Masculine cards can feel tricky sometimes, can’t they? It’s not just about choosing darker colours. The style, texture, layout, and paper all work together to create a card that feels clean, simple, and just right for the guys in your life.

For this project, I used the Beautiful Gallery Designer Series Paper with the Everyday Arches Dies to create a peek-a-boo window card. I also made a few alternate cards with the same scenic Designer Series Paper to show how much mileage you can get from one beautiful sheet.

I made this card recently during one of my Friday Live videos. You can watch the full replay below.

The Main Peek-a-Boo Arch Card

This is the card I made during the live video. I used Mossy Meadow cardstock for the card base, an arch frame cut with the Everyday Arches Dies, and a scenic pattern from the Beautiful Gallery Designer Series Paper.

The arched opening gives the card a fun peek-a-boo effect. I love how the scenic paper does so much of the work here. The stamping is simple, but the finished card still feels layered and detailed.

The Designer Series Paper That Inspired the Card

Here’s the sheet of Designer Series Paper I used for the main card. Even though the Beautiful Gallery DSP has lots of soft floral designs, it also includes several patterns that work beautifully for masculine cards.

The scene on the paper becomes the focal point of the card. That makes this a great option when you want an impressive handmade card without a lot of complicated stamping or colouring.

How the Peek-a-Boo Card Opens

When you first open the card, you see the arched window layer and the scenic DSP panel tucked behind it.

Then, when you open the card all the way, there is still plenty of room to write a message. I added a coordinating strip of the same Designer Series Paper inside to carry the design through.

Texture Makes a Big Difference on Masculine Cards

One of the easiest ways to add interest to masculine cards is with texture. I used the Birch Wood 3D Embossing Folder on the front of these cards. It gives a natural, woodgrain-style background that works so well with the scenic paper.

Important note: the Birch Wood 3D Embossing Folder is on the Last Chance List and is on sale while supplies last.

View the Birch Wood 3D Embossing Folder in my online store here.

Another Beautiful Gallery DSP Colour Combination

Here’s another piece of the Beautiful Gallery Designer Series Paper that works beautifully for masculine cards. This one has a grey, sketchy tree design that pairs well with Gray Granite or Smoky Slate cardstock and Basic Black accents.

This version uses the same peek-a-boo arch idea, but the softer neutral colours give it a slightly different look.

Use the Leftover DSP for a Second Card

One of my favourite parts of this project is that you can use the same sheet of DSP in more than one way. After making the arch card, I used strips of the same paper to create a second masculine card.

This strip layout is a great way to use scenic DSP scraps. The paper is still the star, but the design is simple and easy to recreate.

Pretty Peacock Masculine Arch Card

This hills-and-clouds pattern from the Beautiful Gallery DSP was perfect for a Pretty Peacock colour scheme.

The blue-green tones in this paper make it feel calm and outdoorsy, which is a lovely option for masculine thank you cards, birthday cards, or Father’s Day cards.

Secret Sea and Cloud Cover Card Idea

This boat and shoreline pattern is another stunning choice for masculine cards. I especially love it with Secret Sea and Cloud Cover.

I also used a small die-cut detail from the Trusty Tools Dies on this card. It was designed as a tool-themed accent, but here it reminded me of a net, which worked beautifully with the boat scene.

Alternate Card Layouts with Scenic DSP

If you don’t want to make the peek-a-boo arch card, the same paper also works beautifully with a simpler layered strip layout. I made one version with Secret Sea and Cloud Cover and another with Crumb Cake and Misty Moonlight.

This is such a good reminder that you do not have to use scenic paper only as a full background. Cut it into strips, layer it over a coordinating cardstock panel, and let the pattern become a completely different style of focal point.

Want More Card Ideas Like This?

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Supplies Used

You can find the full supply list below. Be sure to watch the video for the how-to steps and measurements.

 

Product List