Why is it that so many papercrafters say they find making masculine cards the most difficult?  I have to admit I used to feel that way too until I developed a sort of blueprint. I’ll often look for a non-flowery paper (or embossing folder), and then stick to simple shapes.  But that doesn’t mean it has to be boring.  Today’s masculine / gender-neutral card is a perfect example of that.  After choosing a simple bamboo patterned paper and the Wildflower Path Stamp Set for my sentiment I set to work.

BAMBOO BACKGROUND

I couldn’t wait for another excuse to use this elegant bamboo background paper. It’s part of the Symbols of Fortune 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack and perfect for masculine and gender-neutral projects.

I began by cutting a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of the DSP. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted it onto a 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″ layer of Crumb Cake Card.

Going back to the DSP I cut a 3/4″ x 5-1/4″ strip next and glued that down the right-hand edge of a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card. Along the left edge of the DSP I then added a 1/8″ x 5-1/4″ strip of Crumb Cake Card. This assembled piece would be used on the inside of the finished project.

Before that though I needed one final piece of DSP, cut at 2-1/4″ x 6″. Using liquid glue again I fixed this piece to the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope. Then I trimmed off the excess paper using the edge of the flap as a guide.

Now for my card base I chose Thick Basic White Card, using my Paper Trimmer to both cut and score it. Then I folded the card along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. With that done I used liquid glue to fix the assembled Basic White layer on the inside. Finally I glued the layered bamboo piece on the front.

WILDFLOWER PATH SENTIMENT

Keeping with the neutral colour palette I next looked through my scraps of Brushed Metallic Cardstock. There were some quite small pieces and it gave me an idea. I found the smallest scrap in each of the three colours in the pack; two were 1-1/4″ x 1-1/2″, while the third was only 1″ x 1-3/8″!

I took the two larger pieces and glued them to the bamboo layer, one over-lapping the other. Then with a couple of Stampin’ Dimensionals I added the smallest piece on top.

That just left the sentiment and embellishments to add to the card front.

I began by choosing a sentiment from the Wildflower Path Stamp Set. Using VersaMark ink I stamped “Happy birthday” onto some Thick Basic White Card. Then I sprinkled the sticky ink with gold embossing powder from the Metallics Embossing Powders pack. After tapping off the excess, I removed a few stray specks then melted the remaining powder using my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

Once the embossing had cooled I then took the sentiment to my Cut & Emboss Machine. I quickly found the perfect die in the Stitched Rectangles Dies. After cutting out the sentiment I layered it over the brushed metallic pieces with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Finally I pulled out a pack of Gilded Gems and added a one of each size in a line down from the top right corner of the background layer. With that my masculine / gender neutral birthday card was complete.

I love how simple but elegant this project turned out and with very little stress too!

For another project featuring the Wildflower Path Stamp Set see my earlier blog post Wildflower Path not a snowbank.

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