Four Feathers found my house!

I'll admit, I wasn't jumping on the feathers band wagon when this little stamp set, Four Feathers came out in the holiday catalog last fall.  And, THEN..... I kept seeing all these beautiful things done with this set, and, well, I changed my mind, and this little set and it's matching framelits made their way to my door...

This set and framelits were carried over from the holiday catalog, and are still available to order.  Since I had never used them yet, I decided to feature them at my stampers club this month.  I was inspired by a few cards I've seen on various sites.  I wanted a masculine card to add to my line up, so World Map background stamp fit the bill perfectly, and it show cases how simple stamping can make an amazing background.  I stamped the map stamp on Very Vanilla card stock in Soft Suede ink, and then sponged the edges with more Soft Suede ink to give it that weathered, vintage look.  The little strip of Soft Suede card stock on the front was embossed with the zig zag embossing folder, and then sponged with Suede ink to make the pattern pop.  The feathers are stamped in Old Olive and Bermuda Bay ink and cut out with their coordinating framelits.  One feather is cut from the gold glimmer paper.  A button from the neutrals collection, or a stamped and sponged wood element piece, some linen thread, and a couple of candy dots complete the card.  A little zip, but not TOO much for the man in your life!

Be sure to check out the latest four NEW Sale-a-bration freebies you can get with a $50 order just during the month of March.  I'm loving these new options!!!http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/SAB2015/2nd%20Release/Flyer_SAB2_demo_Feb1715_US.pdf

"Faux Tile" technique meets Lovely as a Tree!

For my stampers' club this coming Sunday, I wanted to show the "faux tile" technique.  Believe it or not, I have never done this technique before.  It is fun and actually pretty easy!

I started with a Very Vanilla 3 1/2 x 4" rectangle.  I then scored it diagonally every 1 1/2" to create 1 1/2" blocks, using the diagonal score plate that fits over the SU score board.  Next, I stamped the new Hardwood background stamp in Sahara Sand ink onto the "valley side" of the grid.  Then, stamped the trees in Espresso ink on top.  Finally, I used the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set and added a little "splatters" in Old Olive ink.  Sponged the edges in Early Espresso ink and added a sponged a little ink over the panel to make the grid stand out even more.  Finally, I applied Versamark to the entire panel and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  It is such a cool look, and not that hard to do.  Those cool little wood greeting pieces are from the Occasions catalog -- Essentials Wooden Elements.  There are a lot of little wood pieces in this pack, that are perfect for stamping on, sponging, etc.  LOVE these little things! and a lot of embellishing for $4.95!  Of course, some neutral candy dots, striped grosgrain ribbon, and linen thread finish off this manly card quite nicely.

Hope you'll feel inspired to try your hand at a masculine card or two!  They are always my hardest cards to create, but definitely a necessity! :)

Happy Wed to each of you!