October 11, 2007

So lucky......before and after

Let's do a little before and after card makeover today. First, let's take a look at this card below. The background is of the card is one of my new favorite layouts, I love it! Again, I get the most out of that full 12 x 12 piece of patterned paper by cutting 4" x 4" squares, thus getting 9 pieces from one sheet. Gotta love that! But let's talk about the focal image in the before card below. It's stamped and then cut very closely around the main image. It's okay, but it's kinda boring. I know this is how a lot of us cut our images too...we cut right up to the focal image, leaving no white space or a place for a sentiment or any other design elements. I think we can add a lot of interest to our cards if we think about a few things before we make that first cut. Let's take a look at the after card I made. I just love it so much better than the first sample. First, I looked at all of the stamp images that were in the set and decided what sentiments I wanted to use for this card. I was able to use three sentiments simply by adding two more to my main image. But after I had those sentiments stamped next to my cute little stick couple, there was a LOT of white space in the upper right hand side of the main image. So I did a little creative thinking and made a heart template by cutting out a card stock heart with my Cricut machine. I used the negative image as a template and airbrushed a light tan color over my main image. Isn't it just the cutest? I think it adds to the feeling of *true love* without overpowering the stamped images. If you use a light enough color, you don't even have to mask over the colored stick people.
Sooooo, put a little creativity into your cards. Think about layout and placement of images, think about composition or how all of the elements of a card fit together, think about the mood you want to convey, think about using all of those tools and supplies you have sitting around. If you want to see some more great samples, two great stampers come to mind: Valerie Stangle because she leaves a LOT of white space around her images. Just peruse through her blog and you'll see what I mean. And Julie HRR (Julie Ebersole), she is the queen of putting together little scenes by using lots of images on her focal points of her cards.


Now, who is this card for? Well, I originally made this card for my husband for our anniversary coming up on the 15th. And I know how busy our weekend will be and then my DH leaves on our anniversary day to go out of town for a few days for work. So instead of my DH having to go shop for a $4 card or make one on the computer like he usually does, I'm making a card for both of us. Huh? Well, what I've done is cut 2 white mats for the inside of the card. One for the top and one for the bottom. I'm going to ask DH to write a message on one and I'll write a message on the other one, then I'll adhere them to the inside of the card. I'll put the date on the card and then I'll have a nice memento for our anniversary this year. I already got my gifts....a shopping spree to Archiver's last weekend! Woohoo.


Supplies: SU! solid card stock, Cosmo Cricket Gretel patterned paper, Copic markers and Airbrush System(from Ellen's store), Rubber Soul Love Collection Set, Martha Stewart ribbon from Michael's.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a difference in the 2 cards. I will have to try this on my next creative burst. Thanks for sharing.

Dottie K. said...

What a great idea and a huge difference in the look. Thanks for sharing. Happy Anniversary!!!!

Jenn in GA said...

love this, michelle. i think the key is having a set that has coordinating sentiments that have the same style as the image. awesome idea about sharing the card and making it a momento! happy anniversary!

Donna Baker said...

once again, you amaze me with your tips! this is awesome...I will have to try it out soon. What a great idea for the same card to each other~I think I should do that, that way you keep the card you worked so hard on & your DH doesn't have to go out & spend! I have to do that because holding out for my DH to make me a card is getting old...Happy Anniversary!

Alhambra Club said...

WOW, you sure know how to make these cards pop, love it.

Unknown said...

Geez....I am amazed at how much different that made! You are sooooo clever! Thanks for the great tip!

Gale Smith said...

What a lovely card...great choice of colors. I love the stick people...they are precious! Thanks for sharing.

sworley said...

It's okay . . . . . Ü

Mellie said...

Mishie, you're brilliant! I say, BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Michelle... great cards! Our anniversary is the 14th! So from one happily-married-stamper to another, Congratulations!!!

Debbi T said...

Wow - you rock, Mishy Sue, you really do! Ü

edie said...

Great idea for the "shared" card - my anniversary is in November and I am TOTALLY doing that! :) Also, thanks for sharing the before and after - it's really inspiring to see how the creative mind works!

Kacey Elliott said...

OOOH - I love that card! I have to try that! I love the heart in the background. So pretty! P.S. I love your tip of the day everyday, so helpful!

Anonymous said...

I love that ribbon! What a difference between the two cards. Thanks for sharing that with us.

Unknown said...

How awesome is this card Mish!! Love that heart in the background - great thinking!! :)

Aimee said...

What a difference that made and it is so adorable...

Viv said...

WOWZERS! What a difference! I love the second card with all the "extras"! TFS!!!

Heather McNally and Melissa MacDonald said...

Mish - as usual - you rock my world, girl! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary!

Wow! The transformation was amazing! You need to show us cards like this more often. It truly inspired me.

Jen said...

wow what a huge difference. I love the heart and the way you did the sentiment on the 2nd card!

Rose Ann said...

Awesome!! You rock!!

SueB said...

... just one more reason to love scoping out your blog! I'm setting up Google Reader this a.m. and just stoppin' by to grab your URL and see whether you'd posted anything new this weekend.

thanx for your continued inspiration! quick note - love the new seasonal header/banner!

- SueB of sueblondin.blogspot.com

Beth said...

Very CUTE!!!!

Abi said...

Hi Michelle - I love your blog and have nominated you for an award.

Ida said...

Wow, I agree that the 2nd card really "hits the spot" as far as the design goes. I love the changes you made. Happy Anniversary.

Anonymous said...

Okay, where is the crown for Stamping Queen of the Year??? You should be wearing that thing. I thought the before card was pretty nice, then the after card, well that was a zinger. Then I read on to discover to what wonderful use you'll put this card. I'm in awe. I really liked your stuff before, but now I'm in awe. Jaw-on-the-floor awe. You're amazing!

PS I hear stampin' mist is good for polishing crowns ;-)

Anonymous said...

I was loving your card and happened into Hobby Lobby this week and lo and behold...They had this set on clearance for $5. Well Woo Hoo....and they had too other of the WW's set also for $5, So I would have been losing money if I hadn't bought all three. Thanks for your blog...it is inspiring. My husband wishes it were not so inspiring since I tend to buy too much. (in his opinion only) Kay

Related Posts with Thumbnails