Love for the Pals Paper Arts

There are a thousand ways to let our friends know when we are thinking about them.  When a friend is in pain or is suffering, it helps to ease their anxiety or discomfort when they are reminded how much they are loved.  Flowers, candies, a phone call or a pot of soup – excellent ideas to show that we are thinking about someone special.  Even better?  A handwritten note inside a handmade card.

I sat down this past weekend to make a beautiful card for Frenchie – a fellow Pal, a frequent commenter on my blog and a sweet friend.  I know Frenchie from online and met her in January – a heart of gold and an energy that cannot be matched.  Frenchie is going through a rough spell, so I made this card for her:   Papillon Potpourri, Sweet Essentials, Stampin' Up!, Brian King, PPA176

And here’s Margaret Moody’s awesome sketch that inspired my card: 

 Tips, Tricks and Reminders

  • Contrasting colors.  Calypso Coral is essentially the only color in this card – it’s accented by Whisper White and Basic Black.  While the coral shows up very dark in these pictures, the real card is very soft and beautiful.  I added a band of Basic Black around all of the shapes on the card to really accent the sketch elements.  I like the contrast of the soft and the very dark black.
  • Watercolor.  To create this butterfly, I pulled out my watercolor paper, stamped the butterfly in Jet Black StazOn and then painted it in Calypso Coral before cropping it with my Elegant Butterfly punch.  For each of the wings, I started every brush stroke at the center of the butterfly.  I covered the entire butterfly and then added another layer, covering less.  Then another layer.  Then another.  That’s how I got the darker color in the center of the butterfly.Papillon Potpourri, Stampin' Up!, Brian King, PPA176
  • The white space.  With all the Calypso Coral paper in the background of the card, it was important to leave some white space.  The rectangle behind the “love” and the corner-to-corner piece of white really bring a certain balance to the monochromatic patterns on the card.  

Stamp sets:  Papillon Potpourri, Sweet Essentials  Inks:  Jet Black StazOn, Calypso Coral  Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack  Accessories:  Elegant Butterfly punch, Expressions Thinlits Dies, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Please check out the other cards at The Pals Paper Arts.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

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23 Comments

  1. Very Pretty. Such a sweet gesture. I’m sure Frenchie will love it.

  2. Brian,
    Your card is beautiful (as usual). I appreciate your explanation of the the design and color choices you made; I learned several things!

  3. Lovely card and colors, very cheery and happy. I hope Frenchie’s troubles soon pass and I’m sure this card will help her feel better. Great sketch from Margaret Moody and your rendition of it is really beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

  4. Polka dots and butterflies …you can`t go wrong with that combination. Great sketch and the coloring of that butterfly in that coral is pretty . Such a lovely card for Frenchie . Let us know if we need to send a card to you to forward to her .

  5. It’s all about that black trim……just makes this beauty shine!

  6. What a sweet man, you are, Brian!
    And a very Lovely card, too!
    Good Job!!!!

  7. So crisp with the coral and black. Love it.

    PS. Did you notice that you, Mary and I all posted cards with butterfly’s on them today. Isn’t that funny. I’m sure folks think that is done on purpose but I know it wasn’t. Perhaps it’s just a change up from all the fall leaves.

  8. I love the watercolor technique with the Calypso Coral. It is a beautiful and thoughtful card.

  9. Butterflies are always happy/feel better additions! And so are polka dots! And there you are, again, with that great “white space”, Brian. Another super Pals Paper Arts design! 🙂

  10. Love, in an envelope! Now that is good and comforting ( pretty, too!) Any friend will feel blessed to receive this, as well as any card from you, Brian. Thanks for always sharing, look forward to checking my inbox everyday for both mail from you, Mary and Frenchie.

    • Thanks! I just want to be clear that this is not Frenchie Martin, who might be the other demo from whom you are receiving emails. As always, I’m happy to share my cards with anyone who will look at them. 🙂

  11. I am always challenged by things on a diagonal and I find this sketch quite intimidating, but you mastered it! I’m sure Frenchie was very touched by your beautiful card.

  12. Great sketch and wonderful card. It will surely comfort her heart and make her smile.
    Very nice, Brian.

  13. Brian – that card is simply AMAZING! I’m sure it will definitely brighten Frenchie’s day and you are so special to think of her and take the time to make such a special card for her! We will send out a little prayer from Maine for Frenchie.

  14. Brian-this is such a Beautiful Card!!

  15. Thx for clarifyingthe recipient. Been worried about the Frenchie I know on line and trying to figure out the problem! Hope your friend works through her problems or issues and comes out stronger and better for it. BTW, I am placing another order today. SU has finally developed a photopolymer set I love! Plus, some sale items are calling my name…

  16. Brian, this is so lovely. I’m sure Frenchie will be wonderfully surprised. Absolutely you mastered the sketch this week. That Whisper White diagonal stripe is so grounding to your sentiment layer…which, by the way, is gorgeous!

  17. A very pretty card, Brian! I know it will be much appreciated by Frenchie and it will certainly make her feel loved. Thanks for joining DT 1 this week!

  18. Beautiful card and I love these colors. You are a good friend and I am sure Frenchie will appreciate this card and your friendship.

  19. OMG Brian , thank you so mush for my BEAUITIFUL card , yes it made me smile and for a min forgot everything else .. Love love it my Friend …. As I’m posting this ” yes my tears just want to be free .. Thanks friend , I will kick this and hope to see you all soon again …
    I love and and your my King !!!!
    Hugs frenchie ,

  20. Thanks to all of you and your wonderful comments !!
    Hugs frenchie ,

  21. What is there not to “love” about this card! Fabulous! Thanks for the tips on watercoloring the butterfly…I found my mistake….I start from the outside…no wonder mine do not look like the “king’s” – thanks for playing this week! hugs!

  22. This is such a pretty card, Brian! I love the way you matted each piece to really show off the lines of the sketch. Thanks for sharing with us at Pals Paper Arts this week!

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