White space struggle

[wavejumper]

Phil asked a questions about preferred based c/s color over here:

White, Cream or Colour? by PhillMM at Splitcoaststampers

In thinking about my answer, I realized something weird about me that I can only ask here...lol.

I know I struggle with white space. Unless it is a very particular focal point and then I still don't like it. Feels incomplete. Then I will screw it up filling it in.

BUT....If I have a colored CS base....much much easier for me to do that. It literally is about "white space" apparently for me.

I like it when other people do it. Sigh. Might be a scale issue. Like the focal needs to be bold enough to carry the white space? I don't know if it is size because I have seen some freaking tiny focals on a blank field commercially. I don't hate it but I would NEVER do it. And BTW they don't charge less. <snort>

Anyone else? Thoughts? Maybe it is just personal taste? So many people do it I am feeling like I am an oddball. Which is ok. I am just curious.

[fl_beachbum]

I struggle with it sometimes, too. And also with other details like placement of embellishments, do I leave a border, what sentiment do I use so the card actually gets used...
I think my problem is that I over-think! lol

[rockybeta]

Clean and simple is my favorite style.........especially with white card bases. However, when I do struggle with it I will reach for a piece of white to layer on and a simple textured embossing folder for more dimension and that usually fixes the issue. For me anyway........LOL ( Works with colored CS too.)

[leibetty]

Karen I too struggle with WHITE
I;m ok with a large blank area, if it's a color
but also I will emboss that or something, if it's "too much"
and I love the white space when OTHER people do it, So IDK what the issue is
too many years in white wall apartments?

[Scrapjanny]

When I think the white space looks too ... well, white, I add some tiny splatters or dots. Sometimes I just use a fine-tipped pen.

[Cook22]

Interesting question! I think I'm the opposite. I can more easily, and CAS is NOT my style, leave blank space if it is white. Or possibly kraft.

[smhtwin]

I use white card bases occasionally.

I have to keep myself from using black card bases too much - that's usually my go-to.

[gregzgurl]

I'm opposite - I can leave actual white space easier than a large area of color. Personal taste, I'm guessing... That being said, I'm almost never happy with that much white space on a single-layer card because, like you, it looks unfinished to me. I'm okay with white-on-white layers, though. I guess it kicks it up just enough to make me happier about it.

[cnsteele]

It doesn't matter if it's a white card base or a colored card base - my instinct is to fill it up. "More is more" is my cardmaking motto! Yes, it means I probably add too much but I just adore cards with SO much to look at and stuff popping off everywhere!

[wavejumper]

Those are good suggestions. I could do an embossed layer...I really like SisterSandie's white monochromatics a lot. But she isn't leaving open space. She is layering and embellishing.

Oy yes...the infamous border issue. 1/8. 1/4...1/2 is too big for me. White space time. Feels like a shirt that shrunk in the dryer. If I am going small-go small!

I could do splatters that are white...or close. It would give it a little something...maybe the person getting it would not even notice. But I would.

LOL Nicole. But that is my "Warning Warning Will Robinson" zone. I can get carried away. Why I think about a design for awhile and tell myself...no...just 5 things...not 20....no...LOL. Sabrina has an amazing talent to me-she can do 10 techniques on a card but it never looks "cluttered". Mine would. Others like you can do it too.

Black is a neutral but I see it like a color personally...I would be ok with it. I like it a lot actually-it makes colors pop.

I just realized something. I feel the same way about walls. When my walls were white I felt compelled to cover them with a lot of stuff. The minute I switched to colored walls....open space is fine now. I still have some stuff up, but not cheek to jowl anymore. Huh. Interesting.

[pepperann]

I feel the same way Margot! I see all this white space and think, 'Great..now what?'. I admire everyone who can seemingly grab a stamp and make a terrific CAS card yet when I try it...I muck it up with sequins or small bits of bling because I think it looks too plain. Overthinking? Probably. My husband loves my cards and occasionally takes them to work to show them off and several of his co-workers have been happy recipients. Sometimes, I think we are too hard on ourselves and what we see as 'not good enough' is in reality...pretty darn nice. JMHO. (I'm really enjoying everyone's responses!)

[ComradeBunny]

I'm not a fan of white space on my cards. I use a lot of colored and patterned paper because I just can't bring my self to leave the card white. I love other peoples one layer cards with lots of white, but it doesn't feel right if I do it.

[Bravesfan Linda]

I belong to the Clean and Simple Cards Facebook group because this style seems to be so popular right now. I'll admit I have made some that I LOVE, but others look boring to me. All of that white space isn't intimidating, to me it looks like a missed opportunity to use color. My cards tend to be based on either the image(s) or the colors, so having to leave white space does challenge me. I guess that's why I joined, participate in, and follow the group. I'm trying to accept a different mindset to use, not all of the time, but for a change.

[susanbri]

I can leave quite a bit of white space (or empty space on kraft or coloured cs) as long as there are some layers or at least a border or mat around the focal image. What I absolutely cannot do are one layer cards. They seem totally unfinished to me even though I'm mostly a CAS stamper. Out of the 2,500 cards I have on SCS, there are probably 20 or less that are one layer.