It’s Thursday…and time to play with the Pals at Pals Paper Arts. This week is a sketch challenge. With its multiple layers, this sketch is right up my alley. It has been some time since I created a masculine card, so I put my flowers and sea shells aside, and inked up Look Up to Father for the very first time. I hope you enjoy this week’s card as much as I enjoyed creating it!
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Masculine
This finished card measures 4-1/4″ wide by 5-1/2″ long.
- Selective inking! Always Artichoke and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Markers were used to selectively ink this image. Always Artichoke is one of my favorite greens. It has a rustic, vintage flair that I love. After I was finished inking, I did my “Big Bad Wolf” impression, and huffed and puffed on the stamp to re-moisten the ink.
- Details! Details! And more details! Leave it to a former science teacher to pay attention to details. The Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (I shed a tear when I saw it on the Retiring Accessories List), adds the perfect subdued texture. It has been quite sometime since I have added cross-stitching to a card, so I pulled out the Linen Thread and the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch. And as much as I wanted to add pearls, I paper pierced instead. Of course, a few random Soft Suede speckles, added with the Gorgeous Grunge Speckles stamp, contributes to the aged and weathered appearance.
- Covering my mistakes! Framing the image within a Starburst Circle was not in my original plans. Instead, the tree had been stamped onto a square, which was much smaller than the Starburst opening. However, I simply stamped the sentiment a second time, cut it into a banner, and covered up my mistake. No one will be the wiser…unless they read my blog.
Creating this card, for Brady to give to Kim, brought back a flood of memories about my own father. This card would have been perfect for him. He was a man of the land, born in a sod shanty near Sheridan Lake, Colorado nearly a century ago. I lost him way too early, only a year after I graduated from college. Although I lost him when I was young, I have so many warm recollections of him. I remember hunting with him on crisp fall nights, listening to the baying of the hounds, and returning back to the warmth of the kitchen for “real” hot chocolate. Knowing my love for animals and how soft-hearted I was, he never shot a thing. But sharing those times alone with him and the dogs, sharing nature, was priceless. I remember bucking bales in the dead heat of summer, and taking a break to rest in the shade of a tree with a tall glass of ice tea. Since there were no sons left at home, it fell upon the shoulders of the daughter to help out in the fields. (Maybe that is why I had a masculine nickname…Jake!) He modeled a work ethic that became instilled in my own life. I remember his beautiful baritone voice belting out a Hank Williams tune in the cab of the pick-up truck coming back from a horse show. We never had much money, but we always had food on the table, clean clothes on our backs, and family time. I remember the pride he felt when I became the first member of the family to graduate from college. “Jake, you did good.” He was a man of few words…he was a man of his word…
So when I made this card, I made it not only for Brady to give…but I also made it for the memory of the grandfather he never knew. And that is the wonderful thing about a hand-made card. They are made from the heart with love.
Thank you for letting me reminisce today. As always, your comments are important to me. Won’t you share with me your feelings about today’s card? And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time…
Stamp Sets: Look Up to Father, Hardwood, Gorgeous Grunge; Inks: Soft Suede, Always Artichoke and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Markers; Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke; Tools: Paper Piercer, Starburst Framelits, Sponge Dauber, Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Hexagon Punch; Glitz and Glam: Linen Thread
I am not sure which I liked better, your memories of your dad or the card. Enough said, and well said my friend!
Chris R. from Iowa
What a beautiful card and a touching story of your dad. It sounds like he was a wonderful man and I’m sure he would be proud of all that you have accomplished in your life.
Kim will love your amazing card, Ann! Love the stitching, good choice. Thank you for sharing your memories; you really should write a book! You have such a talent for that as well as your wonderful creative gift! Hugs
Kim will love your amazing card, Ann! Love the stitching, good choice. Thank you for sharing your memories; you really should write a book! You have such a talent for that as well as your wonderful creative gift! Hugs
Ann, thank you so much for sharing some of your wonderful memories of your father. I love the way that you write. I always leave your blog feeling something special whether it be from reading something you have written or from something that you have created, or both. 🙂
Your card is gorgeous and your husband will love it. It was nice to see the cross stitching and the paper piercing.
Mary
I like the card and the story. I’ve been reminiscing all day myself. My Mom died 25 years ago today.
Your story really put a lump in my throat and brought a tear to my eye…how fortunate you are to have such great memories of such a wonderful father!
The card is perfection Ann – you “do” masculine cards so well.
I love your card Ann and the way you incorporated texture with the embossing folder. Thanks for sharing your memories too – I so enjoyed reading your post today. Xx. Joanne James
Ann, I LOVE everything about your card! It is absolutely perfect! I cried reading your wonderful memories of your Dad. I lost my Daddy, two years ago, and my heart still hurts every day. I grew up on a small farm in Indiana, and I have such wonderful memories of baling hay, working in the barn and raising farm animals as pets. Your Dad sounds a lot like my Dad. Weren’t we the lucky ones! XXXX
You are an amazing person!!
You make my heart happy! This is a stunning card. I too have fond memories of both my Grandfathers woodworking skills and my Fathers landscaping skills.
What a beautiful job done on this man card. Stunning!
Beautiful card! Love the total masculine feel of it and the monochromatic color scheme.
This is a very special card for Brady to give to Kim and a lovely tribute to your father.
I lost my father way too early also. I am so sorry you lost both of your parents so young. We have our wonderful memories.
Beautiful card, Ann. I love your reminiscing of your dad. You have precious memories of him. I have a question about your card. I notice there is a shadow behind the starburst shape. I assume it is ink. How did you do that? Thanks.
What a beautiful, strong card with lots of details! Love it Ann! Loved your story of memories of your father as well. Have a Fantastic Friday!
Beautiful card….beautiful memories!
Thank you for sharing your story. The card is beautiful and I’m more than sure both your father and Kim will love the card.
Your card beautiful Ann and I enjoyed reading the warm memories of your father. TFS!
Great post!
I love this stamp and I so wish my dad was still with us so I could send him a Father’s Day card using it. hugs.
This card is perfect. Thank you for reminiscing & sharing about your dad. How wonderful for Brady that he has you to share these cherished memories.
That is so awesome Ann. That is the same for scrap booking as well. It brings back to your mind all the warm wonderful memories of those loved ones that are no longer with us. Love the card you made. Your love shows on your cards. Give the fur babies a kiss & scratching for me.
Gorgeous Ann!
Love those memories! It brought back memories of being on the farm with my dad.
Truly terrific card. And you made something happen that never has before – I didn’t have a father so have no idea what it feels like and never have an emotion when I hear of others who do – but this narrative gave me chills!!!
Aw, wonderful card….LOVE the colors and rusticity of it! And of course, your memories almost made me cry. Good thing my dad didn’t make me buck bales of hay….I was the oldest of 3 farm girls, too! My middle sister would have been doing that job for sure!