Hello friends! I don’t know about you, but I love to make cards for guys. There’s something about that challenge, you know? Plus my hubby likes to receive my cards, so I guess I have to thank him for encouraging me.
Today I have a monogram “Stay Awesome” card to share using Spellbinders latest dies – Nuts & Bolts. There probably isn’t a more suitable masculine die out there, at least I can’t think of one at this moment.
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As of September 2016 I work as an in-house creative designer at Spellbinders office in Phoenix. While I do a lot of work for them and create a number of different projects I am only sharing what I truly love made using their products here on my blog. I do not and never will share projects or mention products I not love.
CARD DETAILS
I made this card some month back when I was working on the packaging projects (the card ideas you see on the packaging of Spellbinders dies) using this die collection – Die D Lites. The Nuts & Bolts die set (along with a few other sets, I’ll share projects using them soon) was one of my favorites.
I started working on this card by die-cutting the elements out of white cardstock. I wanted these bolts to look rusty and corroded, so I used several colors of Distress Oxide inks (exact colors listed below in the Supply section) and simply applied multiple colors onto each die cut until I got the look I wanted.
Next, while the ink was still wet (you can apply clear embossing ink over the oxides if needed) I added clear embossing powder and heat set it to give my die cuts a bit of a glossy look.
I didn’t want to adhere my die cut pieces onto the card in a random order, so I decided to use them to form a letter, I went with D, but really you can spell any letter (or word – you’ll have to make a bigger card if you want to go with a word). I foam mounted the pieces onto a black cardstock panel and filled the gaps in using Nuvo drops in brown.
Finally, I foam mounted my panel onto an A2 top folding card base and added “Stay Awesome” sentiment. What do you think? Have you ever tried this technique with the oxide inks? Share below!
STEP BY STEP
Want to see this card done step by step? Click on the photo below to enlarge it:
SUPPLIES
I’m listing the products I used below. Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
 Spellbinders Nuts and Bolts Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL |
 Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Tool ‘n One Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Simon Says Stamp Black Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 Neenah 110 Lb Solar White Cardstock Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Simon Says Stamp Embossing Ink Pad Shop at: SSS |
 Hero Arts Heat Embossing Gun PW200 Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts Clear Embossing Powder PW104 Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts White Embossing Powder PW110 Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad Peeled Paint Shop at: SSS | SC |
 Ranger Mini Round Foam Refils Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Ranger Mini Round Ink Blending Tools Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad Cracked Pistachio Shop at: SSS | SC |
 Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad Faded Jeans Shop at: SSS | SC |
 Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad Vintage Photo Shop at: SSS | SC |
 Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad Iced Spruce Shop at: SSS | SC |
 My Favorite Things Essential Sentiments Clear Stamps Shop at: SSS | MFT |
 Scrapbook Adhesives Black Foam Tape Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Scor-tape 2 1/2 Inch Crafting Tape Shop at: SSS |
 White Fun Foam 12 Pack 9 x 12 Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Tonic Dark Walnut Nuvo Crystal Drops Shop at: SSS |
Love it!! You did a fabulous job making the nuts and bolts look real. Such an awesome die set for masculine projects!!
Love this clever design. Thanks for the inspiration.
That’s a creative and cool take!
Thanks for the inspiration! I really struggle making masculine cards! My husband would love one like this, as he loves working in his workshop. I love your card, the color you achieved for the little pieces are fabulous.
Fun, masculine card! You did “rusty” well!
Hi Yana,
I find guy cards the toughest of the group (excuse the pun!). But generally male cards always seem stereotypical e.g. fishing, football, DIY (sorry!) Cards for females and even children tend to be more out of the box. I love what you have done with this card Yana, but I know one male who would not like it. Do you think it is possible to make a floral stamp set relative for both genders? Sorry to go on but I find this very interesting and I thought you were a good place to start with all of your experience and such. :O)
Fantastic guy card!
This is a great card! I love that you made the nuts and bolts into a monogram for your husband. This is a great idea for any little dies!!