Thoughtful Banners & Number of Years for PPA303

Is there ever a time when working ahead can be a bad idea?  Sadly, yes.  Still, the show must go on.  When I sat down to make this card 2-1/2 weeks ago, college and high school graduations were in full-swing.  It seemed to be a perfectly appropriate time to showcase a graduation card.  As the weeks passed, though, I realized that graduations would be all wrapped up before I could share this fun card.  The inspiration is still there – switch out the numbers for a birthday card or send a belated congratulations to your favorite graduate.  Here’s my card:

Thoughtful Banners, Number of Years, Stampin' Up!, Brian King, PPA303

Shawn deOliveira, my super-talented team member and friend, picked this week’s colors.  I adore them!  Here’s the banner for the challenge that inspired my card:

Stampin' Up! Color Inspiration: Night of Navy, Mint Macaron, Sahara SandThe sketch was inspired by this week’s Global Design Project challenge.  Here’s the banner for that sketch:GDP038Tips, Tricks and Reminders

  • Thoughtful Banners.  The words “happy” and “graduation” are from a new photopolymer stamp set in Stampin’ Up!’s 2016 Annual Catalog called Thoughtful Banners.  With almost 50 words for endless pairings, this is a great set.  While the set pairs with the new Duet Banner Punch (a great new bundle!), I paired the words with the longer banner in Number of Years and cropped it with the banner die in the Large Numbers Framelits.  Here’s a peak at this fun, new bundle:

    Thoughtful Banners Bundle, Stampin' Up!

    Thoughtful Banners Bundle, Stampin’ Up!

  • Banner Placement.  You can make this card with different numbers and combinations of sentiments.  If you are going to place a banner over the number, though, it’s very important that you play with the placement a bit before adhering the banner.  You don’t want to cover up elements of the number that make it difficult for the recipient to read the numbers, and placing the banner too high or too low (no matter the size of the banner) can obstruct the number.  QUICK TIP:  After you have adhered the Stampin’ Dimensionals to your banner (but before you’ve removed their backings), slide the banner up and down the numbers to find that perfect placement that balances your project.
  • Designer Series Paper Stacks.  Designer Series Paper Stacks are such a great deal – they are available in all colors families.  The stacks for the In Colors, though, are a MUST HAVE.  For just $22, you get 40 sheers – 4 each of 2 double-sided designs in each of the 5 In Colors.  While you can certainly build your card around the patterns on this paper, they are perfect for a quick-and-easy background.

    In Color Designer Series Paper Stack, Stampin' Up!

    In Color Designer Series Paper Stack, Stampin’ Up!

Stamp Sets:  Thoughtful Banners, Number of Years  Papers:  2015-2017 In Colors Designer Series Paper Stack, Sahara Sand, Night of Navy, Mint Macaron, Thick Whisper White  Inks:  Night of Navy  Accessories:  Large Numbers Framelits, Stampin’ DimensionalsThoughtful Banners, Number of Years, Stampin' Up!, Brian King, PPA303

I hope you’ll pop over to the Pals Paper Arts site and to the Global Design Project site to see the cards by the design team members and to play along with Shawn’s awesome color challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

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Catalog Launch.  Yesterday was the launch of Stampin’ Up!’s amazing 2016 Annual Catalog.  What fun!  If you missed it, click on the image below to see yesterday’s post and to download your catalog today!catalog cover

Do you like free stamps?  You’ll earn two from stamp sets when you buy Stampin’ Up!’s Starter Kit in June.  What a great way to check off your wish list of the items you already want!  Click on the picture below to read more about this awesome promotion.   

recruiting_header_newdemo_may2416_engEarn $35 Additional Stampin’ Rewards in June.  Yippee!  With qualifying orders of $35o or more, you can earn an additional $35 of Stampin’ Rewards to spend on whatever you want.  Click on the picture below to read more about this great promotion.

host-promo-header-na

32 Comments

  1. Fabulous card Brian! My son, Michael, graduates from HS on the 10th so this card isn’t late at all. I made him a card using the same stamp set. :-).

  2. Awesome layering, as always Brian!

  3. It’s all good – my daughter graduated in Sunday so you aren’t late! I got an email from a prom dress website this morning – THEY seemed to be pushing the window!! I love this, so simple but effective! I just got the Numbers bundle on my doorstep yesterday. Loads of inspiration, thank you!

  4. Lots of graduations and parties through June around here Brian, no worries. You are spot on!

  5. I have to make 2 more graduation cards and was racking my brain this morning trying to come up with inspiration. This did the trick! Thank you!

  6. bold, stunning and graphically cool with the touch of stripe around the border!

  7. Great card for both guys and gals . I have this stamp set on my list ( I like the Bundle) with 40 jillion other new things !
    Really like the color combo …..although I thought that was Smoky Slate because that is how it looks on my screen. BUT….after I read Sahara Sand it was a YAY ! (thanx Shawn)

    • It’s a great combination of colors, isn’t it? Glad you like it, Sonny! I tried to keep it clean and simple – good for guys or gals. 🙂

  8. Although all the graduations in our family are over for this year I think this card is perfect for masculine birthdays. I’m always struggling with those so to me this card is a great inspiration! Thank you Brian! You are a stamping genius! LOL

  9. Up here in Canada most of our High School Graduations don’t happen until mid- or late June (our school doesn’t end until the end of June.) So your card is VERY timely for us Canadians! I love all your cards by the way……

  10. Pingback: PPA303 – A Color Challenge by Shawn de Oliveira – Pals Paper Arts

  11. Think of it this way… you’re all set for next year! Great card Brian!

  12. I love,how clean and crisp this is……and no graduations yet up here…..the season is just starting!

  13. Great layout and grad card…we had same idea on the DSP!

  14. Love the way your cards are always so clean and sharp, Brian, and this one is no exception! Fabulous!!

  15. Love the card–made one last night and plan to make at least one more. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

  16. A fun and perfectly crisp graduation card! Love this color combo.

    p.s. I have one graduation party coming up, and my niece graduates from UCLA next week!

  17. Love the card Brian, such a versatile design!

  18. Graduation parties go all summer long here…people starting to spread them out so everyone can come. The joys of small town living! lol

  19. Great card, Brian. I hate repeating the clean and crisp as well as perfectly balanced, but this is what you do and everyone sees it too! Well done, Pal…

  20. That’s a great and a funny story. You have a great way of balancing the perfect amount of each color. Love it.

  21. Perfect card, Brian. Crisp, clean, and perfectly aligned – what more could you ask for! I love it! Plus, High School graduations are still going on on the east coast so plenty of time to still share!

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