One of the most common requests that we receive is for stamp sets that feature masculine themes. This has always been tough because when designing sets, I always like to come up with a group of images that I would use myself in my everyday stamping. I am not usually one to make cards following standard cliches, such as sports or hunting. Nor are either of these types of sets versatile. Our new Out on a Limb set fits the bill perfectly though. Today I thought I would show you that by just changing the colors you use and concentrating on small details, you can end up with a masculine card without using a thematic stamp set.
I knew that I wanted to create a window card, using vellum to line the opening. So I picked the size window I wanted to use from Nestabilities collection (from the Small Standard Rectangle set). I die-cut the window off-center and ran the die & card back through my machine using the embossing sandwich. It created this simple, classy embossed edge around my window. I just LOVE the way this looks!
I traced the opening of the window onto vellum, so I would know what kind of area I had to work with. I stamped the branch with Burnt Umber Palette Ink, followed by the berry overlay done in Orangerie Palette Ink.
I decided to add some dimension & color to my berries by using my Sakura Glaze Pen (Sepia). I found that by just "dabbing" the pen tip twice on each berry, I was able to get a nice rounded droplet of the glaze that didn't go outside the boundaries of the berry. I actually made sure that the glaze didn't go all the way to the edge of each berry so that a small amount of the original orange ink would show.
Next, I knew that I wanted to add some photo corners to my opening. I decided to make my own from brown cardstock. For those of you that may not have done this before, you need two nesting square punches. I used 1/2" & 3/4" punches for my example. Start by punching the 1/2" square from brown cardstock.
Invert the 3/4" square punch over your 1/2" hole. Get it centered and punch!
You will end up with a small "frame". With two quick snips, you will have two photo corners!
I wanted to add some detail to the sentiment strip I created for this project. The sentiment reads "Amazing Grace", and it is stamped in the Burnt Umber Palette ink. You will see me using this particular brown ink often because it is my favorite. It is a nice dense chocolate brown. I love how crisply it stamps each and every time!
To add the detail to my strip, I held the strip up to a light source (like a window, light bulb or light box) and marked the back of the strip as to where either end of the sentiment fell.
Next I dug out my trusty ol' Scor-Pal and placed the strip (sentiment side down) onto the surface. I then scored two lines through the center of the strip, being sure to stop and start again on either end of the pencil marks.
When you put all of these elements together this is what you might come up with! A really simple, masculine card. When you know your recipient is a male, there are small things you can do to suit the card to him more appropriately.
-Opt for straight lines rather than curvy lines or flourishes. The straight lines just seem to have less of a feminine look & feel.
-Add a star. (The copper one I used in today's project is from Nunn Designs.) Stars in general lean to a more masculine look.
-Go for strong, rich colors. Think autumn and you can never go wrong!
I will be posting some details about our release party later today, so be sure to stop by again soon!
SUPPLIES:
Ink- Burnt Umber & Orangerie Palette Inks
Stamps- Out on a Limb by Papertrey Ink
Paper- Cardstocks from Prism
Other- star charm from Nunn Designs, Glaze Pen from Sukura, square punches from EK Success, Scor-Pal
I love this for so many reasons!It is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! You can really see the versatility in this set! I can't wait to see the rest.
V~
Posted by: Victoria | January 13, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Another great creation Nichole. I cannot wiat for the big reveal ... thanks for all your inspiration ...
Posted by: niccole-k | January 13, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Oh, I love this! And the sentiment Amazing Grace is perfect! Thank you for sharing, it is truly inspiring! Barb
Posted by: Barb Schram | January 13, 2008 at 12:24 AM
What a great idea for the photo corners - love this! Heather
Posted by: Heather J. | January 13, 2008 at 01:56 AM
Love your masculine design and yes you gotta have scor-pal...those lines add the perfect dimension.
Posted by: Alli Miles | January 13, 2008 at 03:11 AM
Love the addition of the Sakura Glaze Pen to add a bit of dimension to the berries. The colour scheme is gorgeous and the score lines add great interest to your sentiment strip. Great card as always...love your work!
Posted by: Angela | January 13, 2008 at 03:53 AM
Very exciting to finally have a masculine card, that isn't too masculine! LOL!
Posted by: Bonnie Sharp | January 13, 2008 at 05:51 AM
wow, can you start traveling from state to state and teaching us? i want a class from you for my birthday!
this is great and so many details to use on so many other cards, i am a VISUAL girl and you give great pictures and tutorials! thanks so very much!
Posted by: janice | January 13, 2008 at 06:20 AM
Wow! This is fantastic! I love the sentiment too! Thanks for all of the helpful hints!
Posted by: Julie Campbell | January 13, 2008 at 07:30 AM
This is wonderful! I love how you did the horizontal lines on the strip! The gel pen added a lot to it too!
Posted by: Heidi K | January 13, 2008 at 07:42 AM
I say "WOW" again! You're right that the standard masculine sets are not so versatile. Thanks for showing us how you can make masculine cards with a versatile set! LOVE that sentiment too - what wonderful sets!
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy Kay | January 13, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Love the photo corner idea, and the sentiment stamp is wonderful!
Posted by: Sara Paschal | January 13, 2008 at 08:09 AM
I always stop by your blog you're so inspirational AND clever AND so creative, every card is done to such a high standard. It's great how you share the tutorials so well and clear thanks for your care! Very stunning cards, great sentiments too! Impressed Kim
Posted by: Kim | January 13, 2008 at 08:23 AM
This is the 2nd project in the past week I've seen that is enabling me to get the Scor-pal totally guilt free, thanks for sharing! (and glad to see another Sakura glaze pen in use(I have the clear an was waffling on an 8 pack at the art store yesterday, but the lid colors looked kind of odd, wasn't sure what they'd look like IRL...think I'll need to go back, I believe they were $10!)
Posted by: Melanie Muenchinger | January 13, 2008 at 08:39 AM
I am sooooooooooo EXCITED about that sentiment!!! I'm loving all your projects this week!!! Another great set from Papertrey!!!
Posted by: Julie Brooks | January 13, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Can I be your bestests friend? I love your work, your tutorials a simply wonderful. I love your blog and check it out every day. I am in awe with the way you teach. Thank you, thank you!
Posted by: Peggy Robinson | January 13, 2008 at 09:26 AM
I am so not comfortable yet with masculine cards and I hate sports and hunting stamps (or toolboxes!!LOL), my hubby is in neither anyway!... ;-)
The colors here are gorgeous, and as always your attention to details makes all the difference!
Now I have a question! :-P When you cut out a window with your Nestabilities, how do you protect the back of your card from being cut or embossed? Do you just slip 2 or 3 pieces of cardstock inside the card?
Thank You! :-)
Posted by: Bee | January 13, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Amazing, Nichole! Just love your work...you are THE BEST! The versatility is amazing...and what a great idea for masculine...without themes! Can't wait 'til the release of these sets! LOVE PTI...
Cheryl ;-)
Posted by: CherylQuilts | January 13, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Of all your projects, Nichole, this has GOT to be my very favorite! How really really beautiful! and your step by step makes me think, I can do that! Tremendous!
Be blessed with amazing grace this week!
Kim
Posted by: Kim Marie | January 13, 2008 at 01:27 PM
I completely agree that the usual "themes" for masculine cards can be overdone. The color palette, I believe, is certainly key. I absolutely love your card and the "scoring" touch. I've been back & forth on the Scor-Pal and it's beginning to look even more useful. And I knew nothing of the Sakura pens. It's that attention to detail that makes your projects special.
Posted by: Nancy | January 13, 2008 at 01:28 PM
I absolutely ADORE this card. It is fabulous. But at the risk of getting rubber thrown at me, I actually don't find it very masculine. I showed it to a bunch of male friends who were at my house with hubby and they agreed that it was a nice card. When I asked them if they thought if it was masculine, they said they felt the colors were too bright, the star too shiny. They said it reminded them of Martha Stewart. (I think that is a compliment, myself). They said it looked too classy to be given to a guy. Depending on they type of guy...he-man guy would not find it very masculine, nor would sports-guy. They said lawyer-doctor-upscale-rich-guy might like it. It was hilarious getting these guys views on this card. That being said, I LOVE it. It is so ELEGANT and TASTEFUL! (even if I don't think I could give it to any of these guys as a card!).
Posted by: Denise | January 13, 2008 at 02:07 PM
oh, I love all your preview cards so far! Outstanding design work and I know I will be getting that sentiment set!
Posted by: liannallama | January 13, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Beautiful! :)
Posted by: Jennifer Buck | January 13, 2008 at 03:05 PM
WOW! I LOVE THIS! SOOO COOL! so looking outside---er I mean inside the box!
Posted by: Becky Peterson | January 13, 2008 at 05:04 PM
This is lovely. I used your card as an inspiration to do this one:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/772760?cat=500&ppuser=100352
Thanks for your beautiful stamp sets and ideas!
Posted by: Lisa | January 13, 2008 at 05:55 PM