Adventure Awaits: Crafting Masculine Birthday Cards with Taylored Expressions' Great Outdoors Layering Stencil Set
Creating masculine cards isn’t always my first choice, but every now and then, I love the challenge! Recently, I had the perfect excuse to dive into a design I’ve been dying to try. When a friend’s birthday came around, I finally pulled out Taylored Expressions' Great Outdoors Layering Stencil Set and paired it with their coordinating Great Outdoors Foil Its to create these nature-themed masculine cards.
Initially, I struggled with this stencil set. While the concept was great, I wasn’t happy with the results from my earlier attempts. But as soon as Taylored Expressions released the Foil Its that match the stencil, I knew I had to try again—and I’m so glad I did! The combination of foil detailing with layered inks and textures gave these cards the polish I was aiming for.
To kick off these cards, I pulled out a Great Outdoors Foil It sheet and paired it with Woodgrain Foil from my stash to complement the nature-inspired stencil set. After foiling, I dived into vibrant ink blending with Catherine Pooler Inks and TE Blending Brushes. The lively colors—Hot Tub, All That Jazz, Lime Rickey, and Tiara—really made the design pop! To complete the scene, I stamped a trio of birds in each sky using the coordinating stamp set included with the stencil set.
Once the stenciling was finished, I reached for the TE Circle and Hexagon Dies to cut out the images. To elevate the design with extra dimension, I used the next size up from each set to create fun coordinating mats from TE Woodgrain Cardstock in Kraft, perfectly layering behind my die-cut images for a beautifully polished look!
To make the images truly shine, I added texture with the TE Bursting Dots Embossing Folder on 4" x 5.25" panels of TE Tropical Punch Cardstock, bringing extra depth to the backgrounds. I then framed each card with a vibrant mat of TE Sweet Corn Cardstock, perfectly cut to 4.25" x 5.5".
For my sentiments, I turned to TE's Signature Sentiments Stamp and coordinating die set to stamp "Happy Birthday" onto 80# Neenah Solar White Cardstock. I die-cut additional layers to add behind the sentiment, giving it a fun dimensional boost! To add a touch of glamour, I embellished each card with TE Bits & Pieces - Gold Glitter Drops, making them truly shine!
Here are the three cards I made, each featuring different scenic layers and a bold, masculine aesthetic:
Card 1: Sunset at the River
A calm river scene with rolling green hills and a setting sun.
The embossed teal background adds dimension, hinting at sun rays.
Finished with a bold “Happy Birthday” sentiment and a few gold glitter accents for subtle flair.
Card 2: Mountain Views
This card brings the mountains to life with layers of yellow, green, and blue.
The use of the Foil Its adds just enough shine to the landscape without taking away the masculine vibe.
A woodgrain circle frame ties the scene together, adding texture and grounding the design.
Card 3: Coastal Escape
A relaxing beach-like scene with blue waters, sandy shores, and seagulls flying overhead.
The layering effect creates depth, making the scene pop against the textured background.
Gold glitter dots around the sentiment add a touch of elegance without overwhelming the design.
I love how these cards turned out—clean, scenic, and perfect for a masculine birthday! Using Taylored Expressions' Great Outdoors Stencil Set with the Foil Its made a world of difference, giving me much better results than my earlier attempts.
These cards are a reminder that even though I naturally gravitate toward bright colors and glitter, stepping out of my comfort zone can lead to some pretty amazing results. And who says masculine cards can’t have a bit of shimmer?
Do you enjoy making masculine cards, or do you find yourself leaning more toward bright and colorful designs like I do? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting :)
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