Color Challenge with Pals Paper Arts

Today is my first day as a Resident Designer with The Pals Paper Arts.  Woo hoo!  The PPA is now split into two design teams, which will allow PPA to present weekly challenges – and, thus, weekly winners.  Can you stand it?!  This week’s color challenge (PPA163) is rich and regal.  It’s beautiful and classic.  It’s Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse and Very Vanilla.  There are many ways to go with a color combination like this  – I shared “patriotic” a couple of times last week as we approached July 4.  This week I kept my card as clean and classy as this beautiful color combination: By the Tide, A Dozen Thoughts, Gorgeous Grunge, Stampin' Up!, Brian King

Tips, Tricks and Reminders:

  • Repeating borders.  If you’ve followed my posts for a while, you know that my Type-A senses really love to see a border repeated.  It’s the accountant in me.  There are lots of ways to mix this up, though.  The outside border of this card consists of Cherry Cobbler, followed by Midnight Muse.  While you only see a border of Cherry Cobbler around the fish, there IS a border of Midnight Muse.  I sponged a light border of Midnight Muse around the center piece on this card.
  • Creating light in water.  As I was adding texture to the center piece on this card, I searched for different ways to create the look of water.  I sponged a piece.  I added some dimension with Crystal Effects.  I tried to leave it alone.  Nothing worked.  THEN, it slapped me in the face!  I could use the center image (below) from Gorgeous Grunge to create the look of light in water behind the fish.  Score!
  • Stamp off five times.  The spray of coral is definitely a background piece on this card.  I didn’t want it to stand out too much with a dark, deep Cherry Cobbler.  That’s where “stamping off” comes in handy.  If you are new to this craft – “stamping off” is when you ink up a stamp and then stamp it once or twice on scrap paper before stamping it onto your project.  I think I stamped the coral off four times before stamping it onto the piece you see here. 

Stamp Sets:  By the Tide, A Dozen Thoughts, Gorgeous Grunge  Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse  Papers:  Midnight Muse, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla  Accessories:  Stampin’ Dimensionals

Please visit Pals Paper Arts to see the creations by the other team members and to submit a card of your own to the challenge.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

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27 Comments

  1. Laurie Burns Gachewicz

    Score!! The light water technique combined with the stamp- it-off five times technique just adds depth to the already crisp colors here Brian!!! And what a neat sentiment for your two fish!! Anyone who receives this card will be even MORE HAPPY TOGETHER!!! 🙂

  2. No Way! Look at those rays! Genius just genius!

  3. Wow and wow again . So rich in detail ,color and creativity ! I like this stamp set and have seen it used in lots of ways but, I wasn`t a fan of those big old fish . They look like something from a seafood plate . But….you made them actually look cute ! I like your card . The water effect is great and how clever you are , Mr. PPA designer !! I guess I will have to get this set because Patti and Ann did cute cards with it and now you have sealed the deal !

  4. I second Sonny’s WOW’s Brian, I specially like the way you made the “water”, how clever of you!! The Gorgeous Grunge set didn’t caught my eye but I’ve seen it used several times and now, it’s growing on me. The problem is that I don’t have a designers mind like you so I’m a bit limited when it comes to the actual layout and use of certain stamp sets like this one. That is one of the many reasons I love your blog, I get the benefit of learning from the best.
    Great card!!

  5. AMAZING! Love all the elements of your card, Brian. Thank you for showing us the “water” using the stamp from the Grunge set … another reason to purchase that set! Congrats on being a resident designer with the PPA!

  6. Fabulous debut card, Brian! Love how you created the light in the water!

  7. Brilliant idea to use the Grunge set for the water!!! I can’t wait to try this!

  8. I wondered how you did the background. Thanks for sharing. Stunning card!

  9. Love your card. Amazing how you used the Grunted stamp set. Thank you for sharing.

  10. As usual, I fully enjoy (as opposed to partly enjoy?) your visual posts AND commentaries. By reading your narratives, my eye is drawn to the little things that I guess I notice (because I love the card) but then realize I guess I don’t fully notice until you explain them. Does that make sense? I also enjoy your feature where you explain the three things you like about someone else’s card. Nice to see the combination of beauty and brains.

  11. Great idea for using the grunge background! (I need to think more outside the box.) Guess why thats why you are a PPA designer, yes?

  12. Congrats on being a resident designer–great start. By the Tide is one of my favorite sets. Wonderful card, Brian.

  13. Looks like these two are getting along swimmingly! And the grungy light is perfect! Beautiful card!

  14. Never did I think I would like a card with big old ugly fish on it! Goes to prove you should never say never! LOL

  15. Happy Debut Day! This is a striking card, Brian. All the details all perfect for that pair of fish!

  16. Love, LOVE, love the way you used the stamp to look like light. (say that fast 3 times! LOL)
    You are awesome!!!

  17. Hey, Brian, Just got out of the hospital after 2 weeks and was looking at your amazing cards. THANK YOU for not going into this new “trend” of the splatters and grunge with no DSP no clear idea of what the card is even about. I’m just a hobby Demo. and was ready to give it up (haven’t made a card in a month) because I figured I was just out-dated. When I give a card I want the person to know that I put time and heart into it….not throw a card together that takes 2 minutes. You’ve given me back hope and inspiration. You rock. Pam Roundy, Price, UT

  18. The way you created the light in the water is a magnificent idea. You have so much talent and I adore your card.

  19. Brian, I’ve been eye-balling this grunge set for a long time and now I know I must have it!!! Great job on this beautiful card!

  20. Fantastic card!!! Love how you created the water affect!

  21. Love this card Brian, but I am a sucker for anything ocean related. Did you know my front porch here in AZ is all done up in Ocean Front Property?

  22. Love the softness of the center piece and the boldness of the borders…great card…love this set!

  23. Love the water technique! I hope you don’t mind if I CASE your idea. I don’t have the set yet, but as soon as I get it I’m going to give it a try.

  24. Awesome cards!!!!

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