Put your hand up if you need more MEN’s CARDS in your stash 👋!!! AND, if you want to learn about colour inspiration for men’s cards, then you are in the right place!
Did you see my recent SWATCHING Video? Quickly and easily create stunning colour combinations using the exact cardstock you already own! Imagine being able to create amazing colour mixes from your stash, with just a simple turn of a wheel.
If you missed this video, sharing how to make your cardstock swatches work better for you, CLICK HERE. Or, for more information CLICK HERE. Today, I show HOW to put these swatches into action!
Would you like to see today’s cards?
You can watch the video here or in HD on YouTube right HERE.
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#SWATCHCOMBO
Using cardstock swatches along with the Color Wheel to create Quick and EASY colour combinations is a game changer. Because, I already know I have this exact cardstock in my stash (because I swatched it) and flipping through the colour combinations, made me realise just HOW MANY options I have!!
How to Use Cardstock Swatches: Men’s Cards?
- Choose a ‘base’ colour for your design. On the Color Wheel it is called the ‘PURE COLOR’ and is written around the outer edge of the wheel. I chose blue today, but orange or green are great examples for men’s cards too!
- Next, decide how many colours you would like. You could start with any of the colour schemes that you like. Such as, a ‘complimentary’ combination, which has 2 pure colors or a ‘split-complimentary’ like today’s example where there are 3 pure colors.
- PRO TIP: If you are unsure about making these colour schemes (analagous / complimentary / tetrad etc.) simply read the instructions on the wheel itself, it explains how they are made.
- But, just because you only chose 2 or 3 colours, don’t be limited by this. Why not add a few more tints, tones and shades from the same colour family such as in today’s example.
- And, if you don’t have the colour cardstock you want, there is always the option to create your own with ink blending.
- The proportions of cardstock can also be varied. Why not try larger blocks of colour, or maybe just add a pop of colour!
- But, let’s not stop there, why not take this a step further. This colour combo can be used with other mediums as well!! I created examples using both alcohol markers (LOVE my swatch book for this) as well as watercolours.
- This is where the reverse side of the Color Wheel comes in handy. If you don’t know how to mix colours then, this is your friend. Simply turn the wheel to see what colours you need to combine, to create the colour that you are looking for.
- And, don’t forget that Neutrals are you ‘get of jail free card’! These include browns, creams, black, white, greys, even some metallics and glitter cardstocks… you can add these to any of your combinations knowing that they will coordinate without clashing!
- BONUS TIP: If you find a colour combo that you like, why not write it down or take a quick picture & add to your favourites. Next time you sit down to craft, you can have your colour combination all picked out and ready to go!
Time for Inspiration
Split Complimentary Colour Combination: Pure Colors – Blue | Yellow-Orange | Red-Orange
Cardstock Swatch Choices: Powder | Iceberg | Desert Night | Honey Drizzle | Pumpkin Pie | Burnt Red.
This colour combination reminded me of the sea, so that is where today’s cards took me, but of course you could use these colours with whatever die cuts, stamps or stencils that you have in your stash.
Idea #1 – Cardstock
This card is made using the cardstock colours chosen with the swatches. Creating colour blocked backgrounds is a great way to use cardstock for a dramatic look and it works particularly well for masculine card designs.
You may also notice the ‘get out of jail free card’ here, yes it’s the neutrals! Typically neutrals will work well with any colour combination you create and using these is a great way to add details or drama confidently, knowing they will not clash.
Idea #2 Stamping
Have you ever thought to change up your mediums using the same cardstock colour combination? This example uses stamping as well as watercolours.
You may also notice that the proportion of colours used has changed with each design, but there is still only a pop of colour with the ‘red’. This is a great way to change up the overall look of a card.
Idea #3 Ink Blending
Still with the inks here, except now it’s time to use stencils and do a little ink blending. And, you may notice that the colours have now also been matched, and we are using alcohol markers as well!
BONUS IDEA: This huge word stencil makes for a great masculine card, but you could just as easily stencil a fun background with your chosen colours and add a die cut word over top instead.
Idea #4 Mixing it Up!
This card is a combination of both alcohol markers and colour blocking. This time it’s an ombre colour blocked vertical background and the markers were chosen to match the tints, tones and shades of the ‘Pumpkin Pie‘ swatch colour.
D’OH MOMENT! I’m kicking myself… I didn’t think of it until afterwards, I wish I had of added the splotches on the koi fish using the pop of red. You know that NOW I am going to have to remake this card lol.
Free Swatch Download
Next? I have always used ‘My Colour Story’, (you can see me use this in the video) this is a flip folder where I keep track of all my inks, alcohol markers, pencils etc. And, I have used it for cardstock before, but the downside was that I wasn’t able to pick up the colours and hold combos together… and they were small and there was no ‘direction’ to take them other than what I felt looked good. Using the combinations from the Color Wheel feels like it’s taken the guess work away.
Would you like to download the swatch sheets I use? I have a variety available A4 both metric and USA Letter size. As well as ‘blanks’ that can be used to SWATCH anything you want, in any brand you have! Hope you enjoy and use this as much as I do!
I’d love to know if you think this cardstock swatch colour combo idea, resonates with you, and if you are going to give it a try… I would love to hear from you, reply in the comments below!
And, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Sending crafty hugs your way!
SUPPLIES:
Cardstock: Altenew – Iceberg | Desert Night | Honey Drizzle | Pumpkin Pie | Burnt Red | Evening Gray | Morning Frost. Concord & 9th – Powder | Mushroom.
Ink: Altenew – Sea Breeze | Iceberg | Desert Night | Honey Drizzle | Pumpkin Pie | Burnt Red.
Ohuhu Markers – Y2 | Y3 | Y5 | Y13 | YR2 | GY6 | NG09 | BG3.
Stamps & Dies – Ellen Hutson – Everything’s Beachy | Landscapes | Beach Day.
*Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon, this content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time.
 Guiding Light SSS | SB |  Classic Greetings ALT | SSS |  Celebration Sentiments ALT | SSS |  Bunch of Balloons SSS | OTH |
 Bunch of Balloons Stencils SSS | OTH |  A2 Layers Die SSS |  Good Day Quilted Rectangles Die SSS | OTH |  Goldfish Pond ALT |
 Goldfish Pond Die ALT | Color Wheel AMZ | SSS |  Retro Brights SSS | OTH |  Altenew Cardstock ALT | SSS |
 Concord & 9th – Cardstock SSS |  Watercolor Paper Set ALT |  Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS | Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS |
Ohuhu Honolulu USA OTH |  Nocturne SSS |  Deep Blue Seas ALT | SSS |  Cool Summer Night ALT | SSS |
 Lapis Lazuli ALT | SSS |  Fall Harvest ALT | SSS |  Pocketful of Sunshine ALT | SSS |  Martian Terrain Ink Set ALT | SSS |
 Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS |  Essential Black & White Enamel Dots ALT | SSS |  Crystal Clear Enamel Dots ALT | SSS |  Tweezers ALT | SSS |
 Perfect Picker ALT | SSS |  Bone Folder Altenew ALT |  Sticky Grid Mat Ultra ALT | SSS | SB |  Mini MISTI SSS |
 Platinum 6 ALT | SSS | 9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer AMZ | SSS |  BetterPress SB ALT | SSS | SB | Bearly Art Glue AMZ | SSS |
 Glue Tape ALT | SSS |  Foam Tape ALT | SSS |  Satin Masking Tape ALT |  Adhesive Sheets ALT | SSS |
Hi Therese, I loved your paper organization video and the swatching video and Thank you so much for explaining HOW to use the color wheel and not to be afraid of the wheel. I;ve meant to order the wheel some time ago, it wasn’t until recently, that the color wheel has 2 sides. Sometimes I am so literal in things…. So, yes, I will be doing some, it was an eye opener watching you take the large papers and placing them over the card and using the adhesive to hold them all together. Thanks for all your tips.
I am so very happy that you enjoyed these ideas Judy, I am finding that this new method of creating colour combos a LOT of fun and making me use cardstocks that I wouldn’t normally reach for. I always seem to pick the same colours over and over lol. Hope you have fun with your colour wheel!
You do share the best ideas, Therese! These are all terrific I do love a pretty lighthouse!
Me too, that lighthouse is amazing!
I really enjoy your creative card posts. I will be downloading your Malr color wheel. Thank you
It’s a fab tool, and I’m so glad you like this idea Jan!
That was kinda sneaky. The link doesn’t go to a free color wheel. But I still like you.
oops sorry Jan, it’s the one that I physically own that I linked. But, a google search will get you to a TON of free wheels. My apologies if I lead you astray x
I haven’t done any colour blocking with cardstock in ages, and you’ve just reminded
me how simple it is to do, and how effective. I liked all the cards, but using the cardstock for impact has stuck with me. I’ve been using cardstock swatches for years, but made mine 4″x4″, so I can get the impact of layering them alone or with patterned paper across the top of an A2 card, or for a focal layer on a 5″x5″ card.
I agree Lesley, I have found the larger swatches way more useful, 4″ x 4″ would be fabulous! Though I might accidently die cut something out of them one day lol.
Wow. I’ve had a colour wheel for most of my life. Love using it but I never once thought of using it for paper swatching. I love your creative and organizational videos.
Crafty Cheers
How wonderful Lisa, so so glad it was helpful for you!
Love this amazing combo for maculine cards!
I know you rock colour combos like a Queen my friend x
I reckon you don’t sleep ever !!! how do you find the time to make consistently amazing cards and videos ? I’m so happy to see these fabulous and oh so non typical cards for men it’s suvch a refreshing change. As always your colour choices are sensational on these beautifully designed card.
Marie
You are the sweetest person EVER! Thank you Marie x
Great tips (as always!)
Yay!!
My favourite is the ombre inked letters – simple but cool!
Thank you x