Sunday, January 13, 2013

Geeky Guy Valentines


It's always more difficult for me to make cards for men, and then when you have Valentine's Day with all the mushy, lovey-dovey stuff, it's even harder. So I am really happy to have an idea for my husband's valentine this year. 

Somewhere in the last few weeks I saw binary computer language on a card (if you know where this was, please let me know so I can give credit! ETA: THANK YOU Marlena for helping me remember, and finding the source! It's by Terri Davenport on p. 35 of the recent Paper Crafts magazine.) Doing a Google search, I found a binary to text translator site. Simply type in your sentiment, and it converts it to all those 1's and 0's. Fun! My husband is both a technology geek and a computer geek, so I thought this would be the perfect way for me to communicate with him on Valentine's Day. It's like sending a secret message! I hope he'll be impressed. 




I made a couple versions. All inspired by this super-fine card by the super-talented Amber Kemp-Gerstel who is at CASE Study this month.


This one says "My Dearest Valentine," and then of course you can read the "i love you" on your own without a binary translator : ) The white panel is mounted on a black card base for a little extra drama. I liked the shape of the binary code on the top. It mimics the top of a heart, and serves to direct the eye to the sentiment, so I kept that look on the other cards.


Next up is a panel mounted on some stamped plaid. There is a lot of pink on this one, but since it's in the background, it's on a dirty pink cardstock, and it's plaid, I figured it could work for a masculine valentine. Plus I added a more masculine, punny sentiment in computer font. I enjoy making square cards when I can hand-deliver them, so I don't have to worry about what the postage should be.


This last valentine might be my favorite.The binary code is acting like a funnel, with the hearts dripping out and puddling on the sentiment. I just used two colors of ink, but was able to get some more dimension with generational stamping. I ended up adding the strip of white on the bottom because I though it looked a little more interesting that way, rather than centered as usual.


Here you can see where I got further inspiration from. This is Amber's guest design card. Love how she has the hearts falling off the umbrella and pooling on the floor.


Here they all are together.

I still liked the "secret message in binary code" concept, so I decided to tackle this week's Runway Inspired Challenge. If you haven't already, you should check it out. Julie Ebersole is guesting, and Pamela created the most amazing card. Seriously, go see : )



Teen boy birthday cards are the most challenging for me, so I'm happy to have another one on hand. For this one-layer card, I copied a binary "happy birthday, DUDE" sentiment a couple times. I claim artistic license, because I had to add a few more 0's and 1's at the end to fill the space (shhhh). In the inspiration photo I noticed some blue in the bottom left of the dress, so I felt comfortable putting the sentiment there. This was also inspired by Angie Tieman ... I love that she used "dude" on her  most recent card.

Adding these all to the Simon Says Stamp challenge to use black, white and a splash of color.
 
Thanks for looking!
-Kelly

Supplies used (i love you): 
stamps: PSX lower case alpha for the heart, Autumn Leaves Sweetheart

Supplies used (we're programmed for each other ): 
stamps: PSX lower case alpha for the heart, Martha Stewart backgrounds
ink: Hero Arts Neon Pink and Neon Purple
other:  black pen 

Supplies used (programmed to love you): 
stamps: PSX lower case alpha for the heart
impression plates: PTI Simple Stripes

Supplies used (Happy Birthday, Dude): 
stamps: PSX lower case alpha for the asterisk, KI Memories Love, Elsie alpha, Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames
other: Spectrum Noir markers

39 comments:

  1. Once you got started, it looks like the ideas just flowed. All the cards are great but the "funneling" one is my favorite.

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  2. These cards are so fun! Love the clever use of the binary codes, really a great idea for masculine cards. Thanks for sharing the conversion website, I'm definitely going to give this a go.

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  3. He will be totally impressed, coming from another computer geek (don't tell anyone through). Love all of your fun and funky cards Kelly!

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  4. Wow--you are on a roll with all these cards. What a cool idea to use the binary code. Perhaps he will be able to translate them all?

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  5. These are awesome! You are so clever! I'm having a hard time picking a favorite. It's between the one in the middle and the one on the right. Great cards!

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  6. WOW these are REALLY fun! Love the one wiht the funneled hearts!!

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  7. It's really not fair to you when you put SO MANY stunning cards in one post. By the end we're so gob-smacked we can hardly type, except to say ... 0010001101 ... (brilliant)!!

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  8. Dear Kelly,

    I totally agree with Darnell.
    Not fair, way too many incredible cards in one post!
    Hey what about the rest of us?!
    What are we going to look like with our "one card per post"
    ;o)

    Seriously, I'm seriously getting in the spirit of Cupid with your amazing cards.
    I just pinned a few knowing full well that i won't even attempt at making one a quarter as good as yours but a little dreaming has never hurt anyone right?

    Have a fantastic week Kelly

    and a big hug from the city~

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  9. I like that third card approach too. I love that your posts always give me a lot to choose from :)

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  10. What a cute idea!
    I think the third valentine´s card is my favorite one but they are alll so beautiful and fun!
    I love your style you make the most beautiful cards!
    Anni

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  11. Oh love these geek cards! The stamps are just awesome!
    have a wonderful week
    TAscha

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  12. What an awesome idea Kelly! Love how you experiment with your cards:)

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  13. Wow wow and wow! I don't have enough words to convey how awesome these cards are! The way you have used the binary language is simply brilliant! And I LOVE the funnel effect on the third card! Great inspiration!

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  14. Well you should see what that last one actually says - you can't just randomly add letters you know! lol! Just kidding. This is a really cool concept (one I've been trying to explain to my children, who are slowly understanding it - hexadecimal next!) Seriously, these designs are really cool - all of them!

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  15. Kelly, these are FANTASTIC. Very creative!
    You asked about where the binary text card idea was...page 35 of Paper Crafts Jan/Feb edition. Such a great way to use that inspiration~

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  16. Your creativity never cease to amaze me, Kelly! ADORE each one of them! I love your VERY cool take on the RIC challenge! So glad that you join the fun with us at Runway Inspired Challenge!

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  17. Love these! what a fun idea using the binary code (however did you do that? - never mind - I wouldn't understand LOL!!!) Such creative designs on all your cards!

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  18. I had never even heard of the name binery before your post. I know where have I been. I love this and ALL your cards are just too amazing. This is a great idea,one I could use for my son . Love the one with the hearts coming off the umbrella! So sweet of Marlena to help you out with the credits. Can't wait to check this out. Hope everyone is doing well Kelly!

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  19. First of all, thank you for the heads up on the CASE Study challenge! You're so sweet! And I LOVE your cards, all of them! The last is my fave, too. Love the funneled hearts and the binary code. Geeky cool!

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  20. The binary code is so COOL! They are all wonderful but I especially love the one with the plaid background!

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  21. I'm stunned by so many beautiful cards, Kelly. All for men!! That's great!

    Rosi x

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  22. Really cool cards! Thanks for joining us at CASE Study!

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  23. wow...amazing cards, Kelly.I just love them:))

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  24. What fun cards, Kelly! Wonderful Valentine theme, yet masculine...which is really hard to do! Great job on all! Thanks for playing along with us at CASE Study!

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  25. Wow! All f your cards are just fantastic!! Such fabulous designs!! Great work!

    Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog!

    Hugs...
    Melissa

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  26. These are all so incredible, Kelly! Wow! I have to say, the "funnel" with the cascading hearts is my favorite, especially with the fun font and geeky sentiment. :) So glad you shared these with us at CAS-ual Fridays!

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  27. Popping back to congratulate you on winning Top Three at CASE Study!!!! I knew it!

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  28. All of these came out amazing! I especially love the programmed to love you . .how cute! Congratulations on making the top 3 :)

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  29. The binary code is SO fun! Great job, and congrats on the Top 3 win. My favorite is the third one although each is certainly smile-worthy!

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  30. I love these cards! What a great idea for guys!

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  31. LOL! I can't read binary code. But it looks slick on your card! ;) GREAT job on the challenge!

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  32. Oh these are fun, and thanks for your great suggestion on my up and coming kid class... Congrats on your CASE study shout out.

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  33. Yay! Congrats on your deserving shout out at CASE Study!

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  34. Wow! These are genius! I love how you took Amber's inspiration and made it your own with the binary numbers, SO cool!

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  35. I am here from RIC but I love, love the card that you used the binary as a funnel! How clever, Kelly! So glad that you joined us in the Runway Inspired Challenge! Happy card making! :)

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  36. I am a total geek so I love these binary cards so much!! The third one is my favourite - definitely love how it funnels the hearts to the sentiment!!

    Thank you *so* much for the lovely comment you left on my blog. It totally made my day!! :-)

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  37. I love these! The binary is so much fun. Thanks for joining us on the Runway!

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  38. Great idea and adorable cards. Thanks for the link to the binary site!

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  39. OK! That's it. I'm telling my husband that nothing has been done since he left this morning, because you high-jacked my left brain. (Help. I'm looking and I can't stop!)

    These cards are beyond fabulous and I can't believe there is a site to translate words into code. What a great addition you are to my creative world - like Christmas morning, only better, because the gift keeps on giving.

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I absolutely love reading comments. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave one! - Kelly