Sunday 12 September 2010

Cards for men

I struggle a bit with cards for men. I send fewer cards to men than I do to women, so I don't have many male-oriented stamps. Can't justify buying a stamp that I might only use a few times, and I don't feel, really, that I can use the same one each year, even though the recipient probably wouldn't remember it from one year to the next! Though I suppose they might if they got it EVERY year!

However, I couldn't resist some lovely stamps from Innovative Stamp Creations which I think are equally suitable for men or women. Both images are striking enough not to need much in the way of background or embellishments, so I kept those to a minimum.

The boat scene (the stamp is entitled "On The Shore") is coloured with watercolour pencils, and attached to the card with foam pads. The mesh, shells and starfish are all very old stash. I knew I'd find a use for them one day! The text is computer generated, printed on to acetate and sponged with alcohol inks.


The next one, called "Picturesque", reminds me of various beaches I have visited, and I think it's going to become one of my favourite images. I coloured it with Promarkers and mounted it over a background which was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and inked with Versamagic inks.. Again, computer generated text  and another very old starfish embellishment, with a recycled bit of string separated into its component strands to tie it all together. I'm feeling really good about getting some old stash used!


As well as the two stamps I've used in these cards, I also bought a new ISC set called "Mini Ledger", which I think is going to be very versatile, though I haven't made anything with it yet....

Innovative Stamp Creations is owned and run by the very talented Betsy Griffin, who calls her design team the Creative Architects Group. They all have many samples, using ISC stamps, on their blogs, links to which can be found here, as does Betsy on her blog. All worth a look. (FTR, I have no connection with ISC, other than that I like the stamps!)

7 comments:

lisa said...

These are are simply beautiful cards, Lynne. I love the cuttlebugged background on the second one, it compliments it perfectly.
I love these ICS stamps, I've had my eye on them too. You're tempting me too much now I've seen them used so brilliantly.
Hope your new term has started well.
Hugs Lisax

chris said...

Lynne these are both just so stunning love the boat one especially, off to check out these stamps now, hugs chris xx

Lisa Jane said...

Two more fabulous cards Lyn.. l love the sea so am drawn to them.
Love the boats - a very versatile image .
Lisa ;)

veronica said...

you're right, they are nice stamps - love the cards too

Netty said...

These are gorgeous cards, adore your stamps and brilliant colouring. x

Jules said...

Hi Lynne

I wonder why men prove to be so hard to create for?

I am sure that anyone (male or female) who received a card from you would be over the moon with it .. .. whatever the image.

Two beautiful cards here. I love both but my favourite is the one with the boats .. .. I love the colours you have used. Gorgeous.

Love Jules xx

judith@poppy cottage said...

Beautiful cards Lynne, beautiful colours. I love them both, but maybe the second one has the edge for me, as I'm not a typical seaside person, although I lived by the seaside as a baby! I love ISC stamps myself, they are great quality, and Betsy is lovely, I have had dealings with her. Look forward to seeing what you do with the ones you haven't used yet! Judith xx