Sporty Birthday Card

One of my boys had a birthday party to go to over the weekend so I needed to make a quick card for him to take to the party.  Even though I have four boys, I still find it hard to create boy/masculine cards!  I think one of the reasons for this is that so many cards you see are very feminine.  Flowers, glitter, lace, and all things feminine show up on cards everywhere.  I want to show you that with a little adjustment in color, shape, and style you can turn any card into a great card for the special boy/man in your life! 

I got the inspiration for my card from this card.  The color combination used in my inspiration card are really great colors and are also gender neutral.  By using a more subdued color combination of blues, greens, yellows, and browns I made a more masculine looking card.  I think that changing your color combination has the most impact in changing the feel of your card.   

I loved the two different patterned papers set apart by the border on my inspiration card, but a frilly border just didn't work for my sporty card.  The Zig Zag border punch by American Crafts was exactly what I needed!  You could also use a torn edge or even a notebook edge if you wanted.  You still get the separation with a border without it being frilly.  I also changed the shapes of the three stamped images from scalloped circles to squares.  I feel like the squares are a little more 'boyish'.  Circles would also work great.  This change in shape really changes the feel of your card.  A little white gel pen adds a little something extra and helps define both the border and the sentiment. 

Finally, and perhaps the easiest change, is to change the images to fit the style of card you are making!  Adding different balls to my card was really simple using my Cricut and really adds that masculine touch.  Stars, trucks, trains, frogs, etc. are all great 'boy' images to add to your cards.  To get a little bit of a textured look on my basketball and football I set the brown paper on my Versamark stamp pad and pushed it into the ink just a little.  This makes some darker 'spots' on the balls that give them a little something extra.

I hope the next time you need to make a boy/masculine card you can create a fun card just by changing the color, shape, and style of another card that you love!  Thanks for stopping!


Supplies:

• cardstock: Close to My Hear, misc scraps
• patterned paper: Close to My Heart (Good Times)
• ink: Versamark (Watermark), Tim Holtz Distress (Walnut Stain)
• embossing powder: Ranger (Superfine Clear)
• stamp: Stampin' Up
• Cricut cartridge: Boys Will Be Boys
• pen: Uniball (Signo Broad White)
• tools: American Crafts (Knock Outs punch-Zig Zag)
• misc: popdots