Anything But A Card Challenge #21 - Masculine Or Something For Dear Ol' Dad. . . . . . . .

Hello everyone. It's time for a new challenge at Anything But A Card for the next fortnight. We are asking you to make a creation using a masculine theme or you can produce something for your Dad. Here in UK Father's Day takes place on Sunday 16th June, so the timing is perfect if you haven't yet come up with a little something for that special Dad. Just remember, we accept any kind of project as long as it's NOT a card.

Sadly, my Dad is no longer with us so I decided to make a holder for a gift card or cash present suitable for a boy/man. My holder takes the form of a tag with a little pocket which holds the card or cash gift.

I promised to bring out some more of my gelli plate pieces and I've used one of them for the background of my make - with additional stencilling, pencil work and other things!

The finished tag complete with gift pocket and stamped sentiment using DecoArt acrylic. The bottom edge of the tag was made more interesting by adding the waste card left over from die cutting the pocket.

The tag background, the pocket and the sentiment banner were all cut from one gelli plate print. The print was made using both Americana and Traditions acrylics by DecoArt and various masks. The rich colour around the edges was achieved using archival ink on some cut and dry foam. Some letters were stencilled here there using DecoArt's Americana paint.

Some chunky natural 'rope' was used to dress the top of the tag. Once in position, some rusty wire was added to keep the rope in position and to match in with the wire used elsewhere.

The pocket piece was cut to size and a Tim Holtz die was used to cut the top edge. The dark brown lines on the background were added with a brown pencil to highlight one of the masks used on the print.

I used two more of my little Fimo 'buttons' to anchor down the sentiment banner.

 A washer was given a slightly rusty look before being fixed over the tag hole. 

Stencilled modelling paste was applied in various areas of the tag. I used DecoArt modelling paste and when dry, some DecoArt Traditions acrylic was used to colour the design applied through the stencil. Two shades of Treasure Gold were smoothed roughly over the paste. The whole tag and the pocket piece were then given two coats of DecoArt Triple Thick spray.
Brown pencil was added to the gelli plate print to create depth and interest.

I love the effect of the Triple Thick on the background. In real life it adheres differently to the various areas of the tag. Over the stencilled letters it gives a lovely shine but where paint is thinner, it gives a more gentle sheen to the background. In this image, the treasure gold is easily seen and the Triple Thick gives the appearance of clear powder embossing - it's much quicker though!

The sentiment was stamped with carbon black Traditions acrylic paint and a Tim stamp.

Rusty wire was used on the tag pocket to add interest without covering up the gelli plate print.

Some sections of the gelli print are very subtle as in the image above. I just love how you can mix ink and paints to create a layered look. Now I really NEED some Inktense pencils for my work - I'm busy dropping huge hints!

I do hope you'll pop over to Anything But A Card and see what the rest of the team have put together for you. Check back halfway through the Challenge for some inspiration from our second team of designers too.

So, get those thinking caps on, make something which fits the theme and link up with us at  Anything But A Card. Can't wait to see what you come up with. . . . . . . .