Manly Cards!!

Edit: The airbrush system that I use is from Copic and is HERE at Ellen's store. You will need THESE refill cans. You can purchase powered air generators but they are a little pricey. Worth the money over the long haul though.....when I find a good one I'll let you know about that too.

Okay, raise your hand if making manly cards is a challenge for you!! (insert me raising my hand high). I feel your pain, girlfriends!! I have hundreds of stamps but when I go to make a manly card, there just isn't a lot to choose from in my stash. Stamp companies are listening though and help is on the way. This week I will be featuring cards suitable for men so come back soon. Today I'm showcasing the Papertrey set called Father Knows Best. I knew with the tree images and various manly sentiments that this would be a good set....but it wasn't until I actually stamped that first tree image that I realized how much I would love it! For this first grouping of cards, I used the tree with leaves, a feel better sentiment and a Father's Day sentiment...along with a row of polka dots from the Papertrey Faux Ribbon stamp set. All of the images are stamped in brown ink. The leaves are stamped in a green and then I used a darker green Copic Sketch marker to add some shadows to the leaves to create depth. I cut and embossed the images with Spellbinder's rectangle Nestabilities, then added some green to the image with my Copic Airbrush system. I left the die template on the rectangle and then airbrushed...this creates a nice crisp border around the image. I learned that tip from Debbie Olson...she's so smart! Notice how I stamped the envelope too to match the card. I used the same polka dot stamp and also the little leaf stamp to tie in with the tree. It's those little details that really make a great card. This card will go to my dad later this month, he's having shoulder surgery.

Here's the inside of the card. I like to add a layer of white cardstock to the inside of cards that have a dark base like this Chocolate Chip color. The writing shows up better. I also stamped *DAD* with some dollar alphabet stamps I found at my local scrapbook store, the polka dot line and some more of those little leaves. Plaid paper is from My Mind's Eye.
Here's another set of Father's Day cards I did using the circles tree topper from the Father Knows Best set. I stamped the tree topper part in a green then colored in some circles randomly with Copic Sketch markers. I also added some brown dots to manly up the card a bit. Brown brads finish off the main image. And check out the sentiment, such a good one! The patterned paper is from Crate Paper, base color is SU! Wild Wasabi.
Note: I try to answer a lot of your questions....so look back to older posts and I will put an *edited* blurb at the top of the post. This way everything will stay with it's particular post.

Spellbinder's Nestabilities: My favorite Nesties are the rectangles and squares, followed by circles then ovals in that order. That's how I tend to use them the most. I highly suggest purchasing the scallop shapes that go with the solid shapes. I use the Spellbinder's Wizard to cut out my dies. It's a heavy duty all metal tool but it does require some cranking...stay tuned for the motorized version of the Wizard coming soon. It will do all the work for you! I haven't heard of any updates on the release date of this machine but I will update when I find out.

Okay, gotta run. I'm off to the dreaded dentist appointment. UGH! Stay tuned this week for more manly cards using Lockhart stamps.....and some more tips on mass producing cards. I've been stamping like crazy to fill orders!