It’s Thursday, and that means one thing – it’s time for a Pals Paper Arts challenge. OK, so I’m sure “it’s Thursday” means different things to different people, but for me, it means it’s time for a Pals Paper Arts challenge. Woo hoo! This week, Nicole Watt gives us a sketch that’s suitable for any occasion and any style – two rectangle panels crossed over one another. As soon as I saw this large, vertical panel as the front-and-center feature of this sketch, I knew I’d be using a specific image from Harvest of Thanks. I’ve been saving it for something special, and today’s the day. Here’s my card:
And here’s Nicole’s sketch that inspired my card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Surprise! Although there’s a wonderful Autumn Designer Series Paper (Sweater Weather) in the Holiday Catalog, I went back to the Annual Catalog and pulled these DSP pieces from Soho Subway. I wanted to complement the distressed look of the panel from the stamp set, and I knew this piece from Soho Subway would do the trick – after consulting my Designer Series Swatch Books, of course.
- Snippy, snippy. We all know that the image on the center of this panel is corn – two ears of corn. [Time for a true or false pop-quiz – Brian does not like the taste of either watermelon or corn. True or False? You’ve probably guessed correctly, but I’ll share the answer shortly.] Where was I? Oh, yes. We know it’s corn, but the lines are very hard to see because the image is so distressed. I pushed though, stamping the image on Summer Starfruit and on Pear Pizzazz and then snipped the parts where I thought the images started and ended. I made my best guess, and I’m happy with how it turned out. Also, I didn’t glue down the entire pieces of corn husk, which adds a nice dimension, don’t you think? [The answer to my pop-quiz is True. Brian does not like corn or watermelon.]
- Balance of color and space. It can be a real challenge to balance color and space on a card. When I decided to use Summer Starfruit as a border and highlight in the stamped panel, I knew I could balance it out with a Summer Starfruit design in the panel across the card. The two balance each other really well here. Nicole’s layout also balances itself really well here, so there’s no need to add anything to the “white space” in the bottom, right corner. It’s a lot of space, but sometimes that good, right?
Stamp Sets: Harvest of Thanks Inks: Early Espresso Papers: Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz, Soho Subway Designer Series Paper Accessories: Apothecary Accents Framelits, Vintage Trinkets, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
OK I’ve read it three times, love your corn coloring but just can’t imagine you’ve stamped in Summer Starfruit and then Pear Pizzaz and accomplished these beautiful ears with tones of brown and that purple husk. I love the husk “fluff” technique of lifting a little off the page. Lovely work!
Patti – Using Early Espresso ink, I stamped the image on Summer Starfruit cardstock and on Pear Pizzazz cardstock. I snipped the corn fromt he Summer Starfruit and the husk from the Pear Pizzazz. No coloring – just one color ink on multipled colors of paper and then snipped. 🙂
Clever boy! : )
Brian! Not a corn or watermelon lover? I can’t believe it! Well, it’s obvious that you like to stamp corn, because this is fabulous! LOVE that DP background and your color choices!
Wonderful card Brian! Just got some corn from a farm stand yesterday & plan in grilling it tonight for dinner!! Too bad you don’t like it but think of how much time, money, and effort you save with floss & toothpicks!! 😉 Do you like popcorn? Anyways, I just used my awesome DSP Swatchbooks to make a card with Soho Subway on Sunday (I picked Crisp Cantelope, Island Indigo, Early Expresso, & Very Vanilla!!) So it made it easy & fun!! TFS & I really like the effect you achieved with the corn!!
WOW! You fussy cut that corn?!?! I am very impressed! I too am not a watermelon lover, reminds me of a sponge! Lovely card and it does look great paired with the Soho Subway DSP!
You have made me very happy and proud to be a farmer today by highlighting the ears of corn on your fantastic card! Yet again, another cool and unusual stamp and snip trick. Mental note, add to my list of Brian’s tips and tricks list. A gold star indeed! The sentiment on this stamp is so true. We must remember to be thankful each and everyday. The colors scream fall. Which by the way is my favorite season. Thank you very much for your card today.
Oh yes, we must work on the not liking sweet corn (especially the corn) and watermelon thing.
You are a master at snipping. I have not had the patience for that tiny snipping. This is a wonderful card. I think it may push be toward this stamp set rather than the Truly Grateful set. After all I don’t really need two Thanksgiving sets, right? Sweet corn and fresh icy cold seedless watermelon are a highlight in my summer.
You don’t need two stamp sets for Thanksgiving? Silly girl! I believe it is an amendment to the Constitution, if you need a push.
Love this – the DSP just pops out the stamped images.
Oh I love me some white space too! And I love the distressed look you have going on here!
Brian,
First time commenter but follow your blog daily! Where do you find the time and still have a full time job, right? Anyway, I loved this card and the Paper Piecing, I think it’s called. You were commenting on the “whiteness” on the lower corner but you could have run that through one of our amazing EF’s to give texture to the “plain white”. But I really did like your card! Thanks for all of your inspiration! As for your not liking sweet corn and sweet watermelon! Unamerican! Ha! Only kidding! How about apple pie? or Turkey and dressing?
Thanks for your comments, Sylvia. Oh! I could eat cornbread dressing all day long. I like corn chips, corn bread and popcorn. I just don’t want corn. While I dislike watermelon, I really, really dislike watermelon candies and gums. Ech. 🙂
I LOVE this card, Brian! I keep coming back to look at it again and again! I wasn’t planning to buy this stamp set, but now…….?
I just finished ordering it!
Oh Brian – three of my favorite things are glitter, watermelon and corn on the cob! How is it that with such opposing tastes (no pun intended) we are such great buddies? LOL I keep wondering, how many pair of snips do you wear out every month?
Hi Brian – Yesterday was a very special day for me….in the morning while doing my first sketch challenge, the doorbell rang and I received your Designer Series Paper Swatch Books. I love your work! I went through your posts and thought, how gifted and talented you are! Each day you inspire me to develop and grow in this new passion of mine!
WOW! You nailed the sketch! Your corn is unbelievable Brian. Big Huge KUDOS!
Your fussy cutting is amazing! Really like the papers you chose to use, really wonderful…I would love to have this card and use it every year as a decoration, probably framed to keep it as perfect as it is now… Great job, Brian!
Brian…you definitely nailed it. I love this stamp set, but now even more. Just perfect!
Wow Brian!!! You absolutely nailed this stamp set with this sketch!!! The way you stamped and fussy cut the cord really finished the card!! Beautiful Fall card!!!
Love this card, Brian. Looks like an old time sign hanging on the side of an old barn.
I noticed the corn husk right away. Love the added dimension and the colors. Well done!
Brian, I love your work! Every time I come to your blog I am inspired! Thanks for sharing.