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)
Save 15% on your choice of Starter Kit (Standard or Digital) AND get the following bonus bundle FREE (a $50 value): 
Don’t forget that the Starter Kit can be tailored to your needs! If you have thought about becoming a demonstrator and have questions…please email me. I will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. 
