Simple Saturdays are all about quick and easy cards with a spark of something special. I like to force myself to keep a beautiful card simple every once in a while, and that’s what I’ve done today – AND I’ve done it with a Freshly Made Sketches layout. Woo hoo!
Before I share today’s card, though, I want to thank Cindy Hall for selecting my card from last week as King of Clean, the top honor for a Freshly Made Sketches. I enjoy playing along with these challenges, and I always aim to make a project I’m happy with. Since I never participate with an expectation that I will win, I’m always over-the-moon when my card is selected!
Here’s today’s card:
And here’s the Freshly Made Sketches layout that inspired my card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Gradated Sentiment. I was so pleased with the outcome of a pink gradated sentiment I made for a card two weeks ago (see it here). I stamped the sentiment on that card and wanted to play around with a similar gradation with cardstock. To create the effect, I simply cropped “yay” and the star from the Circle Card Thinlits Die in Midnight Muse, Island Indigo, Coastal Cabana and Pool Party. I alternated the sentiment and star on each line to add interest.
- Sentiment/No Sentiment. With four “yay”s on the right-hand side of the card, I was hesitant to add a sentiment on the left-hand side. Yes, the sketch above has a designated placement for the sentiment, but I broke the rules and decided the “yay”s were enough. I let the thick Pool Party twine from the Sweet Sorbet Accessories Kit hang low on the card to fill the space where the sentiment would, otherwise, rest.
- Rounded Corners. I wanted to round the corners of the Pool Party and Whisper White panels on the front of my card – just to add an interesting element to the card. BUT, I lent out my 3/16″ Corner punch, so I didn’t have it. WHY!?! ***raises hands to the sky*** WHY!?! What to do? The Envelope Punch Board to the rescue! The opposite side of the board is a corner rounder. Thanks, Envelope Punch Board!
Papers: Midnight Muse, Pool Party, Whisper White, Island Indigo, Coastal Cabana Accessories: Circle Card Thinlits Die, Sweet Sorbet Accessory Kit, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Envelope Punch Board
Did you notice that today’s card uses no stamp sets and no ink? If you already noticed that, then you get three points. Congratulations!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today.
Brian
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Another one of your fabulous cards to try and copy! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Awesome card! I love the no ink / stamps concept! That is a great artistic challenge, and I’m gonna have to try it!
Fantastic card! The Yays say it all!
The King of Clean indeed!! Quadruple yay with stars to match, ombre at it’s best in SU’s tropical blues, AND it’s Simple Saturday??!!! Sounds (& looks!!!) like it’s a great start to the weekend to me!!! Thank you for sharing Brian, and CONGRATULATIONS on your DT membership AND the SS feature (I clomped through 14 inches of snow to get to my mailbox & retrieve my SS magazine and it was SO worth it!!) 🙂 Have a FABULOUS weekend!!!
Yay Yay Yay Yah….Winner winner chicken dinner! Always have liked the ombre effect. Such great colors to work with. How much easier can it get using the Big Shot to crank this card out. Please mark my 3 points beside my name for noticing. LOL
Yay ! One of my favorite exclamations ! Thank you for reminding me that I have that cute framelit !! I like this card a lot as well as that nifty sketch to try !! And yay for you Mr. King Of Clean ! I think that title suits you .
Hi Brian – I love the colors on this one. Also congrats on being featured in Stampin Success. It is always encouraging to hear other’s strategy for success! You are very gifted. It will be fun watching you reach the top demo of the year someday.
I love these four colors for the ombré effect. Perfect. Congrats on being the King of clean!
Love it King of Clean…..what a fun and great card.
Love it!
Great card Brian. I really like it a whole bunch! 🙂
Brilliant use of the sketch, Brian! I love the ombre colors and the nice long strands on your bow. And huge congratulations are in order! I was so excited to see you featured in Stampin’ Success! You’re a star! Woo hoo!
Brian, why do I have a feeling you will be holding onto your crown this week, lol? Brilliant take on the sketch alternating the word/star! Super job, your highness! 😉
Great card Brian…and btw, Congrats on the Stampin’ Success article!
Love this square card and ombré in blues! Cute, clean and versatile!
Hi Brian:
First of all I’m jealous that I don’t get to read the article you wrote. Boo Hoo. However, I’m thrilled that every day your share such fantastic creations with all of us. Whatever would I do if I didn’t have your blog to start the day off? I don’t think I need to tell you how fantastic this card is but I’m going to anyway – IT’S FANTASTIC! How you thought to alternate the YAY with the stars is beyond me but that combo really made this card look fab. You always manage to line every element on any of your cards absolutely perfectly. Just when I think you can’t impress me any more WHAM SHAZAM you do!
I say yay to this card. Love the color combo and how you put it all together. Reading your blog each morning is a great way to start the day!!
Another winner, Brian. Fun to make a “no stamping” card from time to time.
Great colors! Yay for Brian! : )
Fab card, Brian! Love the monochromatic colors and the bow with the cord! And, big congrats on being crowned “King of Clean”!
Great card, Brian! Our daughter just went out and bought her dream car last night…a Mustang convertible! This is the PERFECT card to send her. Thanks for the inspiration.
Woo hoop, my next favorite saying after Yay. Love the card and think ill whip one out for a masculine birthday this week. Also. Love page 26 in Ss magazine. That dude is awesome, you should check it out.
Lynn
I give it 5 stars! It rates a gold medal for sure! 🙂
Love the gradation in the colored Yay word, this style is very popular now. No stamping at all, wow!! it’s amazing how fabulous this card looks with no ink or stamps.
congrats, another beauty, and i have this framelit so i can play
I always think I win a special prize when I make a card with no stamping but I think you’ve won the triple crown here. Square card (always a plus in my book), no stamps, and an ombre effect. What could be better? Congratulations on your well-deserved win last week and thanks for sharing this knock-out with us this week!
Oh wow – this card is another stunner Brian! I’m in love with how clean this card is and your totally clever idea of the different colour blues! Congrats on your win last week – you’re so on a roll with fabulous cards 🙂
This is fabulous! Love the Ombré look. And congrats on the Stampin Success article!
Brian,
I’m always blown away by how different crafters visualize these challenges. Your interpretation shows such creative thinking. Love it
Oh WOW! Your card is amazing,Brian!! I just love your take on this Sketch!! Awesome!!
Thank you for much for joining us at FMS!!
Awesomely well done!!! A very cool card by a very cool dude! 🙂
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