Negative Space on Purpose

I made this card by running my small star die through the machine three times. Then I used the negative space instead of the actual cut out stars. Instead of my usual heavy white cardstock, this one is actually a lighter weight cream with a slight texture. It works fine because the layers on the front are small and minimal. Black and white twine and the subtle pattern red star add just the punch needed to make this card pop.

Jumbled Birthday

Chrome embossed black mat, screw-style brads, and a mixed-up birthday greeting combine to make this colorless card perfectly masculine.

Stacks of Presents

Masculine birthday cards are hard. But who doesn't love gifts? And stars are as much a fall back for guys as flowers for women. I got to utilize some hard-to-use papers. And the lightly patterned paper looks pretty cool when embossed.

Controlling the Scrap, Version 2.4ish

I need a few masculine cards in my stash (my husband thought it was so cool last week when I went "shopping" in my own card stash--impressing the hubby means more allowance for scrapping goodies, right? =) so this card doesn't use as much scrap paper as some of the others. But it's still in there! The book mark paper is scrap as well as the shadows on those and the stars (odds and ends from my kraft card bases).

I also used a lot more layering on this card than I normally do. I love the looks of layers but when it comes right down to it I rarely do it for two reasons... #1 it takes twice as long  #2 it makes the card front a bit bulky and heavy. But with this card, I felt like it needed that extra look.

Card dimensions: 4.5" x 6.25"
Kraft mat: 3 7/16" x 5 3/16"
Embossed mat (herringbone): 3.25" x 5"
Bookmark style strip (long): outer layer, 1" x 4 1/8" and inner layer, 7/8" x 4"
Bookmark style strip (short): outer layer, 1 1/16" x 3 1/4" and inner layer, 15/16" x 3"
Star (from Martha Stewart All Occasions Cake Art): outer, 1.95" x 179" and inner layer, 1.75" x 1.61"

Honestly, I think it took my longer to measure and type the bookmark dimensions than it did to cut them! Basically, I eye-balled the dimensions and cut my patterned scrap down to size, then added two marks (an eighth of an inch) on my trimmer for the shadows.

Controlling the Scrap, Version 2.3

Another simple card but I just loved the banner and the partial circles of all kinds of patterns! I did two takes because I was going for a masculine/boyish look and didn't succeed with my first try - pink and flowers don't work for most men, lol! I am actually much happier with my second set for two reasons. #1 I made the mat smaller, allowing more of the card base to show. #2 I used a dark card base and I think it looks much better that way. So...here is take one:

And take two will follow the dimensions--

Card dimensions: 4.5" x 4.5"
Colored mat: 4 1/8" x 4 1/8"
White mat: 4" x 4"
Partial circles: 2" trimmed to .75" high

I placed, adjusted then adhered my circles. Then I stamped my sentiment while the surface with still flat. Last, I went back and added a strip of glue and ran my twine, wrapping it along the back and taping the edges with good old scotch tape to hold it in place on the back.

Lighthouse Birthday

Card size: 4.5" x 6.25"

Image: Lighthouse 3 by Cornish Heritage Farms

Supplies:
markers, Spectrum Noir
hemp, gear, paper and cardstock, misc

Hot!! Birthday

Card size:
5.5" x 4.25"

Cartridge:
flames, Dude!
firetruck, Everyday Paper Dolls

Supplies:
circled stars patterned paper, Blink of an Eye SixBySix by My Mind's Eye
orange chevron patterned paper, Fly a Kite LimeTwist by My Mind's Eye
aqua subtle patterned paper, Away We Go SixbySix by My Mind's Eye
cardstock, clips and string, misc

Challenges:
Skipping Stones Design, sketch challenge #142
Freshly Brewed Challenges, #110 Hot, Hot, Hot!!! challenge
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges, #90 masculine challenge

Motocross Birthday

Card size:
4.75" x 4.75"

Cartridge:
biker, Dude!

Supplies:
aqua background patterned paper, Away We Go SixBySix by My Mind's Eye
star patterned paper, Fly a Kite Lime Twist by My Mind's Eye
green houndstooth patterned paper (triangles), Dwell SixBySix by My Mind's Eye
Diamond Plate embossing folder, Cuttlebug by Provocraft
cardstock and star punch, misc

Challenges:
Alphabet Challenge Blog, letter M - for Men only
Sketches by Carly, sketch (pick your favorite past sketch...I chose #50)
365 Cards: Day 156, color scheme

4 Wheelin' Fun

Card size:
4.25" x 5.5"

Cartridge:
atv rider, Dude!

Supplies:
gold arrow and gold subtle patterned paper, Away We Go SixBySix by My Mind's Eye
star patterned paper, Out of the Blue Lime Twist by My Mind's Eye
Diamond Plate embossing folder, Cuttlebug by Provocraft
photo corner punch, Stampin' Up
cardstock, misc

Time to Relax

Card size:

5.5" x 4.25"

Cartridge:

fisherman and boat, Cricut Sampler

Supplies:

orange mat and circle, Away We Go SixBySix by My Mind's Eye

background patterned paper, Blink of an Eye SixBySix by My Mind's Eye

red diagonal stripe patterned paper, Life of the Party by BasicGrey

blue swirl patterned paper, Everyday Flair SixBySix by My Mind's Eye

kraft cardstock and string, misc

Challenge:
Stampin with the Dragon, sketch challenge

Sail On Birthday

Card size:
4.75" x 4.75"

Cartridges:
ship, Gypsy Wanderings

Supplies:
dark blue striped and number patterned paper, Out of the Blue Lime Twist by My Mind's Eye

green on green patterned paper, Dwell SixBySix by My Mind's Eye

green and white stripe paper, Fly a Kite Lime Twist by My Mind's Eye

kraft cardstock, string and brads, misc

Challenges:

CAS-ual Fridays, color challenge
Stampin with the Dragon, sketch challenge
Our Craft Lounge, photo inspiration (nautical theme)

Surf Birthday

Card size:
5.5" x 4.25"

Cartridges:
car, Woody from Dude!

Supplies:
patterned paper, white and colored cardstock and photo corners, misc

Snowmobile Birthday

Card size:
5.5" x 4.25"

Cartridges:
snowmobile, Sled2 from Dude!

Supplies:
patterned paper, Complete Boy by Jen Wilson for My Mind's Eye
twine, Denim from The Twinery
border punch, EK Success
kraft, white and colored cardstock, misc

ATV Birthday

Card size:
5.5" x 4.25"

Cartridge:
ATV2, Dude!
star, All Occasions Cake Art page 58

Supplies:
patterned paper, Life of the Party by Basic Grey
embossing folder, Spots and Dots by Cuttlebug
kraft and colored cardstock, misc

Twelve

Card size:
5.5" x 5.5"
lg black mat, 5.25" x 5.25"
patterned blocks, 2.625" x 2.625"
shimmery strip, 5.5" x .5"
patterned strip, 5.5" x .25"
sm black mat, 3.125" x 3.125"
kraft block, 3" x 3"

Cartridges:
numbers 1 and 2, All Occasions Cake Art Smart Cookie feature pages 36 and 37 cut at 2.5"
stars, All Occasions Cake Art page 58 cut at .75" and 1"

Supplies:
patterned paper, Complete Boy by Jen Wilson for My Mind's Eye
copper shimmer and yellow cardstock, Mango Frost cardstock matstack by DCWV
kraft and black cardstock, misc

MVP Birthday

Card size: 5.5” x 5.5”

Cricut Cartridges:
hat, bat, ball and mitt, Everyday Paper Dolls page 51 cut at 4.5”
“Happy Birthday”, Birthday Bash page 65 (phrase feature) cut at 3”

Supplies:
patterned paper, Complete Boy by Jen Wilson for My Mind’s Eye;
cardstock, misc

Challenges entered:
Victorine Stamps
Cards for Men
Scrapfriendly Yahoo Group