Handmade Greeting Card: Balmy Breezes on Distress Inked Background

Happy Monday! I recently needed a couple of masculine birthday cards and I am sharing one of them today. I used an oldie stampin up set for this card along with some distress inks for a beach inspired masculine card. Maybe it would be more appropriate for a Summer birthday, but I think we could all use a beach vacation at any time of the year, especially this year!!

Please note: some affiliate links are used in this post, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always this is at no  cost to you.

The background was done using antique linen, tumbled glass and cracked pistachio ink with a small amount of blueprint sketch. Then I stencilled a harlequin (barely visible) and dots onto the background using Tim Holtz's Harlequin stencil and TCW Circle Explosion stencil. Image stamps are all from the retired set Balmy Breezes. While no longer available from SU, it always seems to be listed on eBay. 

By the way, if you're shopping this Cyber Monday, scrapbook. com has everything Tim Holtz listed at up to 50% off and for a limited time you get this free stickles glitter gel with your order.

 Tim Holtz Products:

 Up to 50% off for Cyber Monday at Scrapbook.com! 

 

     

The sentiment is from my only German sentiment set I picked up while on vacation a couple of years ago. Unfortunately it's not the best quality and I had a hard time lining up the words without it constantly falling off the clear block...

I added some natural jute twine from May Arts and a couple of staples for some more interest. I think staples make a great embellishment for masculine cards. 

I'm linking up with these blogs:

Inspire me Monday - linkup // Mix It Up Challenge - Make your Own Background // Sparkles Forum Challenges - Stencils // A Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes // Crafter's Castle - Anything Goes // Just Add Ink - Just Add "S" (Seashells, Stencils), Pattie's Creations - Anything Goes // 

Thanks so much for visiting!!

You May Also Like: 

 

Black and White Plus One                      Holiday Gift Ideas for Teenagers

Jingle Friends

Happy Saturday and thanks so much for visiting! Hope you've had a good week and if you're in the US I hope you had a good Thanksgiving holiday. My husband was working like he does most years on Thanksgiving but he does get off at 3pm and we were able  to enjoy a nice turkey dinner. A whole turkey is not the easiest to deal with but once it's in  the oven bag, the hardest part is done. I do always seem to overcook my turkey but I'm paranoid about it not being done so I always leave it in a little bit longer than the recommended time. (I pretty much do that with any type of meat so it's nothing new to my family :-)

I also started my Christmas shopping  (Thanksgiving week is usually my personal start to Christmas shopping) and I was able to cross several things off the list. By the way, I posted a "Holiday Gift Idea for Teenage Boys and Girls" a few days ago, thought I'd mention it in case some of you are interested in taking a look.

Please note: some affiliate links are used in this post, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always this is at no  cost to you.

The stamp on today's card is a new one from Penny Black's Christmas release - Jingle Friends. Stamped with  Versafine Onyx ink on Bristol Vellum paper and I colored it with Faber Castell Polychromos pencils. There is a matching die available (separately) for this stamp, but I used my Cutterbee scissors to cut it out.

 

A stitched border die was used to create the hills. Mine is old (from Whimsy Stamps) and no longer available, but I this set by Lawn Fawn would be a good alternative.

The trees were done with Penny Black die set Beneath the Birches and tucked behind one of the hill die cuts. I've had this patterned paper for a while, I think it's by Bo Bunny. The sentiment is from Penny Black's clear set Holly Jolly.  A Wink of Stella clear glitter brush was used on Santa's fur trim and Rudolph's red nose.

I added a matching strip of card stock inside and the stamp is an oldie from Stampin Up. The snowflake is part of Penny Black's Holiday Snippets set. 

You Might Also Like:

  
Gold or Silver                                              Holiday Gift Guide for Teenagers

Challenges:

CAS on Friday - Snow // Crafty Catz - Baby it's Cold Outside // Cut It Up - Christmas and Die Cuts * // Just Add Ink - Just Add "S" (Snow, Santa) // Cardz 4 Galz  - Cute Christmas // C.R.A.F.T. // Craft Rocket Challenges - Christmas or Winter // Crimbo Crackers - Christmas // Paper Shelter - Christmas // Dragonfly Dreams - Christmas // We Love Chocolate Baroque Challenge -Christmas //Daisy Chain Challenges - Christmas is coming // Sweet Stampers - Christmas // The Crafting Challenge - Add a Sentiment // Color Throwdown - color inspiration

 

Always Anything Goes Card Challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Crafts Galore Encore // Classic Design Challenge // DL.Art Linky Challenge // Not Just Cards (F) // Lemon Shortbread // Through The Craft Room Door // Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends // The Corrosive Challenges // Creative Fingers // QKR Stampede // Crafting With An Attitude // Brown Sugar (?) // Craft-Dee BowZ// 

Thanks again for taking the time out of your day to stop by my blog!

Holiday Gift Ideas for Teen Boys and Girls

Hi everyone, I'm a little late  this year coming up with gift ideas for my kids, but I've been getting tips from them for quite some time now, (just didn't write any of them down) so was able to get a nice gift guide ready to share. Maybe it's helpful to some of you too. 

My kids are both teens, 14 and 18, also, my daughter is a dancer so some of these gifts will reflect that. 

What about you, did you start your Christmas shopping yet? I started this morning, unfortunately one item on this list had already sold out in the size I wanted :-(  

 

Please note: This post includes some affiliate links meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always this is at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting this blog.

Gift Ideas for Teen Girls

First up is a gift guide for teen girls. I'm listing more than just those shown in the graphic, I just couldn't include them all. Feel free to pin any of the graphics so you can find the post easily when you need to. 

Neutral Eye Shadow Palette

1. This neutral eye shadow palette (also available HERE)is perfect for a teen. Beautiful neutral colors. My daughter doesn't wear make up often, but does occasionally and this will be especially perfect for when she needs stage make up, once performance season is back on. 

Portable Marley Dance Floor

2.  If you have a daughter who is also a dancer then this Portable Marley Dance Floor would be a great idea. It's on my daughter's wish list but it is pricey....

Sherpa Lined Hiker Boots

3. Boots are always a great gift for Christmas. My daughter loved these Sherpa Lined Hiker Boots when we visited a mall a couple of weeks ago. 

Sherpa Zip Up Hoodie

4. A soft and cozy hoodie like this Oversized Sherpa Hoodie may be on every teenage girl's wishlist. My daughter is loving  the shades of brown that are trending this year.

Portable Bluetooth Speaker

5. This Portable Bluetooth Speaker comes in tons of color options. My son purchased this one with some birthday money and now it's on my daughter's wish list.

Stretch Band for Dance and Ballet

6. This Stretch Band is another idea for a dancer. This stretch band will help with improve her splits, strengths and flexibility. I think it will help with my daughter's shortened achilles. 

Personalized Dance Bag

7. Another gift idea for a dancer. I found this personalized dance bag on Amazon. 

Our Favorite Game for Game Night

8. I'm including this game because it's definitely our favorites for game night. My daughter got it for Christmas a couple of years ago.

Oversized Sherpa Lined Hoodie

9. Another oversized hoodie. A perfect clothing item for a day of remote school (which they are currently still doing). 

More ideas are below...these were all mentioned by my daughter and some of these she already has and loves.

Scrunchies and Spiral Hair Ties

  

Leg Warmers for Dancers or Sweater Tights for Dancers

Sweet Like Candy Perfume Set (she got this last year and loves the scent)

Cloud Perfume Set (she asked for this set this year)

Stainless Steel Water Bottle 

Boyfriend Sweatshirt 

Sakura Gel Pens (she loves using gel pens to highlight important notes she takes for school)

Universal Yums Subscription Box (this would make a great shared gift too!)

AirPods  (definitely on every teens wish list if they don't have them already). 

Instant Camera (she got this camera a couple of years ago for her birthday so she will only get the instafilms)

Shearling Lined Slip Ons (Fuzzy Birkenstocks - enough said!)

Fuzzy Socks  (on her wish list every year)

Beanie and Tech Gloves (she asked for new plain beanie like this one)

Throw Blanket 

Boho Wall Decor (She loves her macrame wall decor and has been asking for a tapestry. Boho style is her current favorite)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Gift Ideas for older Teen Boys

You may already know that it's soooo much harder to shop for boys than it is for girls! But I did come up with some great ideas with the help of my 18 year old son. While mostly for an older teen in mind, I think some of these would work for the younger teen just the same. 

Comforter Set

1. Comforter Set (Everyone loves receiving new bedding as a gift! This one is from Kohls. Remember, you currently will receive $15 in Kohl's Cash for every $50 spent! 

Logo Hoodie // Another Option I think he will like

2. Logo Hoodie (My son is practically living in hoodies and I think he will love this color)

Wireless Charging Station

3. Wireless Charging Station (A perfect place to keep and charge his favorite decives. I also like this bamboo charging station, but he preferred the wireless one.)

4. Expert Lego for the Lego Lover. This  Collector Football Stadium is very pricey. You can find more Expert Lego Sets HERE. 

Kohl's also carries several Lego sets, and remember you will earn Kohl's cash even though you can't use coupon codes on Legos. 

Portable Bluetooth Speakers

5. Portable Bluetooth Speakers (My son purchased this with some birthday money in the blue color above.)

Training Pants

6. Therma Fit Training Pants (These are fleece lined and will be perfect for winter!) 

Spacious Duffle Bag

7. This Duffel Bag will be perfect for the gym or travel. More sizes HERE.

8. Gaming System with 2 Controllers and Game Pass. (If you plan on purchasing your teens a gaming system you may want to check out Kohl's. While you can't use coupons on this, you will earn Kohl's Cash.) 

9. Electronic Dart Board This will be fun for the whole family!

Above were the items I had included in the graphic. A few more ideas are below....

Snow Brush and Ice Scraper Kit

Leather Wallet

Stainless Steel Bottle

Popcorn Maker with Removable Bowl // Basketball Version

OtterBox Symmetry Clear Series Phone Case

North America Puzzle:

AirPods

Minecraft - They've had this for several years and it's still their favorite video game. Available for most platforms.

Robot Clock - My son uses his phone as an alarm clock but think this would look cute on a desk, even on an 18 year old's desk :-) 

I may be adding a few more ideas to this list but even though it's harder for me to shop for boys, I think there are some good ones here. 

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a look!

Feel free to pin this so you can easily find the list.

I'm linking up here:

Friday: Fancy Friday hosted by Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style // Lizzie in Lace //  Friday Favorites at Penny's Passion // A Little Bit of Everything // Friday Favorites // A Fireman’s Wife // Shelbee on the Edge //  Fabulous Friday Link Up with Lucy

Saturday: Dare to Share

Sunday: Style Splash linkup // Sunday Showcase (first Sunday)

Monday: Away From Blue // The Queen In Between (first Monday) // Claire Justine Creative Mondays // Glass of Glam // Mutton Style // Inspire Me Monday // Ageless Style Linkup (1st Monday) // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures // Anything Goes with Your Hosts @ My Random Musings

Tuesday: The Fashion Canvas // Shelbee On the Edge Spread the Kindness // I Do deClaire // Elegantly Dressed and Stylish // Myriad Musings // Jenerally Informed Happy Now Blog Link // Style Splash linkup // Tuesday with a Twist @Stonecottage Adventures // I Will Wear What I Like Linkup  // Randomosity - Good Random - Fun

Wednesday: What's Up Wednesday? (last wed. of month) // The Queen in Between Style Six // Straight A Style // Jersey Girl, Texan Heart // Fashion Frenzy at Seeking Sunshine and Rosy Outlook // Is This Mutton? Wow on Wednesday // Effortlessly Sophisticated // Wonderful Wednesday //  Welcome Wednesdays //  Classy Flamingos

Thursday: Fashion Files at Doused in Pink and Curly Crafty Mom // Elegance and Mommyhood // High Latitude Style // A Labour of Life // Mummabstylish // Thirty Minus One // Mutton Style // Thursday Favorite Things //  Little Things Thursday // Traffic Jam Weekend @Being a Wordsmith // Encouraging Hearts and Home