I grew up as the middle child – smack dab in the middle of Matthew (3 years younger than I) and John (3 years older than I). Matthew met Anna in graduate school, they were married shortly after and they now have three beautiful children. It was probably when Marshall (their first son) was born that I realized I was really old – if my Little Bubba was old enough to be married and have kids, then what happened to MY youth? See how I made this all about me? 🙂 It’s a gift, really.
I’m really proud of Matthew. He and his wife are both architects and seem to balance work and home really well. Matthew also serves on his town’s County Council, which I think is wonderful. He is very active in his church and community. The fact that all five of them are happy just points to the fact that they are very successful.
Today is Matthew’s birthday, so I made him this card and sent it to him:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders:
- OK, you caught me! I shared this tip on Monday, but I think it bears repeating. The Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack provides patterns that can be used throughout the year. This stack offers 48 pages of 4-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ double-sided paper. If you flip though the stack, you’ll see all sorts of beautiful Christmas prints – bold Cherry Cobbler and Lucky Limeade prints with some Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake thrown in for good measure. If you turn the stack over and flip through the opposite sides, you’ll be greeted by bold, not-Christmas patterns in Early Espresso and Island Indigo. This feature makes this paper stack extremely versatile and allows you to use it all up (if you don’t get through it during the holidays). I couldn’t resist this bold stripe for Matthew’s card.
- Be well-rounded. I really like the look of rounded corners to soften a hard look. The stripes in this pattern were really bold (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing). When used to cover most of the card front, I decided to round the corners with my 3/16″ Corner punch. I think it really adds a special touch without a lot of work.
Stamp sets: Perfectly Penned Inks: Early Espresso Papers: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Apothecary Accents Framelits
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I enjoyed hanging out with you.
Brian
Do you want to make your own Triple Time Stamping cards for the holidays? It’s not too late to let me do all the work for you. Buy your kit from me here!
Happy Birthday Matthew! Kinda looks like a mans wallet from this angle, not that any mans wallet is bold Island Indigo Stripe, is it a A1 A2 card size? Handsome!
Patti – at first, I planned to only round the ends, but then it REALLY looked like a wallet, so I rounded them all. I’ve seen the wallet done before (and like it for a masculine look), but Matthew is an architect and likes things to be what they are – no paints made to look like suede or brackets to make a solid piece of furniture look like it opens. Make sense? So I tried to stick with paper being a card. :). It’s standard size, just cut lengthwise and on its side.
What a lovely mans card. My brother (younger by 3 years also) had his first baby son (Sebastian) this time last week – so I know exactly how you felt!!!! 😉
Thanks, Vicki! It’s crazy how time flies! Congrats to your brother, Sebastian and you, Auntie Vicki!
Great card for a boy, Brian. I love the bold colors and the greeting is fabulous. Gosh!! I’ve got to get me that stamp set. By the way, how old is Mathew?
Hey Maria – go ahead and get it. Pefectly Penned is one of the stamp sets that’s avaiable for single order (through the beginning of January) if you don’t want the entire set. Check the specials out here – http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/CategoryPage.aspx?categoryID=1154. Matthew’s 37 today. Can’t believe it.
OOOPS!!!!! I meant to ask how old was little Bubba but now I know how old you are, je, je, je, je, je.
Forgive the confussion, I wrote this comment very early in the morning here in NW Indiana while waiting for my coffee to finish brewing…..So, Little Bubba is Mathew?? LOL, oh Brian, I know you understand me…..
Great card for Matthew ! You did good Brian In The Middle . I like this Perfectly Penned sentiment because it is a statement by itself in it`s font …. I`m like Maria I should get that Happy Birthday while these stamps are on special promotion . Now wonder who is selling those ???? Oh and also…Happy Birthday Matthew !
Sonny, you’re the best! Just hop on over to my demo site and shop away. 🙂 It really is a versatile set – although I’ve never used the “Get Well” sentiment, I guess it’s good to have around. Word Play is also being sold as singles, so I took advantage of that yesterday and ordered the two that I LOVE from that set. I’m kinda “eh” on the others. So glad they are doing this on a trial basis.
Brian – I really like this card. The color combo and the stripes on an angle really caught my eye. It sure makes a difference seeing stamps used in cards. I glanced at the sets being offered as singles when the announcement came out but wasn’t tempted….or so I thought. I, too, like the Happy Birthday sentiment you used on this card. Now I am going to have to take another look at the sets being sold as singles.
Brian,
I can’t believe how much I have missed over the course of the last couple of weeks. My mom passed away on the first and it has been very difficult to even consider playing with any of my Stampin’ Up products. I felt a sudden surge of excitement as I visited you this morning. You are such an inspiration in my crafting world and I love how you share so much about what went into each and every one of your creations.
Samantha
Hello Samantha: Let me tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Samantha, sorry for your loss. But keep your eyes focused on the here after and you will be together again. Also keep reading Brian’s blog..he will cheer you up.
Brian nice card and very handsome!
Masculine and bold! Love the color combo and as always, thanks for the reminder about the versatility of the DSP stack.
Great masculine birthday card, Brian. And no need to reach for a masculine stamp set which I do not own (which is a problem for me as I am not drawn to them!).
Love the stripes, very masculine. And just a little FYI, stampers never really get older, it’s just the people around us that do! How do you think I felt when my oldest daughter turned 30 when I was still 18? LOL It’s all in perspective. Another great hit this am with this card!
Hi Brian…..just wanted to let u know I enjoy your blog and all your tips!
I know what you mean about time flying….I turned 50 and I’m not sure where all that time went 🙂
Hugs
Hi Brian:
I found your site a few days ago and I have to tell you, you are a riot! You’re comment about making things all about you – “it’s a grift really”, absolutely cracked me up. What a great way to start a day. Thanks and yes, I did love the card.
Your brothers are very lucky to have you in their lives, as well as the nieces/nephews….your card is wonderful and Matthew will love it.
Brian, are you psychic or what? It seems that every card you post is just what I need (especially the Just for You card the other day). I love this card too – not what I expected. You see I play a little game trying to imagine what you’ve done with the Stampin Up elements you list at the bottom of your email, before I open up your post with photo and instructions! (I used to do the same with House, trying to solve the medical dilemmas before Hugh Laurie’s team did – I must say I don’t get very close with either!!). Yes I know I’m weird but it’s ok coz I live in England so you’re safe! So thank you for a lovely card once again and congratulations Uncle Brian! x
Whoops – I was confusing you with my friend Vicki, whose little brother has just become a dad. Anyway, you still deserve congratulations for having such a lovely family! (In my defence, I am blonde and getting on a bit so I am allowed to get a bit confused sometimes!!) Vicki will confirm that this is totally normal behaviour for me… !
absolutely normal for you Lorraine…. 😉 But we love you for it! <3
really fantastic masculine card.
hugs, m