Crafty Secrets June Linky Party and DT Challenge

Welcome to the Crafty Secrets June Linky Party and DT Challenge! The theme this month is "Let's Hear it for the Boys!" The DT are all sharing masculine projects made just for the guys!

My youngest guy has his 15th birthday in August, so I got a jump on my card making! I loved this silly image from the Creative Scraps Wacky Animals. My son has an obsession with buying just the "right" pair of headphones, which made this image just perfect for his card!

The "secret" to making great cards for my guys, is to keep things simple and masculine, and if I can manage a bit of humor, so much the better. I look for neutral colors with pops of red, blue, or green. I add metal embellishments and try to use images that will mean something to the recipient. For example, I NEVER use sports images for my boys. They have zero interest in sports. My husband, however, loves sports! My one brother is an avid hunter and another brother loves motorcycles. I collect images, stamps, and sentiments that would appeal to them. (I know that some guys love flowers and pastel colors, but I prefer to make very masculine-looking cards for the guys on my card list.) 

The background paper for this card is all digital paper. The diamond print is from the Creating with Vintage Patterns CD and the other pattern is from the Barber Shop Digital Kit. I printed the paper onto ivory cardstock and then sponged the edges with walnut stain ink.

The stamps are from the Down on the Farm Digital Stamp Set. Keep in mind, when using digital stamps, that you can print them in ANY color you wish by changing your font color! I printed the sentiments in brown ink onto ivory cardstock. I rounded the corners of the sentiment block, and also added a knot of twine to match the twine at the top of the card. For my metal element, I chose metal rivets and snaps. You can purchase these at any fabric store. They come in various finishes and in various sizes. I tend to shop the "bits and pieces" sections of fabric stores just to find interesting items like these snaps, or pins, zippers, buttons, etc.

I stamped the inside of the card as well, with stamps from My Favorite Things.

This is the part where I tell you that this is my last post as part of the Crafty Secrets Design Team. I have had a wonderful time as part of this team. The images and papers are so pretty and great to work with. I will miss the team very much (and hope to be asked back as a guest DT from time to time). Thanks for stopping by today!!! 

Hop around and see what the rest of the team has made! I am sure they will knock your socks off!

Crafty Secrets Design Team

Kathy Clement - DT Leader

Darlene Pavlick

Diane Hover

Elizabeth Lincoln
Ginny Nemchak
Gloria Stengel - YOU ARE HERE
Melody Clement

Michele Kovack

Shantaie Fowler

Sheila Rumney
Teresa Horner
Crafty Secrets Blog

Now it's your turn! Create a project using any Crafty Secrets goodies and link it up to the Crafty Secrets Blog. As a thank you to those of you who are playing along, there are a couple of free downloads posted to the CS Blog that you can use in your project, if you wish. You don't have to follow our masculine theme this month, but it's always fun if you do. One lucky participant will win our NEW Father Digital Download, plus our Barber Shop Digital Art Kit and our Mustache Men Kit!

Crafty Secrets Products:
Down on the Farm Digital Stamp Set
Creating with Vintage Patterns CD. 
Barber Shop Digital Kit
Creative Scraps Wacky Animals

Other Products:
Cardstock: WorldWin Smooth Natural, Cocoa
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Ranger Distress Walnut Stain
Stamps: My Favorite Things Gift Card Greetings
Twine: Really Reasonable Ribbon jute string (natural, dark brown)
Rivets and snaps: Joann Fabrics
Adhesive: Scotch 3M ATG tape, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares, Glue Dots