Masculine Valentine for The Paper Players


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)

We Have a Winner!

I would like to thank everyone who commented during my Blog Candy give-away. I enjoyed reading what you thought about my blog makeover, and also about the cards that I create! However, there can only be one winner, and this time that winner is:

#155: Ronnie
Ronnie said…
Your new blog design looks FABULOUS! I am a frequent visitor to your blog, and really love your style.

Ronnie, please email your address to me by Monday, 10:00 PM CST, and I will get your blog candy in the mail!

I will apologize for the lack of a card today, but I have been working hard on my Paper Players design team card, which will be revealed on Sunday. In the meantime, I would like to encourage you to be getting your order ready so that you can take advantage of those fabulous free products for Sale-A-Bration! And please, won’t you consider placing your order with me? Don’t forget that I offer a rewards program. To check it out, just move the cursor up to my “picket fence” and click on “Rewards”. In addition, I am always available to help you with your product selection, if you ever have a question! Until next time…

Valentine Girl


One of the things that I look for in a stamp set is versatility. Based on its name, one might think that the Easter Blossoms set from the Occasions Mini would be strictly used for Easter. But a red heart, strategically placed over the basket, transforms our Easter Cutie into a Valentine Beauty!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • Frame in a jiffy! To save time, I prepared my Cherry Cobbler card base and then inserted it directly into the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. No trimming is necessary! (Steppin’ It Up Tip: Lightly brayer the tulips with Very Vanilla ink for a “pop” of color!)
  • Lovely layers! The Black Filigree paper from the Love Letters Designer Series collection was matted onto Naturals Ivory card stock for contrast. (Bringin’ It Down Tip: Skip the Naturals Ivory mat if pinched for time!)
  • “Wow” it! A Cherry Cobbler bow packs a punch when adorned with a Trinket Key and Basic Pearl.

  • The finishing touches! The “Key to My Heart” sentiment from You’re a Gem works perfectly with the embellishment and adds a touch of romance. A heart adorned with a trio of Basic Pearls transforms the image from Easter to Valentine’s Day!

The result: a card with a vintage feel…in a minimal amount of time!
Still hungry for Blog Candy?
Comments on Wednesday’s, Thursday’s and today’s post will enter you into the drawing for this blog candy:

The winner, as selected by Random. org, will be announced in Saturday’s post, and will have until 10:00 PM CST Monday to email me with an address!
I hope that you enjoyed today’s card, and will let me know what you think by leaving me a comment. I do read them all, and I try to respond to as many as possible. And remember, if you have a question about any of the cards that I make, or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…
Stamp Sets: Easter Blossoms (W 121905, C 122057—Occasions Mini), You’re a Gem (W 122268; C 122270—Occasions Mini); Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406); Designer Series Paper: Love Letters (117162); Card Stock: Naturals Ivory (101849), Cherry Cobbler (119685); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (121809—Occasions Mini), Small Heart Punch (117193), 1-3/8″ x 5/8″ Oval Punch (119863); Glitz and Glam: Linen Thread (104199), Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (120992—Occasions Mini), Basic Pearls (119247), Trinket Keys (121892)