Because You Care for PPA236

I just love the look of a black-and-white card – there’s something so formal and crisp about it.  For today’s project, I decided to give black-and-vanilla a shot, and I love it (maybe even more than black-and-white).  The crispness is still there, but the vanilla feels so luxurious against the deep black.  Here’s a special birthday card I made for this week’s Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge:

Because You Care, Itty Bitty Baby, Stampin' Up!, Brian King, PPA236

And here’s the challenge banner that inspired my creation:

PPA236

Tips, Tricks and Reminders

  • Typeset Specialty.  Because I mostly work with Whisper White, I don’t naturally reach for papers with a Very Vanilla base (although Flashback is still one of my favorites).  As such, I haven’t reached for Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper very often.  But when I have, I’ve been very happy with the results.  I’ve only made two more cards with this paper (and was very happy with both), and they can be found here and here.  And I already have a couple more projects planned with this luscious paper.  🙂Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper
  • Mixing Patterns.  I’m a big fan of utilizing the beautiful patterns in our papers, but I also believe you have to mix them carefully.  There’s almost a science to it.  One pattern has to take the back seat to let another pattern shine.  When pairing a bold pattern (like the stripes on the center of this card) with another pattern, the second pattern MUST be weaker than the first.  It sounds so unfair to this muted grid, but he’s not the star – he’s the supporting actor.  You can’t add another bold pattern because then the two would fight for attention – and nobody wants that.
  • Occasions Host Set.  I love the new stamp set Because You Care from the Occasions Catalog – it’s one of the sets you can earn at a reduced rate when you place an order greater than $150 (or host a party and gather orders from others).  This set is available in wood mount, clear mount and photopolymer.  Yippee!  Because it’s a builder set with crisp lines in the fonts, I chose photopolymer.  So happy with that decision.  And all these sentiments fit nicely inside the charming bracket that is easily cropped with one of the Chalk Talk Framelits.  Bonus!  If you want more information about how you, too, can earn this set, please email me at [email protected].Because of You

Stamp Sets:  Because You Care, Itty Bitty Baby  Papers:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper  Inks:  Tuxedo Black Memento  Accessories:  Banner punch, Chalk Talk Framelit Dies, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

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16 Comments

  1. Love the card immensely!
    Your writing style to explain your process is so entertaining AND instructional–fun, fun, fun.

  2. I like that Typeset dsp . It just fits for certain cards . And I love that Itty Bitty stamp ! Don`t you just smile when you hear Itty Bitty . Well, maybe not for describing some things ! Anyway I like your Friday card . It would be a good one to make a few extras just in case because it is versatile .
    Happy Friday ! The sun finally came out here ….yay !

  3. I like this card and really appreciate the tip about the Chalk Talk framelit fitting that sentiment. You just saved me time (always precious) figuring that out! I like this sketch, too, and love what you did with it.

  4. All the straight lines on the card are wonderful. Your analogy of star and supporting star makes so much sense, this will definitely become a part of my paper crafting. TFS!

  5. Good Morning Brian:

    This is a fantastic masculine card! For me those are the hardest cards to make. As I was looking this card over I realized it will work in any venue – black tie to jeans and flannel shirt. I just love the versatility of the design. Yeah! 🙂

  6. I have to agree Brian, a black and white card says elegant and stunning. This card is beautiful.

  7. Awwww, that is pretty !!! I think it’s more softer , love how you lay it out !!!
    Great job Brian my friend ,
    It’s a WOW ONE ,
    Love and hugs
    Your friend Frenchie,

  8. I’m not feeling all that good today, I’m all stuffy and bit achy but your card just made me feel great, love the black and white combination, you can never go wrong with it. I also have to say that this is a fantastic Masculine card, just so elegant and classy.
    Thank you so much for sharing.

  9. Super elegant, Brian. I love black and vanilla, too. Great use of the sketch.

  10. Brian, this card is naturally, another winner. What I like about it is the way those papers compliment one another. And I have a question. Are you absolutely SURE you do not have any experience in Interior Design? The way you explained how you chose these papers, and how they have to work together, sounds like it’s straight out of a book on designing. Really…. it amazes me how you create AND explain why you did what you did. I love it! And it makes total sense, to even this old brain! 🙂 Love the card friend. You are still “da king”.. 🙂

  11. You have a wonderful eye for mixing patterns!

  12. I fell in love with this card as soon as I saw it. I also love black/white, black/vanilla. All the components of your card make for what I call a “deep simplicity!” How’s that for a new style title? Lovely card, Brian.

  13. Classic and elegant. You have showcased the Because You Care hostess set perfectly.

  14. Love this card! I am always a fan of pattern mixing!

  15. Such a classy take on the sketch, Brian! Love your card papers and stamps!

  16. Great take on the sketch Brian! Black and vanilla is soft and striking. Thanks for having fun with the PALS this week!

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