Negative Space on Purpose

I made this card by running my small star die through the machine three times. Then I used the negative space instead of the actual cut out stars. Instead of my usual heavy white cardstock, this one is actually a lighter weight cream with a slight texture. It works fine because the layers on the front are small and minimal. Black and white twine and the subtle pattern red star add just the punch needed to make this card pop.

Open Stars

Using a small star die inside a large star, I created open stars for this fun-for-any-age card. I used my scoring board to add subtle lines to the white layer. Matching buttons, lightweight string and a tiny tag greeting finished off the simplistic, clean look. And did you catch the visual triangle (small green stars?)

Stacks of Presents

Masculine birthday cards are hard. But who doesn't love gifts? And stars are as much a fall back for guys as flowers for women. I got to utilize some hard-to-use papers. And the lightly patterned paper looks pretty cool when embossed.

Controlling the Scrap, Version 2.3

Another simple card but I just loved the banner and the partial circles of all kinds of patterns! I did two takes because I was going for a masculine/boyish look and didn't succeed with my first try - pink and flowers don't work for most men, lol! I am actually much happier with my second set for two reasons. #1 I made the mat smaller, allowing more of the card base to show. #2 I used a dark card base and I think it looks much better that way. So...here is take one:

And take two will follow the dimensions--

Card dimensions: 4.5" x 4.5"
Colored mat: 4 1/8" x 4 1/8"
White mat: 4" x 4"
Partial circles: 2" trimmed to .75" high

I placed, adjusted then adhered my circles. Then I stamped my sentiment while the surface with still flat. Last, I went back and added a strip of glue and ran my twine, wrapping it along the back and taping the edges with good old scotch tape to hold it in place on the back.

Celebrate in Style

Card size:
4.25" x 5.5"

Cartridge:
shoe, Paisley
label, Once Upon a Princess

Supplies:
herringbone and leopard patterned paper, Little Black Dress by Basic Grey
edge punch, Martha Stewart
gems, studioG at WalMart
cardstock, misc

Challenges:
CR84FN Color Challenge, #61
Mojo Monday, sketch challenge #255

Motocross Birthday

Card size:
4.75" x 4.75"

Cartridge:
biker, Dude!

Supplies:
aqua background patterned paper, Away We Go SixBySix by My Mind's Eye
star patterned paper, Fly a Kite Lime Twist by My Mind's Eye
green houndstooth patterned paper (triangles), Dwell SixBySix by My Mind's Eye
Diamond Plate embossing folder, Cuttlebug by Provocraft
cardstock and star punch, misc

Challenges:
Alphabet Challenge Blog, letter M - for Men only
Sketches by Carly, sketch (pick your favorite past sketch...I chose #50)
365 Cards: Day 156, color scheme

4 Wheelin' Fun

Card size:
4.25" x 5.5"

Cartridge:
atv rider, Dude!

Supplies:
gold arrow and gold subtle patterned paper, Away We Go SixBySix by My Mind's Eye
star patterned paper, Out of the Blue Lime Twist by My Mind's Eye
Diamond Plate embossing folder, Cuttlebug by Provocraft
photo corner punch, Stampin' Up
cardstock, misc

Bird with Balloons

Card size:
4.25" x 5.5"

Cartridge:
bird, Create a Critter

Supplies:
blue flowered  and green swirl patterned paper,  Hello Summer by Echo Park
tree patterned paper, Out of the Blue SixBySix by My Mind's Eye
edge punch, Double Embossed Dotted Lace by EKSuccess
cardstock, trim, buttons, gem and string, misc

 Challenges:
The Pink Elephant, sketch challenge
The Ribbon Reel, photo inspiration and button/ribbon/twine challenge
There She Goes, color challenge

Sail On Birthday

Card size:
4.75" x 4.75"

Cartridges:
ship, Gypsy Wanderings

Supplies:
dark blue striped and number patterned paper, Out of the Blue Lime Twist by My Mind's Eye

green on green patterned paper, Dwell SixBySix by My Mind's Eye

green and white stripe paper, Fly a Kite Lime Twist by My Mind's Eye

kraft cardstock, string and brads, misc

Challenges:

CAS-ual Fridays, color challenge
Stampin with the Dragon, sketch challenge
Our Craft Lounge, photo inspiration (nautical theme)

Biker Birthday

Card size:
4.25" x 5.5"

Cartridges:
biker, Biker3 from Dude!
"Make a Wish", Birthday Bash phrase feature page 52

Supplies:
patterned paper, Complete Boy by Jen Wilson for My Mind's Eye
kraft and colored cardstock, misc

Cele-skate Birthday

Card size:
5.5" x 4.25"

Cartridges:
skater, Skater1 from Dude!
"Celebrate", Birthday Cakes plain phrase feature, page 71

Supplies:
patterned paper, Complete Boy by Jen Wilson for My Mind's Eye
kraft and colored cardstock, misc

Snowmobile Birthday

Card size:
5.5" x 4.25"

Cartridges:
snowmobile, Sled2 from Dude!

Supplies:
patterned paper, Complete Boy by Jen Wilson for My Mind's Eye
twine, Denim from The Twinery
border punch, EK Success
kraft, white and colored cardstock, misc

ATV Birthday

Card size:
5.5" x 4.25"

Cartridge:
ATV2, Dude!
star, All Occasions Cake Art page 58

Supplies:
patterned paper, Life of the Party by Basic Grey
embossing folder, Spots and Dots by Cuttlebug
kraft and colored cardstock, misc

Pinwheel Fold

Card size:
4.75" x 7.25"

Square size:
2.5"

Folding instructions here

Cricut Cartridge:
banner, All Occasions Cake Art pages 61, 56, 55 and 51 (banneret feature) cut at 1"
"birthday", All Occasions Cake Art page 49 (phrase feature) cut at 1.5"

Supplies:
dimensional sticker, Sticko by EKSuccess
all cardstock and all patterned paper, misc

Challenges:
Fantabulous Cricut

Another Tea Bag Fold

Card size:
4.5" x 5.75"

Square size:
2"

Folding tutorial here

Supplies:
circles, Sunday Brunch by Arctic Frog
twine, The Twinery
medallion paper, kraft cardstock and brad, misc

Sweet

Card size: 5” x 5”

Cricut Cartridge: Paisley, page 31, button feature
Lollipop cut at 4.5”, “sweet” cut at 1.5”

Supplies: 1” squares, Happy Go Lucky/Lime Twist; lollipop papers and “sweet”, Mango Frost cardstock matstack by DCWV; twine, The Twinery; buttons and string, misc

Challenges entered: Cooking with Cricut; The Paper Variety; Frosted Designs