masculine card creating

One theme of card that I hear so many card makers say is the most difficult are masculine cards. Why is it that these types of cards are so hard to create? Is is because there is a lack of ideas? There aren't many supplies geared towards a masculine theme?

Several weeks ago, I started a thread over on the Papertrey Ink forum to gather ideas that other forum members like to use when creating masculine cards. When I sat down to compile a list to share and was very excited how much everyone shared! I broke the ideas down into several groups:

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masculine card creating ideas:

colors: darker colors, primary, neutral, browns, greens, blues, pop of red or orange, 

look: simple lines, geometric, grunge, bold sentiments, minimal embellishments, clean & simple, textures & patterns, no shine or shimmer, more technique based cards (alcohol inks, distress, faux metal, etc.), sentiments stamped repeatedly in multiple colors

theme: custom to recipient's hobby (bird watching, fishing, golf, cars, etc.), office, non-floral plants (leaves, trees, etc.), sports, nature, food/beverage, cartoon images, 

embellishments: metallic brads or eyelets, twine, no ribbon/bows, 

Papertrey set ideas: Background Basics: Herringbone set & impression plate, Background Basics: Chevron, Background Basics: Woodgrain & impression plate, Star Prints, Super Stars, Hands of Time, Headline Alphabet, A Little Argyle, Mat Stack Collection sets & dies, Just the Ticket set and border die, Happy Hexagons, Half & Half set and dies, Fabulous Frames set & dies

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I set about creating a masculine card to share today and to get started I took a card that I had created for the Papertrey Ink March release that was quite flowery and girly looking that was created with the Rosie Posie sets and Boutique Borders: Birthday.

I went and pulled supplies based off of several ideas from the masculine card creating ideas list above.

I decided to use the same Boutique Borders: Birthday set, keep the layout, and I even used the same misting/watercolor technique as the original card. I added in the Houndstooth and Herringbone background sets and chose some darker tones of cardstock and ink.

For the main stamped part of the card, I inked up the houndstooth stamp with Smokey Shadow ink and misted it with water before stamping it onto the Enchanted Evening cardstock - the same technique that I used on the original card with the Rosie Posie sets. This background set is a polar opposite of the Rosie Posie flowers, but I LOVE how the technique worked with the houndstooth. I could have just stamped the houndstooth onto the cardstock, but adding the brought the coolness factor up a notch and gave it a bit of a distressed/grunge look.

I stamped the herringbone background onto the kraft card base with Classic Kraft ink to add a subtle texture. The edges are inked just a bit with the ink blending tool. I cut the stamped Enchanted Evening cardstock for the card layout and cut the opening with the Boutique Borders: Birthday die to stamp the sentiment into.

I stamped the frame flourish with Smokey Shadow and then the sentiment with True Black. 

Next came adding a bit of embellishment and I did decide to use a length of Smokey Shadow grosgrain ribbon. The lines in the ribbon add another texture and not tying it into a knot or bow made is work for a masculine card look. I used Dark Chocolate buttons and instead of scattering them around like on the original card, I lined them up on the ribbon for a cleaner look.

Here's a look at my finished card. And you know what? It wasn't difficult at all. Especially being inspired by the masculine card creating list above and I used quite a few of the ideas on this one card - a great new approach for me and hopefully helpful and inspiring to all of you as well.

***Add your other ideas in the comments area and I will add them into the list so this can become a great resource for creating masculine cards!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! See you soon!

Supplies:

all supplies from Papertrey Ink unless noted

Houndstooth Birthday Card

card size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

stamps: Background Basics: Houndstooth, Background Basics: Herringbone, Boutique Borders: Birthday

ink: True Black, Smokey Shadow, Classic Craft

other: Smokey Shadow grosgrain ribbon, Dark Chocolate buttons, Rustic Jute button twine, Boutique Borders: Birthday die, mini mister (Ranger)