Simple Saturday: Heart and Brain

Brace yourself because today’s post is my most controversial post of all time.  While I think many of you will like my super-simple card, others will hate it with all the energy they can muster.  Either way, I want you to be honest with me about what you think (only if you love it).  🙂

About a month ago, I shared a card I made with Pomp & Circumstance, the graduation stamp set in the Occasions Catalog.  Since the stamp set features a rather graphic sketch of a brain, it’s easy to dismiss the set entirely, so I suggested that another look at the stamp set might be in order.  Some great sentiments in cool fonts, a graduation cap and a diploma – all could be very useful.  The brain, I contended, was not to be used.

You know I like a challenge, right?  I was determined to come up with a cute way to use that brain!  Day in and day out, the image was on my mind (I guess you could say the brain was on my brain).  Today, I have made a project that I think is equal parts soft and sweet.  Here’s my Simple Saturday card:

Pomp and Circumstance, Hearts a Flutter, Stampin' Up!, Brian King Tips, Tricks and Reminders

  • So, why the controversy?  Good question.  When I was done with this card, I was so proud for using the brain in such an adorable way.  I showed two of my friends who are always so good about giving me positive feedback.  One said, “creepy cute.”  The other said, “kinda’ zombie-ish.”  What do you think?  Don’t you agree that “I love your brain” is a super-sweet sentiment?  I chose two of the sweetest colors (Crisp Cantaloupe and So Saffron) to make sure this sentiment was sticky sweet.
  • Thin, Thin Layers.  This is a simple card, but there are several layers of cardstock beneath the sentiment.  I knew I wanted tiny layers of color but was really happy when I layered in the white layer between the Crisp Cantaloupe and So Saffron.  That pulled the whole thing together, in my humble opinion.
  • White Embossing.  I embossed the brain and the heart with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  The white powder makes such a crisp and clean image that shines against the white layers of this card.  There’s more shine on the base of the card – I used Whisper White Core’dinations card stock with a sheen and a rough texture.

So, what do you think?  Please leave your comments below to let me know if you love this card or if you hate this card.  HATE or GREAT?!?  Those are your options.  I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Stamp Sets:  Pomp and Circumstance, Hearts a Flutter, Countless Sayings I (Photopolymer)  Inks:  Crisp Cantaloupe  Papers:  Neutrals Core’dinations Cardstock (Whisper White), Crisp Cantaloupe, So Saffron, Whisper White  Accessories:  White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

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Come join me in Atlanta!  Yesterday I posted an invitation for you to join me in Atlanta on February 16 at 2:00.  I’m hosting a Tools of the Trade workshop, where I’ll give a quick crash course in some of Stampin’ Up!’s most popular tools.  Click on the flyer below to see more:Tools of the Trade Workshop

81 Comments

  1. I like it Brian!! It is cute and I can think of tons of things to do with it for Halloween, so keep using your imagination and I am sure you will come up with more amazing cards.

  2. Brian,
    You have created the perfect Valentine card for Sheldon Cooper to give to Amy Farrah Fowler! They finally shared their first kiss this week, so this card is very timely!

  3. Having scrolled straight to the picture of your card I thought, what? I love your coffee bean?…your pickled walnut…? Then I read the text and realised I would never get to receive a card with this sentiment!!! I love the idea Brian but I think the brain should be stamped in grey rather than pink (slightly too lifelike, so a bit creep). Thanks for making me laugh every day!

    • Lorraine I love you so much my blonde craft buddy. You make me laugh everytime. I love your Malteser brain do not fear <3 xx

  4. Well Brian, you have sort of convinced me that I should not buy this set because of the brain. The card is great! The colors are perfect and the white embossing really perks up the brain…(almost looks like a tangerine after it’s been peeled). Anyway, I am totally not surprised that you came up with this. Your creativity and “out of the box” style of thinking is just what some of us need to see farther beyond the obvious. Great job my friend…. so Creepy Cute it is for me too.

  5. GREAT!!! I think I will order the set now!!!!! Loved the comment about Sheldon and Amy Farah Fowler!!! I HEART your BLOG!, BRIAN!

  6. Love it Brian! The softness of the colors makes it “sweet”! I used to work for some attorneys who, when working on a big project, said they were “burning brain cells”!

  7. Ha, I love it! A clever sentiment with funny visual aids.

  8. Great job on the brainy card!

  9. Brian, you are so clever. I really like the colors you chose, they remind me of the coming Spring! Not real fond of the brain stamp, but only you could make us laugh with it.

  10. Clever! You would have to be a bit careful about who you give it to, though! 😀

  11. well I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it either. This is definitely a card suited for some but not all, love the soft colours though.

  12. Very original! And (again) love love love these colors!

  13. Well done for bucking the trend Brian! This card may be creepy cute, but I can think of lots of people who would love to receive it – great use of the brain stamp!

  14. Love it!! The brain would look cute wearing the cap too : ) And as a side note, what a wonderful compliment for women who are being, shall we say “objectified”!

  15. Creative, adorable and funny! I love it and know a lot of people who would love to receive this card. BRAVO Brian for using your brain!

  16. The card should be for the receiver, not for the sender and most people graduating are younguns. I think they will absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this card!!!

  17. I’m going for GREAT! I was never quite sure how to use that brain stamp but your card is perfect.

  18. I love this kind of humor! I don’t think it is creepy at all. Love your creativity!

  19. Brian,
    I was thinking that you could put that brain in a jar.
    Doesn’t Stampin’ up have a jar stamp? Don’t know
    what message you would use???LOL

  20. You GO, Brian!!! I would never have thought of that!!! I think it’s VERY clever!! So there!!

  21. Brian, which paper trimmer do you use to cut your layers? They always line up so perfectly. I always seem to have at least one edge that’s a little wonky. (I love your tip about using the glue so you can move each piece into place!) Thanks!

    • Hi Candy! Thanks for the compliment. I use Stampin’ Up!’s Stampin’ Trimmer. I make sure to change out my blades when they are low but always use that when designing a card. 🙂

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