Midnight Paisley

Dark, rich, and masculine. That is what I think of with this patterned paper. And versatile! It reminds me of cowboys too. The perfect companion for this lovely stamp from Horse Frontier.

Mix it up with a little sketch challenge and this card came together right quick! Love it when that happens :) As an aside, I printed out a bunch of thumbprints of sketches that I want to try and glued them to rolodex cards. I have this handy little rolodex box I made sitting on my desk that I added them to. Now I can just flip through and find one that fits what I am looking for :)

 It took me a little trial and error to get the measurements right for the blue panels, but it was worth it. I have also set a goal for myself to use up all of the Print Poetry DSP pack before the end of the Occasions mini :) I made a pile of this card for OWH and have just a few usable scraps left of this print. I don't think I will have a problem using them up, because I ♥ this print!

• Stamps: Horse Frontier
• Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
• Paper: Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Print Poetry DSP pack
• Other: Big Shot with Ovals framelits and Lacey Brocade EF, Occasions Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercer and Mat, Signo white gel pen, Natural Trim ribbon, White Baker's Twine, Naturals Designer button, dimensionals, Sticky Strip

 Not terribly exciting on the inside, but I left this without a sentiment so it can be used for whatever your little heart desires. It is definitely gender-neutral, the recipient just has to like horses :)

Native Father

This stamp set (Dream Catcher) is retired and rare, and I paid  more for it than I care to admit. I bought it off Ebay shortly after I started working in Red Lake, and I am really glad I did. The vision for these cards came to me while driving home from work after a night shift on Friday morning, and I still love the way they turned out!

The new firm foam inkpads make this image so much more crisp and clear, so much more beautiful! I find myself more drawn to the intricately designed stamps because I can get an image I am happy with! I always assumed it was something I was doing that made the images a little mucky.
I used a non-SU set that really helped communicate the message I wanted for these cards. I love the crisp, clean imagery throughout this card.

And this is the second version. The print in the background gives the definition of the word Hero.

And the inside...

I am hoping that this is a popular card, but I only made 1 of each. Maybe I should make 1 more of each.

• Stamps: Dream Catcher (retired SU), My Hero My Dad (PTI)
• Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede
• Paper: Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso, Soft Suede
• Other: 1" Square punch, Stampin' Dimensionals