Jun 17 2007
A Card for Encouragement
A friend asked me to make an encouragement card for her husband and the only thing she suggested about his preference was “old world”. Apparently they’re redecorating his office with maps and charts and whatever accoutrements might go along with that. I thought of Set Sail right away because of the map background and the fact that it’s one of the few guy sets I own. It was also a good chance to use this Karen Foster paper I’ve had for a long time.
I colored the image with markers and did some tearing, distressing and sponging to further the old world look. I almost always use Cheesecloth with anything nautical, so out it came, too. It’s stamped in Creamy Caramel and all the sponging is done with Caramel. I’d been recently using the sentiments from Friendship Flowers which helped me remember this Winston Churchill quote. I isolated part of it for this card. Finally, I added some linen thread and a bar brad for the only embellishment, figuring it looked manly and old worldly enough.
One little note about the bar brads: It took me a while to figure out the easiest way to get them on straight. They have two prongs, which aren’t necessarily aligned evenly. I used to try to measure the distance between the prongs and punch holes for them in just the right spot. It was a real pain and time consuming. Now I make sure the prongs are poking out all nice and straight, then place my card layer over the cushion that comes with the mat pack. I place my bar brad where I want it and push the prongs into the cardstock. Easy!
I don’t know about you, but with the advent of summer weather I’m spending more time outside and less time stamping. I’m loving it all, though! I hope you’re enjoying your summer, too!
Stamps: Set Sail (retired), Cheesecloth (retiring), Friendship Flowers — all Stampin’ Up!
Paper: Creamy Caramel, Bordering Blue, Very Vanilla (all SU!), Karen Foster designer paper
Ink: Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black marker for sentiment (all SU!)
Accessories: Linen thread, bar brad
Leslie this is a fabulous old world manly card! I love it and thanks for the tip on the bar brad!
Wow Leslie… you can truly do ANYTHING! She must have been thrilled! Every time I visit your blog, my mouth drops open!
Old World elegance to the max!!!! What a card!!! Your coloring is fabulous (what’s new - LOL)!!! and I love all the layers and b/g’s — your simple embellishment is perfect!!! And what did we do before the mat pack came out — I can’t do a thing without that silly little thing by my side — I use it for everything!!!
Fabulous, Leslie. So masculine and yet so beatiful. Thanks for the tip on using Cheesecloth with nautical themes. Love that brad - new to me.
Absolutely stunning, Leslie! I love those sailboats and you’ve displayed them beautifully here! Great colors & wonderful layout!
Love this card! With three sons and a grandson (and probably another on the way), I am always looking for great guy cards! This is awesome…and I have Set Sail! Love the paper!!
This card is pure perfection! I just love all the nautical elements you have pulled together!! GORGEOUS, Leslie!!
you know how much i love all your work, but this one is so my taste! the old world look, the elegance, the warm colors…so perfect! gorgeous!
Wow! I thought the other card you’ve done have been gorgeous, but this is hands down my favorite!!! The elegance of it…but also the “worn” look…it is truly a work of art!
Very nice. I’m sorry I don’t have Set Sail set.
Wow….what a great masculine card!! I love everything about it! I love the sailboats with Cheesecloth!
Leslie, this has to be one of the most gorgeous masculine cards I’ve ever seen! One of those you have to look at over and over again. I love the Cheesecloth (which I have and have NEVER used), the torn sponged edges, the sailboats…it’s perfection!!
What a neat card! I know it will be much appreciated.
Wow - I love this! The layers, the layout, the quote all perfect! Love the linen thread as well. TFS.
Wow, so creative and gorgoeus. Am I going to be sorry if I do not get cheesecloth before it retires? I may have to reconsider after seeing your incredible card. Wish I was on the water kayaking instead of taking a little break from gardening. TFS
What an absolutely amazing card! If I thought I could come close, I would try to CASE it but I’m not sure I would do it justice!
I just love it when I can finally put a piece of old paper to good use. It feels like a sin when I put it in the filing cabinet. Almost like I’ve put it out to pasture or something.
WOW - this is such a jaw dropping card - I absolutely love the vintage and earthy feel, but it is so rich as well!!
What a gorgeous stamps set! Its too bad it is retired! Your card is awesome and you did a beautiful job with the coloring and tearing!! I am sure he will love it!!
WOW! It’s absolutely perfect, right down to that perfectly straight, oh so cool, bar brad. Yep, I’ve been spending more time outdoors and less time stamping. I just can’t let this beautiful season pass me by.
Leslie, you are so incredible gifted at layering and colors! I love the blue with the gold and what appears to be a netting bg stamp is perfect, just the right touch. Someone in a previous post mentioned the mat stack????
Beautiful, he and she will love it.
Well, you certainly nailed it with the suggestions you were given! Perfect combination of stamps, colors and textures for a fabulous guy card. Wonderful tearing, sponging and distressing. I must remember to use that Cheesecloth background. I too always see it as a fishing net. Linda
OOOOH, I love the colors and stamps used! Just stunning!!
I have this set and love the beautiful card you have made with it. You are a master at beautiful layering and combining colors and bringing out their richness.
This is the perfect card based on your friend’s request! I just love this card - I struggle with masculine cards, this is just perfect!
What a great masculine card! You captured the essense of “Old World” with this beauty.
Linda