Happy Craftsman Card

With Father’s Day approaching, why not show your love for Dad with a special handmade card? This happy craftsman card features faux metal tool die cuts, along with lots of 3D embossed texture. This year, take your creativity up a notch by incorporating some tool-themed elements into your design.Whether your dad is a DIY enthusiast, a handyman, or simply someone who appreciates a thoughtful gesture, a custom card featuring his favorite tools is sure to make him smile. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the steps to create a unique and personalized Father’s Day card using a variety of craft tools and materials. Get ready to hammer out a masterpiece that Dad will cherish forever!

Link Abbreviations

AMZ – Amazon*
SSS – Simon Says Stamp
Sb.com – Scrapbook.com*
SB – Spellbinders
SIZ – Sizzix*
RI – Ranger Ink*

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Supplies Used / Substitutions:

Spellbinders Etched Dies – All The Tools #S6-204 | Sb.com | SB | AMZ |
Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlits Dies – Alphanumeric Bulletin #666281 | Sb.com | SIZ | AMZ | SSS | Any bold alphanumeric dies
Sizzix Tim Holtz 3D Embossing Folder – Lumber #662718 | Sb.com | SIZ | AMZ | SSS / Any embossing folder
Sizzix Tim Holtz 3D Embossing Folder – Industrious #665754 | Sb.com | SIZ | AMZ | SSS / Any embossing folder
Spellbinders Hot Foil Plate – Happy Parents Day #GLP-316 | Sb.com | SSS / Any sentiment
Black Heavyweight Cardstock / Any color heavyweight cardstock
Blue Cardstock / Any color cardstock
Tim Holtz idea-ology Metallic Kraft Stock – Silver & Copper | Sb.com | SSS / Any metallic cardstock
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil – Opaque Black #GLF-049 | Sb.com | SB / Any color glimmer hot foil
Sizzix Luster Wax – Silver | Sb.com | SIZ | AMZ / Optional
Distress Oxide – Vintage Photo | Sb.com | RI | SSS | Any brown pigment ink
Distress Paint
- Vintage Photo | RI | SSS |
- Black Soot | RI | SSS |

Tools Used / Substitutions:

Sizzix Big Shot | SIZ / Spellbinders Platinum Six | Sb.com | SB / Any die cutting machine
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System | Sb.com | SB |
Tim Holtz Tonic Guillotine Comfort Paper Trimmer | Sb.com | AMZ | RI | SSS / Any paper trimmer
Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat | Sb.com | AMZ | SSS / Optional
EK Scoring Board | AMZ | SSS / Any scoring board
Bearly Art Glue | Sb.com | SB | AMZ | SSS / Any liquid adhesive
Spray Bottle with water | SB | AMZ / Any spray bottle
Tim Holtz Medium Distress Brayer – tda75554 | Sb.com | RI | SSS |
Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Retractable Craft Pick | Sb.com | SSS | AMZ |
Tim Holtz Distress Tiny Blending Tool Sponge – tda84990 | Sb.com | RI | SSS |
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Mini Fasteners Brads TH92790 – Silver | Sb.com | AMZ | SSS / Optional
Foam Squares – Black | SSS / Optional
Mechanical Pencil | AMZ / Any pencil
Best Ever Craft Tape – 5/8 in | SB | Sb.com / Any low tack tape
Copy Paper – 1 sheet / Any scrap paper

Making the Card Base

Firstly, score the black heavweight cardstock at the 3¾ inch line.
Then, fold along the score line and reinforce the fold with a bone folder.
Finally, trim the card to size using a paper trimmer.

Your happy craftsman card base will now be 3¾ x 6¾ inches in size.

Making the Industrious Panel

Embossing

Cut the metallic copper kraft stock paper to a size of 3 x 6 inches.
Lightly spritz back side of the paper with water.
Then, place it in the Sizzix Industrious 3D embossing folder.
After that, run it through your die cutting machine.
Remove the paper from the embossing folder and let it dry.

Distressing

Apply black soot distress paint onto your craft mat and pick it up with a small blending tool and foam.
Spread the paint over the metallic embossed panel, making sure to work it into all the lines and crevices using a pouncing motion.
Allow it to sit for 30 seconds to a minute before gently rubbing a damp paper towel over the panel.
Then, set it aside to dry.

Tips: The wet paper towel removes the paint from all the high points of the paper. Be sure to act quickly before the paint dries and becomes difficult to remove. Be sure to switch to a clean section of the towel as it gets dirty. If you accidentally remove too much paint, simply reapply and repeat the process.

Gluing

Attach the industrious panel to the front of the card base using glue, making sure it is perfectly centered on all sides.
Then, place something heavy on top of it while the glue dries.

Cutting the “HAPPY” Panel

Helpful Tips:

Use the corner of a stamping tool and a frame die to align the dies.
Maintain consistent spacing between letters by using the “I” die.
Secure the dies in place with tape.

Positioning The Letters

Use the excess cardstock from the card base and draw a line ¾ inch up from the bottom with pencil.
Place the letter “H” die on the line one inch from the edge and secure it in place using tape.
After that, position the letter “A” die to the right of the letter “H” die and tape it down. (Use the letter “I” for the spacing between letters.)
Then, position the letter “R” die to the right of the letter “A” die and tape it in place. (Yes I said “R”, trust the process!)
Continue with the same process using the letter “P” and then “Y”.
Remove the letter “R” die.
Run it through the die cutting machine.
Remove the letter “P” die and position it between the letter “A” and “P”. Use tape to secure it in place.
Then, remove the letter “H”, “A”, and “Y” dies and pop out the letters.
Run it through the die cutting machine and pop out the die cut letter.
Lastly, erase the pencil line.

Embossing the Lumber

Firstly, trim down the “HAPPY” panel to a size of 3¼ x 6¼ inches with your paper trimmer.
Then, lightly spray both sides of the cardstock with water.
Place it in the Lumber 3D embossing folder.
Run it through your die cutting machine.
Remove the embossed panel from the folder and let it dry under a flat cutting pad.

Distressing the Lumber

Painting

Drip some vintage photo distress paint onto your craft mat.
Use a brayer to pick up the paint by rolling it back and forth. Lift the brayer in between each roll to avoid pushing the paint around.
Once the brayer is evenly coated, lightly roll it over the embossed “HAPPY” panel.
Then, allow it to dry.

Inking

Apply vintage photo oxide ink to the raised areas of the embossing using your finger.
Then, allow it to dry.

Die Cutting the Tools

Black Heavweight Cardstock – Cut the hammer and saw handle
Blue Cardstock – Cut the hammer handle layer, snips handles (right & left), and saw handle layer.
Metallic Silver Cardstock – Cut the snips and saw blade.

Making the Hammer

Luster Wax Tips

Firstly, you’ll want to take a little bit of luster wax out of the jar with your finger tip and rub it onto the post-it note or scrap piece of paper. This removes some of the excess wax globs and will save you from ruining your project with hot spots of wax all in one area. It also makes for an even application of the luster wax. Then, rub the wax onto the high points of the embossing. Here you’ll want to use a light touch and take your time. Continue this process until all the panel is covered to your liking. When finished, wash the luster wax off your hands with soap and water.

Mask off the oval handle with tape or a post-it note.
Apply silver luster wax to the upper portion of the hammer.
Remove the mask and attach the blue handle layer with glue.

Making the Snips

Glue the left and right blue snips handles on top of the silver snips layer.
Using the retractable craft pick, create a hole in the center circle of the snips.
Place a silver brad into the hole and secure it by flattening the prongs on the back.

Making the Saw

Glimmering

Place the “Father’s Day” portion of the sentiment plate face down onto the silver saw die cut.
Align it with the top straight edge of the saw. Position the plate so that the “Y” from “HAPPY” is to the left of the line where the handle will be attached.
Place two pieces of tape on the plate to create a hinge.
Lift up the plate and insert a strip of black foil (with the black side facing up) underneath.
Flip it over and place it vertically on the heated Glimmer platform. Make sure the plate is against the platform and the die cut saw is on top.
Glimmer the sentiment and slowly roll it through your die cutting machine.
When cooled remove the tape and peel away the foil to reveal the foiled sentiment.

Assembly

Glue the black and blue handle layers to the saw. Then, allow the glue to dry.
Using the retractable craft pick, carefully create a hole in each of the three circles on the saw handle.
Place a silver brad into each hole and secure it by flattening the prongs on the back.

Adding Dimension

Firstly, cut the letter “H” from black heavyweight cardstock four times. (Keep the outside of the die cut, not the letter itself.)
Glue all four pieces on top of each other and place something heavy on top of them while they dry.
Trim off the sides of the “H” and a quarter inch from the top.
Glue it behind the letter “H” on the embossed “HAPPY” panel and place something heavy on top of it while it dries.

Adding the Tools

Weave the snips tool in between the “APP” letters. Add thin foam squares behind the tool for dimension.
Adhere black foam squares/fun foam to the back of the “HAPPY” panel.
Peel off the release paper from the foam squares. (I recommend applying some glue to the foam squares. This allows for flexibility in adjusting its placement on the card.)
Adhere it to the front of the card base, centering it equally on all sides. (If you used glue, set something heavy on it while it dries.)
Then, add some thin foam squares to the back of the hammer and saw.
Adhere the hammer to the left of the letter”H” and the saw to the bottom right of the card.

Happy Craftsman Card Complete!

Hey, congrats! You’ve finished making your happy craftsman Father’s Day card! I really hope you had a blast following this tutorial, just like I did. If you decide to give it a go, don’t forget to tag me (@silversgrove or @grovecrafted) on Instagram. I’m super excited to see what you’ve come up with! Thanks for checking this out, and I hope it sparked some fresh ideas for your own creations. Have a great time crafting!