Happy Saturday, everyone! My crazy week at the office ended with a crazy long day that seems to have followed me into the weekend. Sometimes that’s just the life of a public servant. While I have lots of things on the to-do list, I’m not feeling very motivated to get any of them done. So into the craft room we shall retreat. *grin*
This week, we’re looking at shortcuts for creating masculine designs. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s just plain difficult to create a masculine card. One way we can shortcut the process is using a more geometric card sketch. Another way is to choose a more masculine-inspired color scheme. And along those veins, today we’re combining the idea of layout and color scheme with a monochromatic, geometric look.

Today’s design gets started with a base of Cloud Cover cardstock. The background of our focal panel is a quarter sheet of Cloud Cover that has been machine embossed with the Forever Plaid embossing folder, and I chose to do so on the diagonal for that geometric visual interest. This embossed panel is adhered to the card front with dimensionals. Our sentiment panel begins with a strip of the blue Country Woods woodgrain patterned paper that is adhered on the diagonal across our card front. To keep with the monochromatic color palette, I chose the words sweet dreams from the Unforgettable Times ephemera pack. The sentiment is adhered to the woodgrain panel with a glue pen and then I covered the letters and star with Wink of Stella for the added drama of a little shimmer. We finish things off with some blue Rainbow Adhesive Dots on either side of the sentiment and a few Cloud Cover sequins in opposing corners.
I created this card for my kiddo for Valentine’s Day. He has a basketball tournament that day, so it will be fun to use the play on words of sweet dreams to share some chocolate and encouragement to reach for his dreams. A little later today we’re going to talk about how we can shortcut a masculine design with our stamps. I hope you’ll drop back in and check it out.
Product List
![Cloud Cover 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165621 ] Cloud Cover 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165621 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/165621s.jpg)
![Country Woods 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 163393 ] Country Woods 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 163393 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/163393s.jpg)
![Forever Plaid 3 D Embossing Folder [ 164049 ] Forever Plaid 3 D Embossing Folder [ 164049 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/164049s.jpg)
![Unforgettable Times Mix & Match Specialty Ephemera Pack (English) [ 166987 ] Unforgettable Times Mix & Match Specialty Ephemera Pack (English) [ 166987 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/166987s.jpg)
![Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [ 141897 ] Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [ 141897 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/141897s.jpg)
![Rainbow Adhesive Backed Dots [ 162758 ] Rainbow Adhesive Backed Dots [ 162758 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/162758s.jpg)
![Traditional Sparkling Sequins [ 165875 ] Traditional Sparkling Sequins [ 165875 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/165875s.jpg)
![Fine-Tip Glue Pen [ 138309 ] Fine-Tip Glue Pen [ 138309 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/138309s.jpg)
![Stampin' Dimensionals [ 104430 ] Stampin' Dimensionals [ 104430 ]](https://assets1.tamsnetwork.com/images/EC042017NF/104430s.jpg)