tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31880149164570756952024-03-12T20:34:55.995-04:00John VM's CardsOne of a kind cards made by a man for everyone to enjoy.John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.comBlogger277125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-53414992853223844722018-04-08T14:27:00.001-04:002018-04-08T14:27:24.615-04:00Masculine Card - Any Occasion<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I started making cards because I couldn't find satisfactory all purpose masculine cards. It was easy to find flowery images or childish drawings but no real "hard" line masculine themes. Masculine themed cards, like any others, have rules that need to be observed and followed. The most obvious two are: color and texture.</span></div>
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Dark color schemes and rough finishes are usually associated with a more masculine look. To me the perfect combination is "wood" and I use a lot of wood patterned papers for background of masculine cards. The perfect example is the card below that uses not only K&Company wood patterned paper for the background but also for the highlights. </div>
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I started by stamping some animal images (North Woods) on some very light wood patterned paper in sepia ink, leaving space between them and then colored the images with pencils. I mounted the stamped images on a strip of dark brown paper; which I trimmed just slightly larger then the stamped strip. Next I covered a size A2 tan colored cad with a wood patterned paper that I also edged with dark brown ink. I continued the overlay process by adding the strip of stamped images to the card. Next I create two "boards" by cutting two strips of a darker wood patterned paper, edged them in dark brown ink and added them to the card. To take the card one step further into the masculine realm, I added faux nail heads, small black stickers from Stampendous. </div>
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The "boards" ends were cut using a craft knife and have straight edges but these could have been cut with a deckle patterned scissor or die for a rougher look. What ever the occasion is, the text can be put on the boards.John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-5792969478622081432018-04-02T15:36:00.001-04:002018-04-02T15:38:06.389-04:00Making things fit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I stated I have over the years used mostly size A2 cards ( 5 1/2" x 4 1/4") versus the larger more common size A7 card ( 7" x 5"). Often pre-made products are too large for size A2 cards. and my solution is to cut then apart or down and re-assemble them to the size I need. Case in point, this prairie style sticker frame.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to use the die of the forest for my background ... but it seemed too small and lost. Framing it was the way to go and I had the perfect sticker frame for it, problem it was way too big. So I cut the frame apart and then re-assembled it to fit centrally on the card. Then to bring more emphasis on the die cut I cut up a large pre-made flower die cut and laid it out to add just enough color and curves around the the smaller rectangular die cut. I adhered the "forest" die to a sky background patterned paper as well as added a bear sticker. Layer upon layer was added to literally force the bear to the fore front. </span></div>
John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-25844963228061293302018-03-25T08:21:00.003-04:002018-04-02T15:17:26.199-04:00March 2018 Blog Illustration #1<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>After I posted my first "new" blog entry, I was asked to include more illustrations to clarify what I was discussing ... so I decided to start posting </b><b>illustrations</b><b> (cards) </b><b>after</b><b> </b><b>the</b><b> fact which will serve two purposes. The first is to as </b><b>requested clarify the text and the second is to reiterate the contents and meaning of the text. I also have decided to select specific portions of </b><b>the</b><b> text to illustrate and repeat in hopes that this will </b><b> not only inform but also inspire. Most of my illustrations (cards) will be a combination of stickers and die cut pieces but the ideas work for all medias. So let's begin ... with t</b></i><i><b>his first card is to illustrate "composition".</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "walter turncoat";"><i><b>First of all I look at each one of my cards as an individual painting and I treat as such. I also like to lay out my pieces before I actually finalize the card and adhere everything down. Using a size A2 card also provides me with a smaller "canvas" to cover. So to begin I select an image and in this case I selected a </b></i></span><b style="font-style: italic;">3D glittered sticker of a pitcher with flowers. The colors on the image I selected being </b><span style="font-family: "walter turncoat";"><b><i>bright</i></b></span><b style="font-style: italic;"> I wanted to soften them by providing a softer background. I started with a strip of texted paper on a green background card; which split the card and then added a white hand punched tag; which I centered on the overall card to re-establish a balance. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-style: italic;">Next I added the </b><b style="font-style: italic;">3D glittered sticker of a pitcher with flowers. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">Off-setting an item is usually associated with a more modern style. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">Centering an item is usually associated with a more classical style and the image I was using was pretty bold and modern, so I opted for off-setting the sticker. When off-setting an item make sure the off-set is big enough to look like it was planned and part of the overall layout design rather than a misalignment or mistake. Looking at the layout so far, I realized that there was a rather long white "dead" space along the side of the card. To break this up I added a flower at the bottom and a text banner.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Composition is a way of controlling the viewers eyes around the canvas. In this case the </b><b>weight</b><b> of the 3D pitcher with flowers, pulls your eyes to the </b><b>right</b><b>, then the added flower at </b><b>the</b><b> bottom of </b><b>the</b><b> </b><b>pitcher</b><b> pull your eyes back over to </b><b>the</b><b> left, with the tag directly above pulling your eyes back up. </b></i></span></span></div>
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John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-20394206658104851222018-03-17T07:43:00.002-04:002018-03-17T07:46:23.412-04:00Simple Basic Design Rules<br />
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">2018 is a year of changes and new beginnings for me. One of those changes is to get back into using this blog to teach interested parties about card making by posting at least once a month some sort of information or card. This time I'll make the promise stick ... so let's start with some basic design rules.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, just like every where else, there are rules to designing and they fall into three categories: composition, color and pattern. These items
will help you in identifying or defining the style and the feeling you want to
convey and create.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Composition:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Composition
is the organization of your items within a set background area and is usually
the first rule to be addressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">An
even number of items will create a more symmetrical layout and this is
usually associated with a more classical style. An odd number of items
will create a looser layout and this is usually associated with a more
modern style. The exception is a single item, which can cover both styles.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Centering
an item is usually associated with a more classical style. Off-setting an
item is usually associated with a more modern style. When off-setting an
item make sure the off-set is big enough to look like it was planned and
part of the overall layout rather than like a misalignment or mistake.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Size
creates emphasis. One single large item with a number of smaller items
around it makes the larger item take on more importance, whereas if all
the items are the same size they all carry the same importance or
non-importance.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Busy
backgrounds go better with single large items and bold text. Plain
backgrounds go better with several items and smaller text.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One
of the old design adages is “less is more”. Keep that in mind when laying
out your work … it is easier to add something than to remove something.</span></li>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Color:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Soft
monochromatic schemes and pastel color schemes are usually associated with
a more classical or feminine look. Dark monochromatic schemes and bright
color schemes are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look.
Either can be used for children.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Black
and white color schemes (but especially photographs) will look classy and
timeless. These can be further enhanced by coloring just a single item
within the back and white photograph.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sepia
color schemes will make just about anything look
antiqued, dated and old. The same goes for irregular edges, which when
darkened make the item look antiqued.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Darker
backgrounds will make the images appear smaller, while lighter backgrounds
will make the images appear larger. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Larger
and darker colored items not only appear closer but also give them a sense
of importance or dominance. Smaller and lighter colored items not only
appear farther but also give them a look of being faded.</span></li>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Patterns:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Patterns
can be mixed and the standard rule to mix and match patterns is to mix an
organic pattern with a geometric pattern of the same color schemes with one being a larger pattern than the
other. If the patterns are both the same size they tend to visually fight for
dominance and the effect of mix and match is lost. Pattern mix and match also
follows all the rules of color noted above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Curvaceous,
highly detailed and ornate designs are usually associated with a more
classical or feminine look. Straight lines, non detailed and simple
designs are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Soft
materials, such as linens, ribbons etc, are usually associated with a more
classical or feminine look. Hard materials, such as wood, metal, etc, are
usually associated with a more modern or masculine look. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Organic
backgrounds are usually associated with a more classical or feminine look;
however trees, leaves and rocks are usually associated with a more modern
or masculine look. Geometric backgrounds are usually associated with a
more modern or masculine look, with the exceptions of stripes that can go
either way. However again, slim and soft colored stripes are usually
associated with a more classical or feminine look while wide and bold
colored stripes are usually associated with a more modern or masculine
look. Dots and circles are usually associated with a more playful style
and with children. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Soft
colored patterned backgrounds are usually
associated with a more classical or feminine look. Bold colored patterned
backgrounds are usually associated with a more
modern or masculine look.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Round
or oval frames are usually associated with a more classical or feminine
look while square or rectangular frames are usually associated with a more
modern or masculine look.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Several
layers of framing can accentuate an item and usually works better when a
single large item is featured.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Partial
corner frames are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">These
simple basic rules are important in establishing an overall design concept, but
are by no mean set in stone. Remember rules are meant to be broken and as such
they can be mixed and matched to suit your needs or to express your personal
design philosophy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">But most of all remember that making cards should be fun and relaxing and not become a stressful challenge! Also remember that rules are meant to be broken, so enjoy yourselves and create!</span></div>
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<br />John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-13601932262136068022017-03-06T13:07:00.000-05:002017-03-06T13:13:07.102-05:00Wallet (money holder) cards!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
Although everyone enjoys receiving money, checks or gift cards, the
store offered money enclosure cards leaves a lot to be desired. To address this a few years ago I created my own wallet (money holder) cards.
These can be made for men, women and kids depending on the
papers, embellishments and color schemes used. The technique is fairly simple and the best
template is your own wallet (or someone’s close to you). Here are examples of a man's and woman's wallet.</div>
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<b>Man’s style wallet card:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lzFDBd2p8L6qGfUCSxq_fuFV8J0QHqYjfp17KCHD7nJ6sZLy62arPDFbqF5-mSZ9VEd8Ty07oMlQKoqbXu1TOPrefgjT9uTs1MD48VybahIlNCVAdxY041vP9bgf269BRylIYniu7i0/s1600/Man%2527s+wallet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lzFDBd2p8L6qGfUCSxq_fuFV8J0QHqYjfp17KCHD7nJ6sZLy62arPDFbqF5-mSZ9VEd8Ty07oMlQKoqbXu1TOPrefgjT9uTs1MD48VybahIlNCVAdxY041vP9bgf269BRylIYniu7i0/s320/Man%2527s+wallet.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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For the exterior I started with a simple bi-fold black 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card. I embossed two pieces of black paper with an alligator print pattern, cut them
to size and adhered them to exterior of card. Next I cut out a ½”
x 1” piece of gold paper, attached it to lower right corner of the front panel
and added small sticker letters to create the recipient’s initials.</div>
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For the
inside of the wallet cut a 2 ½” x 7 ½” piece of black paper, fold it up lengthwise
½” from the bottom and attach it across the top of the card (about two and half
inches down) to create a money pocket. Next, cut out two more panels from black
paper 3 ½” x 4” each. Turn one into a “driver’s license” holder by cutting it
out to create a frame to hold a piece of white paper for the message. Cut out a
slit 1/8” x 2 ½” about halfway down in the second panel to create a gift card
holder. Attach both panels to the inside of the wallet covering the lower
portion of the money pocket. Another little gold tag can be added for more
initials.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><b>Woman’s style wallet card:</b></o:p></div>
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For the exterior I started with a tri-fold 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card made from embossed football pattern 12” x 12” paper. Cut back the top layer to 1 ½” to create the
top flap of the wallet. For this wallet I edged the top flap with a die-cut
border that I mounted on gold paper first and then cut out. Women like "bling" so I added four rhinestones. To
keep the wallet closed use two small pieces of Velcro.</div>
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For the inside of the
wallet create two pockets from strips of paper for the money and gift card
pockets: the money pocket is a 2 ½” x 7 ½” piece paper, folded up lengthwise ½”
from the bottom, while the gift card pocket is a 1 ½” x 4 ½” piece paper also folded
up lengthwise ½” from the bottom. These are attached to the center portion of
the wallet. On the lower portion create a “driver’s license” holder section
lined with white paper for the message.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Both these cards
will hold standard <st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place>
currency, standard personal checks and standard sized gift cards. Although there is a lot of layout and cutting
involved, the end results are well worth it.
These are, of course, just two possibilities, I am sure you can all come
up with your own ideas and designs. Think of all the fun you can have for kids!
The nice thing about these wallet cards is they can be “re-gifted” by simply
taking out the white inset on the inside of the card and replacing it with a
new one (as well as the money, check or gift card of course!). <o:p></o:p></div>
John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-52234413512891643132017-01-20T16:08:00.000-05:002017-01-20T16:08:29.759-05:00Mirror Stamping.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
A number of people have asked me about the articles I wrote over the years ... especially those about stamping techniques. I decided to repeat some here on my blog. The technique/article I want to start with is the one on "mirror' stamping.</div>
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Like the name implies, the idea is to create
the illusion that the image is “mirrored” or “reflected”. The important part to the
technique is to remember that when objects are “mirrored” or “reflected” they
appear reversed, upside down and lighter. Although it sounds complicated it’s very do-able with the right tools
and all you need is a sheet of rubber available at most home
improvement store’s plumbing department. Actually you
can also purchase a rubber stamp with no image that is used for this purpose; however,
I found the size and the cost prohibitive. I would also
recommend using a stamp positioning tool (I use a Stamp-a-ma-jig) unless you
feel confident enough with your visual alignment skills. To demonstrate the technique I chose two simple
cards: one with a single mirrored image and a second with two mirrored images. There are, of course, many more ways to use
this technique.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Lightho</u></b><b><u>use Card (single mirrored image)</u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>Step 1</u>:
Lay the rubber pad down flat on your work surface and stamp the lighthouse
(Inkadinkado) in grey ink aligning the bottom of the stamp with the bottom of
the rubber pad. I used grey to keep the
mirrored lighthouse lighter than the direct stamped lighthouse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Step 2</u>:
Lay the background paper over the stamped lighthouse face down (making sure
that there is enough room for the rest of the stamping) and rub the back of the
paper to transfer the inked lighthouse. Peal
back the paper carefully so as not to smear the ink, set it aside and let the
ink dry completely before continuing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Step 3</u>: While
the ink is drying clean the rubber pad with soap and water or with the same product
you use to clean your rubber stamps. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Step 4</u>: When
the ink is dry, turn the paper around so that the stamped lighthouse is upside
down and using a position tool direct stamp the lighthouse in black ink slightly
overlapping the bottom edges and again set aside and let the ink dry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Step 5</u>:
When the ink has dried, color the design. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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To finish the
lighthouse card, I trimmed the stamped panel so that the water line is centered
on the card; I then edged the stamped panel with light blue ink and mounted the
finished panel on a dark blue paper; which I trimmed 1/8” larger than the
stamped panel and mounted them on a white card.
The text I used is a sticker, but obviously a stamped text can be used
as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW00d6KDOMb2KI3MFKano2SsYLms7nu-9Wzq-TcopdffZKaANwghXGaTdocrAo6GvsX5Ylz_4KExhgcfTY3GqO21oJvCeugn31hFQOpVk2rDWjn1ObuVcQS2FAGChdld1R_PtrL4Hxp0I/s1600/Anyday+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW00d6KDOMb2KI3MFKano2SsYLms7nu-9Wzq-TcopdffZKaANwghXGaTdocrAo6GvsX5Ylz_4KExhgcfTY3GqO21oJvCeugn31hFQOpVk2rDWjn1ObuVcQS2FAGChdld1R_PtrL4Hxp0I/s320/Anyday+Man.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Deer at Rest Card (double mirrored
image)<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<u>Step 1</u>: Lay
the rubber pad down flat on your work surface and stamp the deer (Stampin’ Up!)
with brown ink on the rubber pad aligning the bottom of the stamp with the
bottom of the rubber pad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<u>Step 2</u>:
Lay the background paper over the stamped deer face down (making sure that
there is enough room for the rest of the stamping) and rub the back of the
paper to transfer the inked lighthouse.
Peal back the paper carefully so as not to smear the ink, set it aside
and let the ink dry completely before continuing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<u>Step 3</u>:
While the ink is drying clean the rubber pad with soap and water or with the
same product you use to clean your rubber stamps. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<u>Step 4</u>: Lay
the background paper face up on your work surface (the deer should be upside
down) and lightly draw a pencil line extending to the left from the bottom of
the deer image (which is now the top).
Make a small pencil mark above the pencil line marking where the deer
image ends on the left side. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Step 5</u>: Place
the tree image (Stampin’ Up!) stamp face up on your work surface and align one
edge of the rubber pad along the stamp’s edge and mark the length of the image
with two pencil marks. Transfer/extend
the marks so that they are visible on the back side of the rubber pad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Step 6</u>: Lay
the rubber pad down flat on your work surface with the marked edge on the
bottom and stamp the tree image in brown ink between the pencil marks along the
edge of the rubber pad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Step 7</u>: Carefully
rotate the rubber pad and align the edge of the stamped portion of the rubber
mat to the underside of the line you drew and aligning the right pencil mark on
the back of the rubber pad to the left one at the end of the deer, lay down the
rubber pad and rub the back to transfer the image to the paper. If everything worked out you should have a
continuous image.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Step 8</u>:
When the ink is dry, turn the paper around so that the stamped deer and tree is
upside down and using a position tool direct stamp the deer and tree in brown
ink slightly overlapping the bottom edges and again set aside and let the ink
dry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Step 9</u>:
When the ink has dried, color the design. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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To finish the
deer card, I trimmed the stamped panel so that the water line is centered on
the card; I then edged the stamped panel with brown ink and mounted the panel
on a white card. <o:p></o:p></div>
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John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-9226446205363333242017-01-14T14:31:00.003-05:002017-01-14T14:31:55.575-05:00Regal Deer<div style="text-align: justify;">
The second masculine themed card for the New Year is actually one I made a while ago and uses a couple of several different media. Mixing media is something I enjoy ... or maybe it's just that a card does not seem finished to me unless it has at least one sticker on it. </div>
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I started by making a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" card from chocolate brown paper. Next I stamped a deer image and tree from Stampin' Up! in dark brown ink (Staz-on) on a piece of wood grained patterned paper (K & Company/E.K. Success. After the stamped image dried, I cut the stamped paper down to a 5" x 5" square; which I added to the center of the card. Next I edged the stamped panel with a leafy laser cut sticker border (Mrs. Grossman's) and then edged the panel again with a mirrored copper colored line sticker (Mrs. Grossman's).<br />
<br />
This image looks very regal, majestic but mostly masculine and is suitable to be used for a number of occasions.John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-66871852934209998582017-01-07T14:44:00.001-05:002017-01-07T14:44:23.552-05:002017 New Year Resolution <div style="text-align: justify;">
Once again it's time to start a New Year ... and with fewer distractions calling on me, it will be my year to concentrate on my blog an my Face Book page! I will try to continue my masculine themed cards but also want to intermingle feminine and children themed cards. Okay, so enough chit chat and let's get started. The card I will begin 2017 with is a multi layer masculine card.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The card uses a number of items that re-enforces the masculine theme, from the blue monochromatic color scheme, the wood patterned paper, the wood plank look with nail heads and image. I started by adhering a piece of white wood grain patterned paper (My Mind's Eye) on a piece of card stock to make a more rigid background. Next I stamped a seascape with a lighthouse (Inkadinkado) in a dark blue ink (Staz-on) on background. Before using a ruler and craft knife to cut the stamped image into strips of various width, I lightly colored the image with pencils. Then using a deckle edge scissor (Fiskar) I trimmed each strip to a different length. I edged each piece with the same dark blue ink and added a small sticker (Stampendous) in black in each corner to simulate nail heads. I adhered the stamped panels with raised adhesive dots on a blue background card (Die Cut with a View) across which I ran horizontal stripe made with blue tape (Washi). I edged the card with more dark blue ink. The text is computer generated and could reflect numerous occasions or themes. </div>
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That's it for the first 2017 blog!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-80100458325022981782016-07-30T16:27:00.001-04:002016-07-30T16:27:56.155-04:00Steampunk type masculine cards.<div style="text-align: justify;">
These three cards use steampunk jewelry ... nothing new for me, I did feminine cards a few years ago using jewelry.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first card can be used for any "love" related occasions because it holds the key to one's heart. I started with a simple size A2 card and then ran some wood patterned tape edged with copper tape. The image was stamped in sepia ink and then colored with metallic water color. The key was silver and I colored it with permanent dark brown ink and it was surrounded by gold color rhinestones.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The second card started with an embossed clock pattern on silver paper with a stamped clock panel added at the bottom. At the top I added a sticker tag with a sticker text. The watches are again from the steampunk jewelry counter ... I added a silver chain sticker to each and the some black rhinestones.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgGkeR2pAbUVqMYxgjtGKu6t90dmipR0ATtMAPA9dZpGiEV5p_8sDXBU2C4aYuZuLGzXljaywEE63-eJ1fmHgKS9XkwMs9mQ34tMvh4NBVosRkFcKQv3YszcGxTcS8v-4OLxnWbgMTpQ/s1600/Happy+Birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgGkeR2pAbUVqMYxgjtGKu6t90dmipR0ATtMAPA9dZpGiEV5p_8sDXBU2C4aYuZuLGzXljaywEE63-eJ1fmHgKS9XkwMs9mQ34tMvh4NBVosRkFcKQv3YszcGxTcS8v-4OLxnWbgMTpQ/s320/Happy+Birthday.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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The third card is just a fun nautical themed car starting with a white A2 card covered with a wood patterned paper. Next I create a "pirates" map by stamping a nautical image of a ship and compass; which I over stamped with a distress pattern before I embossed it with a world map image. To finish my pirate map I die cut the stamped panel with a parchment die, edged the entire panel with black ink. To finish the card I added a anchor with chain also from the steampunk jewelry aisle- note that the chain is only fastened at either end to allow some movement. Finally I added half pearl rhinestones to simulate bubbles. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlz5ATOGLhjMT-nnZWVuPKX9kfwRBAexbKTG0r4ZQyJz_ipTujBdaVpWFp0i1hZCeOixmcAt8fVX2fHBi0ehou6tQUaAFpGB6rn45VKwthhjx-Aa37k8AIpGCe8OJg3wXlya68ycuvhE/s1600/Nautical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlz5ATOGLhjMT-nnZWVuPKX9kfwRBAexbKTG0r4ZQyJz_ipTujBdaVpWFp0i1hZCeOixmcAt8fVX2fHBi0ehou6tQUaAFpGB6rn45VKwthhjx-Aa37k8AIpGCe8OJg3wXlya68ycuvhE/s320/Nautical.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There you have my version of "steampunk" masculine cards.John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-9770083469229892932016-05-14T07:05:00.003-04:002016-05-14T07:05:54.733-04:00Father's Day<div style="text-align: justify;">
With Father's Day rapidly approaching masculine cards are always in demand, especially ones that show a father's relationship to his family/children. This year I decided to stick to a favorite subject of mine: scenery cards.</div>
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The first card is a landscape with deer made with nothing but die cut images: from the backgrounds trees, to the rolling hills, to the birch trees and even the deer family.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4sq8_J3cwpd0fGMpfrryQFPfAHcAup7QQnT5YGkVz_fI3ceD6hy66c_2RiSME04Uqybjy5XRAvBI5piBU2WNDxbyrDJXQYkfa4E9pilWtLZYejp3ACy0h3KFmz3yuaTrreKy_FSxkH8/s1600/Die+Cut+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4sq8_J3cwpd0fGMpfrryQFPfAHcAup7QQnT5YGkVz_fI3ceD6hy66c_2RiSME04Uqybjy5XRAvBI5piBU2WNDxbyrDJXQYkfa4E9pilWtLZYejp3ACy0h3KFmz3yuaTrreKy_FSxkH8/s320/Die+Cut+Card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second card is a landscape with a colorful pheasant taking flight made with nothing but stickers. The twist is that the scenery is seen through an opening in an embossed tree design with the pheasant overlapping the connection.</div>
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As always, these are simple easy cards to make because you don't want to be making cards when you can be spending time with dad!John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-8803003280231772232016-03-26T15:14:00.003-04:002016-03-26T15:14:49.805-04:00Easter 2016<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wanted to make a really special card for some one very special - hope it worked!</div>
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I started be making a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" white card for the background. I then cut a piece of 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" piece of white paper; which I mounted on a piece of mirrored gold paper and trimmed. I added a piece of patterned paper to the center of the card. Before I attached the panel to the card I cut a 4" circle using a Spellbinder die. Next I cut a ring from more mirrored paper (again using Spellbinder dies) and attached to the front of the panel. The card front is raised from the background to allow the 3D flowered rabbit and egg to be flush with the card front. Next I added the 3D lilac branches overlapping the one edge of the opening. Finally I added a gold text to the background. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic02YLRBK23ZA2vY9LPQquNXBQKCqy1QNNRnuiYLfOMrwN-PVKA_euTJHzuyizOQxAFTvhRIdnLmJTgR3jYC_Eq3Cn8Cvq6mVKKolp4lZaVGTjiFbzVZMwtHwFgV5A3mgl5_t3iICfJ6E/s1600/Easter+%25231+-+16%2527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic02YLRBK23ZA2vY9LPQquNXBQKCqy1QNNRnuiYLfOMrwN-PVKA_euTJHzuyizOQxAFTvhRIdnLmJTgR3jYC_Eq3Cn8Cvq6mVKKolp4lZaVGTjiFbzVZMwtHwFgV5A3mgl5_t3iICfJ6E/s320/Easter+%25231+-+16%2527.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy Easter to every one!John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-36675635550370704102016-02-28T09:36:00.001-05:002016-03-04T09:42:54.432-05:00Old and New flowered card!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Over the years I've collected a lot of products, especially since when I like something I tend to buy extra for the future knowing that most companies quickly discontinue or retire lines. What is really nice is when old products can be matched to new products. I recently found some great 3D glittered flower stickers that reminded me of an old line of papers and coordinating stickers from around 10 years ago. Since I had the old, I had to buy the new and here's what I came up with.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgN2Q1YS8gGFMA_w1TCBvhEqItv2mTJ0-Yw91V2RrJtv3CDC6gb5Pw1S14sqE2wOG45Kj7QUuOGZgztLBTNlGFCCQ_IIz_nFmcLB6478wJz8yMFABWmHdFjojdMHJh_ajaTx6EBRJBds/s1600/Daffodils+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgN2Q1YS8gGFMA_w1TCBvhEqItv2mTJ0-Yw91V2RrJtv3CDC6gb5Pw1S14sqE2wOG45Kj7QUuOGZgztLBTNlGFCCQ_IIz_nFmcLB6478wJz8yMFABWmHdFjojdMHJh_ajaTx6EBRJBds/s320/Daffodils+%25231.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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The background paper is a wonderful old embossed paper in pastel colors from K&Company (I believe it dates from before K&Company merged with E.K Success. The 12" x 12" paper actually highlighted various different spring flowers with some geometric patterns intertwined and luckily I had saved the portion with the daffodils. The 3D stickers are from a new collection from Michael's Recollections. To combine the two, I started with a size A2 white card to which I added a piece of orange paper and then a piece of the embossed daffodil paper. To this I added the 3D glittered daffodil sticker. As always I cut apart the larger sticker and re-assembled it better fit the card and the background. Before doing the final adhering, I placed a gold edged sticker tag from Martha Stewart to hold text (which will be selected and added in the future). </div>
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John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-56750485056979960342016-01-30T13:54:00.001-05:002016-01-30T13:54:12.887-05:00Something different for Easter<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had gotten a die for birch tree before Christmas having some great ideas for Christmas cards and then ended up not using it. Instead I decided to use it to create a background for a couple of Easter cards.</div>
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For the first card I used a Basic Grey patterned paper for the birch trees which I mounted on a simple blue background. I colored in some of the details on the trees with a brown pencil to add depth. I added a K&Company dove sticker to which I added a small branch. Perfect representation of Easter. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Xzcycq9tuVnUhfnt_PnHJru-BpbRyIl1t3qkY9eBqdWt4TNY34rD1tp7U3jFxLWwpanb2xij_MJ8g-UCcwZl4fpi_Ib_ZD2IV25fPg787FkdSBwjzQnj7IlkkcbwWQsmQIYQ87RhYFI/s1600/Easter+Dove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Xzcycq9tuVnUhfnt_PnHJru-BpbRyIl1t3qkY9eBqdWt4TNY34rD1tp7U3jFxLWwpanb2xij_MJ8g-UCcwZl4fpi_Ib_ZD2IV25fPg787FkdSBwjzQnj7IlkkcbwWQsmQIYQ87RhYFI/s320/Easter+Dove.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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For the second card I used a different patterned paper and again colored in some of the details but this time using a grey pencil. For the background I used a beautiful sky design from Cosmo Cricket called Chicken Little. The look was very spiritual, so I added a glittered Peace sticker text from K&Company.</div>
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I will be using this die again ... but I'm thinking that can make it more adaptable by cutting out some of the center trees next time I do.John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-50181663528759892272015-12-20T10:19:00.000-05:002015-12-20T10:19:28.118-05:00Multi Layered Die Cut Christmas Card<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been wanting to really go crazy with some of my dies but had not found the right reason ... and then came Christmas. I love using deer in my Christmas cards (remember last year silver and gold glittered dies or the sticker deer card), so this year I decided to just use layer upon layer of die cut images to create a Christmas nature scene and here it is.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47AOPxLhbd2aGvqnjFwlobtGRWp_8yfP3TWkHPzOXNVKBgrBA4BKqhMfdwFJkebXrbdA_OH-QsyID8lxVb2Uc1J9ziPx4SAyugJ-skDA_XTj8OeNceghQEoEL01pJJMhr5Q3ly8lsij0/s1600/Christmas+%252315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47AOPxLhbd2aGvqnjFwlobtGRWp_8yfP3TWkHPzOXNVKBgrBA4BKqhMfdwFJkebXrbdA_OH-QsyID8lxVb2Uc1J9ziPx4SAyugJ-skDA_XTj8OeNceghQEoEL01pJJMhr5Q3ly8lsij0/s320/Christmas+%252315.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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This is how the card came together. Starting with a square white piece of paper out of which I die cut a circular opening in the center. Next I used a Swiss dot embossing folder on the paper to create the illusion of falling snow. I then layered a deer die-cut from Memory Box and a birch tree die-cut from Impression Obsessions. I used 1/8" thick raised adhesive squares for the deer, trees and snow bank (cut free handed from another piece of white paper). I added the embossed paper using 1/4" raised adhesive squares to create the snowy background. Next I made a circular frame using two circle dies from Spellbinders. Merry Christmas!</div>
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John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-14966288963513325992015-12-05T06:48:00.002-05:002015-12-05T06:50:22.095-05:00Mrs. Grossman's Altered Christmas Sticker CardsAs every one knows by now, my favorite stickers are usually from Mrs. Grossman's and I especially love the laser cut ones. Unfortunately the colors they come in doesn't always match my idea ... so I color the stickers and voila ... a new look!<br />
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Holy Family:</div>
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The sticker comes bright red and quite frankly that didn't suit my idea of an appropriate color for the holy family. So I colored the entire sticker with a black marker and then layered the sticker on white paper, then black and finally mounted the whole panel on a white card. To add just enough sparkle I added a gold star sticker.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21F4owkYlJbMLwCIVhKGoRcO9tIN6oOPnbHVaGHLdwg0F7xOxB-571kmUR-D2Uik97DGddbuhaGb9w2eJkEia2Cs-HpsHQ97-NdUQ_8IuyYAs1quEDzXGXhikS2J2NXj7HE42EAlLVvU/s1600/Mrs.+Grossman%2527s+Altered+Sticker+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21F4owkYlJbMLwCIVhKGoRcO9tIN6oOPnbHVaGHLdwg0F7xOxB-571kmUR-D2Uik97DGddbuhaGb9w2eJkEia2Cs-HpsHQ97-NdUQ_8IuyYAs1quEDzXGXhikS2J2NXj7HE42EAlLVvU/s320/Mrs.+Grossman%2527s+Altered+Sticker+%25231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Skaters:</div>
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This sticker comes in bright green (the remnants of the original color can be seen in the skaters and the trees) but again, it wasn't right for me. So I colored the edges of the ornament in gold and the sky and ice in silver. I added holy stickers and text to accentuate the green and then framed the whole image with gold lines.</div>
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Woodland Christmas;</div>
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I went to town altering this sticker! I started by coloring the entire bright red sticker with a gold marker. Then I added the gold sticker to a white piece of paper, down cut it to size and edged the smaller panel with gold lines. Next I took white snow flake stickers and colored them gold as well. I mounted the square panel to a glittering white card using raised adhesive dots. Then I added the gold colored snowflakes to the background. Next I added the red hearts and the gold mirrored dove to the center panel. To finish the card I added the gold text.</div>
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All the added stickers are, of course, from Mrs. Grossman's.</div>
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John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-1118720598219490832015-11-26T14:11:00.002-05:002015-11-26T14:11:55.489-05:00Thanksgiving 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before I could start my Thanksgiving cards someone posted some beautiful photographs from their drive along a fall forest filled with fiery colors and bright sunshine. I decided that I would try to recreate the effect for one of my cards ... and here it is.</div>
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To create the idea of the great outdoors I started with a light tan card covered with a panel of wooden patterned paper (My Mind's Eye) which I edged the panel with both brown and black ink before before attaching it to the card. by stamping a waterfall image (Inkadinkado) in black ink on white paper which I colored using a combination of regular water colors and metallic water colors. I die cut the stamped image using a deckled oval theme (Spellbinders) and then edged the panel with more black ink to emphasize the colors and b rightness within. I attache the stamped panel to the card. To completed the fiery fall look I added some gold rub-on vines (Little Bit) and some glittered 3D leaf stickers (Paper House). Thank you Mother Nature for your daily beauty and inspiration.</div>
John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-70657615725541832112015-10-25T10:14:00.002-04:002015-10-25T10:14:47.985-04:00Halloween 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
This year for Halloween I wanted to use a haunted tree image (the scariest part of the original Disney Snow White movie) so here we go again, same theme 3 media! </div>
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Card #1 - Stamped</div>
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Bees Wax sun with cloud and Inkadinkado/EK Success tree stamps in black ink on good old Basic Grey paper, edged with black ink and Tim Holtz background on the bottom. I colored the moon using white water color and the eyes using yellow with silver faux gems. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BWVl0Lv1Px87BcQACrxiw0jUgZeDzruxjye5rdOOV9cVWhbZjZ9ZeLnY2hB3g-BEZ9JcNp-F-BRKtkFuIJPhwLnCITTTTKTi2mwKT8ilL-DX5SyH-Z7czjSfxs5e8acg62Iw0aWcgas/s1600/Halloween+%252316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BWVl0Lv1Px87BcQACrxiw0jUgZeDzruxjye5rdOOV9cVWhbZjZ9ZeLnY2hB3g-BEZ9JcNp-F-BRKtkFuIJPhwLnCITTTTKTi2mwKT8ilL-DX5SyH-Z7czjSfxs5e8acg62Iw0aWcgas/s320/Halloween+%252316.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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Card #2 - Rub-ons</div>
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American Tradition glittered Halloween tree with moon rub-on blue painted weathered paper (my favorite patterned paper of late) die cut with the Sizzix (now retired) parchment die and then edged with black ink. The text is computer generated.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ14V4sIH-HRNlG50OfEEJY_LevGMMMkRGdCT9IOLsfUh8_cRwXo0qwxvH-l4VUttgeYvNhWfUPv4gEmdJMWshdDOXpHyd6dJ7p4MMEynMovacaBBREcwzEjkNp4hNrI-4i_8V4e_efro/s1600/Halloween+%252318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ14V4sIH-HRNlG50OfEEJY_LevGMMMkRGdCT9IOLsfUh8_cRwXo0qwxvH-l4VUttgeYvNhWfUPv4gEmdJMWshdDOXpHyd6dJ7p4MMEynMovacaBBREcwzEjkNp4hNrI-4i_8V4e_efro/s320/Halloween+%252318.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Card #3 - Embossed</span><br />
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Using a Tim Holtz embossing folder I dry embossed a piece of back paper; which I then highlighted using a white ink pad. Cut out the embossed panel, mounted that on a piece of white paper, more cutting and then mounted on a black card. As a final touch I added a 3D glittered white pumpkin from Jolee's Boutique/EK Success.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yuFOz9cNZqL476Uski6gxZ12LLyJJTTFacKkfrHM9fEHvXZThwNZu-RRZyj_F5bU8GCUXBMb8TPqri8_Jn_Vp_EsvT4I7BDqMP4i1DKFKNOU9ouBZSvrGaauLuS2ZtwhFegK2-0izxM/s1600/Halloween+%252317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yuFOz9cNZqL476Uski6gxZ12LLyJJTTFacKkfrHM9fEHvXZThwNZu-RRZyj_F5bU8GCUXBMb8TPqri8_Jn_Vp_EsvT4I7BDqMP4i1DKFKNOU9ouBZSvrGaauLuS2ZtwhFegK2-0izxM/s320/Halloween+%252317.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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These are all easy and quick because who wants to waste time making cards when there's candy to eat!</div>
John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-90479443551594974902015-09-26T07:05:00.001-04:002015-09-26T07:05:30.771-04:00Happy 1st Day of Autumn<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's a simple card I made to celebrate the first day of Autumn. OK so it's a flower card maybe not the most masculine card I could have made (not everyone is perfect) but it has many masculine touches.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SJ8hMA4I5l-3K7Wuy0W2E6sU3QjMRLQNPZNf8e7GjvcoJ8LWGpjHkGs0p1bAFJXlhb66EJvNx4VFaZwpW-XFpdX9NPzTLjxcLcQikxnUJ6voiOx79MnIJxaWtDfWGvdrKp_xxBeRzIM/s1600/Scan_Pic0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SJ8hMA4I5l-3K7Wuy0W2E6sU3QjMRLQNPZNf8e7GjvcoJ8LWGpjHkGs0p1bAFJXlhb66EJvNx4VFaZwpW-XFpdX9NPzTLjxcLcQikxnUJ6voiOx79MnIJxaWtDfWGvdrKp_xxBeRzIM/s320/Scan_Pic0009.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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I started with the color selections; I wanted to really highlight the colors in the 3D glittered sticker from Recollections/Michael's flowers. I chose an ivory and orange (bold and somewhat masculine). Although it's hard to see in this scan, there are subtle touches of gold glitter on the flowers, so gold became my highlight colors as well. The die cut frame (Spellbinders Fleur de Lys) is edged with gold ink and the orange panel is framed with a thin gold line sticker from Mrs. Grossman. I also added a couple of gold sticker flourishes around the flower to balance the overall center of the card.</div>
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I for one am looking forward to the cooler weather and the fiery colors Autumn brings!</div>
John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-19751894094790074552015-09-19T14:18:00.001-04:002015-09-19T14:19:18.080-04:00Thanksgiving Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">I try to challenge myself by selecting one single appropriate image for each Holiday and then making the most out of it by reproducing it with stickers, stamps and die cuts. This year my Thanksgiving inspiration was a shaft of wheat. Here are my three versions (as published in the November/December 2015 issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine).</span></div>
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The first card was made using a 3D sticker.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw19ct4UJG3aRqIaCEa_i7nT29OOMFGuHKY8fZ6xoGDPETuURWB_MhWLO08JJ3IC40YsuwFlZKwt78F3SEPNcCfuaRh5tKzDilAC3Xl0MgHJfovlMmp3PEnvb-fiodi4wmqTEyR6EHnY/s1600/Scan_Pic0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw19ct4UJG3aRqIaCEa_i7nT29OOMFGuHKY8fZ6xoGDPETuURWB_MhWLO08JJ3IC40YsuwFlZKwt78F3SEPNcCfuaRh5tKzDilAC3Xl0MgHJfovlMmp3PEnvb-fiodi4wmqTEyR6EHnY/s320/Scan_Pic0006.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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The second card was made using a stamp.</div>
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The third card was made using a die.</div>
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These are simple cards to make ... they need to be with the Holidays being busy already without having to spend hours making cards to go along with them!</div>
John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-63134481081332044602015-09-13T07:01:00.001-04:002015-09-13T07:01:18.685-04:00Layered Masculine Card<div style="text-align: justify;">
I enjoy using 3D stickers on my cards ... but I also enjoy creating my own 3D images using stamps. Case in point my square deer card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Od9pYNc8dyDBCBkL-cBKerOeXsec7CWST9GDt3mdO-7kT9oBJtYJ1rG0FkLWTFPrI804FSneC3cC8F5FglfySNj1QAQhS1Gb9_R5BFjRF57Wb_jLa8y9h5a5ZZnCK3-7ffxXB8l1oLA/s1600/Scan_Pic0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Od9pYNc8dyDBCBkL-cBKerOeXsec7CWST9GDt3mdO-7kT9oBJtYJ1rG0FkLWTFPrI804FSneC3cC8F5FglfySNj1QAQhS1Gb9_R5BFjRF57Wb_jLa8y9h5a5ZZnCK3-7ffxXB8l1oLA/s320/Scan_Pic0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I started by stamping a deer image with trees from Serendipity Stamps twice in brown ink on Cosmo Cricket Chicken Little patterned paper (to me it's the best sky background). I color both image with pencil and then cut out one of the deer images and one of the trees. The second one is cut into a 4"x4" square panel on which I add the cut out images with thin raised adhesive dots. This panel I add to a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square chocolate brown card. Next I cut a square frame using Spellbinders dies to match the exterior size of my stamped panel from a light brown piece of paper; which I them add to the card using raised adhesive dots. </div>
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John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-37508917403096856172015-09-05T15:29:00.002-04:002015-09-05T15:29:20.778-04:00Masculine Halloween Card.<div style="text-align: justify;">
The October issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts includes my article and cards for masculine Halloween cards ... but I left one out specifically for use here. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEVlSadnC2m2byELHhuLMfNDvg64Rh_pxfNWJ9AEvJZZIb_LktgP-ioBnHmAXnh_i67tcg68sqmmoWuQ9z0yFQXk8Ks3aoZ5yY1l5wmUNixeWlvxoFdUgyavEroha4FubA1oa3ILjNnw/s1600/Scan_Pic0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEVlSadnC2m2byELHhuLMfNDvg64Rh_pxfNWJ9AEvJZZIb_LktgP-ioBnHmAXnh_i67tcg68sqmmoWuQ9z0yFQXk8Ks3aoZ5yY1l5wmUNixeWlvxoFdUgyavEroha4FubA1oa3ILjNnw/s320/Scan_Pic0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I started by using a Spellbinder die to create a mask ... I actually used the surround as the mask. Using a light pastel green paper as the background, I next colored the inside of the mask with grey ink. Before removing the mask I stamped the Inkadinkado image in permanent black ink inside the masked off area. After the image was dry, I colored the moon using white water color. Next I used the next larger die in the same set to cut out the stamped panel. Before removing the die, I mused it as a guide to draw a thin frame with a black marker.To finish the card, I added a computer generated text and added the panel to a black card using raised adhesive dots.</div>
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Simple, easy and fit for any man to enjoy on Halloween!</div>
John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-5129810322373626162015-08-21T16:18:00.001-04:002015-08-21T16:18:06.112-04:00More masculine themed cards<div style="text-align: justify;">
So far I've received positive reviews and comments on the masculine themed cards and the articles that have been published in Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine. I thought I would post a couple more cards here for which I decided to use animals for the masculine image.</div>
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The first card uses man's best friend (Flonz) stamped in permanent black ink (Staz-On) on a wooden paper (EK Success). The stamped image was colored with water colors. Before mounting the wooden panel on the card I edged it with brown and sepia ink (Ranger Archival). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1llJO-pzUFoJ9jthav6e03Id0RKDAJVYNSWzl3KPZg7IdcZ73qEh4kxsxeWrSWc_Dk8sB2McmXsk_fGy_s-xKFAXG7TTsFcDSDZ7EFRlUEWN_BDKoxCR1_yHDBNIshD-UUsux73Gz4lY/s1600/S%2526S+-+Masculine+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1llJO-pzUFoJ9jthav6e03Id0RKDAJVYNSWzl3KPZg7IdcZ73qEh4kxsxeWrSWc_Dk8sB2McmXsk_fGy_s-xKFAXG7TTsFcDSDZ7EFRlUEWN_BDKoxCR1_yHDBNIshD-UUsux73Gz4lY/s320/S%2526S+-+Masculine+%25231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second card started with some star embossed paper I found in a clearance rack (no manufacturer) at my local craft store. I darkened the embossing with brown ink to create some depth. The star patterned paper seemed appropriate for a western theme ... so that's where I took the card. On a piece of parchment paper (The Paper Company) I stamped with a horse theme (Inkadinkado) in brown permanent ink (Staz-on). There are two stamps involved, the first is the rearing horse; which I then masked and over-stamped with the group of horse. I colored the horses using pencil. The stamped image was die cut using the radiant rectangle die (Spellbinders). I cut the frame portion apart to create a flourish detail; which I added at the bottom of the card. Before I adhered anything in place I edged everything with brown ink.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_43e-Oz-hnze7Puw1ft43Xme_TfEmmkCQJIVGj9wsIs5ytgYLy9FE58A8brmWIP7mTA_VxR6ALgSWput3XDludXjHvc3H4tEI4Nsw5w-V_zx4MWYPH0PNFkcLIV2IDt-prsAW83OPmmA/s1600/S%2526S+-+Masculine+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_43e-Oz-hnze7Puw1ft43Xme_TfEmmkCQJIVGj9wsIs5ytgYLy9FE58A8brmWIP7mTA_VxR6ALgSWput3XDludXjHvc3H4tEI4Nsw5w-V_zx4MWYPH0PNFkcLIV2IDt-prsAW83OPmmA/s320/S%2526S+-+Masculine+%25232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I chose not to put a text on either card that way they can be used for almost any occasion.John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-68093089441742687002015-05-09T06:35:00.002-04:002015-05-09T06:35:41.860-04:00Cards for Men by a Man ...The July 2015 issue of Scrap & Stamps Arts is out and so is the first entry of mine in what I hope will be a continuing section on masculine cards.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnBixtwgmbKMCsqlEcOoq5_RTkTRLcSjxKSwgp4BWL3Nj9xwWqynKnqhNLt7lieu5lUJZFrr_aEKgLKQQIh6E_zEzunmmYfYyZT-ieJpzFfJVCsYWrLtnMWzOaWYq0rKYtxNXKZmvKig/s1600/Scan_Pic0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnBixtwgmbKMCsqlEcOoq5_RTkTRLcSjxKSwgp4BWL3Nj9xwWqynKnqhNLt7lieu5lUJZFrr_aEKgLKQQIh6E_zEzunmmYfYyZT-ieJpzFfJVCsYWrLtnMWzOaWYq0rKYtxNXKZmvKig/s320/Scan_Pic0003.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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My idea is to make simple everyday or occasion cards with a masculine images/themes/ideas that does not rely on women, alcohol or guns (nothing wrong with any of those three items but there is so much more out there). The first entry contained three cards ... no major 3D effects, no bling and no complications, just simple heartfelt thoughts, using monochromatic color schemes, that sometimes are forgotten for men .</div>
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A quick thank you for all the things he does (even a man likes to be appreciated),</div>
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a gentle yet manly reminder that you Miss Him at times (every one likes to hear that),</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWsuZvY45xJ8TC5PKmHYb8Dtg-nIaO8WnH5ap3Os9gLKwNGs84fI4oXgqLhziT4wFJ9kQz2EYZX07uN3G_keJhIxUcutojrZZosf52KAJ-EeU4KYDFAsjmiGupe1DaWai9gFYldA6glA/s1600/S&S+-+Masculine+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWsuZvY45xJ8TC5PKmHYb8Dtg-nIaO8WnH5ap3Os9gLKwNGs84fI4oXgqLhziT4wFJ9kQz2EYZX07uN3G_keJhIxUcutojrZZosf52KAJ-EeU4KYDFAsjmiGupe1DaWai9gFYldA6glA/s320/S&S+-+Masculine+%232.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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or a gentle reminder to let him know that every thing will be OK with a General Feel Good saying!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bq0YKa0aLxhVUCsYVMGRYmyOzMwcwoZENIoFP0BKAC_rbaq5-Yd-fzArXvlcq7Oc9On3iJoagYBRKEJQtXEgiNnobOnN9iRutI3erHrF-8b-ub7I3DHcVb5WmxpxsiqmKKE3DRMI9hg/s1600/S&S+-+Masculine+%233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bq0YKa0aLxhVUCsYVMGRYmyOzMwcwoZENIoFP0BKAC_rbaq5-Yd-fzArXvlcq7Oc9On3iJoagYBRKEJQtXEgiNnobOnN9iRutI3erHrF-8b-ub7I3DHcVb5WmxpxsiqmKKE3DRMI9hg/s320/S&S+-+Masculine+%233.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
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Sometimes it doesn't take much to make someone feel special. I hope that with each set of cards someone else will get an idea and start creating masculine cards.</div>
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John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-71498183718373582582015-04-12T10:48:00.002-04:002015-04-12T10:48:11.669-04:00Inkadinkado Stamping Gear Set<div style="text-align: justify;">
I recently found the Rectangle and Square Inkadinkado Stamping Gear set on clearance for $5.97 (original cost $49.99) and at that price I couldn't very well resist. Unfortunately the concept is really too big for most cards and work better for 12" x 12" backgrounds for scrapbookers. After several attempts at using the set; which is basically a stamping version of the old Spirograph, I realized this was not my thing. Instead of trying to force a design I decided to just use the stamps themselves. here's my first card - an elegant masculine card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ4cxchpWWKWbtjezMTmdPaVL55Ps5MWlAcMshnIiSeWByM1hMsyTdvSI67fTcel2-31fvGWrCY6g5H1wZsbJA6pJ8AsOMupFaqioPzJTZDZQRRFaNWtdHyhZZ4drLTfyGfpq-oYnddE/s1600/Scan_Pic0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ4cxchpWWKWbtjezMTmdPaVL55Ps5MWlAcMshnIiSeWByM1hMsyTdvSI67fTcel2-31fvGWrCY6g5H1wZsbJA6pJ8AsOMupFaqioPzJTZDZQRRFaNWtdHyhZZ4drLTfyGfpq-oYnddE/s1600/Scan_Pic0002.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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I started by stamping the Art Deco Inkadinkado stamp four times in permanent dark brown ink from Staz-on on a beige piece of paper. Each image was cut down to create squares; which I stacked one over the other after edging each square with more brown ink. I mounted the panel on a piece of chocolate brown paper from Die Cut with a View and then on a size A2 white card. To finish the card I added color using Sharpie markers and some square rhinestone from Mark Richards. </div>
John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188014916457075695.post-8985751892238906752015-01-31T13:42:00.002-05:002015-01-31T13:42:25.888-05:00Magazine Column<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm very happy and proud to announce that starting with the July 2015 of "Scrap & Stamp Arts" I will officially become part of their family with a regular column on masculine cards. The idea is that I will write short articles with accompanying new cards ... all masculine themed! This falls beautifully into place with my new year's resolution to concentrate a little more on masculine themed cards. The cards will not only use stamped images but stickers and even die cuts. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13XIRhcuZaQIXjGbUtwCW5XGxctsO2vyGPZ0Mn9uI0rWoIqdngdG04WUaCkHap6W2T63vZ312zNGuH3KF6BdJJHQv3ckcTlG-hjIwyrmSu3d_qTGyYIFYMXuifMqQwNFojf8NsYhkazs/s1600/Masculine+%2324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13XIRhcuZaQIXjGbUtwCW5XGxctsO2vyGPZ0Mn9uI0rWoIqdngdG04WUaCkHap6W2T63vZ312zNGuH3KF6BdJJHQv3ckcTlG-hjIwyrmSu3d_qTGyYIFYMXuifMqQwNFojf8NsYhkazs/s1600/Masculine+%2324.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
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John VanMuldershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06829057699041582341noreply@blogger.com1