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Sunday 12 January 2020

Birthday cards for males

Hello crafting pals!

Yes, it's time to start thinking about birthdays for  the coming year - and some of those birthdays are going to be for male people! Aaaargh! If the males in your life are anything like mine, they won't like fuss and frills but I'm hoping I've got it right with today's balloonish number! Come and see:


Santa very kindly brought me (the money for) a stamp positioner for Christmas - NOT the Tim Holtz one I'd planned on getting, as it no longer seems to be available, but a brilliant and cost-effective one called Press To Impress by Crafts Too. This was the first card I road tested it with as the balloon is a large solid stamp.


In fact, I messed it up by cleaning the stamp with a dusty cloth the first time (oops!) but I'm still absolutely thrilled with the Press to Impress. I actually haven't used an acrylic block since it arrived and I can't wait to try out all the crazy techniques I've been reading about! Watch this space...


So to make this card, I used blue ink to stamp a bunch of three balloons from Stampin' Up's Celebrate Today (retired.) There's a starry filling for them in the set which I layered over each balloon, first using the same colour blue ink, and then white Craft ink just offset to make a shadow. The 'string' was doodled on with a navy marker and I also mounted the card panel onto navy card stock and added the sentiment in navy - easy peasy with the stamp positioner!

CHALLENGES
I'm joining in with the Blue Is The Colour challenge at Cardz 4 Guyz with this card and will also link up with Color My Heart Color Dare, where the challenge this week is Monochromatic Blues, and The Male Room, where Anything Goes!


AND IN OTHER NEWS
In my quest for organisation and storage in the craft room living room, I went to Ikea today. BIG mistake! Everyone was there. And his wife, children and extended family including cousins twice removed. I expect you were there too! I will return on a quieter day.

Thanks for coming to visit me today. Hope you're having a lovely weekend :)

Hugs,

31 comments:

  1. A great no frills masculine card Vicky - how exciting that you’ve discovered the delights of a positioning tool! They are super useful for solid images like this, or for getting a really black sentiment for example - I don’t use mine much but do use it loads for this! Oh and great for mass production of Christmas cards when you’re behind. Ikea on a Saturday, on the last day of their sale too?! You are officially a mad woman! Those visits should definitely be saved for midweek!!

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    1. I use it all the time for everything - haven't used an acrylic blockl since it arrived!
      It WAS mad but I didn't mean to go at the weekend, it was an accident!

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  2. LOVE this blue balloon birthday card. Will be perfect for the male of the species. Good the hear you're getting on well with the new stamp positioner.

    I like to be different, so I stayed away from IKEA! Nearest store too far away! Xxx

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    1. I LOVE the new stamp positioner!
      You are unique my friend!
      Hug
      xxx

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  3. Fabulous card Vicky! It looks so realistic where you've stamped the stars with white shadow, and drawn the string. Enjoy your new tool. Not sure that shop is ever quiet :) Kallax and Billy bookcases are good, and CreationsbyRod for inserts made by lovely retired chap. I'm off to see him today to collect a few "bespoke" pieces, that are not bespoke prices! Xxx

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    1. Thanks for the tip Lesley - must look him up xxx

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  4. Great idea for a male card. I too struggle with making those. I have the original stamping press (a Misti) and use it all the time. I can throughily recommend the plastic grid inserts and paper inserts that are available to buy with the one you have purchased. You can get them both from The Art Of Craft on line. Hugs Mrs A.

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    1. Thanks Mrs A! That's so helpful - will go and have a look x

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  5. OH! how brilliant and something even I could try, love those balloons celebratory and masculine at the same time. So with my own and DT hat on - Thank you so much for joining us in our Anything Goes challenge at The Male Room this week. Looking forward to see you again next challenge.

    Faith The Male Room DT

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    1. So pleased you've stayed on the Male Room DT Faith. Love seeing all your gorgeous projects! x

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  6. how did we ever manage without the stamping tools. Your balloon card is awesome :)

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    1. I think we just did other things Christine, or we did things the hard way!

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  7. Fabulous, I love your balloons. Thanks for joining us at Card 4 Guyz. Caz. DT.

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  8. Just gorgeous! Thanks for joining CTMHCD!

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  9. Super masculine card. I don't know what I did before I made the plunge and bought a MISTI, it is just so useful.
    Thanks for sharing at Cardz4Guyz. :)

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    1. I know! It has quite literally changed my stamping life!

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  10. This is so coooool!!!! I love the sparkling look of the balloons! So great!!

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    1. I think these stamps came out when there was a vogue for filling balloons with sparkling confetti before blowing them up!

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  11. I like the technique you used for stamping your balloons, great stamp. CAS and great card for male or female. Thanks for sharing with us at Color Dare.

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    1. Thanks Suzanne. Am enjoying the Color Dare challenges having just discovered them :)

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  12. Love!!! It is a CAS card which makes a beautiful statement! Thank you for joining us at Color Dare!

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  13. Great CAS card for either gender! Thank you for playing along at Color My Heart Color Dare #375.

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  14. This is a great job for the guys in my life. Thank you for sharing your creation with us at the Color My Heart Dare Blog. I hope you join us again this week for our newest challenge.
    I can't wait to see what you create! đŸ’™☕ Miss. Carrie

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  15. Beautiful CAS card, love the little stars. Thank you so much for joining the Male Room -challenge, I hope to see you joining our new "It's snowing" -challenge also.

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    1. It's a sweet stamp isn't it :) Can't wait to join in!

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


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