The Big Guy's Garden

I've recently stumbled across a challenge dedicated to the dreaded man cards: Cards for Men.  Now, as we all know, 'man things' strike dread into the hearts of most card makers: men are so difficult to create for - no flowers, glitter, pretty things - and usually it's quite difficult to find appropriate images that aren't to do with football and drinking (which none of the men in my life have any interest in).  But darling Mo Manning, she of the wonderful Mo's Digital Pencil, has made it easy for us all to create stunning man cards with her newly-created range of 'The Big Guy' images.  So, no longer afraid and, in fact, positively inspired, I thought it was time for me to enter this week's Cards for Men challenge, 'Outdoors'.

 Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'The Big Guy's Garden'

Papers: Cosmo Cricket, 'Garden Variety' (of course)

I love The Big Guy, in all his guises, and this one is no exception.  How many of us have a husband, father, brother who loves his garden?  I know I do.  And this would make a wonderful father's day card, I think. 

The papers were an obvious choice - 'Garden Variety' - so bold, bright and garden-inspired.  It couldn't be better.  I used a nice simple layout and balanced the sentiment with the three buttons at the bottom right. 

The Big Guy was coloured with my Copics (although I paper-pieced his overalls and just added a little Copic shading), and then I added the 'glow' and grounding with my Prismas, as usual.  I kept the colours simple and few, with just enough yellow (I think) to break up the red/green combo and to pick out the yellow in the background DP. 

So, I'm pretty confident now with my man cards - no longer shall I cower under my crafting table, a gibbering wreck, when challenged to create man stuff!  What a relief.

Happy crafting.
xx