You don’t need a PhD in Mathematics to be an effective card maker, but this hobby really takes some thorough planning and lots of attention to detail. Not only do we card makers need to carefully plan the layout of colors to get the layering we want, but we also have to consider all the components before we begin gluing down the pieces of the card. Whether we have that math degree or not, we are really smart, no? More on that later.
Before I share my contribution to this week’s Freshly Made Sketches challenge, I want to thank Rita for selecting me as a “Perfect Prince” last week. The get well card I made for Shelli Gardner was selected by Rita (see it here), and I couldn’t have been happier. Thanks, Rita! Now, on with the show. This week’s FMS challenge was a very simple layout. Rather than complexifying (I’m pretty sure that’s a word) the sketch, I decided to stay true to its simplicity. Here’s my card:
And here’s the sketch that inspired my card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Straighten it out. Do you recognize this strip of Designer Series Paper? It’s from Season of Style, but it’s shown as a diamond plaid in the paper. I cut into the paper and trimmed it to work straight up-and-down. While I love the diamond pattern in a large piece, I felt like this strip of paper needed to be less angled for an uber-clean effect.
- Like a glove. I’ve had the Designer Frames Embossing Folders for quite some time. I keep thinking about how I might “break them in” but have yet to do so – until now. My big “wow” moment came when I realized the center of the oval frame (shown below) matches perfectly with the Extra Large Oval punch. Nice!
- Hungry yet? This is not a tip or a trick. Rather, it’s a reminder to grab a bite to eat before you sit down to craft. You’ve always heard that it’s never good to grocery shop on an empty stomach, right? Well, it’s not easy to make cards if you haven’t eaten anything. This card is comprised of three colors: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla. So, I do have a tip here – when the colors start making you hungry, throw in some Sahara Sand or Soft Suede. 🙂
Stamp Sets: Warmth & Wonder, Petite Pairs Inks: Cherry Cobbler Papers: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Season of Style Designer Series Paper, Regals Core’dinations Card Stock (Cherry Cobbler) Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Emboss Powder, 1/2″ Seam Binding Ribbon (Crumb Cake), Extra Large Oval punch, Ovals Collection Framelits, Occasions Paper Piercing Pack, Stampin’ Dimensionals
It’s fun to see how a sketch can impact us. This is not the card I set out to make when I sat down with this sketch – and this card might have never happened if I hadn’t been challenged by the sketch. As I said in the beginning, there’s a lot of work that goes into making a card that we are happy with – a lot to think through. No one wants to glue down a layer before we have added the ribbon that needs to wrap around the piece – and we’ve all been there. A well-thought through card makes us smile when it’s done.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
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Simply striking Brian! I absolutely love this Christmas Card as well as the colors, which are my favorites!! Now off to pour my first cup of coffee . . .
Very nice card Brian and you photographed it so well. You can see the ribbon sheen, the piercing and the detail on the oval embossing folder. Thanks a bunch. 🙂
I really love this card. This would have been a great card to go on your masculine board! 🙂 I love the clean lines with the softness of the oval. So pretty!
Wow! You knocked it out of the park with this one. Cobbler, crumb cake, and vanilla is one of my favorite Christmas combinations.
Brian, your layering techniques are beyond compare! Such a striking card, thanks for sharing.
The combination you created here showcases the prancing reindeer in such a crisp and classy way!! And the Ovals framelet compliments it perfectly!! Excellent card Brian!!
I like it ….This is a great Christmas card ! The Colors are really good together …. Well, I just like the total package !!! This is another one of your masterful “details” cards that you do so well !
Uber-nice! Love the Crumb Cake against the cherry cobbler and your trimming around the embossing folder is divine!
Very striking, Brian. The color combination is very pleasing to the eye as well. I’ve always loved Cherry Cobbler and it could be better than paired with Crumb Cake! Hmmm … Think I’ll go have some breakfast now! 😉
Your card is lovely! You do CAS like no other! 🙂
WOW! Gorgeous card….love the color combo. You make me laugh the way you share all the details….now I’m hungry. LOL
Fab card Brian! I absolutely love the paper piercing and I have all three sets SU has offered. That little bit of “poking around” really makes things stand out. Also, that deer stamp is one of my favorites to use for the holidays, I have even used it as a background stamp. The color combo is lovely.
Brian you have done it again. This card is so striking and the colors are just perfect. I just love it Thank you for sharing you have such great ideas!
Oooh Dear your right !!
I love it Brian , nice job !!!
Hungry? Clean, crisp and sweet! Just like you!
I love this card, Brian! The colours and textures are perfect!
Awesome. And your tips, tricks and reminders are so so so great and useful. TFS. And the photography is super too. (Can I send you my cards to photograph for me LOL)
All of your hard work paid off with this one, Brian! I love the CAS lines, and I love how you nested the embossed oval frame in the oval layers. Thanks for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches again this week!
This is a perfectly lovely, classic Christmas card. Wonderful job, Brian! And I know what you mean about the names of these yummy colors, although I have to say-I never get hungry when I am stamping!
A stunning card! Love the plaid and the layered ovals!
Marvelous …indeed!! I totally agree with all of the compliments regarding your photography ability! Every project you have posted is clear and crisp with the colors being so true and vivid. Maybe some day you could share some of your photography tips. Once again – thanks for the inspiration!
A lovely Christmas card and always fun reading your detailed and informative posts…ty!
When you start with Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake, you are simply required to have a tasty snack while crafting, lol!! This is wonderful! Love the oval layers! Another stunner! Glad to see you this week!
Brian, both cards are stunning; the one for Shelli and this one as well! Nicely done 😉
This card caught my eye just today on Pinterest. I didn’t have the exact same deer but made a very similar card using your card as inspiration. It is stunning and I’ve always liked the combination of red and kraft cardstock. I am very happy with how mine turned out in 2017.
Thanks for your comment, Carole! I’m so happy my card caught your eye and inspired you to create! Thanks for letting me know.