Saturday, July 30, 2011

The evolution of a card

Hi!  I love playing at the Play Date Cafe challenges - their colors are always fun.  Here is this week's photo inspiration.  Be sure to go look at the DT examples - and check out Sav's take on them:


When I make a card, unless I have a specific image in mind, I often start by looking through my design papers and card stock to pull the colors for the challenge.  In this case, right away I went to this beautiful K&Company butterfly paper that has the colors required, plus cream and chocolate brown.  I wish I could show you how pretty it is - the gold swirls in it are very slightly glittered.  In the same pack was the coral and pink plaid.  I liked them both against this pale gold parchment paper, so that was my card base, and then I just added a shell pink.  Because of the chocolate in the main panel, I ended up framing each of the other panels in chocolate cardstock.  Here was my first version:


The more I looked at it, that ribbon looked too bright and too thin, so off it came and I made a new sentiment panel and placed it to the right:


Then I placed it to the left:


supplies: dark cream parchment, pale pink, and chocolate card stocks, BoBunny flamingo dot (reverse), K&Company "Garden Party" design papers, Hero Arts CL166 SparkleClear Special Friend, Memento Artprint Brown ink, Nesties labels eight die,  Martha Stewart small Monarch butterfly punch, gold pearls

I don't know........I'm confused.........what do you think?

Once again, I'm entering this into the "Anything Goes" challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show.

23 comments:

Barb said...

This post made me smile. I love seeing the process that your creative brain goes through, Lin. It's tough to choose, because I like each one the way it is but I do think the last one, with the sentiment to the left, looks the best. It really doesn't matter. . .love this card no matter what! The way you stamped the butterflies is just beautiful!

Judy1223 said...

Wow, Lin, I love all three! I agree with Barb, I think I like the third the best. I also have that paper pack and I love how you pulled the coordinating papers together...lovely!

Anonymous said...

Actually, I think all three are fine. :) I always love your work, Lin. You are a major source of inspiration for me, and I thank you for all your sharing!

Evelyn S. said...

I love how you describe your "design dilemma"! It's beautiful, however you do it. (I thought I had about as many K&Co papers as possible, but I don't have these butterflies!) I always try to start with designer papers, but haven't been too fortunate lately.

Karin Åkesdotter said...

WOW!!! What a wonderful take on those colors. Love the "multi colored" butterflies - soo beautiful!

Brenda said...

Oh Lin! I am of absolutely no help to you at all I'm afraid as I love all three cards! I like the softness of the ribbon, something about it together with the butterflies just feels right for me. Hey, what about NO sentiment? (Listen to me talk, I would personally find it difficult to not put a sentiment on a card, I think I have done it once in 3 years!). You captured those colors beautifully, I am still struggling!

Michelle said...

I have these papers, Lin! I know the beauty you describe in the butterflies! Perfect for this challenge! They all look beautiful!

Tracey said...

LOVE all the different versions Lin!!! SOrry I am no help at all!! Thanks for joining us again at The Play Date Cafe :)

Anonymous said...

I usually move things around a hundred times, then I ask my husband and he says 'both look great, why not make one of each!'.... So there you go, both do look great! Those butterflies are totally gorgeous!

Kathy Martin said...

Look at all those lovely butterflies! Pretty! :)

Alice said...

such a beauty, Lin! love all three versions, but if i could only pick one it would probably be the last one. i love your beautiful butterflies. gorgeous card! hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Lynsey W said...

I love how you have shared the design process here- I spend hours at my desk doing the same thing lol! I also love them all, that butterfly paper is gorgeous. Like Brenda, I do like the ribbon added with the butterflies, but as to the sentiment on the left or right, I like it to the right as then it balances the brighter pink in the card and draws your eye more to the center... with it on the left, I am drawn to the left side of the card. But, that's just my take... there's no right or wrong answer in design is there :)

Dawn T said...

Wow - it is a beauty regardless of what ever you have done. I like the one with the ribbon best.. but maybe a slightly wider ribbon? The other two versions are just as stunning.

GrammySue's Creations said...

Hi Lin, I love all three of these cards--they are all very stunning. My favorite one is the first one. Great job. I have the same papers that you used on your cards in todays post, but have not used the paper with the butterflies. (If you have a chance, please could you go and look at my daughters submission on CAS-ual Fridays, she is submission #43 and her name is Pam Funk.) Take care and God bless.

Virginia L. said...

Wonderful and lovely--all in one! I'm so glad that you are able to find the right colored paper! I love your layering and details in this card, Lin!

donna mikasa said...

What a fun post, Lin! Love the "evolution" of your card, and if I had to choose, I like the last card with the placement of the sentiment on the left. There's a nice balance there!

farmhouse-story said...

they are all so pretty, lin, --i'm smiling cuz i do the same thing:)

Colleen Dietrich said...

Love the butterflies and gingham. Beautiful card! Thanks for playing in the Play Date Cafe challenge! :0

Stella said...

I love them both but the second one is my favorite. :)The patterned paper is so gorgeous and the ribbon looks a bit "simple". It's quite a contrast with the papers ( my oh my English is not my native language and I can't find the right words but I hope you know what I mean...)
I love the way you "framed" the sentiment on the second card. I think it's a perfect match with the papers.

But above that; both cards are gorgeous!

Julie Koerber said...

Oh Lin, I am cracking up at this one! This is something I WOULD DO!!! In fact, I've done it a million times! Just for the record,I think ALL are lovely!!

Anonymous said...

beautiful! Love your take on the colours.
Barbara
sparklessimplestuff.blogspot.com

Jaclyn Miller said...

I ADORE how you've mixed the colors on your butterflies and then added the swirls on top of that. Genius! Thank you so much for playing along at The Play Date Cafe.

Suzanne C said...

Gorgeous use of papers and fabulous design. Lovely!