It’s easy to make a frilly, pretty card…but sometimes it’s a challenge to create something for the guys. Never fret: We are here to help!

These are some talented demonstrators from all over the globe who have come together to jump-start your “masculine” card making skills, so make sure you hop through all the blogs and tell us what you love and what you want to see more of!

I’m sharing a gift card holder I created for my husband’s birthday using the BEST CATCH bundle from the Occasions Catalog:

To create the card base, I used a piece of 12″ x 5.5″ Very Vanilla card stock and scored it at 4-1/4″ and 8-1/2″. On the last panel, you can cut diagonally OUT from the 8-1/2″ score mark and then fold it inside the card, adhering it to the bottom of the card with Tear & Tape adhesive, forming a pocket. You could insert cash, a gift card or a photo into the pocket. Not just for birthdays, but Father’s Day or Anniversaries, too!

For the front of the card, I started with a 3-5/8″ x 4-7/8″ panel of Very Vanilla card stock and cut a mask from a piece of scratch paper, laid it over the panel about 1/3 of the way up and sponged water with Pool Party ink. Keep the other piece of the mask to lay over the water and sponge the sandy shore above the water with Crumb Cake ink.

Next you’ll cover your sand with a mask and sponge a sunset: I started with Poppy Parade and then blended in Pumpkin Pie, Mango Melody, and Daffodil Delight ink with my sponges. Finally, sponge Night of Navy all the way around the edges and layer it on a 3-3/4″ x 5″ Navy Mat.

The fish is stamped in Black Memento Ink and colored with Stampin’ Blends, then cut, along with the reeds, using the coordinating dies. I love blending different colors on the fish! HINT: Save 10% when you purchase the stamps & dies together in a bundle by June 3rd.

Diane always has something amazing to share, so hop over to her blog next, or skip back to Cheryl’s blog to see her guy-inspired project~ Both featuring the Geared Up Garage product suite!