It’s been a very active week, so I haven’t had a lot of stamping time. When Jeff asked me to make a special card for his dad’s 60th birthday, I was flattered and immediately started drafting project ideas. I also knew I needed to make a card for the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge (PPA157). I thought, “Why not kill two birds with one stone?” Then I thought, that’s really not very nice – I don’t want to kill any birds, and I wouldn’t even know where to begin with picking out a stone. **Please note that no birds were harmed in the creation of this card. Likewise, no stones were senselessly tossed.**
Without further ado, here’s Mr. LaPlume’s 60th birthday card:
And here’s Margaret Moody’s sketch that inspired his card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders:
- Layering. Plan it all out and sketch it all out all you want – there’s no trick to getting the layers right before you start layering the papers and shapes. I cropped pages and pages of ovals and window frames in every color and size before arriving at this arrangement. I snipped layers of Crumb Cake and Midnight Muse and DSP Stack before deciding to arrange it this way.
- Making Masculine Cards. If you are in a bind for a masculine card, you don’t have to go with ATV’s and barbecue tools. Use masculine colors (blues and browns are always good) and don’t add too much frill, and you’ve got yourself a beautiful card that he’ll love. I added an adorable polka-dot cake to this card, but the cuteness is muted a bit my stamping it in Crumb Cake. I stuck with a simple color scheme for this card, and it works well.
- Don’t Underestimate the Power of Paper Piercing. When I had all the pieces placed together, the window frames shape needed something else. It was just a big blue shape in the background. I had an “aha!” moment when I remembered my paper piercing packs. Why are they so easy to forget? It’s so easy to add a “wow” to a project with the paper piercing template. I added that, and it brought it all together.
Stamp sets: Make a Cake, Petite Pairs Papers: Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack Inks: Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse Accessories: Window Frame Framelits, Oval Collection Framelits, 1/2″ Seam Binding Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Check out the other Pals Paper Arts cards here.
Brian
Phew – relieved about the birds!…. 😉 A very nice card, I do still tend to get a bit stuck for masculine card ideas – liking this one. X
Me too Vic! Love the card Brian.
Ps hope you are feeling better Vicki and are a sickyvickichicky no more!!!
Nice card…. Thank you for reminding me about the paper piercing . I have all of them but, forget and you are right about that`s another subtle type of embellishment so to speak . Oh and Happy Birthday Mr. La Plume ! I like this sketch that you used from MM . Even I could probably come up with something using this easy to follow guide .
Sonny, I would LOVE for you to do that – go now, and make a card. Submit it to the Pals challenge. There’s plenty of time. I would love to see my customers and blog readers participating in the challenges with me. They are fun!
I’m ready to case, Brian. You’ve made it easier for us, thank you! Love this card and Happy Birthday, Mr. LaP!!
Great card Brian, I struggle with masculine cards and with layouts but this card is one fabulous example that I definitely CASE. Love the piercing, specially after receiving a beautiful card from Kim Corrigan from the Spring card swap. It’s so much better to see the product in person and often it’s all you need to go ahead and purchase the item.
Thank you for this wonderful example for a masculine card and Happy Birthday to Mr. LaPlume!!
nice card Brian , and happy birthday Mr. La Plum ,and lots more !!
I don’t know Mr. LaPlume but he is one lucky man to get this card! Great job once again! I totally agree with you and the paper piercing…I forget but when I remember….a WOW comes out! Have a great day!
Classy and stylish!
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones! Great card Brian.
The colors and papers used in this card are beautiful! This is such a great card for a man. I love it, and I’m so relieved that no birds were harmed! Thanks for sharing with us at Pals Paper Arts this week!
Hi Brian, I am a new follower of yours and this card really made an impression on me! I mean wow! Love the layout, the colours you used and the simplicity of the card….job well done! ( I’m also glad about the birds!)
Very nice! It came together very nicely. Great work. Shout out to Mr. LaPlume Happy Birthday!
Wonderful masculine birthday card, Brian! I’m sure Mr. LaPlume will love it. The Paisley print and Crumb Cake are perfect for one another.
I absolutely love this masculine card! Nothing wrong with killing two birds with one stone . . . as long as it’s imaginary. 😉 Your end result though is just spectacular! I love the colors and I just adore that particular print from the Print Poetry DSP!
Very classy card Brian and the paisley paper is gorgeous.
Great card Brian, love how the oval fits on the framlit.
You’re hilarious. Thanks for the giggles. The card is super cool too! 🙂
Wonderfully masculine plain and simple (haha…anything but simple!)…he will love it! Wonderful color combo! Thanks for the giggles…..and for not harming anything….early TGIF!
lovely masculine card Brian, love the paisley paper and the piercing.
Fabby as always! I love the paper choice and paper piercing!