Masculine Mosaic Madness

Since we're anxious for spring around here, it's been easy to make lots of cards with bright colors and flowers.  But I thought it was time to attempt some masculine cards. 

Tips & Tricks

• This card could just as easily be a more feminine card...it's all about the color scheme.  Choosing these dark, earthy colors makes this card seem like it's appropriate for any man.  But choosing softer colors would definitely make it work for a girl or woman.

• Did you know that you don't need to use an ink cartridge with a wheel when using it on a card?  Just run the wheel over any ink pad and push it across the card front.  This time I used VersaMark.

Supplies

Stamps:  Mosaic Madness, Friendly Phrases, Alhambra Wheel
Ink:  Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Night of Navy, and VersaMark
Paper:  Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Sahara Sand, and Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Angled Tag Topper Punch, Mosaic Punch

Madison Avenue

Don't you just love Sale-a-bration time?  I DO!!!!  And it starts tomorrow!  I have an order just waiting for tomorrow. :)  But I was able to pre-order some of the sets, and decided on the Madison Avenue stamp set.  I thought it went well with the Alhambra jumbo wheel from the 2012-2013 Catalog, and I've been wanting to use that on a card, so this was the perfect excuse.  Not that I need an excuse, right?  I also really like the color combination of Island Indigo, Pool Party, and Calypso Coral in the International Bazaar Designer Series Paper.  I don't think that I would have chosen these colors on my own, but that's one of the things I love about Stampin' Up!...they've done the thinking for me. :)   But my favorite part of this card is the sponging around the edge of the top piece of Island Indigo.  It just makes that layer pop, and I love it.

Stamps:  Madison Avenue, Alhambra jumbo wheel

Ink:  Island Indigo Classic Ink Pad

Paper:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, and Whisper White card stock, and International Bazaar DSP

Accessories:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle punches, pearls, sponge

Pool Party Banners

Never in a million years would I have thought to put these colors together, but thanks to this paper that came in the International Bazaar DSP, I did. :)  This is a super-simple card using Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, and Naturals White.  I also embossed across the back of the card, but unfortunately that's not showing up in this picture.  I used the Alhambra jumbo wheel across the top part of the card, behind where the orange circle is.  I heat embossed it with white embossing powder, and it's very subtle (so subtle you can't see it here!)

Stamps:  Itty Bitty Banners, Alhambra Jumbo Wheel

Ink:  Whisper White Craft Ink

Paper:  Pool Party, Naturals White, Tangerine Tango, and Island Indigo card stock, International Bazaar DSP

Accessories:  White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Bitty Banners Framelits, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 1/4" White Grosgrain ribbon