Hi guys! Erica on the blog today. Here at Studio Katia we are doing something different and fun for the summer: theme weeks where we all have to make a card that suits that theme. This week’s theme is something I struggle with… Masculine cards. Oy, that’s my crafting Everest! Bling, flowers, pretty, cute? No problem whatsoever. Bring it on! Masculine cards on the other hand. Erm… no. Not good. No mojo, man. I had several hair-pulling moments before I came up with a half decent idea.
SUPPLIES:
Happy Clear Stamp Set
Foxes Clear Stamp Set
Brush Stroke Stripes Clear Stamp
Elongated Dotted Hexagons Creative Dies
Googly Eyes
I started out by stamping one of the foxes from the aptly named Foxes stamp set on Strathmore Bristol Vellum water colour paper and proceeded to colour him in using my Zig markers. When he was dry I cut him out using the coordinating die which will be available to purchase in July. My idea was to make him look like a dad reading a book to his kids so I wanted to add some googly eyes to make him a bit fun.
As I’m rubbish at masculine cards I wanted to keep the background simple and not overly fussy but how to avoid it being boring at the same time? Well, that was the million dollar question and I toyed with the idea of making a striped background using the new Brush Stroke Stripes stamps but instead went with cutting out some Elongated Dotted Hexagons in both a black linen textured card stock as well as foam to raise up the shapes from the card.
These shapes I arranged on the card in a “blocky” way and then I popped the fox at the bottom of the card, inside the biggest shape. Up until this point I felt it was going ok but here I faltered again… now the question was whats sentiment to use and where to put it??
In an attempt to make it more manly I stamped the big happy sentiment from one of the new stamp sets on a blue star patterned paper in a dark grey ink and then cut out out, leaving a wide boarder to make sure the stars showed still. I adhered this to the card over the shapes and then stamped ‘birthday’ in black ink just off to the side.
The card wasn’t looking very manly at all so I tried adding some dark grey enamel dots to the card but it didn’t really make it any more macho. Accepting defeat is never easy but at this point it was either adding sequins or calling it quits. I chose quit. Oh well, you win some, you loose some.
Trying to redeem myself a little bit I made a second card but kept it SUPER simple. Grey card base, that happy stamp set again and with the help of some VersaMark, grey and black ink and my MISTI I stamped it three times in gradient colours. I also added a few dots for interest and then stamped ‘Father’s Day’ in grey ink on a thin strip of white card stock which I adhered to the card using foam tape.
Well, that was my attempt at making masculine cards. Not my best work but perhaps not my worst either. That Father’s Day card I can send to my dad or father in law, neither one of them will appreciate the artistry nor the angst that went into making these cards, lol!
Even though I am not 100% percent happy with these cards I hope I have inspired you to try something out of your comfort zone, even if it doesn’t work out the way you had planned it’s good to challenge yourself every now and again.
Have a great June and happy crafting everyone!
Brilliant designs!
Thank you so much!
I’ve had cards that don’t turn out the way I envisioned them – but the recipient doesn’t know how they were “supposed” to look. I’m sure your father or father-in-law will be pleased that you created a card for them!
Love the photo boards too!!
That’s very true! I’d best not say anything as I highly doubt either my father or my FIL would take the time to read my crafty blog posts to the secret is safe lol!
I think both your cards have a masculine flair, Erika! The wee fox, so dapper in his glasses, is a perfect image for a young man; the second, marvelous for Father’s Day. I don’t think there as a ‘lose’ here at all, but a win-win!
~carol
Thank you, Carol! That’s so encouraging to hear!
I’ve been eye-balling that Fox Set! LOL He’s SO CUTE & the set offers LOTS OF POSES! 😉 You did a FABULOUS JOB on these cards! I know Masculine cards are “hard” for some, but it is the THOUGHT, that matters!!!! 😉 Your father & father-in-law will LOVE these!!!! 😉 I am SLOOOOOW at getting to my Father’s Day Card making this year! LOL Waiting for some supplies to come in…. 😉
Thank you, Becky! I always struggle with masculine cards, it was made easier with these stamps though, I must admit.