Masculine Inspiration Day 1: Men's Wear + a Challenge

Hey there!  As I'm sure you all know, this weekend we will honor all the dads in our lives by celebrating Father's Day!  If you caught my post over on the Paper Crafts Connection blog yesterday, I shared lots of tips for creating those ever so challenging masculine projects!  I think it's something almost all of us struggle with!  Well, today I'm back to share a few more ideas for those man projects!  Inspiration is all around us if we just remember to keep our eyes peeled for it...and it's no different for those masculine projects! 

Today I'm using mens wear as the inspiration for my projects.  I do this quite often with women's and children's clothing, so why not men's?  The colors and patterns I see in clothing quite often spark an idea for a project (admittedly much more fun when flowers and bright cheery colors are involved...but I digress), so I decided to see what I could find in the men's department. 

Let's start with graphic tees.  They are a staple in most men's wardrobes...at least around my house they are!  Many of them feature cool font treatments or graphic elements that can be pretty easy to duplicate with products you probably have on hand!  What about this sporty number from Old Navy....

The logo design inpired this Father's Day card...perfect for any sports lovin' dad.

The "All Star" image was cut with the Sports Manic Cricut cartridge and the "dad" is done with fabric Thickers that were originally white, but I colored them with a bright yellow Copic marker. 

Then what about the tees that are very popular right now that feature lots of flourishes and have a sort of gothic feel?  They're everywhere!  This green number (sorry I couldn't get ahold of a bigger picture) is a toned-down version of some of them out there, but the flourish up on the should done in shades of green was inspiring to me, and it was something I felt I could duplicate with some stamps!

The end result is a card for that nearly impossible group of people to paper craft for...teen boys.  I added some gothic looking diecut numbers for the age of the birthday boy.

The layered stamping up in the corner was really simple.  I stamped the text print with white ink, the flourishes with a green ink and the compass image with a darker shade of green.  To rough up that gray border strip a little I just took some snips out of it with my scissors along one edge.  I think it adds a fun detail!

And lastly, I was inspired by the classic men's button down shirts.  In tons of different patterns...stripes, herringbone, plaid, classic chambray...you name it!

I dug through my scrap bin and pulled out anything that reminded me of a men's shirt...

And just for fun, I made the sentiment resemble a belt buckle, attached to a cardstock belt, complete with ribbon belt loops.  I think it's a fun card that any gentleman would enjoy receiving! 

Ok...so, I'll admit.  It was actually kind of fun!  If you're like me...those masculine projects aren't your first choice when it comes to creating!  But, once I had some inspiration, it was pretty easy! 

So, here's a challenge for you!  I'd love for you to find a piece of men's wear that inspires you (or you can use one that I posted here today) to create a project based on that piece.  It could be a graphic tee, or a necktie, or a pair of jeans.  Whatever!  Now's your chance to get that Father's Day card completed just in time for the big day!

Post a link to your creation using Mr. Linky...make sure you also share an image of your inspiration piece.

You have until midnight on Tuesday, June 23rd.

I'll pick one winner....and this time, let's make it not random.  Show me what you've got!  I'll choose my favorite project and I'll send the winner a copy of the new Card Creations Vol 8! 

  
 
 
 
 
All Star Dad:
Stamps:  "Happy Father's Day" from Daily Designs Sentiments, large star from Star Prints, small star from Out to Sea by Papertrey Ink
Cardstock:  Vintage Cream, Enchanted Evening, Summer Sunrise
Ink:  Enchanted Evening
Patterned paper, sticker:  Like Father, Like Son collection by Fancy Pants Designs
Letter stickers:  Fabric Thickers by American Crafts
Other:  Sports Mania Cricut cartridge, yellow brad, Copic marker

15
Stamps:  Fancy Flourishes, Background Basics: Text Style, Out to Sea, Big and Bold Wishes by Papertrey Ink
Ink:  Fresh Snow, Ripe Avocado, New Leaf
Cardstock:  Smokey Shadow, Ripe Avocado, Kraft
Other:  Blackletter Cricut cartridge, diamond Cuttlebug embossing border  

Happy Father's Day
Stamps:  Daily Designs Sentiments, Borders and Corners: Oval
Ink:  Enchanted Evening, Terracotta Tile
Cardstock:  Kraft
Patterned paper:  Cosmo Cricut, Fancy Pants, Little Yellow Bicycle, Studio Calico
Ribbon:  Imaginisce
Other:  Woodgrain impression plate by Papertrey Ink

Comments

[Lynne Phelps]

What a great post! I always love it when designers show the inspiration and the creation, so you can see how one was born out of the other!

[Troy Louise]

These are all wonderful inspiration for men/boy cards. They are always so hard. I actually broke down & bought my Dad's father's day card as it had to get in the mail, but now you have some wonderful ideas for the future. Thanks!

[Eveline van Heijst]

I made the card for my husband's birthday after I saw a t-shirt in one of the local stores here. I didn't take a picture of it but I really liked the color combination and used those colors to make the card. I will not put this link with mr. linky as I already have a Card Creations (which I adore)
http://vanheijstditjesendatjes.blogspot.com/2010/03/verjaardagskaart.html
I love this tips on masculine card and your cards shown here are wonderful.
Eveline.

[Taheerah]

Wow Betsy, these are *amazing*!! I really love the second one especially! Wow!!

[Alyssa Byron]

Wow great cards, impressed and inspired! TFS

[Alice W.]

wonderful masculine cards! love where you find your inspiration! love them!

[Suzzi]

This is a great post!!!!

[Diane Jaquay]

Fabulous cards Betsy, love how you let the clothing inspire you!!

[JenC]

such wonderful creations!thank you for sharing

[Kathy Martin]

What a great challenge idea! LOVE the cards...they are a great match for your inspiration photos!

[Beverly Jordan]

My father always likes strips and clean looking cards!! Though I loved your graphic T inspired card I went with something my Dad would like to receive. Gotta do what the man wants! LOL

[Sue Rodriguez]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have grown to really appreciate your designs and your way of sharing how you do your craft. I look forward to your posts.

[Mary Ann Huntington]

That is amazing how you can look at a piece of material and turn it into a card. I'm impressed!

[Carla Grace, Middleburg, Florida]

Thanks Betsy for issuing this challenge...I didn't exactly use a piece of menswear as my inspiration, but rather a manly looking piece of patterned paper I found in my stash. I hope that's o.k. Thanks so much!

[Maureen L]

Thanks Betsy! This was a great challenge adn a great reminder to look for inspiration all around us.

[Colleen K]

Your cards are awesome! and thank you for another great challenge! This was a bit hard for me because I like pink too!

[Leah C.]

I love coming to visit your blog, your projects always inspire me. I loved this challenge! I hope you like my card:)

[joy]

Betsy, thank you for this challenge -- it caused me to look for inspiration in some unexpected places - it was fun!!