Making The Toughest Card Of All

I've been stamping for 20 years and have talked to many cardmakers in that time.  We've shared how much we love making Christmas cards, how excited we are to construct Valentine's Day treat holders for our kids' class parties, whether or not it's worth fancying up the candy we pass out at Halloween (yes, it is, just for the fun factor).  We've discussed the appropriate colors for sympathy cards and how many ways we can creatively present a gift card.  

The ONE project that generates a collective groan among SO many cardmakers, though, is the masculine card.  Because I love delving into the mysteries of the human psyche, let's puzzle this out, shall we?  Is it that we find it easier to work with a more feminine color palette?  Do we love our bows and ribbons and rhinestones and pearls so much that we can't imagine what we would embellish a man card with?  Do we struggle with knowing just what stamped image a man might enjoy receiving on his card?  

(Layout uses Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch #317)

I love using Stampin' Up!'s High Tide stamp set to make masculine cards.  The lighthouse conveys ruggedness and stability and all the images look great in traditionally darker male colors.  Linen Twine and Braided Linen Trim also make great embellishments with this set and style of card.  Read on for the card recipe!

More sets that would make fantastic cards for men, young and old:

• Capture The Good item #150388
• Sailing Home item #149457 or Bundle with Dies item #151066
• A Good Man item #149270
• Rooted In Nature item #148217 plus Nature's Roots Dies item #146341
• Best Catch item #148598 plus Catch of the Day Dies item #148815
• Country Road item #151356
• Geared Up Garage item #148590 plus Garage Gears Dies item #148521

Card Recipe:

• High Tide stamp set
• Crumb Cake cardstock (5-1/2 x 81/2 base, 4 x 5-1/4)
• Night of Navy cardstock (2-7/8 x 4-1/8)
• Balmy Blue cardstock (3-1/4 x 2, scrap for lighthouse image)
• Sahara Sand cardstock (1-7/8  2-3/4)
• Night of Navy Ink Pad (lighthouse, water)
• Early Espresso Ink Pad (sentiment)
• Crumb Cake Ink Pad (sponging, sand) 
• Sponges
• Basic Pearls
• Braided Linen Trim (frayed)
• Paper Snips (to fussy cut lighthouse)
• Stitched Shapes Dies
• Stitched Rectangle Dies

Shop my online store here to begin making masculine cards with confidence!

If you prefer a hard copy of Stampin' Up!'s annual catalog and don't already 

work with a demonstrator you love, you can request a catalog here by providing your name and address.

Thank you for visiting my little blog on the big Internet today and I so appreciate the opportunity to earn your business!