The Language of Friendship

It’s pretty awesome when you meet someone with whom you have an instant connection.  I met Ann Schach in early November, and I feel like we’ve been buddies for years now.  We always have lots to talk about and often share the exact same views.  Even though our card-making styles are total opposites – my style is simple and clean, and Ann’s style is beautifully complex and vintage.  Well-known fact:  Ann has gorgeous boxers and proudly shows them in dog shows.  Little-known fact:  Ann is physically incapable of making a card that doesn’t have at least 27 pearls. 

Today, I want to share a quick and easy card I made for Ann:stampwithbrian.com - Language of Friendship.jpg

Tips, Tricks and Reminders:

In “the old days” (before popular Designer Series Paper prints), we stampers were forced to create our own background papers as the base of our cards.  There are rules around creating the perfect background design.  You’ll want to bookmark this page because these rules are really complicated.  This simple card is a perfect vehicle for me to introduce The Three C’s of Background Stamping:

  • Color.  Pick three complimentary colors, and stick with them.  You could do four or more, but I think three is beautiful.  In this case, I wanted the flower to stand out, so I picked the bright and beautiful Melon Mambo and accented the flower with smaller images in Midnight Muse and Lucky Limeade.  I then repeated those colors on the outside of the card, creating a perfect frame for the floral print.  
  • Composition.  With solid images, it’s best (in my humble opinion) to keep the images from overlapping (see my Thanksgiving card here).  With it’s gogeous lines that both outline the image and create a gorgeous structural frame on the inside, Summer Solstice is the perfect set for a little overlapping. 
  • Chocolate.  You did such a good job learning the first two C’s, so reward yourself!  It’s best with peanut butter. 

Stamp Sets:  Summer Solstice, Language of Friendship  Papers:  Midnight Muse, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White  Inks:  Midnight Muse, Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo  Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch, 3/16″ Corner Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!  And you can pay a visit to Ann’s site here.  Tell her I said, “HI!”

More Christmas swaps tomorrow!

Brian

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Did you listen to me yesterday?  Yesterday, I told you about Stampin’ Up!’s new kits that give you everything you need to make the ornament on the front of the Holiday Catalog.  Did you click over to my demonstrator site to buy one (only available while supplies last)?  Here’s another chance to make me proud of you – click the image below:

20 Comments

  1. Oh Brian, this is absolutely lovely!!!!! The colors look beautiful together, that “Summer Solstice” stamp set is amazing, I think I will get it in my next SU order, it’s must have. It’s true about making a connection with someone that you meet for the first time, it’s a feeling of complete bliss and you know immediately you will be able to talk about anything always, even if you have never met in person. I have a dear friend I met in an on line Triathlon club. She is a bit younger than me but we’ve been on line friends for 7 years. Last year we met for the first time at an Iron Distance race in North Carolina and it was magical. Her and her husband came to our room and she met my awesome cheering gang, my grandkids. It was fabulous hanging out with them and we both found out that our husbands are a pair of ever patient and supportive guys, putting up with us gals and all the crazyness of training for this big races.

  2. Wow, gorgeous! I like Ann’s work too and did notice she has a pearl fetish and must keep SU in business with her pearl purchases…te he! Her cards are stunning!! I can’t wait to revisit all my other stamps after Christmas! Happy Day!

  3. Fantastic card Brian. I’m now going to scurry of to apply your rules to a card, I love stamping backgrounds but get a little timid when it comes to more than two colours. Thanks Brian.

  4. Beautiful card. Love the stamps and colors. Wonderful job and I am sure anyone would love getting this card. Thanks for the tips on craeting your own background papers. Have a great day!

  5. How refreshing these colors are… and I have not seen this stamp set used before… I like the look ,it is different…I really like the butterfly and the translucent effect . I also like Ann`s creations…I still think my favorite is the French Foliage trip technique card she did and layered it on angles (not on angels ) That is what fun it is to hop around and see what other styles people use with stamp sets that I might have . Pretty card,Brian …

  6. Very nice use of color, and great description of Ann, sweet lady! I think it might be 29 pearls minimum. 🙂

  7. Beautiful card Brian, I’m sure Anne will love it. I feel like a friend of Anne’s as I’ve followed her blog for a while. I love her style and the stories of her Boxer babies. You are both lucky to have met each other in real life.

  8. Your card is the shining example of why people should make their own DSP! Love this card, Brian, it’s beautiful!

  9. Brian – I’m trying to place an order on your site and can’t find the place to do it. If I go to “For Sale” it’s a list of stamp sets you have personally on sale. So, what the heck do I click on to enter an order on your website? Answer reasonably fast please as I’d like to have this stuff before Christmas. Thanks.

  10. Oh my gosh, that’s wonderful! Any excuse to eat chocolate is a good one! Thanks! (Great tips, too.)

  11. I take a spoonful of pb from the jar and dip it in a bowl of semi-sweet chocolate chips….MMMMMM
    Oh yes, the card is gorgeous and I love that you chose to pick up the midnight muse and lucky limeade rather than the melon mambo…

  12. I’m so glad you post every day! It’s a daily smile for me!

  13. Gorgeous card Brian! I have seen some of Ann’s work and she is amazing. But my new friend, YOU are also amazing. By the way, thanks for such a sweet Christmas card. I got your hand written note today., Looking forward to a long “online” friendship. You are very talented. ! 🙂

  14. I am so very impressed with this beautiful card! Just know that Ann will love it – who wouldn’t???!!!! The colors and design are fab! Okay, so now don’t be angry with me, but I went to Ann’s blog at your suggestion, and now I am a follower!!!!!! Yes, totally different style from you but I guess I am somewhere in the middle….and a bit to the left of nowhere! Thanks Brian, I continue to learn from you and so appreciate all of your tips and tricks and your wonderful sense of humor….thank you!

  15. Beautiful card! Love the colors.

    PS – I love Ann’s work, too, but it’s only fair to point out that she sometimes uses Basic Rhinestones. She is versatile and talented

  16. Oh, Brian! You are such a sweetie! The card is absolutely gorgeous in person, and has a place of honor in my home. I am so thrilled that we were able to meet in person. Hooray for instant connections! And thank you for the sweet shout-out, too!

  17. Your color combination is beautiful. Love your blog. It is so fun. I am a new demonstrator. I would love for you to visit my whole 2 posts at http://www.sierrastampinup.blogspot.com.

  18. Made a major mistake on the website. It should read http://www.sierrastampin.blogspot.com.

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