Sweet Stampin' ~ Biker's Don't Go Grey...

Hey friends, I'm popping in today with a creation I'm sharing for our latest challenge at Sweet Stampin'. We are having a 'Masculine' challenge. We'd love to see all the cards you're creating for the fellas in your lives. I actually made this as a commission for my big sis'. She had a friend celebrating their 60th birthday and she wanted to give him a special card to celebrate this big birthday, so together we discussed some things he liked and were meaningful to him, he has a green bike he loves and loves to travel, so this was what I came up with from her brief. 

I've used the stamp set to create the tyre-like marks on the white space, which I also splattered with iridescent and mica sprays for that 'oil splashes' look. I didn't have any map papers in my Whimsy Stash, so pulled out some Kaisercraft papers I had in my stash and put together a layered background of three papers I felt added that masculine vibe I was going for. I tore the edge of the green paper for a bit of added interest and a more rustic vibe.

I coloured the bike image with shades of grey Copic Markers, with accents of green. I also added some highlights on the bike to add shine with a Gelly Roll metallic shine pen. I heat embossed the image with clear embossing powder over black VersaFine Ink to get a bit of a sheen to all the black areas. I added some shading under the bike to 'ground' it, but left it otherwise quite open and white. I used a lovely Notched Corner Rectangle Die Set to frame the image and hand cut a mat in green to sit behind it for a bit of interest and to echo the green from the bike. I finished the front of the card with an emblem that cheekily says 'established 1963 ~ all original parts'. He was of course born in '63, so this was a cute and funny way to hat tip that. 

I don't often decorate the inside of my cards, but this was a special one and a commission at that! So I wanted it to feel nicely finished. Plus, there was a sentiment from the stamp set that I really wanted to work into the design. I didn't want to use black for the sentiment, so used Memento London Fog for a softer look and to echo the sentiment. It's a simple finish on the inside, but I really like how it completes this card. With a silver envelope this was ready to give to my big sis for her friend's big day. To my delight and hers, he was really touched and made a special point of contacting my sis after the party to tell her how much he loved the card and the effort she she had gone to. So that made my heart happy!

I would love to see what inspires you when creating for the men in your life, I don't make a lot of masculine cards, but actually have quite grown to enjoy making them now. I didn't use to in my early days of card crafting. But over the years I've tried different things and found ideas I like and find I have a lot of fun now creating for the lads in my life. I hope you'll come and join us with your own masculine make and be sure to stop in to visit the challenge blog to see what the rest of my talented teamies got up to for this challenge. I just love the range of ideas from this madly talented bunch of ladies. You're sure to leave inspired! 

We have just had our second release for the month at Whimsy and there are some pretty fabulous elements brand new in the store! So feel free to check those out via the banner above. I'll be back with another Whimsy creation very soon and again, I do hope you'll join in our 'Masculine' challenge at Sweet Stampin'. Hugs, Wends xoxo

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Challenge Entries: 

Craft Rocket Challenges: #103 ~ For the Boys

Love To Craft Challenge: #74 ~ Anything Goes

Mix It Up Challenge: #65 ~ ATG + Heat Embossing