window hunting: father's day part two

My father-in-law loves hunting and looks forward to his hunting trip every year starting from the last day of being out in the field.  I focused on the anticipation of hunting for this Father's Day card (see geek is new sexy fathers day part one for my Father's-Day-in-August/September explanation), gazing out the window, watching the ducks swim by, dreaming of deer and moose ..

I stamped my Impression Obsession cover-a-card distressed brick stamp using antique linen distress ink and embossed it with clear powder.  I am obsessed with IO.  Seriously.  Quality stamps and fabulous images.

I cut the Memory Box grand madison french doors from white cardstock and clear distressed crackle painted (Ranger: clear rock candy) it to create a white-painted-wood texture.

I found the binocular embellishments at R&R Scrapbooking.  R&R is a phenomenon every crafter must experience.  If you're in the Edmonton area add this wonder to your list of things to see.  But be sure to save about 2 or 3 hours and a ton of spending money.  I'm not kidding.

So many exciting projects to come: two retirement memory books, a thank you gift for teachers, daycare staff or family, a Gorjuss birthday card, my take on a graffiti birthday card and a Halloween double-sided tag swap.

geek is the new sexy: father's day part one

Yes, the title is correct.  Somehow, and I have said this a lot lately, time has slipped away.  Perhaps it was the heat of the summer, the start of a new position at work and/or the volume of projects I have initiated and agreed to over the past few months that have shifted my priorities requiring some adjustment.  Regardless, I aim to catch up and get back on track over the next little while.

Although Father's Day part one and part two were intended, and given, as Father's Day cards, they certainly can be used for any event requiring a more masculine card.

I absolutely love my new geek is the new sexy stamp and washi tape given to me by one of my very special and wonderful craft enablers. And it definitely works in the context of a card for my geeky, sexy, supportive, lovely and amazing husband.  

I cut out some leftover book spines from a cardstock I had prepared to used for mr. chemistry's and ms. giraffe's retirement memory books (both in the preparation phases of posting) and popped them up for added dimension.  The computer keys were a great adorable find at Michaels.  I kept a few extras for an Alex computer layout I plan to put together (on the long to-do list).

Keep an eye out for Father's Day part two in a few days.  If you have a hunter in the family you will not want to miss this one.

I have a registered Etsy Shoppe: everythingshetouches and I plan to begin posting shoppables in October.  If you see a card or project that you think will make a good entry please let me know.  And if you're a vendor and you would like to share tips or have advice I would be very grateful.  Send me a quick message with your email address and I will respond by email.

best of times, best of dads

My husband loves this photo of Alex.  Alex had been hanging out with Dyeda in the basement (also referred to as the treasure cave where one man's treasure is .. well, I wasn't entirely fond of the 30 year old rabbit's foot that had to come home with us - rabbit's feet start to shed when they reach a certain age) and found these great headphones.

I linked the 70s-style headphones to music, handlebar moustaches and a time stamp to reflect an era of yesteryear.  I really like the way the theme of this card came together and that it maintained its meaningfulness and purpose - Father's Day.

To create the backdrop of the card I used Tim Holtz Distressing Inks (broken china, tea dye) and Prima Donna Downey Studios Perforated Dot Flower stencil.  The results gave me goose bumps.  I never had so much fun using a stencil before.  I very much liked the way the distressing turned out, however, I wanted a bit of pop and began doodling using a metallic marker.

I used stamps from 7 gypsies and Tim Holtz Visual Artistry Collection Stampers Anonymous.  My trusty musical stamp made an appearance on the photo.

If you notice off to the side there is a dotted strip of paper with cross-stitching and again a strip at the top of the card which functions nicely as a disconnected frame.  This is my first attempt at stitching on a paper craft.  I've been meaning to dig my sewing machine out of the basement for a while (I really want to re-cover my cushions in the sunroom).  However, I have so many new paper craft goodies I'm not sure it'll happen this summer.  Maybe a few more stitching pieces and I'll get the itch for a bigger accomplishment.

The image behind Alex was embossed with a Sizzix moustache embossing folder I found at the Inked Stamper.  I distressed it with Distressing Paint (picket fence) and Distressing Ink (vintage photo).  Recollections is responsible for the moustache and screw brads.  I decided to add a little ribbon for colour.  The back of the ribbon was stark white and to not have it become so incredibly prominent, I distressed it with vintage photo.

In order to really make the photo part of the card I added the stamp and some metallic doodling.

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there.  And a very very special Father's Day to my guy, Alex's dad.  We love you to bits and pieces xx

home is the place, when you have to go there, they have to take you in - Robert Frost

Family.  Unconditional love.  Pancakes for dinner when you have a bad day.

My father-in-law is a true family man.  I can hardly remember a time when I've asked for his help and was refused.  I ask, he's there.  Sometimes you have to be careful to not accidentally ask for things like when you can't see your ornamental bridge behind the evergreen in your backyard and the next thing you know your evergreen's bottom layer of branches have moved from a few centimeters above the ground to about 2m up the tree.  His intentions are always good.

It was a seamless transition from daughter-in-law to daughter.  Is that common?  I was immediately considered part of the family, instant adoption.  We laugh, disagree and protect each other (he does more protecting, I do more protect-receiving).  I look to him for advice and wisdom and I am not short on a very long list of Dyeda-isms (Dyeda's words to live by).

Alex adores his Dyeda and the feeling is mutual.  They are thick as thieves when they hang out together.  I see Dyeda's strong character, curiosity and love for apples in Alex. 

The neighbourhood is a Stampin' Up rolling stamp inked over Tim Holtz Distress Paints (forest moss, salty ocean, rusty hinge).  I used regular cardstock and although you might want to prime it first to avoid the warp, I actually enjoy texture.  I'm not sure the camera did justice to the movement.

I created an border underneath the neighbourhood and distressed the edges with Tim Holtz distress ink (vintage photo) to give it more dimension.  My husband loves the screw-design brads but was slightly disappointed that Recollections didn't provide the entire possible gamut of screws.

The sweet sweet clouds were embossed and partially distressed using Tim Holtz Distress Ink (peacock feathers).  The outline of the houses, cloud colour and scribbles were made using Ranger Distress Marker Picket Fence.

I have to wait until Monday (or Sunday night if I can borrow a few minutes) to post my husband's card.  My goodness, June is turning out to be a very busy card month.