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Wednesday's Tips - Cards for Men Part 3

Hello !  Jan here once again with the final of a 3 part series on cards for men.

Probably the hardest thing about cards for men is adding an embellishment.  I have several jewelry bead organizers I use just for metal type embellishments.  Metal is inevitably thought of as manly, isn't it !  You have a few metal things around your craft space - sort them separately and you will find you already have some good stuff.

Metal keys, buttons, brads, beads, and jewelry findings take up this space.

Tim Holtz buys are a natural.

A broken watch, and game pieces fit right in.  The dominos are threaded for use as beads -  or you can attach them with glue.

If all else fails, hit the garage for these goodies.  Several of these would make a great stop on an easel card.  Note I added a little bit of script (from the Kraft Outlet's dictionary pages) to the washer.  The little green clamp was less than 50 cents.  The screws you see here are actually brads !

Here are a tag and a card with tag showing how I used some of these in practice.

Note the wire and metal beads at the top.  This was for a steampunk challenge, but works for a man too.

I hope you have enjoyed this series on Cards for Men, and picked up a few tips !
Next week we will have another tutorial from our Friend Tracy in Mississippi.

A Tip on Tuesday !

Hi Everyone !!

Jan here with a quick and easy tip for displaying your tags or
ATC's.

Take an old frame you have from your garage.  (or basement or attic, you know you have a couple of these...)

On the back, screw in small screws  - I did four on each side.

Twist wire around the screw on one side, and string it across.

Clip up your tags on your wire !

I used Tim Holtz bulldog clips,  but of course you can use paperclips, or teeny clothes pins.

This took me about 5 minutes to make, and I was thoroughly proud I did not spend $28 to buy the exact same thing at Pier One.  It did not cost me anything, as I already had a frame, 8 screws, and some wire.

My dad made the frame for me many years ago.

Tomorrow we will conclude the Cards for Men series.  See you then !!

This Week's Special !

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with each $20 purchase of

regular priced product

Special Valid February 22nd - 28th, 2013 

Coupon Thursday

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Wednesday's Tips - Cards for Men Part 2

Hi Everyone !  Jan back again today with Part 2 on

More making cards for men ... 

Fonts – chose an easy to read, print font.  Cursive fonts, unless very simple, are too “fancy” – just ask him !

Paper – Graphic 45 has the most fabulous paper for men, and you will usually find it on the “B” side.  A good decision maker for you is, does this look like a formal tie ?  If it does, it will work for a more formal type card.  On the other hand, does it look like a flannel shirt ?  If so, it would probably be a great choice for a more casual card.  If you have or find paper that reflects his hobbies or interests, it will be manly already.  

Ribbon – a dark formal type ribbon could be used but skip the bow !  You may try a knot in the middle, or the two ends tied in a knot, or just add a simple ribbon across the card either direction.  You can however use a small bow if you are using hemp or jewelry cording, think of shoe lace bows.

Distressing – if your guy is like mine, he has some old blue jeans he lives in.  Coredinations offers a huge choice in colors, and cores of different colors.  Kraft and brown always show up as a distressed choice for men - think of worn wallets, pockets, belts, driving gloves and Hush Puppies.

Stamps & Digitals – you really don’t have to look too hard to find stamps and digital images for men.  Again, stay with a simple font for your sentiment.  Skip the cutsey animals and children, and botanicals, unless you are looking at a good sturdy tree.  You won’t have difficulties if you stick with the same ideas that you see in men’s advertising – sports and the outdoors, if he truly likes those things already.

Here is a Halloween card for a guy – note the distressing, the striped “tie” paper, the worn wallet paper framing the skeletal image, the skull & crossbones design paper, the “sports” ticket, and the simple sentiment font. Last week’s tutorial, I worked from a straight foreward sketch, with sharp right angles.  This week I also used some recycled packaging and an old shower scrubby to evoke more of a “used and comfortable” feeling, and to add some texture.

Next week we will conclude this mini-series with a raft of fun embellishments for guys ! 

Upcoming fun !

Hi Everyone !!

Next Friday, March 1st, will kick off our upcoming challenges !  Our first theme will be "green".  You can make any sort of paper project you would like, a mini-book, a scrap page, a card or any other paper craft project.

We will be featuring our brand new design team for that  challenge, and they will be here on our blog with their interpretations of what green might mean to them !  You can see who is who on our new design team, and a list of the challenges we will have each month for the next 6 months by clicking on the tabs up top.

We want to make our challenges really fun for everyone who might want to participate, but we need YOU to make that happen. 

Here is a little inspiration from the shop !  Green paper, and some lucky shamrocks if you would like to go the St. Paddy's day route.  Maybe you would like to include something else green - something recycled or Kermit ??  Whatever it takes to tickle your imagination.  We will provide a link service here so everyone will have a chance to admire your work !  See you Friday, March 1st !!

Hi everyone,

Here is a description of classes and events we have coming up.  Please take a look at the list below and see what we have to offer, then call me at 541-741-7446 to reserve your spot. 

Masculine Cards w/ Franni on Feb. 19th @ 6pm or Feb. 27th @ 1pm  $12

Altered Book Club w/Susan on Feb. 23rd @ 10:30am $5

Camellia 3D Card w/Ruby on Feb. 26th @ 6pm $8

Beginning Copic Marker Class w/Ann on Mar. 8th @ 2pm  $25

Floating Frames & Flip Cards w/Ann on Mar. 8th @ 6pm  $15

Make Up Day on March 9th from 10am - 5pm.  This is the perfect day to request a class that you have missed.  Just give me a call at 541-741-7446 and let me know which class you missed that you would like to make up.

Lucky Luau Fundraiser on March 16th from Noon - Midnight ($50 fee will be donated to our cancer patient)

It's lucky for more than one reason.  Our Hawaiian themed fundraiser is for a dear friend and teacher of Karen & Friends Creations and she has received good news....Only radiation...no Chemo. - yeah!!!  The other reason it's lucky is because it's on St. Patrick's Day weekend.  

Here's what you have to look forward to:

Lunch Menu

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Cole Slaw

Hawaiian Chips

Fresh Pineapple

Cookies

Dinner Menu

Ribs

Hawaiian Salad

Tossed Salad

Potato Mac Salad from Kona Cafe

Kings Hawaiian Bread

Pineapple Cake

Pina Colada Punch

Hawaiian Shirt Contest

Leis

Two projects - TBA

Prizes

This will be a fun event that I hope you will be part of.  Thank you for your continued support.

In addition to this new blog, you can also find us on my website at www.karenandfriendscreations.com and facebook, Come play with us.

Happy Creating,

Karen

This week's special !!

 30 % OFF !!

Friday 2/15 through Thursday 2/21

Coupon Thursday

Click here for Thursday's coupon

Wednesday's Tips

Hi Everyone !!  Jan here this week, beginning a 4 part series on making cards for men !  Everyone seems to have real difficulties with these types of cards.  Today I have some help for you with size, colors, themes and shapes/angles.

Sizes – Keep to the standard sizes or larger, as the smaller ones tend to appear dainty 

Colors – Over the years, studies have shown that men like blue, green and black the best.  Gray and brown also work well with almost any splash of color.  Consider using a darker color for your card stock.  Conservative seems to be his thing !

Themes – Avoid themes in design paper and stamps that don’t reflect his interest.  Too often commercial cards, and some paper “for men” act as if every man is interested in golf, grilling, plaid, mowing the lawn, or watching tv.  Very few men wear neckties on a regular basis, but Father’s Day cards haven’t noticed !  Yes, it may take a little extra work coming up with something he really enjoys, but if you need something quickly,  you can always rely on a neutral theme, like the card below.

Shapes/Angles – Keep a male card simple in shape.  A standard rectangle card is just dandy for him, and the extra work you expend on a fanciful shape will not be appreciated.  Right angles are pleasing to his eye, as is texture.

Note the general neutral theme, a kraft card stock, right angles, texture, standard size, and simplicity.

Next week I will cover paper, stamps and fonts.  See you then !!

Tuesdays card - Morehouse Stamps

Hi everyone !

Hope you had a great weekend, and are ready to get some projects started this week !

The tulips and daffodils are showing themselves, but we know we have a lot more rain ahead before we are done this spring.  Yikes.

A wedding card would be great for those June weddings you may have coming up.  A hand crafted card is cherished by every bride !

This set of Morehead stamps is available at Karen & Friends Creations right now.   That little bird is so adorable, isn't he !!  Many of these stamps would also be great for other projects - anniversary, Valentine, wedding shower, and even two champagne flutes for New Years !

Don't forget - Wednesdays we publish either a fabulous tutorial or tips !  See you again tomorrow !!

Coupon Friday

Coupon Friday

Only At

Karen & Friends Creations

2095 Yolanda Ave., Spfld

541-741-7446

35% OFF

One regular priced item

15% OFF

Any product pre-orders

(Paid in advance only)

Valid only Friday, 2/8/13 thru Thursday 2/14/13

Please print this page !

Exclusions include classes, events, gift certificates, sales items (unless otherwise specified), consignments, and previous sales.

Special this week !

Our special this week ...

SMOOCH INK

35% OFF

Some 2 packs, some singles

Smooch ink is a pearlized accent ink you can use it on paper, cardstock, glass and more !  

Sale runs 2/7/13 through 2/13/13, or until supplies run out.

Wednesday's Tutorial - Bazzill Flowers

Don't you LOVE the beautiful handmade flowers you see around ?  Tracy's tutorial today shows you how to make them using Bazzill paper, and water.  They are easy, and absolutely gorgeous !

Bazzill Flowers

Tracy McDonald

I Wanna Build a Memory

Tomorrow we will be posting a coupon and a special for this week - see you then !

Tuesday's Card

Hi Everyone !

Today's special card features Core'dinations, a card stock that can be distressed. 

 
As you can see, its inner core is a different color, adding dimension and interest to your project.  If you like the shabby chic look, or a great texture for your "man" cards, this is perfect !

 

 

A book on zentangles from Karen's shop provided the inspiration for the doodling !

Stop back tomorrow for a great tutorial from our friend, Tracy McDonald, all the way from Mississippi !