Do you ever go completely blank when you need to make a card for a guy? I have a formula that almost always works for me: keep the layout simple, use colors that feel a bit masculine (really depends on the guy here), and add some humor.
I grabbed the Bagged & Bothered stamp set from Unity Stamp Company because these cats always bring the sass and laughs. Add a little paper piecing and a great paper pack, and you get one fantastic, guy-friendly card.
Just A Minute {JAM} Session Videos are quick videos with simple ideas or techniques to help spark your creativity. Watch it on YouTube.
Featured Unity Supplies
 Bagged & Bothered USC |
 Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Dies USC |
 Beer Me Paper USC |
Compensated affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. I greatly appreciate the support if you are inspired to shop using my links. Unity Stamp Company usually has a new sale almost EVERY week. Check the website for details. Stamp sets go on and off sale all the time. If it is not on sale this week, just add the stamp set to your wishlist and wait for the next sale so you get a great deal.
Cut, Color + Sass
Oh my gosh, this face. Haha. How can you not laugh at him? I stamped the cat three times on different cardstocks so I could paper piece the bag and kitty.
Fussy Cutting + Paper Piecing Tips
Cut right on the line: For paper piecing, I like to fussy cut right along the stamped line so the pieces layer back over the original image cleanly.
Color the cut edges: Run a dark gray marker around the edges after cutting. It hides the white cardstock edge and gives everything a cleaner finish.
Let the base stamping help: You do not have to save every whisker, fur line, or fine detail. The original stamped image underneath fills those details back in once the paper-pieced piece is added.
Start with simple shapes: Bold, easy-to-cut areas like this bag are perfect for paper piecing and make the technique much less fiddly.
Use a stamping platform: A stamping platform makes it easy to place small scraps of cardstock exactly where you need them. You can stamp only the section you want to paper piece instead of stamping the entire image over and over again.
I like to run a dark gray or black Copic marker around the cut edges before layering everything back together. It cleans up the white cardstock edge and makes the paper piecing blend into the stamped image better.
I kept the layout simple with just papers from the Beer Me paper pack. The kitty was stamped on the ledger type paper and then popped up so you can see a strip of all those fantastic chevron stripe colors.
I went with a gray tabby this time instead of my usual orange or white kitty. Just a fun twist. You can see the coloring come together in the video.
Copic Colors: N1, N3, N4, N6 | R20 | B01
A die-cut sentiment and a few enamel dots finished off the front. I’m planning to turn this into a birthday card by stamping “You’re old.” on the inside, once I find my Snarky Cat Thoughts stamp set hiding somewhere in my craft room.
I think this is such a fun way to do a guy card. An easy layout, some paper piecing, and a humorous kitty were the perfect combo.
Thank you for joining me today. I sincerely hope that today’s project inspires you. If you create something, feel free to tag me, @dahlhousedesigns, on social media as I would be thrilled to see it!
Supplies
Some links provided are affiliate links. If you shop through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a lovely way to support both the crafty companies and me too. 🩷
Please Note: Product names with ** are suggested supply substitutions if I use something discontinued or hard to find.
Bagged & Bothered USC |
Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Dies USC |
Beer Me Paper USC |
 Hammermill Cardstock AMZ |
 Neenah Desert Storm 80lb HA |
 Intens-ified Black Ink Pad SB | SBC |
 Matte Enamel Dots AMZ |
Most Used Tools
 Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine SB | OTH |
 Magnetic Magic Mat SB |
 Black Stamping Tool SB |
 Blending Brushes AMZ |
Blending Brushes Large AMZ |
 Blending Brushes Medium AMZ |
 Blending Brushes Mini AMZ |
 Blending Brushes Small AMZ |
 Cutter Bee Scissors SB | SSS |
 Die Cut Envelopes AMZ |
 Foam Roll – 2 Inch SB |
 Foam Roll Combo Pack SB |
 Grip Mat 4.75×6 AMZ |
 Grip Mat 6.5×8.5 AMZ |
 Grip Mat 6×6 AMZ |
 Mini Blending Brushes AMZ |
 Mini Trimmer SB |
 MISTI – Mini SB | SSS |
 MISTI – Original SB | SSS |
 MISTI – Original – Black SB |
 MISTI Corners SB | AMZ |
 1.5″ block SB | OTH |
 Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive SB |
 Post It Note Tape AMZ |
 Reverse Tweezers SB |
 Sticky Mat SB |
 Triangle Trays AMZ |
 White Gel Pens SB | AMZ |
 White Glass Mat AMZ |
 Media Mat Mini SB | SSS |
 Mini Stencil Mat** SB |
