I run into stampers all the time who are looking for masculine stamps to make cards that are appropriate for men. I think it's hard to find stamps that are fun to create with and aren't always full of stereotypical masculine motifs like hunting and fishing paraphanalia.
Cattail Birds is the perfect stamp for this.
While it doesn't have to be used for a 'man card', it certainly works in this application.
I got to see Dave recently when he was in Spokane teaching a class at a local store. While I was visiting, I saw a beautiful card the women in class had made using the Cattail Bird stamp. They painted the background in graduated colors of Twinkling H2Os, creating a soft, watercolor background for the stamp.
I loved the look of it and wondered if I could duplicate it with inks applied directly to paper.
So I pulled out some textured paper, some Brilliance inks and started playing.
First, I used Pearlescent Sky Blue and Platinum Planet. I applied the ink directly to a precut rectangle sized to fit the Cattail Bird stamp. I went with about 2/3 Blue and 1/3 Platinum, hoping this would give the appearance of snow and sky.
Then I stamped the Cattail Birds directly on top of the inked background with Graphite Black Brilliance.
I matted the image after all the inks had dried and applied it to a Memory Box notecard.
I love the softness of the background - especially where the two inks met and overlapped.
Next, I wanted to try the same technique with three colors.
I started with Coffee Bean on the bottom, then Crimson Copper in the middle and Pearlescent Rust on the top.
I let more of the creamy background of the textured paper show through on this one. These colors didn't blend as well as the first two - but it sure inspired me to try lots of different color combinations to find my favorites!
Graphite Black for the stamp again, and some coordinating mats... another card - done!
I love how quick and versatile this technique is. And how great these cards will work for men or women.
If you don't have Cattail Birds, I can't recommend it enough. What a perfect stamp for really quick and beautiful cards!