Danube Blue ink and simply popped it up on foam dots. A 'stick-man golfer' (source unknown) was added to complete my card!

Sure hope you'll join our challenge @ My Sheri Crafts this next two weeks!!!

My Sheri Crafts #096: Halloween

Our My Sheri Crafts' Challenge this week is: Halloween -- create anything your spooky little heart desires for this holiday! Several years ago I created a double-sided Halloween decor piece (here) that I was inspired to do by a piece of 6x6 Making Memories' paper. It was sooo fun that I've fashioned another using Spellbinders' Labels Twenty-three, Martha Stewart's latest Halloween mat stack and some Hobby Lobby bottle caps. For these decor pieces, the sky's the limit with the plethora of Halloween papers, dies and embellishments available.  It can be really unique and FUN -- make it 'sweet' for the younger ones or 'spooky' for the older crowd -- even personalize it, if you'd like!

I chose two different 'bird' papers to cut with my Grand Labels Twenty-three die from the MS stack and a piece of Tim Holtz grunge paper to sandwich inside, as I wanted to be sure the piece had the strength to hold up well when hanging and to support the bottle caps! I cut/embossed, sanded and distressed my paper with Black Soot ink and used a combination of Scor-Tape and Glue Dots to secure my 'sandwiched' pieces. Next I punched holes in the top/bottom and added 1/8" black eyelets, all with my beloved Crop-a-dile. From my stash I then attached different framed spooky mirrors @ center front & back. To build my double-sided 'boo', I first ran 3 bottle caps through my Grand Calibur using the cutting plate and adapter plate, which works like a 'charm' to flatten them! Again using my Crop-a-Dile, I easily punched 1/8" holes in the bottle caps. Circles die cut/emossed/sanded from the reverse side of one 'bird' scrap piece using Spellbinders' Standard Circles Large were then glue-dotted to the caps and glittered letters spelling 'boo' were added. "Eek" would work also! Tim Holtz jump rings were used to attach the bottle caps @ the bottom so they dangle/move and TH ball chain completes the hanger @ the top.

I hope you'll join us @ My Sheri Crafts this week by creating/posting your own Halloween concoction(s) to share with us!

Masculine Birthday Card: Motorcycle

This detailed motorcycle cut file perfectly fit my needs for a young man's birthday card and cut sooo beautifully on my Boss Kut Gazelle! The amazing file is free and available in several formats for every available digital cutter on Bird's blog here. There are tons of free cutter files -- you won't believe all you'll find there, so go check it out!!!

Be forewarned that this file has many tiny pieces, but I think it was well worth the effort to put it all together and I hope the young man we're sending it to enjoys it!

I kept it very simple by merely attaching my motorcycle to a fabulous piece of wood grain paper from My Mind's Eye's Howdy Doody 6x6 paper pad and layering with orange and black.  My Papertrey Ink sentiment (from Inside and Out: Birthday) is stamped onto a Spellbinders Labels Seven die cut and metal brads were added to accent the card corners. No frills, ribbons or lace needed today!!!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #092: Back to School!

Browsing the web one day, I stumbled upon this link for monster bookmarks. Though I have no youngsters in my life at the moment, I do have two avid adult readers, so I thought these would be fabulous for them since they both LOVE Halloween. I couldn't resist making them for our current back to school theme @ My Sheri Crafts biweekly challenge !!!

The link to print out the pattern for the monster corner bookmarks is here. It makes assembly simple for even young readers to cut/decorate their own. If you need a rainy day or after-school activity, there are various ideas to embellish the bookmarks at the first link shown above! Or you can make them yourself as a special surprise -- can't you just see the smile on those sweet faces when they unwrap a new book and find this homemade and perhaps even personalized monster bookmark? While searching, I also came across this fun site and just had to make the bookmark/journal wrap from ribbon and elastic on my sewing machine! I really like this for the simple fact that you won't lose it if you just keep it on the front or back cover of your book while reading. It occurred to me that this would make an adorable headband also -- so fun to find an item that could be changed into something else with just a simple size alteration -- LOL! Really looking forward to seeing everyone's back to school projects @ My Sheri Crafts!

JustRite Friday Challenge #077: Tag! You're It!

I created this tag project for a friend going to the 2012 Olympics and as a special nod to London in celebration of the Olympic games. Wouldn't this be fun slipped into a plastic luggage tag holder so you could spot your checked suitcase easily when it came off the ramp?! I'm posting it for this challenge at JustRite #077.


My tag began with JustRite's London Background Stamp, stamped in black on white CS and distressed with Weathered Wood Distress Ink. I then stamped Big Ben again and sponged with Antique Linen and Faded Jeans. The London stamp was stamped in blue ink and 2012 was added with JustRite's retired Times New Roman 15pt. font (there are still a few awesome fonts left @ JR's Super Sale).

My Olympic rings were cut with the two smallest Spellbinders Classic Circle dies and then slit where needed to form the well-recognized symbol. To create my Good Luck gold medal I stamped the sentiment from JustRite's Spring Words clear stamp set in on gold foil CS and die cut with JustRite's Charm Dies.

JustRite's Lace Edge border stamp finishes off the bottom of my red layer, Want2Scrap swirl in black and white crinkled seam binding and red/blue fibers complete this tag -- it's ready to head to London!!! 

JustRite Friday Challenge #076 (2): Stars & Stripes

Since I recently purchased this fun Simple Stories masculine paper pad with stars & stripes, I thought I'd create another card to enter at JustRite's current challenge. 

I've not used this card LO in a long time, so thought it would be fun for this card. The finished card measures 4 1/2" x 6 1/4". The CS is first cut @ 4 1/2"x 8", then scored @ 1 3/4" and 3 1/2".  The first fold creates a back fold-over 'tab' into which I sandwiched my card back measuring 4 1/2" x 6 1/4". When glued down front & back, you are left with a 4 1/2" square card inside & out and a 1 3/4" section down the left side to also decorate as you choose, kinda FUN! You can adjust your measurements for this card to fit whatever envelope you wish, including an A-2.
I added the striped paper and 'sprinkled' my stars, die cut with JustRite's Charm Dies and stamped with sentiments from JustRite's Going Places Vintage Labels, down the side. To complete my card I added a small metal adornment to each star & motorcycle wheels and tied some twine around it. Another masculine card for the stockpile!

JustRite Friday Challenge #076: Stars & Stripes

For the current JustRite Friday Challenge -- "Stars & Stripes" - create a project with stripes and use at least one star -- I immediately knew what I wanted to make for a male family member! You may think only of a patriotic theme but we are not limited to red, white & blue for this challenge, so just have FUN, whatever colors you decide to use!

I'm hoping to find time to do yet another non-patriotic challenge card, but this one is very patriotic, using papers from Bo Bunny's Liberty 6x6" pad. I first cut and embossed the largest star die shape with Spellbinders Stars Five from the center of my paper; then re-cut that star with the next smaller die. I then cut the largest star again from the pad's blue solid paper. Both stars were layered, stamped with Best Wishes from JustRite's Clear Spring Words and attached to the inside through my original die cut. I love the depth this gives. Five tiny clear Recollections stars below my sentiment add just a touch of bling.

Fussy cut eagle

Next, my eagle was fussy cut from a second sheet of the BG paper, edged with Antique Linen distress ink and added with foam tape for extra dimension. To complete the bottom edge, I stamped the 'patriotic bunting' border from JustRite's Lace Borders Cling set on vellum with white ink and colored with Copics R29 and B29 on the back of the vellum. Finishing off the card is a Jolee's Boutique red/white/blue striped ribbon.

JustRite Border @ bottom edge

Inside of card

Hopefully this card qualifies as 'masculine' in the eyes of my recipient, whose home in the country includes a large American flag flying proudly in his front yard, along with mainly red/white/blue patriotic decor inside. Maybe he'll add this card into it somewhere?! Regardless, I totally enjoyed creating it for him and that's what matters most -- so grab some JustRite stamps and let me see your Stars & Stripes creation!!!

Also entering my card at this fabulous new challenge I found:
IBSIC#15 ~ Red, White & Blue

IBSIC#14: Sketch Challenge & Blog Candy

I had wanted to do this new challenge I found a couple of days ago & THEN discovered today that a sweet friend, Sue Lelli, is actually their Guest Designer for the challenge -- woo-hoo, Sue!!! Then I discovered I only had 2 hours 40 minutes left to get a card made. IF you know me, I'm normally a very s-l-o-w crafter, so this was truly a RUSH job, but I did know what I wanted to do (a badly-needed male get well card) and I knew what papers I was going to use! So here is my very first Inspired by Stamping Inspiration Challenge entry:

This card is for a very dear friend of ours who just had his second knee replacement surgery (shhh--don't tell him, Marilyn)! I'll be mailing it tomorrow! We are only too familiar with that surgery here, since me beloved hubby has had both his knees done also. These two guys will now be able to enjoy more golf together this coming winter, I'm sure!

For John's card I've followed the fabulous sketch from ISBIC (one I'll surely be using again!) and layered fun papers I just recently found from 7 Gypsies "Venice" 6x6" paper pad. My card stock BG paper is Dark Chocolate from Papertrey Ink and my Grand Labels Eleven is cut from both PTI Kraft and Venice paper, offset at the top a bit from each other. Atop that I cut 2 tags from Ribbon Tags Trio 3 in orange and more Venice DP and then simply trimmed away a bit @ the top/bottom to reveal my orange Bazzill beneath. The reverse side of the striped paper is then laced through my tag. Finishing off this quick/simple card are orange Bazzill buttons threaded with fibers from SEI's Madera Island line.

That's it -- thanks for coming by and let me know how you like my 'less than 2-hour masculine get well card' and be sure to stop by and check out this FUN challenge here and leave the other ladies posting there some LOVE -- I know I will later this evening!!!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #088: I LOVE America!

For our My Sheri Crafts challenge, I have recently seen so many awesome banner-themed cards online, but I  somehow failed to save the one that inspired me to create today's card. When I happen upon it again, I'll update my post.
Using patriotic reds/whites/blues, I've combined card stock, patterned papers and even cut/pasted wording from our US Constitution to create my Spellbinders' die-cut banners and stars. After arranging them and securing here & there with glue dots, I stitched across the top with my sewing machine. I then merely added a few gems amongst the stars and stripes. My Happy 4th metallic letters are from my stash, part of a prize won many years ago, manufacturer unknown. My three tiny star stickers are from Amuse and I need to see if they're still available -- LOVE them!
Thanks for stopping by today and please check out all the fabulous inspiration @ My Sheri Crafts now and show us your I Love America entry!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #087: Father's Day/Celebrate Men in our Lives

Our newest challenge at My Sheri Crafts is to celebrate the men in our lives for Father's Day or any reason you wish!

I started with striped masculine DP from my stash as a base and Washi tape from Target, cut to create my banner. I then used QuicKutz alpha dies to spell out 'Dad'. Spellbinders' Labels Eighteen forms the backdrop for letting him know that today we're celebrating him on his special day. I just love these new banner stamps from JustRite and couldn't wait to use them both together. Using the largest Labels Eighteen I cut my focal tan piece and again using red CS, I embossed it only in the Grand Calibur and hand cut a backing piece. My star is cut by hand also from a piece of turquoise leather.

Hope you'll whip up a masculine card(s) for a special man/men in your life and celebrate with us @ My Sheri Crafts!!!

I'm also entering this card @ this challenge:

JustRite Friday Challenge #074: Vintage Masculine

JustRite Friday Challenge #074: Vintage Masculine

For JustRite's current challenge I chose two of their May releases for my card. My BG was created using Vintage Travel Background Stamp. I stamped my map onto blue DP, distressed the edges using my Distrezz-it-All, and crumpled it up in my hands before adding Antique Linen Distress ink to the edges/folds. I mounted my DP first onto red CS and then royal blue CS.
The awesome airplane image from Going Places Vintage Labels was stamped onto cream CS and colored with Copic markers. To add my sentiment from the same set, I stamped it onto a pennant from Spellbinders' Nested Lacy Pennants and attached it underneath the tail of a second plane I'd hand cut. Finishing it all off are some little metal 'dots' I picked up long ago just to use on masculine cards.
Hope you like my little vintage guy card and that you'll make one and join the fun over at JustRite too!!!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #086: Summer Lovin' Theme

The surfboards on this My Sheri Crafts Summer Lovin' challenge card are actually a magnet that my friend Ilene and I found long ago in a clearance bin at Michaels. Our thought then was they'd make great focal points for cards, so I've finally done just that -- what do you think?

I really had fun with this challenge, creating my waves with a Fiskars texture plate, layering on real 'craft' sand from my stash and making my 'Surf's Up!' sign using my latest fun purchase -- Washi tape! My preferred creative style is more classy/elegant, but it's really fun to just play around sometimes and see what you can come up with. It's summer, so have FUN with your paper crafting -- besides, here in the desert SW it's already been 110, so dreaming of cooler activities/places is the 'norm' for now!

Everyone @ My Sheri Crafts hopes you'll create a Summer Lovin' project and share it with us by June 8th -- maybe you'll be our next Guest Designer?!

Paper: White, blue, Kraft, orange CS
Stamps: JustRite 50pt Times New Roman Font
Ink: Staz-On Jet Black; Antique Linen Distress, Faded Jeans Distress
Dies: Spellbinders Inverted Scallop Circles, Nested Lacy Pennants
Miscellaneous: Washi tape (Target); toothpick, Sakura Jelly Roll glitter pen

Masculine Get Well: Tim Holtz and JustRite Style

We've had a bunch of family/friends with various health concerns lately and I'm very hopeful it's over already! I needed a couple masculine cards and thought this would bring a smile to both intended recipients' faces. I chose PTI's Kraft CS, a staple for me when doing masculine themes, as well as darker colors.
I started with a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card base and using Spellbinders' Labels Seven, die cut a piece of Core'dinations' Ebony & Ivory with Kraft core and embossed with Diamonds in the Rough EF just along the edge, sanding lightly for more dimension. I stamped Tim Holtz fabulous old pickup truck in VersaFine Onyx Black, die cut again with Labels Seven and attached off center to my previous label. Next I used JustRite's Times New Roman 15-pt. Alpha stamps to create my sentiment (both inside and out), die cutting the front one with SBs' retired Labels 5, distressed with Black Soot ink, added screw brads and attached with foam tape.

Here's my stamped inside sentiment:

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #80: Easel Card w/Shamrock

Using Beate's awesome tutorial here, I created my round scalloped easel card with a mixture of greens, including the required shamrock for our challenge this week @ My Sheri Crafts. If you're planning on joining us and we HOPE very much you WILL, you're asked to create an easel card and use a shamrock.
I began by cutting my two shamrocks with my Gazelle, making the 2nd one just a bit larger than the first. Lining the outside of that 2nd shamrock with liquid glue, I then added a dusting of Deep Forest ultra-fine opaque glitter from The Art Institute -- LOVE it!
Following Beate's directions, I cut my card from a combination of Bazzill and Papertrey Ink CS and choose to use my shamrock as the focal point on the front. My sentiment (Inkadinkado) is stamped (PTI's Ripe Avocado ink) onto a Spellbinders' Labels Fourteen die cut, decorated with Want2Scraps' Lime Green gemstones and mounted with foam tape, which allows my easel card to stand open -- so FUN!!! Looking forward to seeing your shamrock easel card soon!