May Workshop: Cards for the Guys.....(and "Home Sweet Home" Challenge Card)

Masculine cards always seems to be scarce...even when I make cards..I find that most of them are on the feminine side...the cutesy side...the girly side...

Some days,I make a conscious choice to make "guy cards" only...and actually..I just swapped out and mailed the cards for a Masculine Card Swap that I hosted on SCS... which, by the way..were all fantastic..and inspiring!

For my May "Cards Only" Workshop..I thought I'd have everyone give "guy cards" a try....afterall..Father's Day is getting near..and there's always a need for guy-ish birthday cards...

At the Workshops..we always make 2 variations..using the same materials/supplies/stamp set)

The challenge is that most of the people coming are beginner card makers..and haven't yet tried precise matting,...coloring..2-step stamping...so we are at the beginning stages of learning card making...

Yet..it is my desire and focus..to have them leave each Workshop, having made cards that are NOT easily identifiable as being "beginner" cards...and having them WOW themselves with what they have created and accomlpished..

In May...I wanted to
*make "guy cards" with an ink only" image
*not induce frustration with techniques that are too complex....and keep it all very basic and simple..
*use the SU "Backwoods" stamp set
*create a "background" paper by using a stamp and ink
*incorporate paper tearing (and distressing) ....a simple new technique for the group
*introduce shading using ink and daubers
*use a small asst of materials..also to minimize being overwhelmed with things like color combos...embellishments
*enjoy using the Cuttlebug..(hard to see here.. but the base layer of choc chip cs is embossed with leafy branch)

and so...these are the "guy cards" that we will be making at the May Cards only Workshop..

*I'm double dipping with the log cabin card and will also use it as my entry for the Cuttlebugchallenge Blog weekly challenge #28.......because it was inspired by the blogs Wednesday "Home Sweet Home" challenge...

*Tomorrow I will share the optional "feminine" version..using the same basic materials...but a different stamp/sentiment..which will be offered for those who might not have a need for masculine cards..

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This hemp is fantastic...and one spool will last you a lifetime....and the cost is under $2...