Minimal colors can sometimes yield maximum results. When the Paper Players extended a challenge to make a card that’s both monochromatic and clean & simple, I was ready to go. I’ve created a lot of black-and-white cards, but today I’ve created a card in brown hues. It also gave me a chance to use one of the new stamp sets from the upcoming Holiday Catalog (which, by the way, is AWE-SOME). Here’s my card:
This stamp set, called For All Things, continues the current trend of watercolored images. There’s this large, rectangular image, a large leaf shape and the three branches. There also some really beautiful, Fall-themed sentiments that are perfect all year round. This set is going to be on your “must have” list.
Here’s the banner for this week’s challenge from The Paper Players:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Monochromaticity. Why use such a big word? Quite simply, it’s fun to say. Say it with me – monochromaticity. It’s fun to take the variety of colors out of a card and strip it down to the bare bones. Monochormaticity lets us do just that. I used three shades of brown in my card – and they are all tasty & delicious – Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar and Very Vanilla. Yum!
- Super-Simple Borders. The focal point of this card is the image created by the three stamps. To frame this image, I repeated the browns in a frame around the focal image. Although there are several layers, the overall look of this card is very clean. Here are the measurements for the pieces on the face of the card (from outside to inside): Baked Brown Sugar 4-1/4″ x 4-1/4″, Crumb Cake 4″ x 4″, Baked Brown Sugar 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″, Very Vanilla 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″.
- Balance. The three images are perfectly balanced on the front of this card – yet, the Crumb Cake watercolor spot is not centered on the card. The weight of the three branches on the left of the block balance out the weight of the words in the bottom, right of the block, leaving the three images balanced. To check balance, use my patented squinting technique – sit back, squint your eyes, check the balance, send me a nickel (the nickels have been rolling in this week).
Stamp Set: For All Things Papers: Baked Brown Sugar, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla Inks: Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
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Hello Brian, this is a very nice card.
Now this really ticks my box. I love monochromatic cards! 🙂
We made a wicked one in craft club saturday – all Blackberry Bliss on Whisper White.
Lovely. Vx
Be-U-ti-ful!!!!! I already checked out the holiday catalog and oh my……….super duper money to be spent!!!!! Have a great day.
Like these browns together and it gives me some ideas on a card that I have in mind “Subliminal Fermentation ” as you termed it . Thank you for the measurements that simplifies another “SF” project I am working on ! Golly Gee …this was so inspirational !! I really like your card too !
A great CAS monochromatic card Brian – I love the subtlety of the browns and yes, all items balanced perfectly! Thanks for joining us over at The Paper Players this week.
This card is stunning. There is something to be said about the simplicity of a monochromatic card. Great balance with these images as well.
Beautiful, Brian. I’m with Kelly… do love monochromonicity!!
Very classy & elegant !
Very nice…I love the mon-oo-crow-mat-ick look!!!
Gorgeous CAS creation, Brian! I love the neutral colors and that sprig of branches tied together in a bow. Thanks for joining us this week at The Paper Players!
I think that For All Things is my favorite stamp set from new catalog! (Well, one of my favs! ) beautiful card. May have to CASE that for an upcoming class!
This is definitely a winner for the Clean & Simple + Monochromatic Challenge! The new stamp set images are a great choice for this challenge, too … clean and simple in their own right. Excellent design and explanation of same!
Go-jus!!! You were right…a total Pam card!
That looks like a great set, and I love how you used it for this card. The shades you chose work so well together, such a classy card! Thanks for joining us at Paper Players this week!
What size envelope would you send this card in?
To mail this card, I’ll use my Envelope Punch Board to create a 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ envelope. I will likely then put that envelope in a rectangle mailing envelope to avoid the additional fee for a square envelope.
Great! And, another SU product to check out! I am a new demonstrator (in Pasadena, CA) and will now branch out and incorporate the Envelope Punch Board to my SU arsenal! I love your posts, saw you from afar at Convention and congratulate you on your accomplishments and success — all well deserved!
Brian, your card is just gorgeous. The monochromatic neutral colors are so restful for the eye.
Very crisp and clean! The monochrome brown is fantastic with the new stamp set. Thanks for the sneak peek and for sharing your card at The Paper Players.
Your card is absolutely gorgeous. You nailed it!
Gorgeous, clean card! Great use of the monochromatic browns. Thanks for joining us at The Paper Players.
Very pretty, Brian. Love this design!
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