Some guy cards ....

..... Last week my aunt asked if I could make her some cards - she wanted birthday cards for her family, as well as a selection of cards for anniversary, thanks, thinking of you, etc.  I've started by making a couple of birthday cards for my cousins.  I still have a couple more to make for my uncle and other cousin.

For my first card I used the sketch from this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC83.  Jen Cuthburtson drew the sketch - it's circular!!  I don't do well with circular cards, so I've adapted the sketch a bit - I've used the sketch as the main feature on a square card.

I started with a white linen textured card base.  I cut two circles in shades of green.  I stamped a plaid pattern in metallic inks on the smaller of the circles and then glued them together, offsetting the circles to create a diamond pattern around the edge.  I wrapped some natural raffia around the circles and attached them to the card base with dimensional tape.  Instead of a heart I used a couple of stars onto which I stamped more patterns.  I finished off the main topper with a few brads in bronze, gold and silver - to match the metallic inks.  I completed the card with a simple birthday greeting.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Off Beat Backgrounds, Free Spirit Sentiments
Inks:  Brilliance - Mineral Trio; Memento - Cottage Ivy
Spellbinders:  Pinking Circles Sm (S4-172) # 6, Pinking Circles Lg (S4-170) # 6, Stars (S4-092)
Accessories:  Brads, raffia and card from stash

My next card has been made for two challenges:

• For Your Inspiration - FYI#23 - a wonderful photo
• Clean and Simple Stamping - FTL175 

For my card I've used the colours from the inspiration photo - the shades of blue, the grey of the background buildings, the white of the building in the foreground and the naturals of the ground.  I've kept pretty close to the layout of the sketch.

I used some Stampin' Up! designer paper for the background - using stripes to give a graphic feeling.  I used a few of the Circle Circus stamps for the toppers using two shades of blue and adding a brad to the centre circle.  I finished off by cutting out a tag, sponging on some colour and stamping a clean and simple sentiment.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Circle Circus; Waltzingmouse - Free Spirit Sentiments
Inks: Distress - Chipped Sapphire, Stormy Sky, Antique Linen, Pumice Stone
Accessories:  Stampin' Up! punches; brad and card from stash

I like making cards for guys - which is fortunate as my aunt needs four male birthday cards!!  I'll be making a few more cards for her over the next week or so.  When I've finished, I'll take them down to her.  Such a fun project!!  Before I sign off for today, I'd like to welcome a couple of new followers.  Hello and welcome to Wilfreda and Sandra - so glad you joined me!

I've had a really super start to my day; I've gone back to Weight Watchers and today I lost 6lbs!!!  I'm really pleased as I've lost 15lbs in 4 weeks!  I've a way to go, but this makes me feel so motivated!!  That's all for now - I'm off to make lunch for Jonathan and me.    See you soon.