Like a Modern Man - Gina's Twisted Easel Card

Hello Crafty Friends
What a fun month we've had...... if you ever think male themed crafting is hard to do, then come back to this blog and check out all the awesome projects that the Team shared over the past month!
Today Gina ends the month for us with a gorgeous card that really shows off the Gentleman's Emporium collection....

For my final project this month, I decided to make a twisted easel card. I started with the Couture Creations Chocolate cardstock which I cut at 6" x 12". I then scored it across at 6" and again diagonally from one corner to the 6" mark to make the base of the twisted easel card.

Next I cut 2 pieces of Gentleman's Emporium 08A paper at 5.7" x 5.7" and cut one of them across diagonally to create two triangles.

I stuck them on to the inside of the card and the two triangles created by the easel. I then cut a piece of Gentleman's Emporium 9 paper at 5.4 x 5.4" and cut it diagonally across. I kept one of the triangles created and stuck the pocket watches cut out strip from Gentleman's Emporium 12 paper on it. I also cut another patterned strip from that paper which I stuck over the pocket watches towards the bottom. I then cut out the "Be Gentle" from the same paper and stuck it towards the top. I stuck this on another triangle created by cutting the chocolate cardstock at 5.5" x 5.5" and cutting it diagonally across.

I then stuck this on the base of the cardstock raising it with the help of some chipboard. This is what holds the card open.

I then die cut the Clock frame using the Graphic 45 square tag and clock die set onto Gentleman's Emporium 1 paper. I will be using one side of the paper for the frame and the other side for the circle.

I cut out one of the cards from the Gentleman's Emporium 10 paper and stamped a quote on it with black ink using the Tim Holtz Theories stamp set.

I layered these on the easel along with the pocketwatch and camera that I fussy cut from the Gentleman's Emporium 2 paper.

I also fussy cut one of the men from the Gentleman's Emporium 11 paper and stuck that on the side of the bottom corner of the "Rugged Masculinity" and used stuck one of the Tim Holtz Idealogy Jewelled charms at the bottom of the base triangle.

Thank you for following along with me this month and see you again next month. Till then stay awesome!

Gina xx

Like A Modern Man - Silvia Aussie Scrapper's Mixed Media Layout "Son, Husband, Dad"

Hello Crafty Friends!
Have I mentioned how I love having a scrapbooker on the Team?
Today's layout from Silvia has a bit of everything...... scrapbooking, shaker embellishment, mixed media........ I love the finished layout!!

Hello Crafty Friends, How quickly time flies.  This is already my 4th layout with these beautiful papers from Couture Creations.  I wish I had more time to scrapbook but as you all probably know family life is busy.

Today's layout all started out by me wanting to feature the gorgeous die-cut "Porthole" that was one of my chosen products from Aunty Vera Scrap and Craft.  If I am using a porthole, of course, I had to scrap a photo of my husband who loves fishing and boating and all things ocean-related...

I knew I was going to use the "porthole" die-cut, and I had my chosen photo, my next step was to find the appropriate background paper so that I chose the correct colours for my porthole.  I chose the beautiful paper 08A for my background paper.

This layout is different from my normal way of doing things as it all was centred around an embellishment I made using a die-cut I was dying to use.  The papers I had left over were not the right shade to cut out my porthole so I designed my own paper.

I had a piece of the brown card stock that was part of our core products so I gessoed this piece of cardstock.

My next step was to give this gessoed cardstock some rustic colours, so I played around with another of my chosen products - these beautiful Distress Oxide sprays in the colours: Victorian Velvet Cracked Pistachio and Pumice Stone.  I sprayed each colour, dried it with my heat gun then applied another layout of colour till I was happy with the shade of colour I got.  Finally, I used the "porthole" die-cut.

Change of plans, I am going to make this die-cut into a shaker porthole...First step is to cut a circle from a piece of acetate and this acetate circle is glued to my "porthole diecut".

2) add some mounted foam tape to the acetate circle,  

3) add some sequins 

4) stick down the circled background paper.

I could not find the right shade of paper for my shaker background so I took a scrap of paper from the "gentleman's emporium collection", I used my "vintage photo" Distress Oxides to darken the background and then I cut a circle from this paper.

To finish off my porthole shaker I found a chipboard ship's wheel that I coloured in with a distress marker and glued it to the middle of the shaker porthole.

Time to work on my photo now and to help it stand out from all the business of the paper. I matted the photo on some brown cardstock.

I wanted to use up as much of my scraps as possible so I went for layers of scrap paper behind my photo.  I tore my paper into strips and all pieces of paper were inked with vintage photo distress oxide inks.

My 08A paper from Gentleman's Emporium collection which I chose as my background paper was looking a little bit bland for my liking so I took out my sepia archival ink and a background stamp and I did some stamping,

The background was still lacking colour so I decided to add another layer.  This time I took my stencil (another of my chosen products) and did some stencilling using two Nuvo mousses that I also got from Aunty Vera.  I also did some brown splatters for added effect.

From my stash, I found some wood veneer that went well with the layout so I glued them down on the far-Right corner and two on the bottom left corner.  I distressed all four edges of my paper and inked them with vintage photo Distress Oxide ink. I added some shading to certain areas of the paper as well, I thought it added some extra drama, I glued my photo down and added my title.  

It's amazing how different the paper 08A looks now with all the added layers of mixed media.  

All products except for wood veneers and chipboard can be bought from Aunty Vera.  You are allowed to click on this link and do some shopping: auntyverascrapandcraft.com.au (lol)

Like a Modern Man - Wendy's Gentlemans' Emporium Desk Organiser

Hello Crafty Friends!

What a great project from Wendy today........ book shaped desk organisers! As a book lover and the owner of a very messy desk I really need these in my life!!

Gentlemans' Emporium Desk Organiser

Sometimes I feel it's very hard to create a project for the male in your life. But, with this project of a desk organiser, I think I may have 'hit the nail on the head' and created a very practical and convenient way for a man to keep his little 'bits and pieces' tidy on his desk, especially if he loves to read as well.
The storage book shaped boxes can be used individually or as a set. Stacked side by side or used singular and can hold pens, pencils and anything else that needs a place to sit on a desk. By using the Gentlemas' Emporium paper Collection, it has given them a little touch of elegance.

What I used:

*Gentlemans' Emporium Paper Collection

*Recycled some thick cardboard

*Double-sided tape and a wet glue

*Scor Board and a cutting board

*Bone folder

For the spine of the container (book shape) I chose to use the cut out images from the Gentlemans' Emporium Collection. After I cut my chosen image, I scored a 1/4 inch line at the top and the bottom.

Starting this project, I grabbed some thick caardboard from the back of an art pad and cut two squares 3in by 3 in. This will be the sides of the container. I also cut a strip 3inches by 1 1/2 in (used for the base) and another strip 1 1/2 in by 2 3/4 inch. (for the back of the container).

A TIP: I measured the distance between my two score lines which ended up being 3 inches but if your image is a little longer. Below is a picture on how you can measure the height of your sides. Fold the score lines down and mark on the cardboard and that gives you the height you will need.

I then cut two 4inch by 4inch pieces from the Gentlemans' Emporium Collection, which is the cover for my sides. I used double-sided tape to adhere the cardboard on to the pattern paper.

Then, I cut the corners off each piece, leaving about an eighth of an inch near the tip of each corner. I scored a long the sides of the cardboard, to make it easier to fold the pattern paper. I used a wet glue to glue the flaps down.

When the outside cover were on, I placed a bead of glue along both sides of my spine image and pressed the covered cardboard sides on. As seen below.

I cut a panel to fit between the two sides to decorate the inside of the spine image. And after gluing it in place, I then folded down the small flap at the top and folded up the small flap at the bottom on the spine panel.

When this was dry, I once again, scored a line  down the spine image and as close to the sides to make it easier to fold into shape.

Then I cut two more squares 3 in by 3in from The Gentlemans' Emporium paper and used double-sides tape to cover the inside side panels. As above.
When it was relatively dry, I placed my large glue stick in the spine part and rolled it back and forth a few time, so I would get a nice rounded shape on my container.

Now, using the 1 1/2 inch strips, I covered them with some of the cardstock supplied by Aunty Vera, that co-ordinates with the Gentlemans' Emporium Collection...on the outside: making it into an 'L' shape. On the inside I glued a strip from the paper collection off-cuts I had.

Glue is then placed along the very thin side of the 'L' shape and is then glued onto one side of the already put together book shape. Held in place for a minute or two, to give the glue time to do its magic. Then I placed another bead on the 'L' shape and closed the other side onto it. Giving me the finished book shape container.

Once finishing my first storage container, I found it so addictive with how wonderful they looked, I had to go and make a few more. The plan was to give them to my son-in-law for Fathers' Day, so he could keep his office desk in order....BUT...not too sure about that now...I really really love how they look and turned out, I may just have to 'forget' they are on my desk, holding a few of my bits and pieces...heehee!!!

Individual or a set??? Hmmm, which one do you like better?

My process for making these Gentlemans' Emporium Desk Organiser can be viewed in the video below:

I really loved making this project but even more so..LOVE this month's Gentlemans' Emporium Paper Collection...so very many wonderful used for it...not only for the male in your life but also for yourself. It has a beautiful vintage feel and look to it, so please check it out at Aunty Veras' Store.

You all have a great day!!
Wendy xox

Like A Modern Man - Gina's Stair Step Card

Hello Crafty Friends!
What a great card from Gina today!! I love all the details on each step.... you could easily make this card using any other themed papers and embellises (I'm thinking Christmas here crafty folks!)

Hey everyone, this week I decided to make a stair step card. I've seen a few on Pinterest but I decided to use my own measurements to make this one.

I started with the Ultimate crafts Chasm cardstock and cut it into 2 pieces, one 6x12 inches and one 6x10 inches.

Lay the 6x12 piece horizontally and score at 2", 4", 7 1/2" and 11". Score the 6x10 cardstock across at 5" and fold.

For the 6x12 card, fold the 2" up, 4"down, 7 1/2" up and 11"down as shown.

Put double sided tape on the inside strip of the 3/4" piece and glue it to the inside of the 6x10 card. You now have the base of your stair step card ready.

I've cut 3 pieces of Gentleman's Emporium 9A paper at 1.7" x 5.7", 3.3" x 5.7" and 4.65" x 5.7" and stuck them to the front of each step.

I then cut 3 pieces of Gentleman's Emporium 9B paper at 1.6 x 5.6", 3.2" x 5.6" and 4.55" x 5.6" and stuck them over the 9A papers.

For the inside, I cut two pieces of Gentleman's Emporium 5A paper at 4.65" x 5.7" each and stuck them on. I'm leaving this as is. I won't be doing anything else on the inside.

Next I die cut the clock from the Graphic 45 square tag and clock die set onto the Gentleman's Emporium 01 paper. I cut the frame and the face on the 01A paper and the hands on the 01B paper

I attached the hands to the centre circle using a brad from my stash and stuck the clock on the left side of the middle step.

I wanted something next to the clock so I cut the Ace Card from Gentleman's Emporium 12A paper and stuck it on the right. I then fussy cut the boys from Gentleman's Emporium 11A paper and stuck them on the left side of the first step.

I cut the "Have"Strength" from the Gentleman's Emporium 12A paper and glued it on an off-cut from Gentleman's Emporium 5A paper. I then glued that next t the boys on the first step. On the last step I have stuck the 1897 spiced rum cut apart and the 1897 playing card from Gentleman's Emporium 12A paper. Below that I have stuck the Beardedness quote from the Gentleman's Emporium 10B paper and then layered the pocket watch which I fussy cut from the Gentleman's Emporium 05A paper on it.

Here's a closer look at the last step. I also added the gentleman frame from Gentleman's Emporium 10B paper.

For the final touches I added the "Aged in Oak" fussy cut from Gentleman's Emporium 09B paper over the "Have Strength" on the first step and then stuck 2 arrows from the Ken Oliver Vintage Compass and mini arrows next to it. I also fussy cut a fountain pen from one of the papers which I stuck on the right of the middle step over the card. My stair step card is now ready.

Here's another picture of the card laid flat and ready to post.

Thank you for following along with me and see you again soon with my final creation for the month.
Till then stay awesome!

Gina xx