Wednesday Card Inspiration

Today's Wednesday Card Inspiration is at Jennifer McGuire's blog. This simple and colorful card is so fun you will want to makes loads more!.  Click here to check out this card and its technique HERE

You make have heard me refer to Jennifer McGuire in class. She works for Hero Arts, Ranger and several others. Her blog is wealth of ideas and information and she has a simple way of making great cards. I really like the cards in this blog post and thought you might too.

Wednesday Card Inspiration

Wednesday Card Inspirations

Today’s card inspiration was created by Renee Van Stralen at Stamping for Sanity  and is one of my favorites. I’m sure you agree she did a wonderful job to convey the theme. In my opinion this would be prefect as sympathy or encouragement card but could also work for anniversary, birthday or even 'just because'.

Why does this card work?

Design- Renee has used an asymmetrical design. Asymmetrical means absence of symmetry. Symmetry means balanced. So Asymmetrical means unbalanced but in a good way!  Sometimes perfectly balance design can be a bit of a yawn. By placing design elements one side of the card it creates a pleasing tension. Yea, the term “pleasing tension” sounds like an oxymoron but the human eye seems too long for it. I know mine does. But the thing that makes it all work is the “With Love” banner that pulls your eye to the other side of the card. It gives the design a balance. Hey, it just works!

Color  - Renee has used mostly warm soothing colors but by stamping the doily in the background in a cool aqua, it makes the orange pop and  keeps the  colors from being too heavy and somber. She has lightly shaded the edges with Distress ink to “knock the new off” but not weigh down the design. She strikes a perfect balance.

Texture- every card needs it. Texture is like salt in a recipe; it’s subtle, in the background but the dish, or in this case the card, would be less without. So what is the texture in this design?  The raise portion of the banner. She is used a pop dot in the center and glue the ends of the banner to the card. But notice one last detail; the notched ends of the banner aren’t glued down. The tips curl forward just a smidge.  It’s the little touch that finishes a perfect design.

I hope you take some time to study Renee’s wonderful card and try an asymmetrical design soon!

Wednesday Card Inspiration

This week’s card inspiration was made by Craftieodamae who’s blog can be found HERE. When I first saw this card I thought “wedding”. It would also work for an anniversary. Can’t you just see it for a silver or golden anniversary?  And why not? It’s a real stunner but not complicated or time consuming to prepare.

So why does this card work?   

1.       Texture-The first big reason is texture. Texture with a capital T!  Embossing folders were used to their best advantage in the card. But the embossed strips are not the only texture in the card. Look at all the layers used. I see five layers on this card. But it’s not overdone.

2.       Color is the reason this card is so visually appealing. If several colors of card stock or even printed paper were used, it would be too much. The clutter would be a real turnoff and you would think it was a mess. The single color unifies the card and balances all the texture.  Now don’t think just white would work. I can see this in pastels, rich browns and what about red?  Ooh la la!

3.       Balanced Design is the last reason this card works. The four vertical strips pull you eye down to the die cut and stamped focal point of the card. The ribbon carries the eye to the right and you feel the journey was defiantly worth it!

So the next time you want to break out of your hum-drum card making, try this lovely textural card.  And of course, don’t forget you Toot Your Horn and show off your wonderful work!

Wednesday Card Inspiration

Wednesday Card Inspiration

Today’s card is by Julie Ebersole and can be seen at EllenHutson.  The reason I chose this card is because it’s a good “make in a hurry” card. 

What makes this card work?

1.       Simple Color-Tone on tone is a classic theme that is always a winner

2.       Texture- The embossing really shines because there is nothing else to grab your attention. It's not just the texture of the embossed panel, there is also the texture of the layers. If this card was flat, one layer, and only embossed it wouldn't be near as pretty or effective. This card would look good using another color but white is really the best choice. As a side note, if you decided to use color I would use a lighter color and a solid. Because you want to maintain a minimalist look and you want the texture to be prominent.

3.       Color Pop- Using just a little color for the title give your eye a place to go. Also the color helps it to pop off the whiteness of the card. If the title were stamped in black it wouldn’t be near as effective.

4.       Dimensional embellishment- the butterflies are very small so the minimalist look is still maintains. Yet they give the card a bit more texture, depth and add a touch of whimsy.  A second choice could be a die cut flower, three tiny buttons or a row of pearls or crystals.

Next time you want to try something new try using this card as your inspiration.  Be sure to Toot Your Horn and show us all your creation.