Graphic 45 A Proper Gentleman Retirement Card with Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, Friends!  I love Graphic 45’s masculine collections, don’t you?  Today’s A Proper Gentleman Retirement Card features ribbons from the RRR March Ribbon Club Assortment.  There are so many ribbons in this club assortment that are perfect for masculine cards!

My husband has used the same CPA for our family business for over 30 years.  When Tom decided to retire this year, I wanted to make him a card to thank him for all the wise counsel and financial advice he’s given us over the years.  So I made this 4 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ gatefold card folio with Tom’s retirement in mind.

The ribbon closure is Charcoal Checkerboard Satin.  Soft, supple and easy to tie, I’m a big fan of this style of satin ribbon!

TIP:  To create a ribbon closure, place 1/2″ Scor-tape on the back of your card.  Measure your ribbon length by wrapping it around the card BEFORE you attach it to the Scor-Tape.  This way you can place the bow exactly where you want it to be.  When you’re happy with the placement, then peel off the tape liner and secure the ribbon to the back side of the card.

TIP: Mat your focal image on a double layer of foam adhesive or waste chipboard to really make it stand out.   Add a die cut word to the ribbon panel for a fun surprise when the ribbon is untied.

A Proper Gentleman Retirement Card: A Peek Inside

To make the base for this gatefold card, score an 11″ x 6 1/4″ panel of grey cardstock at 4 1/2″ and 8 1/2″.  The panel for the focal image on the front is 4″ x 4″  I fussy cut a bunch of clocks and layered them on the first 4 1/4″ panel along with a strip of Red Satin Mini Swiss Dots Ribbon from the Club Assortment.  This adds a lovely pop of color, and complements the red hues in the paper.

I always add designer paper to one half of the focal panel of a gatefold card.  That way, when the card is opened, everything looks beautifully finished.

Since Tom is a CPA, I thought the New York Stock Exchange paper would give him a chuckle. The center panel has a little note card tucked into a pocket.  This is where we will add a personal note to thank Tom for his many years of outstanding service to our family.

I’m thinking I’ll have lots of fun making masculine cards with this month’s Ribbon Club…and feminine cards, too!

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy