A gentleman is always that: a gentle man

Today we have our monthly Product Focus and this month we are concentrating on stamp sets from the Masculine category. I am showcasing the Hats Background and the Hat's Off stamp sets from Artistic Outpost.

The background has been coloured with Distress Inks, applying Broken China Distress Ink through a layering stencil and then applying Gathered Twigs Distress Ink to the edges of the card for definition. I have also added a touch of background stamping for further interest.

I die cut the pocket watch from white card and added four layers to give dimension and then cut an aperture from the top die cut using the sized ovals from Sizzix. I coloured the top pocket watch with Broken China Distress Ink and then flicked with water. I also included a touch of background stamping.

I stamped the focal image with Potting Soil Archival Ink and added a piece of Mica over the top along with a numbered brad coloured with Alcohol Inks.

I stamped the sentiment onto white card with Archival Ink and sponged the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.

I die cut two circles from white card and added hats to each die cut piece using the Hat's Background stamp set. I coloured each circle with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and added natural twine for added texture.

My fellow team members have created more wonderful pieces to inspire you along your journey.

Tracy (you are here)

Gerrie

Terry

Kate

Shari

Lisa

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Hat's Off

Welcome, time for my weekly post for Artistic Outpost and today I am showcasing the fabulous Hats Background and Hat's Off stamp sets.

I love using these two stamp sets for masculine cards and the Hats Background is one of those stamps that is so useful with so many other images.

I die cut three ovals and coloured each with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and then flicked with water to give an aged feel to each. I then stamped the Hats Background onto the background using Black Archival Ink. I also added a mini top hat to embellish, highlighting with a touch of Treasure Wax.

I added the gentleman to the central oval panel again stamping with Black Archival Ink and raising slightly to give dimension set against the other two die cut ovals. To complete I added a sentiment again aged with Distress Inks.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x x

Vintage for Artistic Outpost

Today I am showcasing the fabulous Hats Background and Hat's Off stamp sets from Artistic Outpost.

I was aiming for a vintage feel with a spotlight for added interest.

The background of the card has been coloured with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and flicked with water and then a touch of stencilling added using the Harlequin Layering Stencil.

I have also added a lens with stamped image and remnant rubs for further interest. The background has been stamped with the Hats background stamp, set against an inked background flicked with water.

A spotlight has been added to the background for added interest and dimension.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Wherever I lay my hat that's my home

Today I am showcasing the fabulous Hat's Off and Hats Background stamp sets from Artistic Outpost.

I created a card with shadow frame, I have seen quite a few of these around in blogland and thought I would give one a try and I am really please with how it turned out. The background has been coloured with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and flicked with water to add an aged vintage feel to my piece.

I added the hats and bike riders to the edges of my frame embossing them with clear embossing powder and I stamped the Hats Background to the centre of my frame. The text is printed on my computer and I added HAT to the centre for added interest.

These images are perfect for a masculine card and I know I will be using them frequently.

I added a metal hook, top hat embellishment and natural twine to embellish.

I also decorated the inside of my card to give a professional finish.

Hope you like my creation for today! Tracy x x x

Artistic Outpost Monthly Blog Hop

Morning all today it is time for our monthly blog hop with Artistic Outpost and this month our theme is TRANSPORTATION.

I decided on an altered suitcase/travel case for my piece with a vintage, aged feel using the fabulous HAT'S OFF AND HATS BACKGROUND stamp sets.

I die cut the suitcase from mountboard covered with Core'dinations card stock, sanding the edges to add to the aged feel. I then decorated the front with the Hats Background stamp set, stamping in black Archival Ink and colouring with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and flicking the background with water.

I die cut an oval from white card, coloured with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and then stamped the gentleman with black Archival again adding water to the background to give bleached out areas. I also included a  mini top hat and natural twine for added texture and dimension.

I also added a touch of decoration to the inside of my suitcase.

My fellow team members have created fabulous pieces to inspire you along the blog hop journey,please pop along to their blogs.

Tracy (me)

Terry

Lisa

Shari

Gerrie

Kate

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x 

Artistic Outpost New Release

Morning another exciting morning today as we have a fabulous new release from Artistic Outpost. To view all the new releases visit the website HERE for all the details.

My first sample showcases the fabulous HAT'S OFF and HATS BACKGROUND stamp sets. I was aiming for an old/vintage feel to this piece and I wanted to add depth and dimension.

I die cut the Cameo Frame from white card, adding the sized circles to the die before die cutting to give me an aperture in the centre. I repeated this process for five layers and then adhered the layers together to give me the appearance of a shadow frame. The front piece was added last once I had coloured with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and flicked with water to add splatters and then stamped with the HATS BACKGROUND stamp using black Archival Ink. I added the handsome gent from the HAT'S OFF stamp set to the centre piece.

I added the sentiment 'my hat's off to you' to the top of my card, bending a little to give dimension. I also included a top hat embellishment backed with natural jute twine along with a 'genuine' chitchat sticker.

I also decorated the inside of the card using the HATS BACKGROUND stamp.

My second card showcases the SKATING EMPORIUM stamp set, perfect for those winter birthdays or seasonal cards.

I added embossed stars to my background using embossing paste through a layering stencil and then spritzing with Broken China, Weathered Wood and Brushed Pewter Distress Spray Stains, adding just a touch of Olive Bronze Wax here and there as a contrast. I thought the winter wonderland word band was perfect with these images.

I wanted to do a wintertime piece with these images and I thought showcasing them in a time piece was perfect. I added several layers to the pocket watch to give dimension and so that it acted like a type of shadow frame. Again I added embossed stars to the top of the timepiece and coloured with Distress Spray Stains. The focal image from the stamp set has been stamped with black Archival Ink and I have coloured with Broken China Distress Ink and flicked with water. I masked the focal image and then stamped the background image, adding faux snow for that frosty feel. I also embedded an ice skate embellishment within the snow.

I added wintertime using label letters and matted my design onto a grey card stock.

I added seam binding coloured with Distress Inks, along with a die cut snowflake and coordinating embellishment.

There is a fabulous prize on offer, a $15 gift certificate for three winners chosen at random to spend at the fabulous Artistic Outpost on line store. The winners will be announced on the Artistic Outpost Blog on 24th January 2015.

My fellow Design Team members have created fabulous pieces to inspire you along the new release blog hop.

Tracy (me)

Shari

 Terry

Kate

Gerrie

Lisa

Thanks so much for stopping by, I always love to read your comments. Tracy x x x