Showing posts with label Whimsical Wishes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Whimsical Wishes. Show all posts

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Practice makes perfect

Mom always told me to keep trying until it worked. Then she told me to keep practicing, not until I got it right, but until I COULDN'T GET IT WRONG. My Mom was amazing, and I miss her daily. Her advice comes back to me every day. So, listening to her voice, I took another stab at my hardest card making technique - one-layer cards.

YIKES! Almost as hard for me is the CAS (clean and simple) style. Here are 2 samples of my recent efforts.


Both cards used Theresa Momber's Whimsical Wishes stamp set, by Gina K Designs. I embossed the pink card with my Spellbinder's nestabilities die, and cut a matching piece of scrap cardstock to use as a mask. I buffed on the Spun Sugar distress ink, leaving it lighter in the center.


I stamped the image in Picked Raspberry, and used my distress markers using the thumping technique on the leaves. I added just a little bling to the centers of the flowers. I am pleased with how it turned out. But I was compelled by Mom's voice reminding me to practice until I couldn't get it wrong.


This is the second card, using the one-layer and CAS styles. Being a graphic designer, I often struggle with balance in my designs, especially when I'm working off the cuff. I didn't have a plan for this, but I just kept going. I was trusting my practice to lead a so-so project into a wow project.

What works: Having three strong elements on the lower left needed balance on the right. If you look at it, the 'weight' of the midge with one rhinestone, and the four graduated rhinestones on the right, it adds up to the 'weight' of the three circles because the space between the right-hand elements adds to their value.

Weight - if you look at a card and your eye is following a triangular pattern, that is one of the most pleasing alignments, you should feel like the card is centered. If you look, follow the triangle, but your eye comes to rest on one side or the other, that is unbalanced, or side-weighted.

I could have chosen to stamp the sentiment in teal. That certainly would keep it even more clean and simple, but it wouldn't balance the weight. The lighter color of the sentiment reduces it's focal importance to keep the card balanced.

Ok - enough of the technical stuff. I enjoyed making this card, and I think I'm a little more practiced at CAS and one-layer design. Thanks, Mom!

And thank you, too, for stopping by.

~ky

Recipe:
Pink card: Cardstock - Gina K Designs Pure Luxury
Ink - Distress Ink and Distress Markers
Rhinestones - Basic Grey

Blue card: Cardstock - Gina K Designs Pure Luxury
Ink - Memento Teal Zeal, Peanut Brittle
Rhinestones - Basic Grey

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Did You Dare?

I did. Splitcoast Stampers hosts an annual, week-long challenge for members of their fan club as a thank you for subscribing. It's called Dare to Get Dirty. While I have been a fan club member in the past (it's really affordable), this was the first year I participated. Let me tell you, it was VERY worthwhile.

Membership is either $14.95 for 6 months or $24.95 for a year. That's really cheap considering all that goes on in the background of this wonderful site. If you've never been part of Splitcoast, you should check it out. It is free to everyone, but you get perks when you join the fan club.

{click any image to enlarge}

There are all sorts of challenges. The card above was entered in the handmade flowers challenge. I love how soft this one turned out! There are 37 challenges to play over the week-long event.


This card was created for the masculine challenge. I love making a scene!


This pair was created for the Christmas in July category. I really like these border embossing folders. You are going to see a lot of these in my future posts. They make elegant cards quick and easy - perfect for holiday cards!

Hey - thanks for stopping by today. I hope these cards inspire your muse, and that you will give some thought to participating next year. Did I mention there are a dozen prize packs at stake? Yep - the member companies have wonderful gifts!

I hope you have a wonderful, creative week!
♥~ky

Card Recipes:
Happy Day: Gina K cardstock & stamp set (Whimsical Wishes), Basic Grey patterned paper, Memento ink, Tim Holtz/Sizzix tattered florals die, My Favorite Things flower die, Prima flowers, Gina K buttons, twine, jute ribbon.



Thinking of You: Gina K cardstock & stamp set (By The Sea), Memento and Distress inks, jute twine, Copic markers and rhinestone.


Christmas Bells: Gina K cardstock & stamp set (A Very Merry Christmas), Memento and Distress inks, rhinestones and Copic markers.
Welcome to the Bunny Nest! I host rescued animals in a small in-home setting. Currently, I host 3 bunnies and 2 kitties. These animals will be socialized and housed for the entirety of their lives in my home. They inspire my crafts, and I use any proceeds to pay for their needs. Thanks for visiting!