Today is my husband's birthday, which meant I needed a masculine design. Are those the most challenging for you? They are for me! After taking inventory of my stamp set choices, Snow Front was the winner. But then . . . I noticed that Quite Curvy had a really pretty curvy birthday sentiment--and a coordinating die to cut it!
When it comes to masculine cards, I have a couple of tips that you might want to employ:
1) Textured background. I mean . . . just look at what the textured background adds to the stamped layer on this card.
2) Rustic trim. I try to avoid a silky/shiny/glittery ribbon on masculine cards but, if it's just too perfect for the card, I tie it in a knot or a "one-loop bow/knot" such as the one on this card. I think the best ribbon/trim for a masculine card is something with a natural/organic texture such as the Braided Linen Trim that I used for my husband's card.
3) Torn edges. The torn Mossy Meadow and Early Espresso cardstock on my card add a rugged flare.
4) Crumpled cardstock adds texture, and that's what I did to my sentiment strip.
5) Wood or metal embellishments. The metal leaf on my card is from the retired Bird Ballad Trinkets.
6) You can never go wrong with a woodgrain stamped image or designer paper, such as the layer on my card from the In Good Taste collection.
I hope these tips are beneficial to you!
I missed this post but like your ideas. Torn edge is an effective technique that I always forget about. I'll have some family guys' birthdays coming up in the next couple months. I'll have to remember these tips.
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