Handicrafts by Kate Perry and other ramblings

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Two for the men.

Out here in Spain, we have recently lost reception of most of the British television that we used to watch. It's a long story, but some techno folk are looking for alternative methods to view it. In the meantime I can honestly say I am not missing it much, and it has given me more time to spend in my craft room. So this week I decided to replenish my box of 'spare' cards, so that I have some ready when I need one in a hurry, and I started with a couple for men.
This first one was made using images from Joanna Sheen's "Times gone by" CD. I have used this photo taken at a slight angle to show how it was made. The front of the card is cut away along the top of the corn field, and around the horse's body and head.  The complete head, and then the face, are decoupaged so I could feather the mane and forelock a little. The inside layer is the same image as the front, printed paler, and complete with the sky. There is an unprinted oval behind the horse's body for writing on. It was quite quick and easy to do, and made a nice card.

For the second card I revisited a technique that I haven't used for ages. I found an off-cut of card from the Chocolate Box ColorCore Cardstock block, where every sheet is a shade of brown with a different colour core - in this case, very pale green. I embossed it with a previously unused Cuttlebug embossing folder, and sanded it to reveal the owl and frame.
I hunted through my green snippets box for some patterned paper that would go with it, and covered a white base card with it. I salvaged a piece from the centre just big enough to make the tag which was cut with the inner and outer edges of a wonky square die. The centre of it is made from another tiny snippet of plain green paper, stamped with a Crafty Individuals sentiment, and some Tapestry Stamp leaves. I hung the tag from  a strip of green ribbon glued across the top of the card, and added a matching bow. I decided that there was no reason why the men shouldn't have a bit of bling too, so I added tiny green gems to the owl's eyes, and a larger one beneath the bow.

Seeing as I used so many snippets to make the second card, I shall link that to Pixie's Snippets Playground. I am trying so hard to use up snippets before cutting into a new sheet of paper or card, but all my boxes are still bursting with bits and pieces!

6 comments:

scrappymo! said...

Two fabulous cards. The horse one is so lovely. I really like the horse edge cut away so he really pops off the page literally! It looks wonderful.
The second is great! Sanding the paper was a good idea...made your owl pop!
The bling is perfect for his eyes...guys need a little bling too!

kiwimeskreations said...

What fabulous cards Kate - love the owl one - and the bling is just right! I also use bling on men's cards.
We don't subscribe to the pay channel Sky here, so go online to watch rugby games - I hope you can get your issues sorted. Must admit I craft while DH is on the laptop watching rugby!
Blessings
Maxine

Jean said...

Hi Kate, two great man cards you've made here. The horse looks really good cut out the way you did and I love the little owl with his blingy eyes.
Jean x

Debs Willis said...

I love the little owl, the colours work really well!
Debs x

Di said...

Gosh Kate, you did a fab job with the owl. I have that embossing folder too and am always at a loss with it - super idea to return to the sanding idea! Good to see you in the Playground - I have peeked at the posts about your trip to the UK, it's always so nice to be allowed a peek into your life!

And your link worked fine - Mr Linky sometimes just needs the page refreshing for you to check it's worked OK.


Now, please send us some sunshine!!

Hugs, Di xx

MaryH said...

Love that you let the embossing design take center stage on this pretty card. This owl (mine is a NBUS too) is the perfect EF to use with this subtly colored paper, and the sanding is a super way to show off this nice paper. Liked the way you added the tag on the pretty green ribbon too. That horse card is just brillant & TFS how you did the process.