More masculine themed cards

So far I've received positive reviews and comments on the masculine themed cards and the articles that have been published in Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine. I thought I would post a couple more cards here for which I decided to use animals for the masculine image.

The first card uses man's best friend (Flonz) stamped in permanent black ink (Staz-On) on a wooden paper (EK Success). The stamped image was colored with water colors. Before mounting the wooden panel on the card I edged it with brown and sepia ink (Ranger Archival). 

  

The second card started with some star embossed paper I found in a clearance rack (no manufacturer) at my local craft store. I darkened the embossing with brown ink to create some depth. The star patterned paper seemed appropriate for a western theme ... so that's where I took the card. On a piece of parchment paper (The Paper Company) I stamped with a horse theme (Inkadinkado) in brown permanent ink (Staz-on). There are two stamps involved, the first is the rearing horse; which I then masked and over-stamped with the group of horse. I colored the horses using pencil. The stamped image was die cut using the radiant rectangle die (Spellbinders). I cut the frame portion apart to create a flourish detail; which I added at the bottom of the card. Before I adhered anything in place I edged everything with brown ink.

I chose not to put a text on either card that way they can be used for almost any occasion.

Cards for Men by a Man ...

The July 2015 issue of Scrap & Stamps Arts is out and so is the first entry of mine in what I hope will be a continuing section on masculine cards.

My idea is to make simple everyday or occasion cards with a masculine images/themes/ideas that does not rely on women, alcohol or guns (nothing wrong with any of those three items but there is so much more out there). The first entry contained three cards ... no major 3D effects, no bling and no complications, just simple heartfelt thoughts, using monochromatic color schemes, that sometimes are forgotten for men .

A quick thank you for all the things he does (even a man likes to be appreciated),

a gentle yet manly reminder that you Miss Him at times (every one likes to hear that),

or a gentle reminder to let him know that every thing will be OK with a General Feel Good saying!

Sometimes it doesn't take much to make someone feel special. I hope that with each set of cards someone else will get an idea and start creating masculine cards.

Inkadinkado Stamping Gear Set

I recently found the Rectangle and Square Inkadinkado Stamping Gear set on clearance for $5.97 (original cost $49.99) and at that price I couldn't very well resist. Unfortunately the concept is really too big for most cards and work better for 12" x 12" backgrounds for scrapbookers. After several attempts at using the set; which is basically a stamping version of the old Spirograph, I realized this was not my thing. Instead of trying to force a design I decided to just use the stamps themselves. here's my first card - an elegant masculine card.

I started by stamping the Art Deco Inkadinkado stamp four times in permanent dark brown ink from Staz-on on a beige piece of paper. Each image was cut down to create squares; which I stacked one over the other after edging each square with more brown ink. I mounted the panel on a piece of chocolate brown paper from Die Cut with a View and then on a size A2 white card.  To finish the card I added color using Sharpie markers and some square rhinestone from Mark Richards. 

Magazine Column

I'm very happy and proud to announce that starting with the July 2015 of "Scrap & Stamp Arts" I will officially become part of their family with a regular column on masculine cards. The idea is that I will write short articles with accompanying new cards  ... all masculine themed! This falls beautifully into place with my new year's resolution to concentrate a little more on masculine themed cards. The cards will not only use stamped images but stickers and even die cuts.  

  

Foiling technique - to be perfected!

I truly enjoy metals and especially "foil" as a finish for my cards ... the problem is the technique is not the easiest (at least not for me). Last year a major manufacturer came out with stencils, glue and special foil paper and tried to revitalize the process ... I tried it but the results were not that great. Another manufacturer came out with pre-design double sided adhesive to be used with the foil ... but the cost seemed high. After the Holidays I found the entire line on clearance at my local craft store and decided to give them a try. I decided to make a masculine themed Easter card.

The process is simple ... the double sided adhesive pattern is nestled between two protective sheets. First the backing sheet needs to be carefully pealed away. The adhesive is then laid on the card and gently rubbed in place before the second protective layer is removed. Finally a sheet of foil is laid over the adhesive and rubbed down to transfer the metallic finish. Unfortunately I wanted a shimmering paper for the background and the only one I had on hand happened to be textured ... take it from me this was not the way to go. Anyway, I added a die cut cross (Magenta) and a quick sticker text to complete the card.   The scan does not do the card justice but I have to admit that the textured paper is a problem!