Masculine Birthday

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

I never seem to have enough birthday cards in my stash so today I'm working on more birthday cards ... specifically masculine cards today!  

When my mojo isn't quite up to par, I like to use a sketch as my jumping point ... today I've used the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge for an excellent starting point.

I knew I had a variety of masculine/woodsy type design papers in my stash which are from an old DCWV 12x12 paper pack so that was my next step ... choosing papers that were more masculine to go with my sketch.

I liked this basic sketch design but then improvised a bit using a few extra dies as accents.

The Creative Expressions Sue Wilson 'Trailing Ivy' #CED1423 worked beautifully with the ivy background paper.  And I couldn't wait to die cut this fabulous Amy Designs 'Wintertide' Owl #ADD10083.  He's been hanging around for a month or so and finally I found just the right opportunity to use him.  He's die cut from white card stock then I went over him with a light gray Spectrum Noir alcohol marker just to showcase the highlights of the die.  Isn't he handsome! 

I really like how this card came together and I hope you find inspiration in it too!  

Challenges to share in:

Card Mania Challenge #88 - Layer It

Country View January Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafts and Me January Challenge  - New Beginnings / New Stash (New Owl Die)

Happy Little Stamper January Challenge - Anything Goes with Dies

Let's Craft and Create Challenge #121 - Things with Wings

Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #83 - Birthday Bash

The Male Room Challenge #51 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Please stop back tomorrow when I'll have a card post telling you all about the second half of the Anniversary Celebration at the Double D Challenge Blog.  Extra prizes will be given away just as we did in the first challenge of the new year.  You'll want to be sure to check it out and come join in the fun!!

Till tomorrow ...

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  DCWV 12 x 12 designer paper, white cs, dark gray cs, forest green cs

Dies:  Amy Designs 'Wintertide Owl', Tutti Designs 'Nesting Stitched Circles', Tutti Designs 'Happy', Tutti Designs 'Birthday', Sue Wilson 'Trailing Ivy'

Accessories:  Gold Pilot Marker (gold trim on background panel), Spectrum Noir Alcohol Marker (IG1), Forest Green Offray satin ribbon, dimensional tape