Pages

Monday 14 March 2011

Masculine Monday - using Lovely as a Tree

Good morning! Welcome to Masculine Monday, my weekly series of cards suitable for male people! I'm using Lovely as a Tree today - a stamp set I often reach for when making masculine cards. My starting point this week was the wonderful Less is More challenge site which, this week, is asking for one-layer cards with an off-the-edge stamped image.

Here's my take on it:


This is such a simple card with no bells or whistles - the beautiful tree image really speaks for itself! IThe trees are heat-embossed with clear embossing powder which makes the image waterproof and means you can sponge and water-colour over it without smudging the ink.



I added a touch of delicate colour with a sponge and finished the card with doodled birds. This card is for my father's birthday but it would be just as suitable for all sorts of occasions.

Here's how to make this card:

  • Take an A5 piece of Whisper White card stock and score and fold in half to make a card base.
  • Tap the tree image first into versamark ink, then straight into Early Espresso ink, and stamp slightly off the card front. Sprinkle with clear embossing powder and heat with the heat tool until the image turns shiny.
  • Stamp the tree image again on a piece of scrap paper and cut it in half along the horizon to make a mask. Add ink with a sponge to colour the sky and the grass using the mask to make a neat finish. 
  • Add spring leaf buds using Certainly celery ink and an aqua painter
  • Doodle a couple of birds in the sky with the thin end of a Basic Grey marker.
  • Use a stamp-a-majig to stamp a sentiment.

Supplies
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, retired sentiment stamp
Ink: Certainly Celery, Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, versamark
Card stock: Whisper White
Other: Clear embossing powder, Basic Grey marker

Well, some of you may be wondering if I have been having fun with the contents of the large box I was pictured with on Friday's post but the answer is no, not yet! The fact is that my youngest son turned 10 this weekend and, no matter how exciting that box is, some things take precedence! (Which reminds me of that Bill Shankley quote about football, which we can apply to our passion: some people think crafting is a matter of life and death. I assure you it's much more serious than that!) So we enjoyed a weekend of celebratory meals, present-opening ceremonies, cake-baking, fabulous spy parties... and  are all quite exhausted! Hope you all had a great weekend and are ready for the week ahead.

I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who spares the time to come and visit me here and especially those that follow my blog, leave me comments and send me emails. I appreciate every single one and very much enjoy visiting your blogs and responding to your comments.

I have loads more projects to show you this week.  Hope to see you tomorrow for more crafting fun!

29 comments:

  1. As lovely as ever Vicky!
    Thanks for yet another great submission!
    Chrissie
    "Less is More"

    ReplyDelete
  2. A lovely classical card and super colouring. Happy belated 10th birthday to your son too

    Kathyk

    ReplyDelete
  3. A nice gentle card to ease us into Monday - is it me or do the weeks seem to be racing by? This is a lovely card - perfect for so many occasions - Jacqueline xx.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So pretty... I love the serene scenery that you have created. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. My daughter was 10 recently, it's such an exciting time for them isn't it - double figures :0).

    Your card is beautiful, that's a lovely stamp and you're colouring is fab.

    Jo x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Stunning as ever Vicky!
    Do look forward to your entry each week!
    Thanks so much
    See you next time
    mandi
    "Less is More"

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good mans card :-) Good idea to emboss the trees :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. The tree image does indeed speak for itself. Lovely shading on a truly elegant card.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Vicky, This is a gorgeous card I love the effect the sponging gives. Say happy birthday to your dad and belated birthday wishes to your wee son from us all :) Can't believe your 'baby' is 10 already!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful card, many thanks for your comments
    Beryl x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Vicky, thanks for the description of how you inked up the stamp before embossing. I never thought to put versamark on it first...but I bet it would stay wet longer...THANKS!!!

    Beautiful card...and could be perfect for so many occasions!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lovely card! Your colouring and embossing looks perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great card Vicky, and you have used one of my favourite stamps.
    Jose x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very pretty card. A great stamp set that I really should get !! A xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautiful Vicky, your Dad will love it!
    Margaret x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Vicky your explination about this card is so usefull to me, thank you, I am pretty new to the CAS designs and have found one layer cards to be hard when it comes to colouring on, I have some whisper white so will try that next time...
    Your design is so beautiful, such a lovely take on the theme.

    Thanks for dropping by my blog
    x
    Vicky

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Vicky
    May i say a huge THANK YOU for leaving so many comments!

    Your card is lovely and has made me think... Have been asked for more masculine based cards when i do another batch for my charity and thinking of trees as one of the images.

    Your card is gorgeous, lovely colours and great placement. Enjoy your week:-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love this, such a peaceful little scene :o) Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh Vicky, you are a clever girl. This is yet another stunning card.
    Lynne xxx

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fab card, love the colour and a very good card for a lot of different occasions

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your card is a beautiful picture. Thanks for your explanation on how you made the card. x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Such a peaceful, tranquil card and so cleverly shaded too x
    Sounds like a tiring wknd :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Now why didn't I think to use this stamp set??? WHY???? You've done a GREAT JOB with it.
    Hugs, Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  24. That's my favourite tree stamp, and this is one of the nicest cards I've seen made with it. A very tranquil picture, Vicky. Thanks for all your lovely comments on my blog. Lynne x

    ReplyDelete
  25. A lovely card, that really is a super tree stamp. x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your sponging is wonderful! It really makes the scene peaceful, and showcases that fabulous stamp!

    ReplyDelete
  27. This looks great, well done. I just bought a set of trees so needed some inspiration, like the embossing idea before sponging. :O) Viv xx

    ReplyDelete
  28. Isn't it amazing how stamping an image off the edge of the card can add so much interest? Love the way you added color and the trees just seem to glisten! Sounds like your youngest had a great birthday... 10! All kids in two-digits... a monumental milestone for a mom, isn't it?

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to know what you think. Do leave me a comment - it always makes my day! Vicky x


(In line with new Data Protection legislation (GDPR) you comment in the knowledge that your name & comment are visible to all who visit this blog and consent to the use of that personal information for that specific purpose.)