Many stampers struggle with creating "boy" cards. I am no exception. I recently was asked by a reader for some masculine birthday ideas so I took a look at what I have done in the past and saw some common denominators. "Less is best" comes to my mind when I design for a guy. Think geometric, fewer layers, fewer embellishments, and hold the big blooms, please. Neutrals and earthy hues rule. Ah, and a touch of metal appeals to the most basic level of the modern male.
The good news is that with fewer details, your card can be completed in short order. This one qualifies for my Stamping 911 category . . . meaning if you need a card in an emergency, it can go together in 10 minutes or less.
A card base of Always Artichoke gets things rolling. I adhered some of Papertrey’s Spring Moss card stock, textured with a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder. The top image (any stem will do) was dipped in Versamark and embossed in White (on Chocolate Chip card stock).
The sentiment is from It’s All Good . . .inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped on Whisper White. I then punched it with a 3/4" circle punch and layered it over dimensional and a 1" Whisper White circle. TIP: Attach your sentiment to your image first, then add the label holder and brads. It’s much easier this way.
The final touch is a punch of Spring Moss with the Word Window and 3 brads to balance the metal in the sentiment. TIP: A template makes spacing brads evenly a snap. Done!
NEED AN OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG? If you are interested in ordering from the newly released Occasions Mini Collection 2008 and need a catalog , I would be happy to mail you one. Just drop me an email with you name and address (U.S. only). Please contact your local Stampin’ Up! demonstrator for a catalog if you have a current relationship. Thanks.
Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary
Stamp Sets: It’s All Good (109308), Stem Silhouettes (retired set, but wonderful alternatives are Wonderful You (11181), Lovely as a Tree (101223) or Embrace Life (111011)
Paper: Always Artichoke (105119), Chocolate Chip (102128), Whisper White (100730), Spring Moss (www.papertreyink.com)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908), Versamark (102283)
Cool Tools: 3/4" (107217) and 1" (109046)Circle Punches, Word Window Punch (105090), Heat Tool (100005), Wire Cutter, Paper Piercer and Template (Crafter’s Tool Kit, 104310), Cuttlebug (available at Create for Less)
The Perfect Touch: White Embossing Powder (109132), Hodgepodge Hardware Brads and Label Holder (Occasions Mini Collection, Styled Silver, 111325), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
Perfect! and it does look like it could be done in a flash! Well, probably more for me….
love it. it is a great one!! yep, masculine cards are harder to make, for sure! thanks for great inspiration and for using the new hardware, i’m trying not to hoard…i’m trying!!
I just came across your blog today. I’m liking what I see! In fact, I’ve already CASEd you a bit! That warrants automatic entry into my Google Reader! š LOL! Here is the card I finished with some inspiration from you:
http://stampinmelissa.blogspot.com/2008/03/aged-congrats.html
Thank you!
Oh I really like this! The color choice is great, the layout appealing and there’s no ribbon or bling (And I really like ribbon and bling, so this is hard!). This one goes into my favs!