Craft Countdown - 36 days left. 36!!!

I know, what is this.  A post before mid day (well, it's not mid day at the time of writing).  I managed to really crack on this morning - it seems panic has well and truly set in, and the amount of things I need to do before it all begins has really hit home :)  PANIC.

Haha, it'll be fine.

Yesterday was a sad day.  Whilst I craft I listen to the radio generally, and radio 6 had so many amazing tributes to Bowie.  I didn't really care what was on TV, or going on at the CHA.  The radio just suited my mood to mourn a great loss for art and music.  Today they are playing more variety - but thankfully there's still alot about Bowie on there - it feels just right.  And crafting was more pleasurable today.

A lady on Facebook (sorry, I've gone and forgotten who posted the request!), asked me about making cards for men.  This is something I haven't touched on.  I'll do a series of them - I think.  As long as I don't get bored.

The first card I have made for chaps, started with this lovely little wooden bike and a piece of cream card:

I stamped the word Dad

And then tore the card.  I wanted quite a controlled tear, to I used a water brush and ruler to create a line of water, which allowed me to tear the paper with ease and control

Next, I embossed a scrap piece of cream card using  a Tim Holtz Alterations folder

I almost left it like that, but wanted to add a bit of colour.  I used a couple of colours in different blue tones.  I had a sponge dauber, which I dipped into the paint, and slammed down onto my card.  The slamming makes the paint splodge out (technical terms again).  I love this look. The one that hadn't splodged enough, I took a cocktail stick and dragged some of the paint out

I then took the end of a cardboard roll (old Christmas paper tube are good for this) and dipped it into the paint.  

I added a few circles of paint onto my card

I was really trying to not fall into the normal trap of matting and layering - or just not being able to stop adding "stuff".  It's really tricky to keep a card quite plain, and I do love the effect - but just find myself adding and glittering! I did allow myself to go round the edges with the paint

I then added my embossed card into place.  At this stage I decided the splats were to low on my card.  To late, was the cry.  Nah, just chop the top off your card.

I wanted to staple the ripped paper onto my card, but the left side obviously can't be reached by my regular stapler, so I added the staple to the paper, and then glued it to the card

I stapled the card at the right side

And then clued my little bike in place

Couldn't help myself, I did a little bit of doodling on the Dad card

Finished.  It's a nice, simple card.  Pretty happy with it.