Crafty Secrets Design Team Challenge: Masculine

 

Good morning, my friends!

Well, here we are again…another fun Crafty Secrets Design Team Challenge!  This time—something a little bit tricky—(for me, anyway!)—masculine projects…

It’s just really tough not to put oodles of bows, lace, ribbon, buttons & glitter on a project…know what I mean?!  But a challenge must be answered, so here we go!

First up…a fun, retro card using a few different products from Crafty Secrets:

{did you notice that the two buttons kinda look like car headlights?!…at least that’s what I was going for…!}

I LOVE this images from the “Vintage Photos” Creative Scraps—so cute!  And a wonderful black & white check print for my background from Crafty Secrets’ up & coming new “Vintage Paper Patterns” CD…

 

I used the speedometer and “Still Cruisin” stamps from the “Car Classics” set…

The “Road to Happiness” stamp from the “Car Classics” set is great—looks like a license plate!   And the black diamond border is from Crafty Secrets’ “Favorite Fellas” stamp set…

My husband let me know that “man cards” DO NOT have ribbon on them…but it just needed a little something more…this doesn’t REALLY count as ribbon, right?  I mean, it’s not a bow or anything!

Even though this is a masculine challenge, this card was just so retro, I couldn’t resist adding a BIT of Stickles to it…sorry!  We’ll say it’s chrome—how about that?!

Next up:

We’re heading down the country road for a little farm fun!  Don’t you just love all these fabulously farmy images?!  These are all from Crafty Secrets’ “Farm Fresh” Creative Scraps—love them!

 {Does twine really count as ribbon?}

The chicken wire stamp used on in the background on Kraft cardstock is from Crafty Secrets’ “Farm Chicks” stamp set, and that wonderfully vintage red & white print paper is also from the soon-to-be-available “Vintage Paper Patterns” CD…

I just HAD to put at least one button on this card…and as I searched through my big vintage button bowl, I came across this wonderfully old & rusted metal button…what better place to use this than on a masculine-ish farm card?!

And nothing says “masculine” more than a fabulously old,  vintage truck!  (Except for the fact that a truck exactly like this is my daughter Sarah’s dream car!)

Now, since we’re talking masculine, how about a recipe that’s GUARANTEED to make a man happy? (and everyone else, too!)

AMAZING BANANA BREAD

{I ALWAYS double this recipe—just do it!}

1/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)

1/2 cup sour cream

2-1/4 cups flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup walnuts (if desired—my family doesn’t desire!)

1/2 bag white chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light & fluffy.  Add eggs, beating well.

Stir in mashed bananas and sour cream.  Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.  Stir into banana mixture just until moistened.  Fold in nuts and white chocolate chips.

Transfer to a greased loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. (mine always needs at least 5 additional minutes).  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Makes 1 loaf of the most delicious banana bread ever…enjoy!

 

Well, there you have it!  Hope you will stop by and visit all the talented ladies on the Crafty Secrets Design Team listed below—I KNOW they will have so much to share with you today that will inspire you!

Vicki Chrisman--Team Leader

Pam Hooten

Heidi Blankenship

Linda Duke

Michele Kovack

Melissa Phillips

Julie Campbell—me!

 Heartwarming Vintage Blog

Crafty Secrets

See you soon with something new…

Julie

LiveJournal Tags: Crafty Secrets,Design Team Challenge,Farm,Masculine,Retro,Vintage Paper Patterns CD,Banana Bread