There is a belief out there that masculine cards are tricky to create but if you keep a little TLC in mind when starting your next masculine project it becomes relatively easy.

T   is for Texture:

Add a little texture by using Bakers Twine or Linen Thread, or look at the more natural ribbons like Burlap, Cotton or Natural Chevon ribbons. Texture can be created by roughen the edges of your cardstock or scrunching up printed papers then smoothing them out and learning to embrace a ripped edge.

L   is for Layers:

Layers add depth to your design, add these layers through stamped images, stacked die cuts or strips of printed paper. Create these layers in a cluster on top of each other and don’t be affair to off centre them.

C   is for Colours:

Colour selection is the most important element, think in threes when selecting colours if you know the persons favourite colour use that as the fountain then add two tones of a complimentary colour or add two neutrals tones, this will make your fountain colour pop!

I have used my concept of TLC on my card for this weeks Artisan blog hop.

T   is for Texture:

I have added texture through cutting out my leafs from the Color Me Autumn DSP then scrunching and smoothing. The strip of newsprint from Typeset DSP was a Vanilla base but I stamped the watercolour image from “For All Things” over the strip in Always Artichoke, I lightly scrunched the papers and attached to the card with a strip of adhesive as shown with the papers over lapping, more texture was added with a few rows if stitching through the center.

I will admit I may of broken a golden rule of masculine cards by adding a bow! YES I know bows normally do not belong but I could not help myself I love bows! At least I have used it while adding “texture” as Linen Thread  I have used is a great element on male cards, I have looped it behind the leafs also.

L   is for Layers:

I LOVE layers and that applies to all cards for me really, but it is a important element on male cards, I have started with stamped ink splatters from Gorgeous Grunge in Crumb Cake ink and the strips of Typeset DSP.  Then the main element of the card featuring the leafs and the Starburst circle from “For All Things” DSP with a circle over Very Vanilla cardstock that was sponged and roughen edge. I have left set the design of the card front and the inside, this then become a design feature.

C   is for Colours:

Colour is so important, I have Always Artichoke as the feature colour paired with Basic Black and Crumb Cake. When I was studying Visual Design I had a lecturer that always spoke of the 60. 30. 10 rule of colour/design and he always drive me CRAZY talking about it and would always roll my eyes everytime! Never did I think that I would agree with him but as I review my card {and a few others} I can see I have use this rule without thinking about it.

60 is the Dominant colour: Crumb Cake

30 is the Secondary colour: Always Artichoke

10 is the Accent colour: Basic Black

I wish I could remember this lecturer’s name, I saw him a few years ago as I had returned to the collage for a visit and I remember him telling me I was wasting my “talent” on cardmaking {and I rolled my eyes at that comment} however I laugh now I as type that always disagreed with him on colour to now use this rule without thinking but I will never agree that I am wasted on creatively expressing myself through papercraft because I LOVE it 🙂

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This week our European Artisans are heading to Stampin’ Up! Convention in Brussels, I wish them and all attending a fabulous time and I am excited to hear all about it, I will be stalking social media.  You are heading to the UK next to see the amazing creations of Vicky Hayes.

Don’t forget in October for every $60 spent and used the following hostess code:

SHKGNHCW

You will receive surprise pack of ribbons…