Slimline Masculine Birthday Cards

I don't know about you, but I always seems to struggle when it comes to making masculine birthday cards. I'm not sure if it's the lack of masculine themed products that appeal to me or my lack of purchasing masculine themed products, but it's always been something I struggle with. Today, I'm sharing two versions of a slimline masculine birthday card. One is a more detailed, time consuming version and the other is a quick and easy option. Along with the challenge of making a masculine birthday card, time can also be a factor. Sometimes I plan ahead and have time to play and at other times, I'm in a bit of a hurry. Either way, I've got you covered with these slimline masculine birthday cards.

Slimline Masculine Birthday Cards by Juliana Michaels

To get started, let's take a look at the detailed version.

Slimline Masculine Birthday Card by Juliana Michaels

For both cards, I began by stamping multiples of the images from the Tim Holtz Distinguished Stamp Set. If you happen to have the coordinating die set, you can follow the instructions on how to easily die cut and stamp these images here. If you don't own the dies, fussy cutting is always an option.


Once I had a pile of stamped images, I grabbed one of each image and began coloring them with Copic Markers. Feel free to use whatever markers or color medium you prefer and as always, remember to use the right ink and paper for that medium. After I finished coloring each image, I inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.


For the background of the card, I used the Scrapbook.com Buffalo Check Slimline Die to emboss a piece of white cardstock. Any metal die can be used for embossing if you use it with a Silicone Rubber Cutting Pad. If you are not totally familiar with this technique, I recommend you do a little research to find out the correct sandwich for your particular die cutting machine.


With the paper embossed, I lightly ink blended over it with Vintage Photo Distress Ink to highlight the embossed design. Next, I layered a few pieces of ephemera and then finished it off with a stamped sentiment using the Tim Holtz Simple Sayings Stamp Set. I then layered everything onto a piece of black cardstock. To add more dimension, I adhered some of the stamped images and the sentiment with double sided foam adhesive.

Slimline Masculine Birthday Card by Juliana Michaels

The second card uses the stamped and die cut images, but I saved a ton of time by not coloring the images. I simply inked the edges with a bit of Vintage Photo Distress Ink.


To save even more time, I made the background super simple by embossing a piece of black cardstock using the Buffalo Check Slimline Die. I also skipped the inking and the use of ephemera.


To finish off the card, I used double sided foam adhesive to pop up some of the stamped images as I adhered them to the card front. All in all, the second card came together very quickly and still has a great masculine feel to it.


Now, you may be thinking, I don't have the dies and I don't have time for fussy cutting. If this is your situation, here's another option for you. Simply stamp the images onto a piece of white cardstock, allowing the images to overlap if desired. Then all you have to do is fussy cut the sentiment piece and pop it up with a bit of double sided foam adhesive.

I hope you enjoyed these Slimline Masculine Birthday Cards ideas and the options of a more detailed, time consuming version as well as a quick and easy option. Thanks so much for your visit and as always feel free to reach out with any questions or just to say hi!

Supplies

Below you can find the products I used to create this project along with compensated affiliate links to Scrapbook.com. These links are at absolutely no extra cost to you. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here.

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Lucky St. Patrick's Day Card | Foiling With Stencils

Lucky is a state of mind, and with St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, I was inspired to pull out all the lucky (and green) things I could find.  This St. Patrick's Day Card features a background created by foiling with stencils along with some other fun stamping and die cutting techniques. 

Lucky St. Patrick's Day Card by Juliana Michaels

For the background, I began with a piece of Distress White Heavy Stock cut to 4 x 5.25 inches. I placed the Shamrocks Stencil over it using Mint Tape to hold the stencil in place. I then applied a layer of Deco Foil Transfer Gel over the stencil using a palette knife. Once there was a thin layer of gel covering the stencil design, I removed the stencil, washed it and set the card front to the side to dry. Once the gel was dry, I covered it with a piece of Therm O Web Green Deco Foil and ran it through my Heidi Swapp Minc.


With the foiling completed, I decided to add add a little more interest with some stamping. This step could be done before the foiling as well, so keep that in mind. For the stamping, I used the Stamp and Smudge Technique using Distress Oxide Inks. After I stamped each image, I dabbed off the excess ink with a paper towel and then with another clean towel I gently smudged the image. I like to build layers with this technique, making sure the images overlap, but also thinking about color placement as I stamp each one. Sometimes, I even lay out all the images to figure out which ones to stamp where and even what colors to use. The stamps I used can be found in my supply list at the bottom of this post. For the inks, I used a mix of Frayed Burlap, Rustic Wilderness and Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide. Once I was finished with the stamping, I inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and added some machine stitching.


With the background completed, it's time to move onto to the focal point...that fabulous embossed four leaf clover! I used the 3D Lucky Love Impresslit to emboss and die cut the shape. I began by dabbing some Rustic Wilderness Distress Ink onto my craft mat and spritzed it with a little water. I then dabbed and smooshed a piece of watercolor paper into the ink, dried it with my heat tool and repeated the process until I was happy with the ink coverage. I then lightly spritzed the back side of the paper using my Distress Sprayer, placed the paper inside the 3D embossing folder and then ran it through my die cutting machine 3 times. The spritz of water and running it through 3 times helps ensure that the design is fully embossed into the paper. I then removed the die cut and allowed it to fully dry. Once dry, I inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and added a bit of Aged Bronze Distress Crayon with my finger for a touch of shimmer.


Next, I summoned my inner Zoe Hillman and added a top hat and suit from the Distinguished Stamp Set. I die cut the images from Distress White Heavystock and then stamped the images using Black Soot Archival Ink. You might have noticed that said I die cut and then stamped. I used a technique that Tim Holtz shared during his Holiday 2020 Part 2 Live that is a game changer for stamping and die cutting with Framelits. If you aren't familiar with Framelits, they are dies that coordinate with some of the Tim Holtz stamps. These dies cut right up to the edge of the stamped image so it can be a bit tricky to line things up if you stamp and then die cut as you would normally. And as always, if you don't have the dies, you can always fussy cut the images.
 
With the stamping and die cutting completed, I wanted to add a bit more texture, so I die cut a wreath from Distress White Heavystock using the Funky Wreath Thinlits. I used the same dab and smoosh technique that I used on the four leaf clover, however this time I used Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.
 
To finish off the card, I added a Quote Chip that fit my theme and embellished it with some Hardware Heads that I distressed with some Mushroom Alcohol Ink. I then inked the edges of the Quote Chip with some Vintage Photo Distress Ink and adhered it to my card. For the final step, I created some coordinating cardstock by inking the edges of a piece of Distress White Heavystock with Rustic Wilderness.


I hope you enjoyed learning how this Lucky St. Patrick's Day Card came together with a bit of foiling with stencils, stamping, and die cutting. As always, if you have any questions, please feel to reach out and ask!

Supplies

Below you can find the products I used to create this project along with compensated affiliate links to Scrapbook.com. These links are at absolutely no extra cost to you. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here.

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No More Warped Cutting Plates | Why You Need The Magic Mat™ from Scrapbook.com

If you own a die cutting machine and are frustrated about warped cutting plates, then you must check out The Magic Mat™by Scrapbook.com. It's a die cutting game-changer! With The Magic Mat™ there will be no more warped cutting plates. If you aren't familiar with The Magic Mat™ keep scrolling to find out why you need The Magic Mat™ from Scrapbook.com. 

Slimline Cards by Juliana Michaels featuring Scrapbook.com Slimline Dies, Paper Pads and The Magic Mat™

I don't know about you, but I am constantly buying and replacing my plastic cutting plates because they get warped and develop deep etches that occasionally transfer to my projects. Nothing is more frustrating than having to replace my cutting plates after only using them for a couple of weeks. The Magic Mat™ is a replacement for one of your plastic cutting plates, specifically the one that gets cut into. It's made from a recycled, self-healing material that's designed to be cut into over and over when used with blades and cutting tools. So guess what this means? You can say goodbye to warped cutting plates, deep etchings, marks and scratches that may transfer onto your projects. And because you are only using one cutting plate at a time, you will save money as you won't need to replace those as often. To use The Magic Mat™ simply replace your bottom cutting plate with it and start die cutting!

Slimline Cards by Juliana Michaels featuring Scrapbook.com Slimline Dies, Paper Pads and The Magic Mat™

The Magic Mat™ now comes in 4 sizes and is compatible with a wide range of die cutting machines including the Sizzix Big Shot, Spellbinders Platinum, Crafters Companion Gemini, and the Cricut Cuttlebug. For additional features, details on the different sizes, die cutting sandwiches for your machine and all the machines it can be used with, please refer to The Magic Mat™ for Die Cutting article by Scrapbook.com.

Now that you know a little bit more about The Magic Mat™ from Scrapbook.com, let me share a couple of cards I made using this game-changing die cutting tool. It's sure to become your favorite new die cutting tool!

Slimline Hello Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Scrapbook.com Slimline Dies, Paper Pads and The Magic Mat™

On this first card, I used The Magic Mat™ to die cut a piece of paper from the Boho Slimline Paper Pad using the Moroccan Tile Slimline Die. Because the slimline dies are nearly the same size as the slimline papers and to avoid the possibility of the paper sliding as you run it through your die cutting machine, I recommend adhering the paper to the die using a couple pieces of Mint Tape. Simply wrap the tape around the die and paper to hold them together.


I layered this onto another piece of paper from the same paper pad to create the background for my card. Before adhering the layers together, I added some stamping to the base layer using the script stamp from the Tim Holtz Entomology Stamp Set and inked the edges with a bit of Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I also lightly sanded the top die cut layer to reveal a bit of the white core of the paper, adding another bit of texture and interest to the card.


Another great thing about The Magic Mat™ is that is also works with Sizzix Bigz Dies. Again, just replace the bottom cutting plate and run the Bigz Die through your die cutting machine. Here I'm using the Tim Holtz Tattered Butterfly to die cut papers from the Boho A2 Paper Pad. After die cutting the design, I added some stamping using Distress Oxide in Rusty Hinge, Wild Honey, Gathered Twigs and Aged Mahogany. I used stamps from the Tim Holtz Correspondence Stamp Set. After I stamped each image, I lightly rubbed over the still wet ink to smudge it slightly. I love the look of this and if you are interested in learning more about it the Stamp and Smudge technique, feel free to check out my Something Dreadfully Wicked Card.


For the sentiment on each card, I adhered a piece of 2" Double Sided Foam Adhesive to the back side of a strip of Metallic Kraftstock. I then die cut it using the Thank You Sentiments Dies. I just love how the foam adds dimension to the die cuts! And of course it cuts perfectly using The Magic Mat™!


For the second card, I used the same Moroccan Tile Slimline Die, but instead of die cutting with it, I used it to emboss the paper. Yes, you read that correctly, I used the die to emboss the paper!


This time, I placed a Silicone Cutting Pad on top of The Magic Mat™ and ran it through my die cutting machine. You may need to do a little research to find out the correct sandwich for your die cutting machine, but you can emboss with any metal die and The Magic Mat™once again is the perfect tool for this technique.


I again, did a light sanding over the paper to reveal the white core and give the card a slightly distressed feel. The rest of the card is similar to the first card with just a flip flop in colors on the butterfly and a different sentiment.


I then finished off each card with a typewritten sentiment using a manual typewriter. I happen to have a vintage Royal Junior typewriter, but if you don't have a real typewriter you could also use the We R Memory Keepers Typewriter or print it out using your computer and a typewriter font.


I hope you enjoyed learning more about The Magic Mat™ from Scrapbook.com and why you will have no more warped cutting plates when you start using it! 

Supplies

Below you can find the products I used to create this project along with compensated affiliate links to Scrapbook.com. These links are at absolutely no extra cost to you. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here.
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Bring on the Brights Paper Pads

Hey friends! Today it's all about the brights! The brand new Brights Paper Pad from Scrapbook.com that is! These paper pads are bright...neon flourescent bright and bring all the 80's vibes along with them! 

If you aren't familiar with the Scrapbook.com paper pads, they are a smooth cardstock paper pad that comes in both A2 and Slimline sizes. Each paper pad contains 40 color coordinated sheets of paper (5 each of 8 different colors) and are currently available in 6 different color palettes. You can use them to create an instant card front, trim them to create layers, use them for die cutting and so much more.

Today, March 4, Scrapbook.com will have a Brights Paper Pad Bundle available starting at 9 AM MST during their YouTube Live, that includes both the A2 and Slimline paper pads at an amazing price! These bundles are only available while supplies last, so I recommend loading your cart with any Scrapbook.com items you plan to purchase, then adding this bundle when it goes live so you don't miss out on this great deal! Their last bundle sold out in record time!

Now that you know more about these Brights Paper Pads, let me share this Bright Stripes Birthday Card I made using the paper pads.

Bright Stripes Birthday Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Scrapbook.com Brights Paper Pad

To get started, I took a flat card front and trimmed it to 4 x 5.25 inches. I then adhered 2 strips of the Scrapbook.com 2" Clear Double Sided Adhesive to the back side.


I then took 6 colors from the Brights A2 Paper Pad and trimmed them into strips sized to 0.25 x 5.5 inches. I also did this with a piece of white cardstock. Once I had all my strips cut, I began adhering them at a angle. I recommend starting at the bottom and working your way up in rainbow order and alternating with a color strip and a white strip until the entire panel is covered.


Once the panel was covered with the paper strips, I cut off any excess using my paper trimmer.


With the background complete, I added some layered butterflies die cut from vellum and the "Happy" from the Birthday Celebration Sentiments Word Dies.


To give the sentiment some dimension, I adhered a piece of white cardstock to a strip of Scrapbook.com 2" Double Sided Foam Adhesive, laid the happy die on top and ran it through my die cutting machine.


I'm still amazed at how easy the Double Sided Foam Adhesive makes adding dimension to these delicate die cuts. I then finished off the card with a typed sentiment and some machine stitching before adding it to my card base.


Now that you've seen the Brights Paper Pad in action, RUN (don't walk) over to Scrapbook.com and get this Brights Paper Pad Bundle before it sells out!

Supplies

Below you can find the products I used to create this project along with compensated affiliate links to Scrapbook.com. These links are at absolutely no extra cost to you. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here.  
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You Are Enough Card | Tim Holtz Wildflower Stems 3, Alphanumeric Stretch Thinlits and Swirls Texture Fade

You are enough. Say that outloud to yourself. Shout it from the rooftops. Tell everyone you meet. I am enough. Do you know anyone who needs to hear this? Maybe it's a friend. Maybe it's you. Either way, I am here to tell you that you are enough. In the words of Brandi Kincaid..."we need not show up gloriously, we must just show up as we are" and as we are is enough.

This You Are Enough card carries all these thoughts with it and these thoughts are what inspired the final design. To get started I grabbed all the Wildflower stems Thinlits including Wildflower Stems 3 from Tim Holtz's recent Sizzix Chapter 1 release. I die cut the daisy looking flower from each set (each set has this flower from a different angle) and a few of the wispy delicate ones from watercolor paper. 

You Are Enough Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Tim Holtz Wildflower Stems 3 Thinlits, Alphanumeric Stretch Thinlits and Swirls Texture Fade Embossing Folder

I sometimes find it easier to watercolor these super delicate flowers if I leave them in the paper I cut them from and use a bit of Mint Tape on the backside to hold them in place. I colored a bunch of the flowers before settling on using the purple ones with the daisies. 


For the final flowers I used on this card, I used Distress Ink and a water brush to color each of the images. I used a combination of Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender, Fossilized Amber and Pumice Stone.


For the background, I took a sheet of Distress Heavystock and embossed it using the Swirls Texture Fades Embossing Folder. I applied Speckled Egg Distress Oxide to the top portion of the embossing folder (the one with the design printed on it) and then ran the paper and folder through my die cutting machine. This applied the ink to the more flat areas of the design.


I then lightly ink blended over the raised areas and the edges of the paper with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. If you tend to have a heavy hand you might try wiping off some of the ink onto your craft mat or even a paper towel before you begin applying it to the paper and then repeat until you achieved the desired amount of ink.


Next, I wanted to add a little shine to the design with some embossing glaze. To prevent the powder from sticking to areas that I didn't want it, I dried the entire piece with my heat gun and then rubbed an embossing bag over the surface. I then gently rubbed an embossing ink pad over the raised areas, sprinkled it with Speckled Egg Embossing Glaze and heat set it with my embossing gun. The shine is difficult to photograph, but in real life it adds a nice touch of texture and interest. The final step for the background was a bit of machine stitching around the outside edge.


With the background completed, I gathered the wildflowers and created a little bouquet. I added a hand dyed crinkle ribbon using Snug Hug Seam Binding in Chalk White and Speckled Egg Distress Spray Stain


For the sentiment, I die cut the letters from Blackout Kraftstock using the Alphanumeric Stretch Upper Thinlits. To give this extra dimension, I die cut the each letter three times, glued each layer together and then adhered them to my card. I then stamped the sentiment from the Tiny Text Stamp Set onto a piece of white cardstock, inked the edges and adhered it on top of the die cut letters.


I hope you enjoyed learning how this You Are Enough Card was created using the Tim Holtz Wildflower Stems 3 Thinlits, Alphanumeric Stretch Thinlits and Swirls Texture Fade Embossing Folder. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Supplies

Below you can find the products I used to create this project along with compensated affiliate links to Scrapbook.com. These links are at absolutely no extra cost to you. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here.

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