Exploding Box for a Boy

     It is pretty obvious from many of my posts that I like doing Exploding Box cards - I especially enjoy trying different themes, and styles.  For some time now I have toyed with the idea of making one that could be used for a guy.  Last year when I gave my hairdresser a set of note cards she was thrilled....so thrilled that she asked if I could do more work for her and we would barter.  Her son's 13th Birthday is at the end of the month and she wanted an Exploding Box card for him, just my opportunity to play.  He enjoys sports AND his family collects antiques of all sorts.  When I saw this Graphic 45 'Good Ol Sport' 6 x 6 paper at Impressive Ideas (my fave stamp and paper shop in Roswell, GA) I just had to have it. 

     My usual cake is a round cake that I designed with dripping frosting down the side.  I didn't think that was manly looking so I created a square cake.  So many square cakes you see have ribbon around the outside - those were my inspiration, I just took it a little further and designed a two layer cake with designs from two of his favorite sports.  Again, I didn't want to get toooo many details since this is a guy card, so I kept the lines simple.

     As usual I used my handy dandy Silhouette Cameo to create and cut the entire card and panels. This means I have saved the files and can make another of these whenever I want, and I want to do that soon.

     I get my hair done tomorrow and will be delivering this with some other things she requested, and a small surprise.  Most of the other items were done using my Silhouette as well - best money I ever spent on a machine.  

Materials:  Card stock, Silhouette, Free Clip Art, Graphis 45 Paper, Ribbon, Zip Dry Glue, 

Bring on the GLASSES!!

    Needed a card for my shop and a friends birthday - once I started coloring and cutting it only made sense to make two cards.  Once again I have used Celeste from Art Impression and some clip art to embellish around her.  This is a pop up card, the inner layer for the pop up was created on my Silhouette Cameo. Using the Cameo allowed me to put the black border around the inside layer as well as be sure my cuts were straight.  I also chose to type out the sentiment from AI to be able to size it to my liking.

     Celeste was fussy cut by me after I colored her with my Copic markers.  I had originally thought I would make her hot pink, but thought red suited the card more.  Once again I added not only wine glasses but frames for eye glasses.  My girlfriend is always digging for hers when we go to lunch and this will be perfect for her.

       The front is fairly simple allowing the inside to be the surprise.  While my friend loves my Explosion Box cards she is a year shy of a milestone birthday next year so I am waiting to make her one for that birthday.

Materials:  Art Impression Stamp, Copic Markers, Silhouette Cameo, clip art 

Glasses, glasses - where are my glasses.

   Recently I took some time to create a pop up box card, not to be confused with my Explosion Box cards, this style of pop up card has become quite popular after a tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers HERE.  While I love the ones using flowers, and I am sure to make some like that, this particular day I was driven to use an AI stamp I purchased last fall that has never been inked up.  These cards are nice and you can put a lot of layers together, but proportion is key, in my opinion.  I just couldn't see how this stamp would work but I was determined to try.  Playing around I discovered that if I cut part of the couch arm out this sassy little lady fit wonderfully.  It became obvious to me as I played with this and the sentiment that came with her that I needed to make this card for Jill Saur, my art instructor, she is always switching her glasses to look at various pieces that students are working on.  To make the card even more personal I went to her website and copied a piece of her artwork (scaled way down) to use in the background.  She paints stunning scenes with birch trees, as well as many other lovely pieces. Since she shares her talent for art and teaching with me I wanted to share some of my card making talent with her - I think she enjoyed her card.
 Yes, you read correctly I am taking art classes.   I am at the age that one realizes they are getting older.....don't get me wrong I still adhere to that old adage 'growing up is inevitable, growing up is optional'.  However, this year is a milestone birthday for me...as I will be turning 60.  No matter what they say 60 isn't really the new 50 - it is 60!!!  Needless to say I have been pondering this event since my last birthday, reflecting so to speak......where have the years gone, how do I feel about things I have accomplished or not accomplished.....and what do I want to do as I grow up. There is no bucket list, but there are some things that I have always thought might be fun to try or learn and I recently gave myself permission to try one of those things - the aforementioned art class.  After thinking about it for more than a year I got in touch with a local Artist/Teacher Jill Saur in my area and was able to find a place in one of her classes.  This week was my fourth class and I am so happy with my decision to take this risk and develop this new skill. There are some lovely people in class......I have enjoyed the other students and Jill. The two and half hours fly by each week.
 

Supplies:  Cardstock, Art Impression's Celeste Set, Clipart, Silhouette Cameo die cut, Copic Markers,