Monday, March 15, 2010

Manly Mondays Week 1

I've been giving this project a lot of thought and without further ado I will attempt to provide inspiration and ideas for masculine cards every Monday. I will be using current and retired Stampin' Up products.
 
The consensus among card makers is that it is difficult to come up with a masculine card. Let's face it, the industry is catered to women. There are not a lot of images that can be used for men. We tend to over think when making a card for a man, at least I do. The first card I wanted to post for today was causing me much "over thinking" as I was trying to add to many elements. I wanted the first one to be a real "wow" and "why didn't I think of that" kinda card and went back to the drawing board.
 
I present to you the 1st Manly Monday Card:



For the base I used Sahara Sand.  I cut a piece of Close to Cocoa Designer Series paper and scored it at every 1/2" inch to form a diamond pattern.  I folded the score lines and sanded them lightly with a Sanding Block.  I stamped the You sentiment from Define Your Life in Always Artichoke Craft Ink and embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder.  Punched it out using the Key Tag Punch.  I layered that piece using Dimensionals on a Wide Oval Punch piece of Always Artichoke.   Added a piece of the largest Twill Tape and a rub on from the Chateau Bella collection.  And there you have it, a masculine card for a nice neighbor who shoveled your walk, the waiter who always remembers how you like your coffee, or the guy that helped you out when you ran of gas. Thanks Bill :)
 
It was a beautiful day yesterday and "the kids" were outside playing.  No sooner are they out there, I hear a rukkus.  They're fighting over a stick and look how dirty they are!!!  Oh My!!!  To make matters worse I notice that Wesley, the bigger and younger one on the left, has been chewing the deck that desperately needs staining. 
So I sit Frankii down, the older and smaller one on the right,  and give him a scolding.  This is how he holds his head when he is not happy, I call it his stubborn look. 
 
  
I'm telling him that he is older and wiser and should know better and "now you're going to need a bath and stay in for the rest of the day". Aww, the look of Spring in the country.  Gotta love it :)

A la prochaine!
 

4 comments:

Carole'Anne AKA Stampin Stressaway said...

Great masculine card
and I totally agree with you buddy
MAN cards are not easy by far!
you pulled it off with ease
EXCELLENT
ouh and I love your kids
they are adorable Clean or Dirty
he he
that's just because I don't have to clean up after them LOL

Carey said...

I love your card, simiple and manly. I am excited about the idea of the masculine card every week. That is definitely my weakness. I agree also about spring in the country. There isn't a day that my furry son (Roscoe) doesn't come in full of mud but happy. He has a lot more hair than your kids. It doesn't matter I would still keep him forever but hurry up and stop raining.

Carey
aka Roscoe's mommy

Unknown said...

Love your masculine card Julie!! Great idea with the folding and sanding to get the diamond pattern!!!! I've got to use that one! Using a rub on on the twill tape is pretty smart too. In the picture it looks like it's embossed into the twill tape. Great tip!!

As for your kiddos, just let them have fun. I'm sure they've been cooped up too long for winter and they just want to have fun. I know it's a mess but look at how cute they are!!!! Ok, I'm sorry you have to clean up the mess but when they're all clean and smelling good then you can have some stamping fun! I just want to give 'em a big 'ol hug and snuggle, muddy and all. Thanks for sharing pics of your furry kids as well as your incredible stamped creations!!
Lorraine Castellon-Rowe
www.lorrainerowe.blogspot.com
www.lorraine.stampinup.net
ltrain26@comcast.net

grandmalee said...

Love your man card! I'm always looking for ones to CASE for my cards for the soldiers.

Love your furbabies! They are adorable even when they don't behave perfectly! I love Frankii's look. They have so many mannerisms that make them so special & individual. You should be proud of these two!