It’s Sunday and time to play with The Paper Players! It’s a sketch challenge this week, and we all know that sketches are the foundations of our cards. For my inspiration card, I decided to design a masculine Valentine. Many of you have indicated that masculine cards are always a challenge…and doubly so when designing Valentines. I hope that you like this one. It features images from Valentine Defined, a sentiment from You’re a Gem, and just a smidge of Stampin’ Up!’s new fabulous Glimmer Paper. Enjoy!
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:
- Where do I begin? One of the keys to a masculine card is the color scheme. I selected Basic Black stripes and Cherry Cobbler dots. Both patterns are from their respective Designer Series Paper Stacks. To get an idea of how everything coordinates, I often punch out shapes, which may or may not change as the design comes together.
- Markers! Stampin’ Write Markers are excellent for selectively inking stamps. I used Always Artichoke for the leaves, Cherry Cobbler for selected hearts, and Basic Gray for the trunk of the “Heart Tree” image. Basic Gray and Cherry Cobbler were used for the Love sentiment.
- Glitz and Glam for a man! A little sparkle and shine is fine! A Glimmer Paper heart accents the left side of the image. Glimmer Paper peeks out from under the 4 Ever sentiment.
- It’s all about the details! Sometimes it’s the little details that turn a card from drab to fab. Basic Gray “XOXO” rub-ons balance the image. Opposite corners are rounded. A Basic Rhinestone forms the “o” in {Lo♥e}.
Either the Twins were not impressed with Mom’s card or else they were just plain bored…You know how kids are! At any rate, this is what they were doing while I was designing and stamping today’s card. What an ambitious pair!
So…what do you think of today’s masculine valentine? Please, leave me comment and let me know. And remember, I am only an email away if you have a question about the cards that I make or the techniques that I use. Until next time…
Stamp Sets: Valentine Defined (W 121941; C 123057—Occasions Mini), You’re a Gem (W 122268, 122270—Occasions Mini); Rub-Ons: Love Impressions (121886); Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406); Stampin’ Write Markers: Always Artichoke (105113), Cherry Cobbler (119681), Basic Gray (120966); Designer Series Paper: Neutrals DSP Stack (117157), Regals DSP Stack (117154), Red Glimmer Paper (121790—Occasions Mini); Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler (119685), Whisper White (100730); Tools: Corner Rounder (119871), Curly Label Punch (119851), Heart Punch (119883), 1-3/8″ x 5/8″ Oval Punch (119863); Glitz and Glam: Basic Rhinestones (119246)
Stamp Sets: Valentine Defined (W 121941; C 123057—Occasions Mini), You’re a Gem (W 122268, 122270—Occasions Mini); Rub-Ons: Love Impressions (121886); Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406); Stampin’ Write Markers: Always Artichoke (105113), Cherry Cobbler (119681), Basic Gray (120966); Designer Series Paper: Neutrals DSP Stack (117157), Regals DSP Stack (117154), Red Glimmer Paper (121790—Occasions Mini); Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler (119685), Whisper White (100730); Tools: Corner Rounder (119871), Curly Label Punch (119851), Heart Punch (119883), 1-3/8″ x 5/8″ Oval Punch (119863); Glitz and Glam: Basic Rhinestones (119246)
Love the crispness of this card and isn’t that glitter paper FAB?! Your new blog layout is rockin’!
love this card i enjoy looking at your creations. good job
Ann, this caught my eye immediately! The bling is fan-tab-u-lous and the color mix is perfect for a masculine Valentine’s Day card. The twins are pretty relaxed, eh? Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted. Haha! 🙂
Love the way this card has come together Ann. I wish we had the glitter paper in Oz…. oh well maybe it is coming, fingers crossed.
Cheers Dani xoxox
Beautifully done, Ann. I love red black and white, as you will see on Thursday! And I really like that pinstripe DSP!
Ann –
I just love your cards! This is another beauty. I keep saying to myself I do not NEED that Valentine Defined stamp set. LOL!
I also love to know how the twins are doing!
Stampin’ Hugs, Yvonne
I love the masculine card! Lots of fun details. Hmmm…very clean lines too…what no spritzing?
Terrific masculine card, Ann! Love the clean look of this! XOXO
Your masculine Valentines card is gorgeous. I agree with you about choosing masculine colors first and black red,white and gray are perfect! I love that you used a rub on and a gem to balance out your heart that you added.I love the Valentine defined stamp set. Your card is gorgeous!
As for the twins. Maybe they were just having a quiet Sunday. 🙂
Mary
this is a great masculine card ann-the black striped dsp is so perfect on this card-looks elegant with the red
Such a fun ‘manly’ card! Love, love, love the pics of the twins!! They are getting sooooo grown up looking 🙂 TFS
Fabulous card, Ann! This is a great color combination for a “guy” card–strong and sophisticated. Love the little peeks of glimmer paper!
Great use of the layout … I love your suggestion on using punches to help guide your creation.
Hugs, M
Very nice card, Ann. I especially like your choice of DSP. Mitzi
Such a pretty card. I saw it first on The Paper Players. Great layout!
The twins might not be interested in the card, but I think it’s amazing! Love the card, colors and design. And your extra touches of bling are great! Amazing job!!!
Great card, Ann, strong and bold! Love everything about it, from the colors to the glimmer heart. They must be thinking: Sigh! When is Mom taking us for a walk?? We used to have two cats. The back of the couch keeping an eye on the neighborhood was their favorite perch too. Unless I sat down on the couch of course! Then the older one would drape herself around my shoulders and purr her little heart away! Have a great day, Ann. Pauline
The card is very inventive Ann! I like how you put out all your supplies and showed how you start up the sketch approach! It is a very attractive card indeed! And those dogs…my goodness…does anyone else get room on the couch? lol God bless them! And their big one looking upon them from Heaven too. xox
Ann, such a great masculine card and I agree that sometimes it’s difficult to make those types of cards. At least the twins were hanging out with you and not just disappearing like kids sometimes do.
Black/red/white & bling!!! How can you go wrong with that combo?!?!? Stripes & polka dots–perfect together. Love the card! And, it could be feminine as well.
The Twins look like they are enjoying a lazy Sunday. Probably hoping for warmer weather.
Ann, it is fabulous. You have now enabled me to order this set with my SAB purchase!
I love the dark, rich colors. They are perfect for a masculine valentine’s card. Perfect!
BTW – it was a great sketch. It’s going to go into my favorite layouts.
hugs
jaydee
p.s. I can’t believe how the twins are growing.
Awesome Ann! Love that DSP!! The black DSP is calling my name and I couldn’t wait to hear what package of DSP it was from! That little tree is cute! Only 2 more sleeps until SAB!! Woot-woot!
Love the card! Again, all in the details! Thanks for telling us your steps to creating – I guess I should pay attention to these sketches and go from there. I might get a lot more done. At least with the twins napping – you get a lot done or are constantly checking to make sure they aren’t into something like I tend to do? Thanks for sharing, Ann.
Chris R. from Iowa
Ann, this is beautiful! Love the use of the glimmer paper, the black sets off everything and of course, the rhinestone is just perfect!
Great Valentine! Love that glimmer paper – such a perfect accent! And I love how Muffy Lin is perched!
Hi Ann,
The card is GREAT and your twins are adorable.
Hey, I’ve got a boxer question for ya…..My husband wants to get one as our next dog and I always thought that they were pretty rowdy….is that true? How are they as just pets…..we’re not into showing, etc.
Great card Ann! The color combo is ideal and just a touch of sparkle adds to the delight.
Love the masculine card. The strip black background really says that for me. Just the right touch of bling which works for a Valentine too, but perfect. I LVOED seeing your thought process too. You always seem to “teach” as well make cards we drool over. TFS.
What a great card for a guy. Plenty of love, but not frilly. I love it!
I think the twins are just waiting to see what they’ll get for valentines…maybe a bone with a beautiful tag and bow. 🙂
The twins are just getting used to you creating. Just like my boys around here, “what-ever mom!!!” I like the card and you are making me want that sentiment set!!
And again I am sitting here in poor Germany, crying and sobbing :-)))
Your card is wonderful and I think you did a perfect job combining the love theme and a masculine touch. Can´t wait to see more!
Love the colors and the design, the tree is so cute.
Wow! What an awesome card! Love the colors, layout and bling! My babies don’t get too excited about my stamping either, but they do hang out in my stamp room and keep me company even if they are just sleeping! lol
Ann, love your card…although you say masculine, I definitely think it’s for anyone. Just the right amount of glitter, after all it is a Valentine card, got to have some bling. Your attention to detail really shows on all your cards.
Very nice!
Fabulous card!!! I love it. Never thought of a manly Valentine. Guess I have to make one more. *smile* I too love the bling in the O! Muffy and Brody look so relaxed. Hugs,
Yeah, the twins look pretty well bored with your stamping session. LOL!
I like the glimmery heart you’ve got on there, and the heart tree image is cute without being TOO cute or feminine, so that a guy could embrace it.
Have a great day!
Wonderful card….great layout….and of course the fantastic color combo!
Love the glitter on your card! That red paper is fantabulous! I agree..the twins did look a bit board…maybe if you worked out a song and dance while you stamped! LOL….So funny that Muffy likes the back of the couch….my Daphnee is always up there…and poor Daizee..who’s not as agile…always tries to join her up there! Sometimes she makes it…somtimes not!
{SMILES}
Absolutely FABULOUS! Love this card! I love the bling for the “O” in love too! This card is perfect! I agree with Darlene-Joy! You always add just the right touch! Thank you for sharing an awesome card with us! Love your blog!
Missy
Ann this card is fabulous!!! I love the bling for the O in Love…You always add just the right touch..
hugs
Darlene-Joy