Saturday, November 6, 2010

An Attitude of Gratitude

Good morning, friends, and thanks for starting your Saturday out with my post for Our Creative Corner.  This month, our host is yours truly and the challenge I have cooked up for you is "An Attitude of Gratitude".  I have to say that ever since I was a young person, I have keenly felt how blessed I have been.  In this season of gratitude, I thought it would be good for us to reflect upon something that we are grateful for and then to make a card that is inspired by that feeling.  This week, my dad celebrated is 85 birthday.  He is blessed to be in good health and is still quite active.  My mom had a stroke 3 years ago and he has been her main caretaker.    We are all blessed to have him in our lives.  His hobby is antique tractors and everything about them.  He buys them and restores them and on weekends, especially at this time of the year, he and my mom travel in their mini-motorhome to tractor shows. A few years ago, I purchased this Tractor Time set from Stampin' Up and have used it several times to make cards for him.  But it has been about two years since I last used it.  So I dusted it off and created this birthday card for him.  

I know you are probably tired of seeing it, but I love the technique I have been using lately of embossing the edge with UTEE mixed with gold Perfect Pearls and sponged with Vintage Photo DI.  I used it here for the bottom layer.  The frame around the main image was made using the Spellbinders Labels 1 die and all the stamps from the Tractor Time set.  I stamped with Walnut Stain distress ink and clear embossed it, then sponged with Vintage Photo distress ink.  The hardware is HodgePodge Hardware from SU and the sentiment was computer generated.  I think the rest is self explanatory.  Let me know if you have any qeustions.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I very much appreciate your comments.  Now hustle on over to Our Creative Corner to see what the rest of the team has made.

Update:  A reader asked what card stock I use for embossing with UTEE.  Other than for coloring with Copics, I use Stampin' Up CS pretty much exclusively.  Their CS is 80# and it does curl and warp a bit when the heat gun is applied for the longer time it takes to melt the UTEE.  However, it seems to relax as it cools and flattens back out.  For this particular card, the bottom corners did want to curl a bit, but that is the first time that has happened and I think that was because I heated it for longer than was necessary.  

Blessings & hugs,
Challenges entered:
Paper Sundaes - One For the Boys
Crafty Cardmakers - Stitching
Oldie But Goodie - Distressing
Cards for Men - Anything Goes, as long is it is for a male
Papertake Weekly - A Penny for the Guy
Raise the Bar - Let's See Those Curves

21 comments:

Alica said...

Love it! really manly - love how you stamped the background panel and the twine is fabulous!
Thanks for joining us at Paper Sundaes this week!

ellepaulette said...

I love the way this card feels. It is amazing!!

Netty said...

Totally terrific card Linda and he will definitely love it. Enjoy the weekend. Annette x

nessy said...

love all the vintage layers and wow!! what a perfect card for your dad ~ simply amazing!!
vanessa xx

Gloria Stengel said...

Wow, Linda! This is amazing. I love the layers and that TRACTOR! I have a "thing" for old trucks and tractors! Love this card. Thanks for playing along at Paper Sundaes!

Fiona said...

this is fab...cool image too. Thanks for joining us at Paper Sundaes this week.

Fi

papertrails leaver said...

I so enjoyed reading the details about what inspired you to make this card. I think your father is going to adore it! I like the stitching and layers! Thanks for joining us at Sentimenal Sundays! :-) Amy

Sarah Gough said...

Such a great guy card!

Ann English said...

What a great card! Thank you for joining us this week at Sentimental Sundays!

Hanna said...

Oh my, Linda, this is totally phenomenal! Such a terrific piece of art. Love the autumnal, masculine colours and your lovely design. I don't think I've ever seen such talent! Love every single layer of paper you've created, so vintage, so stunningly beautiful! A simply perfect card!

have a wonderful sunday,
hugs from Hanna

Fleur said...

WOW this awesome ~ I love it
Thanks for joining my challenge at OLDIE but a GOODIE, hope you’ll join us again
Hugz Fleur xXx

Lori said...

Gorgeous, Linda, as usual! Ok, I have a ?. When you use the UTEE for the background, are you using a heavy cardstock, and do you find that it buckles because you have to heat UTEE for a while longer than normal? Just curious, 'cause yours looks nice and flat...

Dee said...

What an awesome card, I love the colors and layers. We need more guy cards, nice job.

Thanks for joining us at Crafty Cardmakers.

PinksyDoodles said...

Wonderful card with fab distressing. Thank you for joining the "distressing" challenge at Oldie but a Goodie.
Clare x

Tracy said...

I love your choice of image and the design and finishing touches, thanks for joining Oldie But A Goodie challenge, good luck.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

coldwaters2 said...

This is truly fabulous Linda I wish I could capture your style it is amazing how you make everything look so...interesting. I just love everything you create.
Hugs
Lorraine x

Sharon Caudle said...

This is one gorgeous card for a guy!! I love the papers you used and that tractor image is fabulous! I love it! Thanks so much for joining us at Papertake Weekly, and hope you join us again next week!
hugs, Sharon

liza said...

an amazing male card,using fabulous stamps,thankyou for joining us at Oldie But A Goodie this week,look forward to seeing you on future challenges
love n hugs
liza
xox

Lisa Jane said...

what a wonderful card - i love the vintage style
Thanks for joining us at Oldie but a goodie this week
Lisa ;)

Francesca said...

What A wonderful distressed card , Thanks for joining us at Oldie but a goodie this fortnight and good luck !
Hugs
Francesca

Vixykins said...

Wow Linda thats a bit special isnt it! Absolutely stunning design wowzers!

Thank You for playing at Crafty Cardmakers x

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