Paper Pumpkin Lakeside Retreat Masculine Cards - FMS#734

I've really been enjoying creating with the Lakeside Resort April 2026 Paper Pumpkin kit.  Such beautiful papers and I really like the subtle hue.  This kit leans heavily towards masculine cards with a Father's Day theme and nature images.  Although the theme and contents of this kit appear masculine, in this day and age they with the exception of some of the stamps could work easily for any occasion card or gender. 

When Stampin' Up!s latest catalogue is released tomorrow, it includes a stamp suite or bundle called Waterside Resort that coordinates beautifully with the Lakeside Resort kit.  With their mix and match capability these two products provide a whole host of other possibilities for outdoor themed masculine cards. 

I'm using the Freshly Made Sketches #734 hosted by Jen M.challenge sketch for today's card. Some of the examples from the Design Team and participants are literally out  of this world.  There are some excellent samples on the blog from the Design Team if you're looking for inspiration.  

Here's My Card:

This card layout could work for a birthday or special event like Father's Day.  I'm in love with Secret Sea which is the dark blue cardstock I've used.  It's so dark and accents the Balmy Blue so well.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Relaxing Waterside #167922 - sentiments
• Lakeside Retreat - papers and ephemera
• All About Birthdays -stamp birthday sentiment inside card
• Sun Rise Sailing SU#165491 stamp and dies for sailboat 

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• Basic White cardstock for base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White for inside matte 4" x 3 3/4" and a 2" by 3 1/2" piece for the sail boat
• Secret Sea 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for front matte, 2" x 4 1/2" for front color block which has been embossed. A small scrap strip for the sentiment.
• Balmy Blue 5 1/4" x 4" for front matte.  Embossed with Scripty Embossing Folder by SU. 

Ink:

• Secret Sea
• Balmy Blue 
• Pecan Pie 

Accessories: 

• Corner Rounder Punch
• Classic Label punch
• Scripty Embossing Folder 
• Blue self-adhesive sequins 
• Dimensionals for sailboat. 

This card came together fairly quickly once I decided on colours and theme.  Before I go here are  some more Alternative Paper Pumpkin - Lakeside and Waterside Resort cards I've made.  

Have a good week everyone and thanks for dropping by.  I hope these cards give you some fresh ideas and enjoyment.   Until next sketch...........

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop!

Masculine Birthday - Going Fishing FMS #733

Some thrilling news for everyone eagerly awaiting the new Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue; it’s coming soon! If you’re on my mailing list, you should be getting yours this week. Stampin’ Up!, always evolving and updating, has revamped their catalogue format, so don’t be surprised when you get the latest edition. It contains only 87 pages, unlike their usual 180+.  The new catalogue goes live on May 5th, 2026.

For this weeks Freshly Made Sketch hosted by Jen T.

HERE'S MY CARD:   

Today's masculine birthday card uses products from the April Paper Pumpkin kit called Lakeside Retreat, and a coordinating suite in the new catalogue called Waterside Retreat.  I've also used one of the exciting new incolours called Peaceful Pine.  Enjoy! 

I wasn’t satisfied with the simple Misty Moonlight matting on both sides of the DSP—it seemed too plain. So, after attaching the striped designer paper to the matte, I used my ball stylus to draw lines every 1/4" across the surface of the cardstock and paper. It was a small change, but I felt it brought more texture and vibrancy to the card front. I also made an error when measuring the designer paper and cut it half an inch too short. Fixing it was straightforward: I cut a matching strip measuring 1/2" by 4 1/4" and glued it underneath the paper matte, making sure the stripes lined up perfectly. I think it’s a convincing fix and not very noticeable. Let me know if you like this effect or would consider using it on your own card.

While applying a touch of Wink of Stella to the two fish on this card, I accidentally sprayed it over the front of the card. Oops! I cleaned up the mess a bit and then allowed it to dry. Everything turned out fine; there’s just a slight sparkle on the striped paper, but it still suits a guy card.

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Lakeside Retreat Stamp set
• Perennial Birthday - inside sentiment

Cardstock and DSP:

• Basic White 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" for the card base, scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White 5" x 3 3/4" for inside matte
• Misty Moonlight 5 1/4" x 4" for matte on card front 
• 3 1/8" x 1 7/8" matte for picture
• DSP from Lakeside Retreat Paper Pumpkin kit
• 4 3/8" x 4" matte for card front
• Ephemera from Lakeside Retreat and Waterside Retreat DSP

Ink:

• Peaceful Pine (new 2026/27 Incolor Stampin' Up!)
• Wink of Stella for the fish

Thanks for visiting my blog and for taking a look at my rendering of the  FMS #738.  Please let me know your thoughts on this card, I'd love to hear from you. 

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Faux Step Waterside Retreat

Last Saturday, two of my favourite stamping friends came over, and I created a Faux Step Card using the Waterside Retreat papers. We shared many laughs and had a great time putting this card together, which is simple to assemble and has a clean design suitable for any event. Take a look at the card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Relaxing Waterside Stamps #167922
• Relaxing Waterside Dies #167927
• Stylish Shapes 2 1/2" stitched circle die #159183

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Misty Moonlight cardstock for card base.  Cut to  1/2" x 8 1/2" and score at 2 1/4", 4 1/2", 5 3/4", 7", and 7 3/4".  Starting at the 2 1/4" score line, fold in a mountain fold and burnish, then next scoreline is a valley, next one a mountain, ending with smallest score line which will be a mountain fold and is the front of the card.   Burnish all score lines.
• Misty Moonlight cut strip 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" for faux flap, a scrap to cut 2 1/2" stitched circle and a scrap for the sentiment. 
• Basic White cut piece 2 1/2" x 4"  for the back of the faux flap for signing.
• Pecan Pie 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece for the Adirondack chair 
• Waterside Retreat designer series paper (DSP)#167920 Cut the following strips which are adhered to the steps starting with the back panel and moving to the front one:
• 1 piece 2" x 5 1/4"
• 1 piece 1" x 5 1/4"
• 1 piece 1/2" x 5 1/4"
• Cut  a 2 1/2" x 4" piece of coordinating DSP for the front panel of the card.  

Ink:

• Misty Moonlight

Accessories:

• Copper Sequins self-adhesive
• Dimensionals

Thank you for stopping by my blog this week and taking a look at my masculine birthday Faux Step Card featuring products from the Waterside Retreat suite.

I hope you'll come back for more easy stamping and card making. Please leave a comment if you liked this post—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Gone Fishing Birthday Card

This week’s card is another masculine birthday design, using stamps and papers from Stampin’ Up!’s retired "Let’s Go Fishing Suite". This set of stamps, dies, and papers remains one of my favourite choices for making masculine cards. I’m drawing layout inspiration from this week’s excellent sketch, hosted by Michelle L. at Freshly Made Sketches.  

Here's My Card: 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Gone Fishing #161535 - fishing gear 
• Gone Fishing Dies #161541 
• Best Catch Ever #148598- It's Your Day stamp
• Darling Dinos #164734 - Happy Birthday Sentiment
• All About Birthdays - inside sentiment

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper: 

• Basic Beige cardstock 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 scored at 4 1/4" for card base 
• Basic Beige 5" x 3 3/4"  for inside matte  and a scrap for Happy Birthday sentiment on card front and 1 5/8" square 
• Misty Moonlight cut two mattes 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" and scrap for sentiment 
• Let's Go Fishing DSP #161534 strip for front in Wild Wheat 1 3/4" x 5 1/4"

I looked through my leftover pieces from the Let's Go Fishing set and found the strip featuring fishing reels, which I thought was ideal. It just needed a small trim. I matched it with a matte made from Misty Moonlight cardstock, which I embossed with a water pattern to add some movement to the card front.

I already had a focal point created earlier with this set, and it fit perfectly, substituting the circles on the sketch with the block and tackle elements. For the front sentiment, I wanted something very narrow, so after searching through some of my stamp sets, I selected the "happy birthday" sentiment from the Darling Dinos stamp set.

Initially I didn't want to add sequins or other gems to this card, but it appeared somewhat flat in the photos. So, afterwards, I used a silver Wink of Stella pen to add some sparkly accents to the fish lure and bobbins. That was exactly the touch it needed.  

Inks and Blends: 

• Real Red
• Misty Moonlight
• Pecan Pie 
• Wink of Stella 

Accessories: 

• Seaside Textured  Embossing Folder for Misty Moonlight matte on card front
• Dimensionals 

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment on this week’s challenge card. I truly enjoy creating masculine cards and hope you find them inspiring and enjoyable. I really appreciate your support and encouragement.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

St. Patty's Day Masculine thday Card

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  

Recently, I was asked to create a birthday card for someone whose birthday is on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. I was happy to help, but I wasn't sure what to make, as I have limited stamps and images for this special day.

I searched Pinterest for ideas and came across one that I knew I could make since I had the Handsomely Suited die set and other materials on hand. I'd like to give credit to Heejung Hunsberger of H Made Boutique for her wonderful card.  Here is her card:

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies: 

• Handsomely Suited Stamps and Dies Dies (R) 
• Button Die from Sizzix (R) 
• Smallest Stitched Heart for Shamrocks Cut 4 
• Leaf with stem for Shamrock stalk die cut in golf foil
• Note - I stamped birthday sentiments in the card I made for the birthday but for my card sample I have left it blank in hopes of finding a St. Paddy's Day stamp. 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• Basic White cardbase 4 1/4 x 11 Scored at 5 1/2" for base and 2 3/4" on short side for easel card prop.
• Basic White 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" for  shirt layer and additional pieces for collar, buttons and button placket
• Suit front layer 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of Call me Clover (R).  I die cut the V from this piece. Small scraps for two pockets and stitched layer for pockets. 
• Lapels were cut from a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of Shaded Spruce.  The tie was stamped and die cut from Shaded Spruce along with 3 small and one larger button for inside vest and suit jacket closure, and stitched layer on pockets.
• 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of white and green designer paper for vest
  
• Scraps  of Gold Foil for 4 shamrocks and gold coins 
• 3/4" circle of Window Sheet for shamrock backing. 

Ink:

• Shaded Spruce 

Accessories: 

• Lacy Embossing folder for gold coins (I layed each of the six circles I cut out over an embossed flower center and then embossed them.  I cut the circles in half so I had more coins to stuff in each pocket. 
• Dimensionals 
• 3/4" circle punch for gold coins 

Never give up when you're making a card or doing a scrapbook page.  If you don't have the perfect stamps or dies think about what  you do have and try to improvise. Look for other ideas and see if there is a different way to complete your project, and have fun doing it!

Thanks you for visiting my blog and I hope this card makes you smile or inspires you to create one of your own. Let me know if you celebrate St. Patty's Day and if so how.   Any suggestions for some irish sentiments that could be used with my easel card.   

Happy Stamping!
Penny Token's Stampin' Spot 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Popup Soccer Surprise - Masculine Birthdays

I like surprises and so when I saw the Valentines Pop Up card layout by Meg Loven of Lovenstamps, I was inspired to try out her design.  This is a very quick and easy card to make and a great way to use up designer series paper.  

Here is My Version of the Pop Up Card:

I decided to make a couple of male sport themed birthday cards.  This card would be great for either a boy or man who are interested in sports. Here's the first card I made using products from a soon to be released suite called A Wonderful Match.  

Here is the second version:

For the second card I added a little grass using the die cut from the Match Day dies on a scrap of garden green cardstock.  What a difference grounding the balls with grass makes.  Love it!  I also changed up the puffy stars to black and attached them on the front of the card to balance out the soccer shoes. 

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Match Day Dies - soccer ball
• Sizzix Circle Dies 1 1/4" or punch 
• Perennial Birthday #145760
• "Enjoy Your Special Day" - this is a Stampin' Up! sentiment stamp, but I can't remember what set it came from.  It'll be sitting on my desk until I run across the stamp set that's missing one.  Hopefully someone can point out what set it came from.....hint, hint! 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper (DSP):

• Basic Black cardstock - card base 4 1/4" x 11 Scored at 5 1/2". Turn on longside and trim off 1 1/4" from edge. 

• Basic White cardstock:
• Cut two 4 x 4 pieces.  Adhere one piece to the inside of the card for the message.  The second 4 x 4 piece is adhered to the front of the card, leaving an 1/8" margin around it. 
  
• Cut 1" x 4" for the DSP strip to layer on 

• Pop Up Mechanism: Can be any color.  I chose Basic White so it blends in well with the inside message panel. Cut a strip 1 1/4" x 6" and score it at 1 1/2", 3" and 4 1/2".  Burnish the score lines.  Fold the two cut ends together and put adhesive on both sides.  Line this piece up with the score line for the center of the card, making sure you have even spacing to the bottom of the card.  Holding the pop up mechanism in place close the front of the card over top of it and hold for a few minutes to allow your glue to dry.  Decorate. 

• Designer Series Paper: A Wonderful Match 12 x 12 

• Cut two pieces 4 x 4 for the front and inside panel 
• Before adhering the front piece of DSP line it up with the white 4x4 matte on the card front and roll back the bottom edge towards the middle.  Before adhering the dsp matte, make sure there is enough room to add an image or sentiment in the part of the basic white piece that is now exposed.  The fold back can be adhered with a couple of dimensionals and the balance of the matte lined up and adhered to the 4 x 4 basic white matte. 
• Cut a strip 1" by 3 3/4" for the inside and adhere it to the basic white strip.  Note this DSP strip doesn't have to match the front or inside panel but should coordinator with the front when the card is closed.  
• Note:  One of the paper sheets in the Match Day paper pack has all kinds of images of soccer shoes, whistles, scarfs, etc.  I chose to fussy cut out a pair of soccer shoes to use on the front flap and a trophy for the back of the card from this paper. I could have also used one of the die cuts from the Match Day Dies as there is a nice trophy, a whistle and flag die cuts that would have added a nice finishing touch to the dark cardstock.   

Match Day Dies 

Ink: 

• Momento Black Ink

Accessories:  

• Dimensionals
• Wonderful Stars Puffy Stickers in Black and White

I loved making this card and can imagine it in all kinds of themes, and designs.  Once all the mattes and mechanisms are cut out it comes together really quickly.  I hope you enjoyed it to.  If you're interested in watching Meg's video click here

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

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Branching Out Masculine Birthday Card

Freshly Made Sketches #718 - designed by Amy, is the first sketch of this popular sketch challenge site for the New Year.  It's so clean and sleek, I found it frightening, however decided to dive in an see what I could come up with.  Here's their sketch which closes on  January 12th in the afternoon.

Here's My Card:

Because this sketch was intimidating to me because of its simplicity and clean and simple lines, I didn't want to overthink what to make.  I decided to look through stamp sets I'd purchased at the end of the year but not used, for inspiration. Here is my card:

This 18 piece photopolymer stamp set with 10 coordinating dies is called Branching Out.  I bought it as a bundle because I'd ran across a Christmas card I wanted to recreate.  Unfortunately I didn't have much time to play with it.

Now that I'm giving this set a try, I'm pretty excited.  It's going to be one of those sets with a lot of potential and can be used way beyond the holiday season.  It would be great for fall/winter masculine cards, sympathy and friendship cards to name a few. This particular card is in celebration of one of my guy friends who has a birthday coming up the end of January.   I hope he likes it. 

See those tiny little pine cones they are cut out with one of the coordinating die cuts and then sponged with a dauber to add some depth and detail. It was a great way to use up some Pecan Pie paper scraps.

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Branching out Bundle for pine branches, pine cones - stamped and die cut, and sentiments inside and front cover 

Card Stock and Designer Paper: 

• Pecan Pie for card Base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Early Espresso matte 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and strip 1/4" x 5" for edge along DSP
• Sahara Sand (R) 5 1/4" x 4" - cut two one for front and one for inside mattes
• Country Bird House Designer Series Paper 

Ink: 

• Shaded Spruce
• Early Espresso
• Pecan Pie
• Pebbled Path 

Accessories: 

• Gold Self Adhesive Sequins 

I'm so excited I finally used the Branching Out bundle to make this card.  It's inspired me to explore more ways to use it.  I hope you liked this card and my take on the FMS 718 challenge.  I'd welcome your comments and or questions regarding how this card came together.  Thanks and see you again.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 online shop 

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