A blog devoted to the cards I make in my tiny upstairs space. When my sister stays there, she calls it an "artist's garret". I'm not an artist, but am an enthusiastic cardmaker - hence the title "Cardmaker's Garret".
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Saturday 3 December 2016

Masculine Christmas for Merry Monday

This week's Merry Monday challenge is to create a masculine card, something I always struggle with.

I have a male friend who is an architect and I thought of the Tim Holtz Christmas tree stamp that is done like an architectural drawing.


I created the background first. I spritzed a large piece of mixed media cs and swiped various Distress stains across it, blending them a bit where the touched. I cut a background piece from the part with lots of blue for sky and added falling snow with embossing paste and a stencil. Then I stamped the Tim Holtz Christmas tree on it. I stamped it again and die cut the tree part and layered it over the one stamped on the background.

The star and ornaments were stamped, coloured, and die cut separately and added over the stamped image.

It's bordered in black and mounted on a cream card base.  Here's hoping he'll like it!


I think this card I made the other day for one of the Christmas card challenges on SCS ("relaxation - a cozy cabin, a fireplace, etc.") would work as a masculine card too:


It's stamped on watercolour paper, painted with Peerless watercolours, bordered in black, and mounted on fun foam. I added glitter wherever there was snow. I'm hoping the man I send it too won't mind a bit of sparkle!  The sentiment is on the inside - I couldn't figure out a good spot for it on the front of the card.

Hoping to see some ideas for masculine Christmas cards from the rest of you!





Supplies:
Stamps - Tim Holtz (tree card), Old Island Stamp Co. (cabin card)
Ink - Ranger Archival Jet Black
Paper - mixed media, black, and cream cs (tree card); black and white cs, watercolour paper (cabin card)
Size - A2
Accessories - various Distress stains, Tim Holtz dies, Dreamweaver embossing paste, Simon Says Stamp Falling Snow stencil (tree card);  Peerless watercolours, Quickie glue pen, glitter, fun foam (cabin card)



6 comments:

  1. Both your cards are great guy cards Susan. I love your sponged background and choice of stamped image for your cool 1st card and your warm and cozy Winter scene on your 2nd card. TFS my friend. Hugs, Nancy

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  2. Two fantastic guy cards, Susan! The first is perfect for your architect friend! Love the background done with stains. I played with a stain this afternoon and it was fun! Can't wait to play more with them! And your cabin looks so cozy in the snowy woods! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday!

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  3. Great Cards saw you at Merry Monday
    hugs Nikki

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  4. Great masculine cards Susan. I think your architect friend will LOVE the Tim Holtz tree. So perfect with all the angles, etc. The background is awesome, and great idea to layer the tree ... gives it lots of depth.

    Your second card is so peaceful. What a lovely winter scene ... I would like to be there! :) Great job with watercolours ... the colours flow so beautifully. And love all the sparkle. xx

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  5. Both cards are perfect for our masculine theme this week. Love the background coloring of the first card! Thanks for playing Merry Monday with all of us this week!

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  6. Both cards work for masculine and are very nice! Love that winter scene! Great minds think alike.. I used that tree too for Merry Monday thinking that the blueprint sketchy look was good for a masculine card. I like that background for the tree.

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