His & Hers

Are you the same type of card maker that I am? Someone who always reaches for the pretty flowers, sweet images, and bling (don’t worry, I have some of those for you too!) Always shying away from those rough and metal objects that appear in your stash every once in awhile? Do you cringe when a male in your life has a birthday coming up and all your cards are pink, red and glittery? Well have I got the best article in the world for you! Trust me, I’m reading this with hungry eyes as well because it has always been my goal to become comfortable making a masculine card.

So how do we approach this style of card? And why is it “masculine”? I think the answer to the second question is quite easy. I don’t know too many men that would appreciate a pretty bow and bling as much as me or my girlfriends. Men are drawn to the bold, sturdy and rugged colors. I know that’s quite a generalization but there is truth to that. Take a look at the following cards and see how these designers chose colors and embellishments to give their cards that masculine look. And check out how Aymee snuck in a pink flower yet still managed to exude a masculine feel to her card.

18 Again by Heather Robertson

Supplies: Paper: Stampin’ Up!, Webster's Pages, Cardstock: Core’dinations, Alphabet Stickers, Tags: Jillibean Soup, Rub-ons, Brads: Doodlebug Designs, Stickers: Sassafras Lass. Tools: Dies: Spellbinders.

Design Notes: I love how Heather used color and simple shapes and embellishments to give off that masculine feel.

Happy Birthday Money Holder by Audrey Pettit

Supplies: Cardstock, Baker’s Twine, Glassine Bag: The Kraft Outlet, Chipboard: Lil Davis Designs, Rub-ons: Cosmo Cricket, Die Cuts: My Mind’s Eye, Pearls: Kaisercraft, Paper Clip: Tim Holtz (Ranger Industries), Paint: Delta, Ink: Clearsnap, Other: recycled kraft bag, vintage dictionary pages. Tools: Die Cut Machine: Spellbinders, Dies: Papertrey Ink, Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Unity Stamp Company, Other: sewing machine.

Design Notes: Recycled kraft shopping bags make great paper accents for card-making. Here I used a text-printed bag as both a layer of patterned paper, and a small accent strip across the glassine bag money holder. It’s free, looks great, and is a good way to help save the planet all at the same time.

Let’s Celebrate by Aymee Gandy

Supplies: Paper: Lily Bee Design, Cardstock: The Paper Studio, Die Cuts With A View, Flowers: American Crafts, Tags: Elle’s Studio, Ribbon: Ribbon FX (Hobby Lobby), Bling: Queen & Co., Ink: Stampin’ Up!, Adhesive: Helmar. Tools: Electronic Cutter, Cartridges: Cricut (Provo Craft), Embossing Machine, Embossing Folders: Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Border Punches: Martha Stewart Crafts, Stamps: My Stamp Box.

Design Notes: Although I am a fairly girly themed designer, I have to occasionally make things for the men in my family. I made this card for my brother for his birthday. I tried to use masculine colors and patterns, but had to add my own touch in at the same time. I chose blue and brown patterned paper and embellishments, and then added a splash of color with my flower.