Congrats, Graduate!

I am up on the Authentique Blog again today. And...check out my new Authentique Paper badge! I am an official design team member at last! {smile} I started as a guest designer way back in November, and they just let me stay on, making stuff! I am happy to be an official teamie now!  

Spring is graduation time for many schools here in the USA. My daughter just graduated from college the end of May! Graduation cards are not something I need to have on hand very often, so when I need one I am always caught making them at the last second! 

I also find it hard to keep masculine cards in my stash. It is hard to find themes for the guys. Some guys don't like sports or hunting and fishing so finding papers and such is sometimes difficult. I love vintage images, and Authentique collections are LOADED with fun images!

To help build the stash I have made two graduation cards for the guys! Both cards can be converted for another event or occasion by changing the sentiments or images. 

Both cards are 5" x 5" and decorated inside and out. There is plenty of room inside to add a gift card or cash envelope. (What graduate doesn't appreciate an influx of cash?!)

I have combined the Pastime, Dapper, Heroic, and Accolade Collections for my cards. It is wonderful to see how all these collections can work so well together!  

For this card, I used the red, white, and blue colors from the Heroic Collection with the sepia tones of the Accolade Collection to create this perfect graduation card! Because Accolade is an all neutral color palette, you can add any colors you want! 

I added some of the paper scraps and a few stickers to the inside of the card. You can use stamps to personalize your message, or just hand-write something for your graduate. 

Finding manly embellishments is sometimes a challenge. I used a metal and epoxy light bulb, a metal pen nib, and a navy button. I also added some ivory twine. 

You can change the stamped sentiment and the image to make this card into a Father's Day or birthday card. 

For the second card, I combined the Pastime and Dapper Collections. I found the retro vibe of both collections went together very well. By changing the stamped sentiment on this card you can convert it from a graduation card to a Father's Day card or a birthday card. 

I added some paper and one of the Pastime cut-aparts to the inside, along with a stamped message.  

For the masculine embellishments, I used an epoxy compass and a few enamel dots. 

Thanks for joining me today! 

Authentique Supplies Used:
Pastime Collection: 6x6 Bundle Paper Pad
Dapper Collection: 6x6 Bundle Paper Pad
Heroic Collection: 6x6 Bundle Paper Pad
Accolade Collection: 12x12 Ten and Twelve Paper, Details Stickers

Additional Supplies: 
Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Midnight, Natural, Navy
Enamel dots: Simple Stories Say Cheese III black
Epoxy compass: unknown
Light bulb: Prima
Pen nib: Tim Holtz
Button: my stash
Twine: Really Reasonable Ribbon Ivory Burlap String
Tab dies: My Favorite Things
Stamps: Papertrey Ink Just the Ticket, My Favorite Things Happy Graduation
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Adhesive: ATG tape, foam tape, white glue