Trusty Tools – Plaid & Bold

This month’s Klompen Stampers sketch challenge really sparked my creativity! The layout had just the right mix of structure and flexibility, and it inspired me to reach for the Trusty Tools stamp set and coordinating dies for a fun Father’s Day-style card that’s perfect for a handy guy. And bonus—I’m also entering this card into the Tic Tac Toe Challenge #270 using the row for Tools, Plaid, and Red/Blue, as well as the Color Throwdown #832 where the color palette is Dark Blue, Light Blue, and Red. Love when a plan comes together!

I started off with a Real Red card base and layered on a bold blue plaid pattern from the Timeless Plaid Designer Series Paper pack. The plaid really pops against the red and gives it that perfect workshop-flannel vibe. In the center of the card front, I added another panel of Real Red for some extra depth and contrast.

The sentiment “You’re The Most Awesome Dad” was stamped in Misty Moonlight onto a Basic White panel, and I’ll be honest—my “DAD” didn’t stamp perfectly. But that’s why we love Stampin’ Blends! A little careful coloring with the Misty Moonlight marker smoothed everything out and now you’d never know there was a hiccup. (Shhh… our secret!)

For the focal point, I stamped the hammer, wrench, and measuring tape in Memento Tuxedo Black and brought them to life with Smoky Slate, Real Red, and Misty Moonlight Stampin’ Blends. Once die cut with the Trusty Tools dies, they were ready to assemble. I layered on the hammer and wrench and gave the measuring tape a little boost with a dimensional—it just begged to stand out a bit. A few scattered nuts and bolts finished off the front perfectly.

Inside the card, I kept things simple but polished with a Basic White panel and a slim strip of that same plaid DSP along the bottom. It ties the whole look together and gives a thoughtful touch for the recipient.

Measurements (all in inches):
Card base (Real Red) – 8-1/2 x 5-1/2, scored and folded at 4-1/4
Layer 1 (DSP – Timeless Plaid) – 5-1/4 x 4
Layer 2 (Real Red) – 4-3/8 x 3-1/8
Layer 3 (Basic White) – 4-1/4 x 3
Inside Card – Basic White 3-3/4 x 5, strip of DSP 1/2 x 5

H. Collins uploaded this month’s challenge
at Klompen Stampers and she is the
face of On Y Go! Stamping

I had an absolute blast making this card. The sketch was fun to follow, and playing with color challenges always gives my creativity a fresh kick. I’m excited to send this one off to someone special, and I hope it inspires you to get crafty with your own tool-themed cards! Below is the shorts video featuring this card and how to make it – step by step!