Handmade Gifts for Guys

Hello and welcome to day 5 of the Papertrey Ink May countdown! 

Today's group post is all about handmade gifts and cards for guys. No need for concern when it comes to creating cards for the men in your life.  We've got you covered!  Your inspiration folder is sure to fill up after today's design team challenge.

Here are the items I am showcasing today...

• Craft Brew stamp set & dies
• Pub Glass dies
• Stitched Coasters dies

Take a look...

A cool coaster, card and mug combo.  Here's the original project that spurred my idea on...

My inspiration card found here (created in 2010) made for a great starting point.  I knew I wanted to borrow the idea of using the acetate to create the look of glass, but everything else had to go.  Bye bye flowers, pretty label, and ribbon embellishments.  I did manage to stay pretty close to the original color combo and layout though.

When creating cards for guys, keep things simple... You really can't go wrong with sticking to neutrals.  Then, with the addition of some metallic (either ink, cardstock, or staples) there really is no need for further embellishment.  Most men really could care less about the extras, but the shimmery added touches will be enough to capture their attention and keep you happy with your creation.

I switched out the cute label for a super cool one, created using the Craft Brew stamp set & dies.  No ribbon needed after adding a touch of gold ink.  The beer inside the glass and the acetate were die cut using the Pub Glass dies.  I just LOVE how the beer turned out!  It was die cut from luxe gold cardstock and stamped with bubbles using Versamark ink.  I was amazed by the transformation the ink made!  The Versamark shows up so well on the gold.

The acetate was attached using foam adhesive, which I hid behind the tag and sentiment strip.  The sentiment is one from the soon to be released Keep It Simple: Father's Day stamp set.

The coaster was created from smokey shadow felt.  I die cut two pieces, the front featuring the design and a simple piece for the back.  Black embroidery floss for the outer edge and two shades for the squares in the center.  I sure wish I would have chosen two colors that differed a bit more, it's hard to tell them apart in photos. 

The hand stitched coasters can simply be rolled up and placed inside of a mug for perfect presentation.

Let me finish today off with another look at Southwestern Style.

This simple design is one that can be recreated over and over again, and never get old.  Simply replace the border image with another one from the same Southwestern Style stamp set.  Switch up the colors too or keep them the same.  Pattern paper strips would look great too!

Amazing how a bit of gold ink transforms a simple card!

This card suits a man or woman well.

An overall black and kraft motif with a few pops of color... gold, scarlet jewel and ocean tide.  A couple lines drawn by hand and a few staples to finish the card off.

Well, that concludes today's look at gifts for guys using the Craft Brew stamp set & dies, Pub Glass dies, and Stitched Coasters dies. Just remember... all that you have seen today will be available for purchase through Papertrey Ink, beginning May 15th.  More details on these products can be found at the Papertrey Ink blog.

Now, be sure to see what the rest of the Papertrey Ink design team has in store for you today...

• Nichole Heady
• Betsy Veldman
• Heather Nichols
• Dawn McVey
• Melissa Phillips
• Amy Sheffer
• Laura Bassen
• Ashley Cannon Newell
• Laurie Willson

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Maile




You're A King Card and Coaster
Stamps: Craft Brew and Keep It Simple: Father's Day
Ink: True Black, Gold, and Versamark
Cardstock: Kraft, Luxe Gold, acetate, and White
Other: Smokey Shadow Felt, Gray and White Embroidery Floss, Stitched Coasters dies, Craft Brew die and Pub Glass dies

World's Best Dad Card
Stamps: Craft Brew and Southwestern Style
Ink: True Black and Gold
Cardstock: White and Luxe Gold

We'll Miss You Card
Stamps: Southwestern Style and Watercooler Talk
Ink: True Black, Scarlet Jewel, Ocean Tided, and Gold
Cardstock: Kraft
Other: Black Pen and Tiny Attacher