Top Dawg

It's Monday which means there is a new challenge at Dream Valley Challenges ...

The theme for this week's challenge is:

OUR 4 LEGGED FRIENDS

We have 2 sponsors for this challenge

Dis Digi Designs

the prize is $6 voucher

and 

Dies to Die For

the prize is £15 voucher

As always the design team have come up with some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing - here's my card:

What I used:

Hammered ivory card base - from stash

Topper and papers - Making Cards Magazine

Pearls - The Range

Greeting - Publisher using Claire Hand font

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #204 - AG

Unicorn Challenge #86 - add an animal

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #544 - AG

Little Red Wagon #700 - layers - FEATURED PROJECT

Creative Fingers #252 - AG

As You Like It - Favourite - gems or pearls? I like using gems or pearls on all my cards but pearls are definitely my favourite. I love the soft sheen they give, the muted colours and that they look much 'classier' than gems. Gems are really a Christmas thing, pearls are suitable for any occasion.

So have a pop over at the Dream Valley Challenge Blog to see some more lovely inspiration from my teamies on the design team and have a chance at winning a prize.

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Top Dog

 It's Monday which means there is a new challenge at Dream Valley Challenges ...

We don't have a sponsor this week so this challenge is just for fun - the theme is:

4 Legged Friends

As always the design team have come up with some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing - here's my card:

What I used:

Kraft Scalloped base card - Jelly Bean Crafts

Papers and Topper - Making Cards Magazine

Ivory linen card - The Range

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Colour Hues #40 - blue and tan RUNNER UP

Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge #630 - animals

Country View Challenges May - cats and dogs

Crafty Friends #155 - animals

Inkspirational #264

So have a pop over at the Dream Valley Challenge Blog to see some more lovely inspiration from my teamies on the design team.

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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HB * 2U

I desperately need more masculine cards for my box. I usually keep to a clean and simple style when making cards for men so seeing that Less Is More has started up again with the very broad theme of 'Birthdays' I was inspired to make this...

I've only used one third of the card leaving a load of clean white space - very CAS!

I've had the number/letter dies for so long I can't remember where they are from! And the coloured card are bits from my scraps box. I love the star between the letter - looks like something from an old Soviet propaganda poster! The only embellishments used are a tiny black plastic dot and two peel-off strips.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Less is More - showCASe

.

CAS on Friday #224 - Male - TOP 3

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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 scrn l;

Cool Brittania

I needed to make a card for someone who is into Mod/Ska/Brit Pop music and culture so using really old bits and pieces from my stash, I came up with this...

What I used

Car sticker/papers/greeting - Papermaina's Portobello Road range

Kraft base card - Ross Papercrafts

Red pearls - The Range

Simply put together but it hits the brief.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Creative Fingers #223 - anything goes

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #624 - anything goes

Creative Knockouts #436 - anything goes

Fab n Funky #523 - 2 or more patterned papers

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Cool Dude Dawg

Today's card is a masculine one for a change. I just don't seem to make many male cards at all!

I was inspired by one of  the current sketches at Sweet Sketch Wednesday

What I used:

Image - freebie from Making Cards Magazine

Papers - The above magazine and The Range

Card Candi - Craftwork Cards

Peel-off greeting - Little Claire

He's such a cool looking doggy isn't he - he really suits those glasses! I loved this sketch - I'm a sucker for nice regular clean lines.

I'm also playing along with the challenges at:

Watercooler Wednesday's #329 - all things masculine Rocker

Creative Fingers #219 - anything goes

AAA Birthday Challenge - Animals

Creative Knockouts #428 - anything goes

Crafter's Cafe #278 - male TOP 3

Thanks for popping in - stay safe

Sharon

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Back To School

 It's Monday which means there is a new challenge at Dream Valley Challenges ...

This week we are being sponsored by The Paper Shelter who has kindly provided images for us to use.

The theme this week is:

BACK TO SCHOOL

As I don't have any school aged children to make cards for, I used the image to make a card to congratulate someone on doing well at school - this could be used for passing an exam/graduation etc.

As always the design team have come up with some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing - here's my card:

What I used:

Image - The Paper Shelter

Kraft base and paper

Iron floor embossing folder

Patterned papers, greeting and certificate - Making Cards magazine

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #164 - anything goes

C.R.A.F.T Challenge #609 - back to school

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2134 - anything goes

Crafting Happiness #110 - anything goes

Make The Cards Challenge #29 - back to school

So have a pop over at the Dream Valley Challenge Blog to see some more lovely inspiration from my teamies on the design team and have a chance at winning a prize.

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Happy Beer Day

 Today's card is one for the boys...

I really struggle with masculine cards but I got a pad of 'industrial grunge' patterned papers - woodgrain and metal effects which I couldn't wait to use. They look great against the kraft card base. The decoupage real ale image is unbranded and I got the letter stickers from a stationery shop. I added a die cut 'happy' greeting and some wooden stud effect brads from Docraft's Bare Basics range.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Mod Squad Challenge - masculine

Crafty Gals Corner #220 - for the boys

Dragonfly Dreams June Challenge - for the boys

Incy Wincy Designs - for the men/kraft

Try It On Tuesday - for the men in your life

Thanks for popping in

Sharon

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Jolly Nation Golfer

For today's card I've dug deep into my crafty stash - this Jolly Nation decoupage golfer is about 13 years old. I've always had a soft spot for decoupage and this range of images was among my favourites.

I've created the background by just colouring the card with the big end of the promarkers - it's hard to see but the 'grass' is raised with pads. I've added an embossed background to represent the texture of a golf ball and the Argyle patterned paper compliments the golfer's pullover.

The greeting was created in Publisher using Copperplate Gothic font and as a final embellishment I've added a couple of clouds.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Watercooler Wednesdays #309 - masculine twist

Aud Sentiments #268 - anything goes

Fab N Funky #511 - birthday TOP 3

Creative Fingers #282 - anything goes

Seize The Birthday #208 - create a scene

Creative Knockouts #389 - lots of layers

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Be My Valentine

I guess it's time to make my one and only Valentine card for this year... for my long suffering other half. He's a sweetie - he puts up with me getting excited about paper and my creative mess!

I've tried to make it as masculine as possible using wood effect patterned paper and kraft card...

I used a 15cm x 15cm kraft base and added a 13x13 square of wood effect paper ( a Papermania freebie with Creativity magazine a few years ago) distressed around the edges. The bunting (a very old Die'sire die) is also in kraft and I've added larger flags to the 3 middle banners.

The letters are also Die'sire and I've added a glittery red heart. The greeting was created in Publisher using 'Good Mood' font. Finally I've added a couple of tiny pegs to 'hold up' the bunting - I bought these about 10 years ago to make cute baby cards but then lost them somewhere in the craftroom!.

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Aud Sentiments #267 - love + sentiment

C R A F T Challenge #585 - love/Valentine 

Moving Along With The Times #127 - love/Valentine

The Paper Shelter #455 - for the one I love

Try It On Tuesday - falling in love

Use Your Stuff #415 - use hearts

Thank you for popping in

Sharon

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Birthday Stag

I've got a week off work to use up some holidays and with nowhere to go, and nobody to see, I'm doing what every good crafter does and I'm making cards!

Another masculine card today - I've never made so many!

For the base I've used grey linen textured card. I've added a square of very subtle grey checked patterned paper and across the bottom of the card I've added a strip of torn maroon chevron patterned paper. I've inked the torn edge to highlight it. I've die-cut two tags in grey and maroon and added a die cut stag (Recollections). To embellish, I've added some grey ribbon and some peel-off silver circles coloured with a maroon pro-marker

I'm joining in with the challenges at:

The Male Room #146 - animals

Creative Moments #207 - anything goes

Watercooler Wednesday #305 - masculine twist

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #150 - anything goes (and a Happy 6th Birthday!)

Craft Rocket Challenge #77 - for the boys/men

Dream Valley Challenge #240 - our 4 legged friends

Thank you for popping in - stay safe

Sharon

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Festive Nutcracker Man

 Today's card is for my brother, James.It's difficult to make masculine cards anyway but more so at Christmas when there is an urge to add glitter and shine!

I was greatly inspired by this week's challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches TEAM FAVOURITE- yes, I know it's Saturday but I've been busy!

I was particularly attracted to the three dots in the corner - I often do this with pearls or gems on my cards.

I used a really cute die-cut decoupaged Nutcracker man by a company called Deco. He is mounted on an oval die-cut base matted onto a fancy looped border die in gold mirri.

I've used tartan patterned card with a red border then a gold mirri looped die-cut border. Instead of the dots I've used three tiny die-cut snowflakes.

Finally I've added a greeting created in Publisher using Pumpkin Cheesecake font.

I'm also playing along with the challenges at:

Cardz4guys #259 - traditional Christmas

The Male Room#145 - tartan and plaid

Cut It Up Challenge #214 - Christmas 

Paper Funday Challenge #24 - Christmas

Creative Knockouts #379 - 'tis the season

Color My Heart Color Dare #423 - red and green

Thanks for visiting

Stay safe

Sharon

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Very Fancy Vixen

My house is upside down at the moment as I am decorating and I'm loathe to bring craft stuff into the mix but I've managed to get a few more Christmas cards made whilst I wait for things to dry out...

Here's a very simple masculine card I've done for a friend's Dad, in burgundy and grey. This die is one of my favourites because of the magnificent antlers.

I do like plaid papers and the heather colour mix in this pattern is beautiful yet still masculine. The greeting was created in Publisher and double mounted.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

The Holly and Ivy Challenge #82 - anything goes

All Fun Challenges #18 - anything goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - V is for vixen

Crimbo Crackers #218 - anything goes

Moving Along With The Times #123 - animals or birds

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Cheers To You

A masculine birthday card today - I don't tend to make these unless I have to but I have a few birthdays coming up so need to build up a stock...

I've used a beer glass topper from Buzzcraft as the main image. The simple striped card seemed very masculine - it reminded me of a man's shirt material. I've matted both using dark brown paper and added some punched dots to decorate. As a background I've used some embossed off white card on a kraft base. Simple - just like blokes cards should be!

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Watercooler Wednesdays #285 - AG/masculine
Crafters Cafe Challenge #249 - dots and stripes
The Male Room #141 - masculine birthday (Happy 7th Birthday!)
The Sisterhood of Crafters - masculine
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - August - something starting with 'B' (beer, brown)
Daisy Chain Challenges #44 - for the boys/men

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Boy Racer

Another masculine birthday card for my box...

The sports car topper and patterned paper came from an old issue of Making Cards Magazine. I fussy-cut the image and mounted it on a slate grey background using foam pads. I cut a strip of patterned paper and matted it on larger yellow and white papers. Finally, I added one of the greetings that also came with the magazine and added three coordinating punched circles.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Unicorn Challenge #55 - masculine
Crafty Gals Corner #208 - you're the man
Creative Inspirations June Challenge - let's hear it for the boys
Crafting Happiness Challenge #55 - anything goes
Crafty Friends Challenge #138 - men or boys
Dragonfly Dreams - make it masculine

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Top Dog

I usually only make masculine cards when I get a special request so I thought I would make some for my ever-growing box of 'lockdown' cards...

This fabulous dog topper came with Making Cards Magazine a couple of years ago. I love the colour combo - mustard, red and grey work together really well. I've matted the image on grey card and used a couple of coordinating patterned papers to create a simple layout. the greeting was created in Publisher and I've added a couple of coloured Card Candi as embellishments.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Little Red Wagon Challenge #554 - animal antics
Watercooler Wednesdays #276 - make it masculine
Allsorts Challenge #577 - pets
Crafty Gals Corner #208 - you're the man
Unicorn Challenge #55 - masculine
Crafty Friends Challenge #138 - for men or boys TOP 3

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Andy's 40th

Oh my poor neglected blog! That's what happens when you have a lovely long break in Morocco then come back to a ton of work! The crafting takes a back seat.

Never mind - I'm back playing with paper now!

I had a request for a strange card - for a lorry driver who likes boxing. Hmmm - how to combine those two things...

So I found an outline of a truck online to use as a digi stamp I coloured and fussy cut the image and created a background scene using subtly patterned green and light blue papers. To incorporate the boxing element, I included some dangly boxing gloves in the truck window (do these things have a name - I remember people had fluffy dice in the 70s!)

Finally I added a number plate with the recipient's name and '40' on it and some clouds in the sky.

To my uber-critical eye this card looks a bit amateurish but the person who ordered it was delighted!

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2010 - anything goes
Watercooler Wednesdays #262 - all about occasions
QKR Stampede #389 - anything goes
Mod Squad Challenge - must have wheels TOP 3 WINNER
Arty Divas #17 - anything goes
Crafty Creations #407 - anything goes

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Masculine 40th

It's my partner's brother's 40th in a couple of weeks time and I wanted to make something special without it looking fussy.

So I've gone for texture - a lot of it - in shades of charcoal. The background paper is actually a piece of very expensive wallpaper. the other two black and white papers are from The Range.

I've used linen textured silver paper for the matting and added a die-cut greeting in shiny white card.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Daring Cardmakers - layer it up
Creative Fingers #178 - anything goes
Creative Knockouts - birthday wishes
Krafty Chicks #492 - anything goes
Little Red Wagon - aw, man!

Thanks for visiting...

Sharon
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Nutcracker Christmas

I'm not really sure when the Nutcracker soldiers became associated with Christmas - it certainly wasn't when I was a child! But now they are everywhere and are ideal for today's card - for a friend's child to give to his uncle and his husband - not the kind of card readily available in the shops...

I've used striped textured card as the base, some traditional tartan patterned paper for the backing and added a touch of shine with gold mirri card backing. The cute nutcracker men are die cut decoupage - I love them! I've added a simple Christmas greeting created in Publisher,

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Southern Girls Challenge (Trace) - anything goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge #241 - Christmas/winter sentiment
Holly and Ivy Challenge #61 - anything goes
Just Us Girls #516 - wild card week
Always Fun Challenge #138 - anything goes
The Cat's Pyjamas Challenge # 363 - Nov/Dec/Jan holiday
Fab N Funky #459 - Christmas

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Magnificent Stags

Today's card is for a friend at work to give to her brother and his husband at Christmas - there are very few cards in the shops for gay couples and I love the challenge of making something original...

Last year when we were in New York I dragged my other half up to the Bronx as I had located a Michael's store there! I got this wonderful die set for $3 in a bargain bin ...

It would have been rude not to buy it! I love the stag die - it's perfect for masculine cards.. I used some grey toned wood-effect patterned paper for the background and kept the layout simple making the dies the focal point of the card.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #535 - Christmas
Southern Girls Challenge - anything goes WINNER!
My Time to Craft #410 - Christmas animals
The Paper Shelter #406 - Christmas Spirit
The Sisierhood of Crafters - forest friends
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge #464 - anything Christmas

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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