What is Masculine?

Well, I attempted to create a masculine Father's Day card for several purposes: for a card swap, as a sample for my next Technique Night; and to use for someone in my family for Father's Day.  I thought I was doing well, considering my lack of masculine stamp sets and how they keep retiring the only ones I have!  I'm sure there will be many more masculine sets in the new catty, which, by the way, will be available in a couple of weeks, and will come into effect June 1, 2012.

 

I thought with the colour choice, the plain black ribbon, metal embellishments and simple image, I was hitting the masculine bull's-eye!  I showed my DH (dear hubby) and asked him if he thought the card was masculine-looking and there was a telling pause before he responded oh-so-carefully, "Um, well, I guess some men might think so!"  Swallowing my pride, (hard to do - quite lumpy!)  I asked what it would take to make it more masculine.  "Less busy.  Not so much like wall paper," was the reply.

I do like the card, and maybe there are some men out there who would think it was elegant, but perhaps a change in sentiment would be in order - something more gender neutral!

I used Lucky Limeade, Basic Black and Whisper White cardstock, and some DSP from the Well Worn Collection (which is retiring, and is available while supplies last.)  The stamp sets are Daring Adventure and Teeny Tiny Wishes - which are NOT retiring, thank goodness.  I used StazOn Jet Black ink for the image and sentiment, and Soft Suede ink for sponging the image and sentiment panels on the edges for the vintage look.  I used Vintage Trinkets for the little metal button brad and an Antique Brad on the black satin ribbon.  The black satin ribbon is also retiring, so if you like it,  make sure you order before supplies run out.  The sentiment was punched with the Word Window punch, and adhered to a Lucky Limeade piece punched with the Modern Label punch.  I punched a Decorative Label shape from Basic Black then cut it in half lengthwise, trimming off the little points on the short sides.  I adhered them to the sentiment, overlapping them to create a narrower backing.

And now it's back to the drawing board, to try and come up with a CAS (Clean and Simple) Male Father's Day design. Sigh....