Hi and welcome, Poppy friends! I have a couple of birthday cards to share today. If you find making masculine cards a challenge, you're going to love this post! I have several men in my life (one hubs and 2 sons, not to mention uncles and grand boys!)
On a stenciled design, ala Fractional Diamond Stencil by Open Studio (Memory Box), I began by stenciling with white paste onto teal and purple cardstock. Then had some fun spraying with colors laced with mica. It totally stands out on dark cardstock!
The 2 stenciled cards, once dried, are sprayed again and again, until the desired effect is achieved. (Let the layers dry between sprays). I wiped the white with a paper towel. The diamonds retain just a bit of the stain, which I loved, and the cracks and center have the stain intact.
I wanted Poppystamps' new Birthday die to be the focal point, and so I added the oval vellum and fun foam behind and to the die script. Here's a tip to working with intricate dies:
I can't take credit for this idea, saw it on a video by a well know designer, and loved it! Fun foam is available in many colors, and you can find a stack of colors for very little money on Amazon. This particular stack I purchased has one sticky side. Now when you die cut your image, or in this case, script, leave the words in place. Glue to the front of the letters and your words will be exactly where you want them. Pretty cool, eh?
I really love doing cards 2 at a time, especially when the technique is such fun.
Just the perfect birthday greeting for special men in my life!
Hope you're inspired to give these techniques a try. Poppystamps has some wonderful new script dies in the store. And don't forget the stencils and new paper packs in the Memory Box Store!
Have a wonderful, crafty rest of the week! 
Supplies
2437 Happy Birthday Poe Script craft die
2377 Fern and Daisy Pop Up Easel Set craft die
GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad
GP1002 Graceful Garden Glitter Pad
SP1004 Fresh Aqua 6x6 pack
SP1008 Twilight Purple 6x6 pack
