Friday, June 19, 2009

Blogger's Challenge 103 - Manly Cards

Just in time for Father's Day, the Blogger's Challenge this week is for manly cards.

I ordered this Happiness is a Journey set not long after it came out. I so like realistic train sets that I couldn't resist this one, and the sentiment that comes with it is great: "Happiness is a journey, not a destination." Sadly, it is now retiring so I wanted to use it once again before it was gone. It makes great "manly cards"; this was my opportunity!

My paternal grandfather was a railroad engineer of a diesel locomotive but any railroad engine brings back thoughts of him. I remember him as the strong quiet type but he was kind-hearted and generous. When we would go visit he and my grandmother across town in Ft. Worth almost every Sunday afternoon, as we were leaving he would always reach in his pocket for his little leather coin purse and pull out some coins for my brother and I. What a treat! We could ride our bicycles to the drugstore the next day and buy some candy! He worked for the Texas & Pacific Railway for over fifty years! He also loved working with his hands and doing woodwork in his workshop. Great memories!

We made a card almost exactly like this last night for the make and take at my workshop so I kept it rather simple. I was pretty happy with the result; hope you enjoy it.

Stamps: Happiness is a Journey; "Thinking of You" from Trendy Trees set; "Happy Father's Day" inside from All Holidays
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Cardstock: Taken with Teal, Ruby Red, Going Gray (how long since I used THAT!)
Accessories: Big Shot, Texturz Plate (on background), Word Window Punch, Small brad from Star Brads Asst.

You can see a list of the other Blogger's Challenge gals here; take some time to see what they came up with!

Hope you have a wonderful Father's Day with your loved ones and make some good memories!

Margaret

15 comments:

Lisa Somerville said...

Sad to see this set retire, love the texturz plate behind your image.

Sheryl Dickinson said...

Great colors Margaret. I also love the addition of the brad--it's perfect for the train!

Basement Stamper said...

Great card Margaret, love this image!

Nikki Bond said...

This is gorgeous...love the pop of red! {SMILES}

Claudia Perry said...

Great card - love the color combo!

Lisa Bohler said...

The way you used the texture plate and the addition of the star brad is wonderful!

Connie Babbert said...

Great card...I'll also miss it. My grandfather supervised crews making locomotives!

Kimberly Gajewski said...

Wonderful card Margaret! I love Not Quite Navy and it works just perfectly here with this image! Great design! :D

Rachel Hope said...

Wonderful card! And memories :)

Ida said...

Great card (Love the image) and your embossed background.
Enjoyed your story about your Grandpa. My grandpa was an Engineer too. My dad also had a model train set so this card brought back some memories of them for me too.

Unknown said...

Beautiful card and story! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

Anonymous said...

Love that set! You can almost hear the whistle blowing!

Barbara said...

This is wonderful, Margaret! Love the color combo and the understated elegance of the layout. Just fabulous!!

barb said...

Hey Margaret!

I just checked the Last Chance List and it said that the Happiness Is A Journey set will be dormant, not retired. Can you check this out and confirm it too? I love this stamp set and this card.
thanks!
barb

barb said...

Just called SU and you're correct! I didn't think this one was going away, but it is. That makes me sad. :(

Have a good day!
barb

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