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Since I am relatively knew to the PC world I would like to know what the veterans would do to jazz this card up. To me he is a little plain, but I have not gotten into the embellishment swing yet.
Super cute! I love the color choices. Two small ideas - one is to draw a little squiggly line beneath the feet to "ground" that cute critter. Another thing to maybe have tried is to reverse the scallop and background layer . The sweet face is getting a little bit lost right next to the same color layer. These are just small thoughts - I love the card already.
Super cute! I love the color choices. Two small ideas - one is to draw a little squiggly line beneath the feet to "ground" that cute critter. Another thing to maybe have tried is to reverse the scallop and background layer . The sweet face is getting a little bit lost right next to the same color layer. These are just small thoughts - I love the card already.
It's funny you mentioned about reversing the colors b/c I mentioned to my DH that maybe I should have placed a circle behind the image.
I agree with Serenity Stamper's suggestion on something to ground the image. I'm not quite sure about simply reversing the layers, though - because then the blue jeans and t-shirt would be on blue, just like the face and cap are now on orange. Your idea of having the image on a circle would work - even a very pale blue rather than white.
Something that can add a lot of visual interest is piercing - you could add a little to the corners maybe, or in each scallop? But more likely the corners - that would help to frame your sweet image.
I'm a longterm paper crafter and illustrator. Friends tell me that I should make my designs into stamps, but I need some input before taking that step. If anyone would like to take a look at some of my designs and post feedback about whether they think there might be a market for my style of stamps within the stamping community I'd really appreciate it very much. Any info/advice is helpful! Here is a link to my picturetrail account with a few of my designs...
I use digi stamps. I've been collecting for more than a year. I collect images that speak to me. I may not have a project in mind, but I but my digi images into select files, along with the author's name for future use. If there is a colored sample I put it in the same file, so that I can see the artist's intentions, and it saves me from trying to guess.
Does anyone have any ideas where you can find verses to be used in Christmas cards? I looked on a lot of sites but there doesn't seem to be anything really different. Not too serious but thought provoking. Also what is the best white pen to use....mine never seems to work real well on darker colors.
I've finally made a card I think I will like for my Christmas cards but it just seems to be lacking something...not sure what it is. Any help would be greatly appreciated! 20121108_133356.jpg
Thanks!
I always like the look of solid images stamped on patterned paper - I just never think to do it myself. The two things I would try, to see how they look, would be a very narrow darker layer, or sponging, on the edge of the image layer and maybe the base layer, and something like a gold Dew Drop or gold half pearl on the ribbon on each side.
Just something that distracts me visually is that I'd want the ribbon to be centred relative to the sentiment, but that's just me!
Kathy, it's a lovely card & has all the right elements. The one thing that I really noticed is that the stamped elements feel too spread out, especially the crib which looks to be "falling" off the page. I did a little study into print design & it's better to leave a little more space at the bottom of the page to avoid that look.
Perhaps have the patterned paper shorter, so that there is more of the red layer top & bottom & more in proportion to the sides. (sorry, that's such an unwieldy sentence; I hope you understand what I mean )
I'm also not sure about the sentiment being so centred - though by Sabrina's comment, above me, she may well disagree :lol:
__________________ Elizabeth
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. Gandhi My (poor, neglected) Blog
Thank you, Sabrina! Believe it or not the focal panel is inked it's just very light. And I do agree about the sentiment being centered relative to the ribbon. I just put so much adhesive on the red piece there was no way it was coming up without being completely damaged. I was so sure I'd measured correctly when placing that ribbon!! Oh and I do agree about needing something like a pearl or Dew Drop on each side.
I think you hit the nail on the head Elizabeth. The focal panel is too long and my sweet Babe in a Manger looks as though he's falling off the page. I was afraid things would look all squished together so I opted for a long panel.
Thank you both for your honest critiques. I will make a new card, using this one as a guide for "what not to do"
ok i am new at this. Does anybody have the instructions for making the Christmas ornament on the front of the Stampin up catalog. If so please let me know
i think it is good enough,but if you think something missed,i think the background is too white, you can try to add some beads to fill the white part,and what pattern beads depends on what you like,looking forwards to your accomplishment
I think the star is almost lost with the pattern. What if you stamped the gold star in a white background and then used the pattern paper for the crib area. I agree the ribbon and sentiment should be centered - man I hate when I measure and it still doesn't balance right.
I'd do a pearl in the center of the star.
Or what if you did white cardstock for the top layer, the gold star at the top with the sntiment in the middle and then popped the crib at the bottom by cutting it out and lifting it with dimensionals.
I need help for the inside of this one :
[IMG]//www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2330768?&cat=500&ppuser=266068[/IMG]
This is exactly the look I was going for on the front. I'm going to stamp "Who's turning forty?" on the inside, but I don't have a white ink that works well. So I can:
1) emboss it in white like the front
2) switch to black for the inside
3) add a white panel to the inside and stamp in black.
I don't really know what's best. I want to keep this whole card as minimal as possible.
__________________ aka Sue. Or Sue-odd.
No blog for me. My gallery chronicles my card-making successes and mishaps.
I need help for the inside of this one :
[IMG]//www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2330768?&cat=500&ppuser=266068[/IMG]
This is exactly the look I was going for on the front. I'm going to stamp "Who's turning forty?" on the inside, but I don't have a white ink that works well. So I can:
1) emboss it in white like the front
2) switch to black for the inside
3) add a white panel to the inside and stamp in black.
I don't really know what's best. I want to keep this whole card as minimal as possible.
I'm no expert but all of those options would work well. Probably what would happen for me is I would try direct to card in either the white or black and end up putting a panel in to cover my errors. I like the change to the black to keep it same but different to the front.
Sue, I'd tend to go with stamping on black on the inside. That keeps the uniqueness & drama of the outside and provides contrast. I think it may be too much if the inside message is also in white.
Hope your friend enjoys the card & his forties. I personally only freaked when I turned 45 because it meant 50 was suddenly disturbingly close.
__________________ Elizabeth
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. Gandhi My (poor, neglected) Blog
It was the first Nugget filled box I have made and I was really excited about it. Perhaps it was because I didn't post it until after Valentine's Day? I'd love to hear from you why you think it didn't get any comments, that is, what you would do to improve it.
This is such a good idea. I can't count the number of times I look at a card and just say "hmm" - this is not working!! I agree with what everyone said, the wagon is floating and needs and anchor, but what that anchor should be?!! I have this card that is not working and would love all the talented feed back from members.
Okay, I'm turning to all the lovely and talented folks out there for a bit of help with this one. I like it in general, but it doesn't have that polish, the quality look that I'm going for. Any ideas how to improve it?
kiagc, I can't really offer any ideas because your card is simply beautiful as it is. The layout, colours, everything is just right in my opinion.
If you add anything there is a risk of overcomplicating this card. I know a lot of people go for very complex cards, lots of layers, flowers, bling, etc but I think the simplicity of the layout perfectly suits your theme here. So my advice - don't do a thing!
__________________ Elizabeth
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. Gandhi My (poor, neglected) Blog
pippinmctaggart, that's a difficult one. Your stamped and sponged panel is lovely & my initial thought was that it didn't need anything more. My next thought was that the top part of the stamped panel was empty looking, but equally felt that adding anything there would look wrong, because that airyness(sp) above the branch & bird does work.
I think that it needs some stronger framing - either a stronger mat or sponging ink
around the stamped panel...I'd personally go for a mid to deep blue. I'm not sure the yellow panel works, at least not where it is. It doesn't quite match & yet isn't strong enough a colour to act as a contrast & frame.
Another idea for framing this & not losing that open, airy feel is to add some decorative corners in the stamped panel itself, just slightly inside the panel - perhaps an eighth or quarter of an inch in. I have 3 ideas; stamped (a delicate, scrolly or lattice corner); similar in a sticker; a small L shape in brads or bead or similar; & a 4th idea is a small corner diecut.
__________________ Elizabeth
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. Gandhi My (poor, neglected) Blog
Thank you, Elizabeth! I think you're right, a stronger mat would really help set off the sponged panel. I really like the idea of tiny brads or beads at the corners of that panel, as well. Thank you so much for your suggestions!
I would agree with Circe's suggestion on the stronger matting. Since I left a comment on this already you know that I liked the card .
I actually wouldn't add anything dimensional in the corners - if you had to add anything I'd go for piercing. I like the fact that only the flowers are dimensional as it stands now.
Another one for stronger matting. What is happening with the card is that optically the white background is competing with the foreground rather than supporting it. Personally I like a dark background (same as the stamped branch) because it forces the focus to the stamped panel.
I liked the idea I came up with but there's just something not right...anyone?? It's a birthday card for a friend and I sure don't want to give it to her looking all wrong! :confused:
kiagc, I can't really offer any ideas because your card is simply beautiful as it is. The layout, colours, everything is just right in my opinion.
If you add anything there is a risk of overcomplicating this card. I know a lot of people go for very complex cards, lots of layers, flowers, bling, etc but I think the simplicity of the layout perfectly suits your theme here. So my advice - don't do a thing!
Thanks for your comments - I keep looking at it, and you are right. Thank you, Kia
So I'm guessing there aren't many people visiting this section of the forum or maybe no one has an opinion on what could help my card...oh well I tried!
So I'm guessing there aren't many people visiting this section of the forum or maybe no one has an opinion on what could help my card...oh well I tried!
I agree with the other posts, your card is great just the way it is! Maybe very few helpful posts in this thread is a good thing! ;)
So I'm guessing there aren't many people visiting this section of the forum or maybe no one has an opinion on what could help my card...oh well I tried!
I think if you did a very light sponging on the white then it would'nt look so stark. That may be what's bothering you. As far as I'm concerned it's fine just the way it is.
