Newsflash – masculine cards don’t have to be boring! Here’s a card your guy can enjoy. It’s full of romance and rich color with a splash of texture, too. And the creative fancy fold adds an extra touch of “special.” There’s even a bonus!
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I first discovered front-flap cards over in the papercrafting community Splitcoast Stampers, which is a gold mine of ideas and tutorials. I was looking for a cute, fun card for Mr. Right that was more than the same old A2 and found this card to be quick and easy, yet still fun and interesting. Mr. Right’s favorite color is purple, so I created the card in the classic purple/black/white combo. He looks good in those colors, so I knew he’d appreciate seeing them on his Valentine card. Which this was.
How to Make a Masculine Front-flap Card
Supplies:
- Cardstock (2 solids, 2 patterns – Colors A, B, C, D. I used two designer papers from Gecko Galz’s Dapper Dan Collection. These are digital papers, so you’re guaranteed to never run out. The two cardstocks are black and white.)
- Adhesive (I use Art Glitter Glue)
- Other supplies as needed, including dies, stamps, bone folder, embossing folder, heat gun, die cutting machine (I use the Sizzix Big Shot), embossing powder, Versamark embossing ink, anti-static powder tool (or used dryer sheet), circle compass (cheapo is fine), paper trimmer, ribbon or twine
Step 1
- Prepare an A2 panel (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″) – Color A
- Layer a coordinating mat on top (4″ x 5 1/4″) – Color B
- Emboss this layer if desired. Here I embossed a herringbone pattern onto the striped paper for a double whammy of pattern. Play around with patterns and textures here.
Step 2
- Cut a piece of Color A to measure 3 1/4″ x 8 1/2″
- Score at 4 1/4″ with a bone folder and glue it to the card front a little off-center. You can play around with the placement for slightly different looks.
Step 3
- Stamp a layer of 4″ x 3″ cardstock (Color D) and adhere it to the inside panel of the folded cardstock. This is where the message will go.
G&B Tip: This is a good time to recycle cardstock that accidentally went through the printer on a previous project. (Oops.) Cardstock is heavy enough that the ink won’t show to the other side.
Masculine cards get hearts, even if it isn’t for Valentine’s Day
- Adhere a 4″ x 3″ layer of paper (Color C) to the front panel of the folded cardstock.
Step 4
Embellish as desired. In this case, I cut a heart using my Big Shot. But I needed a second, slightly larger heart and didn’t have a corresponding die.
G&B tip: If you don’t have the proper die to create a slightly larger layer, trace around the outside of the smaller die, then cut with scissors. The resulting layer will be 1/8″ larger, which is perfect. (I decided against using the compass this time.)
The smaller heart was stamped with Versamark ink in a cute, romantic image and embossed with black embossing powder. I heat embossed the edges of the larger heart with silver embossing powder for a bit of added oomph.
I layered two tags shapes into one layer and popped it up on the front flap, overlapping the heart image a bit.
G&B Tip: Create your own sentiment in a pretty script font and print several sizes in descending order on computer paper. One is bound to fit the tag die perfectly.
- Last but not least, I tied a 1/8″ black ribbon in a simple knot around the top of the card for a last bit of textural interest.
Step 5
- To make the coordinating envelope, cut a piece of designer paper (either B or C) to measure 2 1/2″ x 6″.
- Glue to the flap of the envelope.
- Using the envelope flap as a guide, trim the excess.
Voila, a beautiful handmade masculine card with its own matching envelope. The card store doesn’t hold a candle to you, missy.
Now it’s your turn
While this was a Valentine’s card for Mr. Right, it could just as easily have been a masculine birthday card. Or Father’s Day card. If you think about it, male card ideas are only a step behind a lot of feminine card ideas with just a change of papers and colors. So tell me – have you made any masculine cards lately? If so, share in the comments below. Or better yet, strut your stuff on the G&B Facebook page. We’re always looking to enjoy someone else’s creations!
Challenges entered:
Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge #840
Gecko Galz February Challenge: Love Through the Ages
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