Those dreaded mens cards!

Just after my birthday last month it was Ians Brother in laws birthday Colin.  I decided that I would make his card reminding him that he was getting closer to 40 this year as he enjoys reminding me how much I am moving into my 40's grrrr.

Anyway, I thought I would share the card I created for him...

For this card I used the spotty paper from my Happy Happy Birthday CD ROM. The collection I used was Just For Men ..surprisingly!   I found some really nice mottled olive green paper in my stash which I thought would go really well with the spotty paper colours.  I created the topper using the Happy Happy Birthday CD workspace.  I used the un coloured resizeable number digital stamps and added the writing with the writer also on the workspace.  Actually it was great because I was able to create my topper and print the spotty paper all on one piece of A4 card by fitting everything onto one page of the workspace and printing it.  I then was able to use the piece of white card left not printed on the A4 sheet to use as the white card under the topper.  Less messing about, less printing and less waste of card!

I'd printed out the topper using the un coloured number digital stamps one, because the coloured ones didn't match my card colours but also because I wanted to have a play with my new favourite crafty item Aquamarkers by Letraset. (Expect to see them available for sale on my website www.funkyhand.com in the very near future!)  I used two Aquamarkers to colour this topper Golden Brown and Spring Green. Before I started painting though I let the image sit over night just so that I was sure that the printer ink was completely dry.  Probably a few hours would be enough though.  I then drew a line around the ouside of the numbers with a Promarker pen, I used the Cool Grey 1, to make the numbers jump out just a little.  Here's a closer look at the image..

I'm not claiming in anyway that I am a specialist in using Aquamarkers but I have always enjoyed using paints with my stamped images digital or inked stamps.  I always used to use Twinkling H2O's and have a large collection of them but Ive really enjoyed working with Aquamarkers for the first time.  They mix together so well and even a new user can create something to be proud of with just a little effort.  In the near future, and after a little more practice, I plan on making a quick video on how to use Aquamarkers with your Funky Hand digital stamps.  It's great fun!

Right I'm off to get creative as I am lucky enough to have two spots this month on the Get Funky Challenge Blog.  So you will see a couple more cards from me in a few days following the challenge set this month. Which, is to create a Christmas card in traditional colours, red, gold, green and then create a none Christmas card but using Christmas papers.. a bit of a teaser our Jackie has set us this month..but it's fun to stretch yourself when you are crafting.  I'll be using my latest craft CD Twelve Crafters Crafting for both cards of course.  Pop over to The Get Funky Challenge blog and take a look at the wonderful creations that my Design Team members have already posted so far this month and maybe you will be inspired to join in with us.

Right I'm really off now., speak again very soon.
Anice xx