handmade gifts for guys

Hello everyone and welcome to another day of the Papertrey Ink May release countdown. Today is another group post day and today we all have projects to share that are perfect for the men in your life. There isn't a shortage of inspiration today between all of us on the design team.

All of the new stamp sets and projects that I am sharing today will be available to purchase on May 15th, 10PM ET, at Papertrey Ink.

Creating masculine themed cards can sometimes seem like a challenge, but you can easily take a card you have created that seems really flowery and feminine and change some of the elements to take a more masculine spin.

I took this card that I created for the February 2015 release. It's pretty feminine with the wreath, flower sequins, pink twine, and flourish font for the sentiment. But look again and you will see that the layout is one that translates well to all sorts of themes and by changing out some of the feminine parts for something more masculine is so easy...

Here's my masculine spin on the card. I flipped the card orientation to accommodate the new Text Style: Dad die for the focal point on the card. Instead of the turquoise patterned paper, I used a plaid print that is part of my new 3 Piece Suit patterned paper collection. Instead of flower sequins, I accented the die cut piece with some silver stars. Instead of pink twine with a bow, I used a natural colored jute twine tied in a knot.

Inside, I used one of the sentiment from the new Tucked In: Father's Day set accented with a few more silver stars.

I think my best overall tip is to keep it simple and don't over think it - and it definitely helps that Papertrey has so many great new sets and products to help you along too!

I am excited about the different options to create handmade gifts too! I stitched up this great key fob for my girls to give Chad for Father's Day. I personalized the colors for a masculine look and feel using Smokey Shadow, Pinefeather, and True Black felt and some coordinating embroidery floss colors for the stitching.

On the back I used the Sew Stylish Alphabet dies to add a monogram.

I created a simple tag to attach to the key fob with the Double Ended Banners die. I snipped off one of the notched ends and added a bit more patterned paper from the 3 Piece Suit patterned paper collection and an eyelet. I stamped "Happy Father's Day" onto the tag with one of the sentiment from the new Keep it Simple: Father set.

I love the detail on the key fob - it looks like something you would find at a nice gift store. I know Chad is going to love it!

You can see more new products from the Papertey Ink May release and projects created with them over at Nichole's blog. You will be able to link up to other design team members to see the handmade gifts for guys that they are sharing and also to the stamp designers who have new products to share this month.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I will be back tomorrow to share the rest of the projects that I created for the May release!

Supplies:

all supplies from Papertrey Ink unless noted

Best Dad Ever Card

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

stamps: Tucked In: Father's Day

ink: True Black

cardstock: white, kraft, Smokey Shadow, 3 Piece Suit patterned paper

other: Text Block: Dad, Dangled Stars die, corner chomper (We R Memory Keepers), jute twine (unknown)

Felt Key Fob & Tag

stamps: Keep it Simple: Father

ink: True Black

cardstock: kraft, 3 Piece Suit patterned paper

other: Stitched Key Fob Die, Stitched Medallion 2 dies, Double Ended Banners die, Sew Stylish Alphabet 1 & 2 dies, silver eyelet (Recollections), embroidery floss (DMC), jute twine (unknown), key ring (Darice)