Let's Hear it for the Boys!

I have a handful of masculine cards and projects to share. I made these in the early spring for Spellbinders Paper Arts. I was asked a few times to do "manly" projects for them. I know for many crafters, making masculine cards and gift items is hard. Since I normally tend to pick darker, more masculine colors for my projects, I find that it is not as intimidating to make something that is more masculine. I just try to stay away from flowers! Which is very DIFFICULT! {grin}

I stamped the image and the sentiment with brown ink and then cut them out with Spellbinders templates: Classic Ovals and Labels Twenty-five. I don't like to make "fussy" projects for men and boys. The waxed twine worked great for this project.

The embellishments are all cut and embossed with the Nautical Frame and Accents die set. I love the sand dollar!

The next two projects feature the Carnival Dream "cut-fold-tuck" template.

It is best to use double-sided paper when working with the cut-fold-tuck templates since you can see the back of the paper when you fold. This card is not my normal style, but it works pretty well to give to a man or boy.

I really love the canvas-covered brad.

Next, I altered a CD tin to make a gift card holder, and again used the Carnival Dream template, plus the Sprightly Sprockets templates to give it a "manly" feel.

I always like to layer everything, and using die cuts is an easy way to get some dimension and texture.

I added some great metal brads that look like screw heads. I have a huge stash of those. I buy them all the time and hoard them. But, in my defense, I do USE them all the time. I have all different metal "colors" and several sizes. {giddy squeal}

This last project is a desk caddy that I made from cardstock. A sweet friend made me a similar project using some die cuts from another company, and I thought it was so cool. She filled hers with tiny note cards. I disassembled her project to see how it was constructed and figured out a way to make it just by folding cardstock. I basically made a series of little paper boxes and attached them to make the caddy. (Thanks for the idea, Wanda!)

The little base is the perfect size for a sticky-note pad. I decorated the edge of the box with the SB Edges and Inserts borders.

Here is a peek at it without all the goodies inside.

The back view. I love those hitch fasteners that I used as knobs. A friend gave me a whole package a while back. (Yep, hoarding them!)

I used Graphic 45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe papers to make a masculine project, but you could make this in any style by changing the colors and printed paper.

There, that is my tribute to "the boys!"

Anchor Card:
Spellbinders Supplies:
S4-110 Classic Ovals LG
S4-112 Classic Ovals SM
S5-077 Labels Twenty-Five
S5-082 Nautical Frame and Accents
Spellbinders™ Grand Calibur® Die Cutting Machine

Other:
Gina K. Designs, Showtime Stamp TV Kit Enjoy The Summer Stamps
My Mind's Eye, Lime Twist Fly A Kite 6 x 6" Pad Patterned Paper
Bazzill Basics Paper, Kraft Cardstock
Clearsnap, ColorBox Graphic 45 Decades Dark Cashmere Antiquing Ink; Prussian Blue, Dark Brown, Creamy Brown, Popcorn, Toffee Fluid Chalk Ink
Beacon Adhesives, Zip Dry Glue
SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L, 3D Foam Squares
White Cardstock; Blue, Brown Textured Cardstock; Twine; Adhesive Tape

Good Luck Card:
Spellbinders Supplies:
S5-029 Nested Lacey Pennants
S5-112 Carnival Dream
EL-002 Regal
Spellbinders Grand Calibur® Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Other: 
Waltzingmouse, Fancy Phrases Stamps
Bazzill Basics Paper, Textured Butter Cream Cardstock
Clearsnap, ColorBox Graphic 45 Photogenic Antiquing Ink
Beacon Adhesives, Zip Dry Glue
SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L, 3D Foam Squares
Patterned Paper; White Canvas Brad; Adhesive Tape

Birthday Tin: 
Spellbinders Supplies:
S4-114 Standard Circles LG
S5-025 Labels Seventeen
S5-048 Sprightly Sprockets
S5-112 Carnival Dream
Spellbinders™ Grand Calibur® Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Other:
Waltzingmouse, Fancy Phrases Stamps
My Mind's Eye, Kraft Fun Day Everyday Fun 6 x 6" Pad Patterned Paper
Graphic 45, An ABC Primer One, Two, Buckle My Shoe Patterned Paper
Clearsnap, ColorBox Charcoal Fluid Chalk Ink, Graphic 45 Photogenic Antiquing Ink
Core'dinations, Sand It Gadget Sanding Block
Beacon Adhesives, Zip Dry Glue
SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L, 3D Foam Squares
Black, Charcoal Cardstock; Adhesive Tape; Brads; CD Tin

Desk Caddy:
Spellbinders Supplies:
S4-318 Fleur de Lis Squares
EL-002 Regal
E8-007 Classic Edges One
E8-013 Classic Decorative Inserts Five
Spellbinders Grand Calibur® Machine

Other:
Graphic 45, Olde Curiosity Shoppe Counting Down, Race For Time 8 x 8" Pad Patterned Paper
Bazzill Basics Paper, Kraft Cardstock
Clearsnap, ColorBox Graphic 45 Decades Venetian Lace Antiquing Ink
Beacon Adhesives, Zip Dry Glue
Scor-Pal, Scoring Board, Scoring Tool, Adhesive Tape
Tim Holtz Hitch Fasteners