Dog Days?

     "The Dog Days of Summer" was a phrase I remember my dad using all the time.  I still associate that with him whenever I hear it.  :-)  My card today is a masculine card and while it's intended for a birthday, it could also be used for a Father's Day card.  I used the Viva la Verve May, Week 5 sketch, and a Penny Black clear stamp from the "Bubbly" set.  Stamp TV's Free for All Friday challenge is to make a masculine birthday card.

     Isn't that dog with the "footprints" tie just the cutest thing?  Dream Valley Challenges  asked us to "Stamp Something" this week instead of using a digi image so I stamped this one onto turquoise CS, heat embossed it with Teddy Brown EP (from Sparkle 'n' Sprinkle), then cut it with a Spellbinders die.  I also used a large, hand punch for the brown circle.  I chose papers and CS from my stash in various turquoise and brown shades or patterns to maintain those colors as my palette, and laid them out following the sketch.  I like blue and brown for masculine cards.

     I added the brown, 'stitched' ribbon by wrapping it around the dp and CS panel, then adhered that entire panel to the card base.  The sentiment is also from that same Penny Black clear stamp set, but I masked it so that only the "It's your day..." would stamp.  I deliberately did it a little crooked, but I think I should have made it even more crooked because, to my eye, it only looks like a "mistake" the way it is. Ah, well, the things photography will show us that we don't see with the eye.

     I added the bow made from brown, gingham ribbon and used short scraps of it to make the "bow" with the button.   One Stop Craft Challenge wants us to use buttons and bows and I like the bow made from the button!  It looks kind of like a "Winner's" ribbon.  :-)

     Thanks for your visit.  Sit and chat a spell if you can.  I love it when neighbors drop by!  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie