Friday 24 August 2012

Design class in session...!

Hey!

TGI Friday, and a sweet, extra-long Bank Holiday weekend for some of us! :)

I'm here today to participate in a fantastic blog hop to celebrate the launch of Paper Craft's best ever special issue yet (IMHO!) the Card Design Handbook! 


Seriously, if you haven't got this issue yet then you *need* it! It explains basic design principles that, if followed, can make your projects shine! (Though there's a lot to be said for breaking some rules in style too of course! *wink*)

I'm so honoured to be a part of this hop! You should have hopped across from my fellow European peep, Lorena Cantó Lavería. If you haven't, then be sure to start here and get the full blog hop deets!

We've been asked to produce a 'Good to Great' card for our blog hop project. There are fantastic examples of this in the actual issue so I had a lot of inspiration! I also decided to feature on the design principle of movement/flow; that is, allowing the eye to rest and follow a design, taking in all aspects of the card with ease.

So first up is my 'Good'

PLAIN

A very CAS card with an autumnal feel about it. What can I say? I adore autumn and I'm already getting a hint of it heading our way! :)

Nothing is exactly 'wrong' with this card but it's a little plain and lacking in energy. If I were to keep this design, I'd have to make the card smaller as I feel there's far too much space in proportion to my elements (I know, a CAS girl talking about too much space! Ha!) How about we add some autumnal leaves to this card to give it some oomph?

LEAVES

Ahhhh now this definitely has some more oomph! The leaves allow your eyes to take in the whole of that middle panel of card, without getting lost, as well as leading your eyes to the sentiment. The leaves also bring the design elements into proportion more, the card seems complete and actually looks smaller than the original 'good' card but I promise you they're the same size!

When the cards are side by side, you can get a real feel of the movement and energy those leaves give:

Good to Great

This card focuses on just one of the many design principles in the issue. This issue is like my design bible - it has pride of place on my messy studio desk for quick referencing and you could do the same; Paper Crafts have been super generous and are allowing a random commenter on this post (and on the rest of the blog hop blogs!) the chance to win a copy of this signature issue! Simply leave a comment on this post by Tuesday 28th August 11.59 PST and I'll pick a random winner - simples!

Before I dash I just want to thank Paper Crafts for not only publishing an amazing issue, but for inviting me to be a part of this amazing hop- thank you! 

Now you've got some more hopping to do - remember to comment on each for a chance to win! Next on the hop is Emily Branch! If you're lost for any reason, you can find your way with the full list of participants:

Chan Vuong
Kalyn Kepner 
 Julia Stainton
Jocelyn Olson
Angeline Yong Jeet Leen
Jaclyn Miller 
Lorena Cantó Lavería
Amy Wanford (you're here!)
Emily Branch
Vanessa Menhorn

Enjoy! :)

Catch ya later!








Card Deets
{Thank You}
Stamps:
Turning a New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)/Sentiment from Extra Time (Uniko Studio)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)/Autumn Sky (Adirondack - Ranger)
Cardstock: Scarlet Jewel, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Jute Ribbon Twine, Orange Button, Linen and Canvas Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink)


160 comments:

Carole said...

This is a fun hop with valuable lessons on the way. Great card. Visual lesson. Thanks

Anonymous said...

Simply amazing, Aimes! I'm too chicken to tackle a flow-movement lesson ;) xoxo

Unknown said...

WOW, it's amazing the difference between both cards just with by stamping two images. Thanks for the ideas and the chance to win. Hugs, Joan

Caryn S said...

This is the first card which I was able to see the issue: no movement! Yes those flowing branches definitely made the difference. The first card almost seems tense.

Anonymous said...

I like them both. The first one is beautiful in its simplicity of design, the other is more elegant. Love the use of the twine.

Sandi said...

I love the addition of the leaves. Makes the card!

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

Fabulous cards, love that bright orange button... and your fav texture plate :)

Elise C. said...

That looks much better with the branches! I really like the colors that you used! :)

Anonymous said...

The card is beautiful. I really like the stamps. Thank you for the opportunity to win.

Jennifer Scull said...

absolutely love everything about those leaves! the little touches of stitching are so pretty as well. :)

TLady said...

That Book/Magazine is EXACTLY what I need!!!!!!!!!!! SUPER CARD!!!!!!!! :)

Dana said...

Wow! What a difference!! Thanks for the chance to win!!

Houses Built of Cards said...

WOW - what a fabulous improvement! Definitely LOVE the added leaves!!!

housesbuiltofcards@gmail.com
www.housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com

Leanne said...

Great card. Truly enjoying this hop.

Renee V said...

Love the addition of the beautifully stamped leaves!! Definitely moves the eye a lot better, thanks for the tip!

pcm said...

great example!

Cat craig said...

Stunning! Thanks for the lesson.

Kailash said...

Beatiful cards. Great lesson in making the card from good to gear . Thanks so much for sharing!!

Lee said...

Thanks for the tip and I love the card!

Beastybunny said...

Both cards are great! The first being calm and sedate (could be appropriate for a boss or co-worker) while the second is warmer and has more energy. Love them.

Linda Callahan said...

Gorgeous!

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Love the movement you created. A great lesson for us!

Betty said...

Those beautiful leaves are perfect for that card....wonderful example!!! Thanks for sharing!!

Vikki H said...

Both cards have their appeal but especially like the movement with the leaves.

Jean Cross said...

Good word--energy--I'm going to remember that--really makes a difference. Thank you.

Elizabeth said...

Love the movement you created so easily with the stamped leaves. Beautiful card.

ParkNSlide said...

Dramatic difference---this book is a MUST have!

Bev E said...

Wow learning so much today. I think I must have this book.

pamela said...

LOVE the extra added leaves. Much much MUCH better :D

calamity jane said...

You are right Amy...I NEED THIS ISSUE!!! :) This tip "movement/flow" is probably the hardest rule for me to follow. I'm working on it tho!! Thanks for sharing your lovely cards!!!

connie said...

love the different looks of the cards.

raquelmason.blogspot.com said...

The card with the flow certainly does look better, thanks for explaining the rules.

A Little Licht on the Subject... said...

Oh yes, the leaves make this a wonderful card! And turning them gives it a feel of movement - maybe like actual autumn leaves dropping? Thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

I'm really enjoying these lessons and am learning a lot. I like the 1st card just fine since I'm a CAS kind of cardmaker, but the 2nd one fits the bill, too, and really kicks it up a notch. Thanks for your lovely contributions.

Bethany Stellpflug said...

I can't believe it is already time to start thinking autumn! I love the way you stamped the leaves on the second card...so gorgeous! Thanks for the chance to win :)

Barbara Axmacher said...

Great card(s)!

{VICKI} said...

Definately the 2nd card

Becky Dunham said...

Oh Aimes! I LOVE this improved card! Autumn is my favorite time of year and those leaves are just gorgeous! Definitely will be trying this trick!

Kathleen Rensel, Scrapbook Addict said...

This card is gorgeous! I'm working on learning movement - I'm sooo not good with it. LOL

Cindy Major said...

LOVE the sparkly leaves! Absolutely gorgeous!

Mary Ann said...

The leaves really do make a differnce. Love how they pull the whole card together. Thanks for sharing.

Lynda said...

LOVE the difference the leaves make...thanks for the visual!

Joyce said...

Wonderful card, and thanks for the lesson. Tried to pin, but unfortunately, your images are not allowing pinning. Did you know that?

Sandy said...

Yup - LOVE it with the vines! It's SO much prettier and it flows nicely. Thank you for the example.

Judy said...

Wow, love this remake. What a stunning card.

Marie said...

Great cards =) TFS!

Susan Miller said...

Love the addition of the leaves. The first was too simple!

Susan Miller said...

I really like the addition of leaves in the second version. They are still simple.

Mary W. said...

Much better. Thank you.

CRAZY4 CHRIST said...

Much better second card!! Love what such a simple leave stamp can do to a card background!!
Kristan
sierrababy08 at hotmail dot com

bzyPTmom said...

Yeah, have to say the first card was really kinda yuck--no offense--I didn't even like the orange button with cranberry--the leaves make all the difference and turn it into a very lovely card! Have to remember to make "interesting" backgrounds when things are too simple.

Beverley said...

FAB cards & explanation of movement within crafting. Love the rich colours against the white. Beautiful x

Teresa Zuehls said...

Wow, big difference between the two cards. I'm a CAS kinda of gal too but I do agree that there was just a bit too much white space with the first card. But the second card is perfect. Just the right amount of elements to keep it interesting but not too busy. Thanks for the lesson and great examples.

Laurie H. said...

I really like both cards, but I guess I can see how the second one is a better design. I think I really need a copy of this Card Design Handbook to help me learn better techniques. Thanks for the chance to win!

Nerina said...

Actually, I love them both Aimes! But the second one definitely has more 'finish' :0) Congrats on being included in a PaperCrafts hop - it feels just right seeing you in here!

Susan said...

Wow -- the design element of movement really comes to life with your card illustrations! Those leaves just make such a tremendous difference.

Lillian Child said...

From wow to WOW ... unless you like a lot of white space, but on this card the additional stamped image definitely takes it to another level! Thanks so much for sharing!

Barbara said...

I really "love" the second card as opposed to really "liking" the first card! the second one is more eye-catching!!!!

Jen said...

great lesson in color and design...would love to have a chance to win the issue!

Pam said...

I love the card with the leaves. It really does take it up a notch.

Wendy said...

Great design principle illustrated very well...love your cards!

Tigriswillreign said...

Love!

Peggy B said...

You know how to use "oomph!" to perfection! Thanks for sharing!

Becky Cowley said...

You are right, the second card has energy to it! Great cards!

Annette J. said...

Ooh what a useful tool, a card design handbook!! Your cards are a great example, easy to see the difference and WOW! what difference.

Anonymous said...

Adding the design really makes a difference in the card. It is much more interesting and pleasing to the eye.

Pam said...

What a difference! Love it.

Chunyuan said...

thanks for sharing the dramatic difference rule. It made a huge difference.

Noreen said...

You added just enough to the second card to make it interesting, but not enough to make it too busy. Very nice!

Cheryl said...

I love it! I can't wait for fall.

Girlsinthecraft said...

Sometimes less is more but not in the case of the first card. What you added was very simple but was just the perfect touch!

Karen B. said...

Call me crazy, but I LOVE the first one!

Carol said...

Great projects! I always get such fun ideas from these blog hops!

Carol B
ciaoitalia2007@gmail.com

cassie said...

What a big difference! I love your second version.

Michelle N. said...

Absolutely stunning-I gasped when I saw the improved version. This is what I call an "OMG" card-simply breathtaking.

Sharon Roselli said...

What a difference some leaves make! ok I understand this now! Thanks for making it so clear.

Cathy said...

Definitely better with the branches.
cathyplus5.blogspot.com

Lindsey said...

While I do like the super-CAS card, the leaves make such a difference while still being clean and graphic. Perfect example of good to great!

Unknown said...

LOVE both cards! I think both are "great" cards!

Susan R. Opel said...

Fantastical sense of movement on that second card, dear!
And don't thank Paper Crafts - you earned it with your beautiful designs!

sharon g said...

Now that is a huge difference!

Unknown said...

Nice card! I often have trouble finding these publications in my area, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :-)

jengd said...

The leaves are a gorgeous addition!

Anonymous said...

This is a great hop. Love all the visual re-enforcement..

i'm with the band said...

What an amazing difference!~

just by lee said...

I understand what you are saying but I like both cards - my eye is always drawn to the very simple yet elegant cards... thanks for sharing

Jocelyn Olson said...

Such beautiful cards, Amy! I love a good CAS card and yours is awesome. The inking on the second card is stunning!

Anonymous said...

ooh, i'll be stalking the book store for this bad boy!

Created by Kathi said...

Thanks for making a great way for us to see needs something to has something... the second card HAS it! Thanks for sharing and hope you enjoyed the holiday over there :)

Pat K said...

love the leaves simple but elegant

Sneha said...

The before felt a little bare to me. So glad you added the leaves!

Kim H said...

Big difference, love the flow onthe second card. The 1st was OK, but was missing that movement. Thank you for sharing and a chance to win.

Moosisk said...

You definitely showed us a great example of movement in card making. Thanks for the inspiration. :D

Sue D said...

The leaves really make an improvement.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Wow it is amazing how those leaves really made your card pop. Thanks for the lesson and inspiration

Cherri said...

Yes, the fall leaves was just "the thing." Thanks for sharing this lovely card and for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

Wow it is amazing that just adding those leaves could make your card really pop.
Percilla G

Shalana said...

Wow what a difference. Thanks for sharing!

Tami B. said...

The second card really is lovely.

Benwah said...

Your first cards didn't look finished. I definitely prefer the 2nd card. Thanks for sharing.

Big Mamma~ a.k.a. Mary S said...

the first card is nice. Anyone can do but card #2 Wow! That really shows off what you're made of.

Lin said...

Thanks for the great tips!! Beautiful card :)

Louise said...

Love them both but the second card seems an improvement to me. Love it! This was a valuable lesson. Thanks!

Lynne in NI said...

Wow, what a difference in your cards! I definitely need to get this book! TFS

Lynden Blossom said...

Striking difference - goood example of the Concept! :-}
Lynden
http://aneleganttouch-lynden.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/An-Elegant-Touch-/162889457132788

sandie said...

wow this is amazing and you explanation of what you did and why really allows us to see where you are coming from. I will be buying this if I don't win it!

Nadège said...

This second card is great. The leaves make such an amazing difference.
This book looks really fantastic. Thanks for the chance to win.

Kathy/NorthCarolina said...

What a difference those leaves make...really leads the eye to the sentiment, and you don't miss out on your lovely hand stitching!

Patricia @ Stamped Sentiments said...

Very nice! ...

joy said...

Really like the addition of leaves for the "great" card!

Helen said...

The autumn leaves really make the difference on this card. Great idea.

Charo said...

This blog hop was worth it, so many things that I have learned to put in practice right now!

mb said...

LOVE the leaves! THanks for the chance to win!

Darcy said...

I SOooooo need that book!

kern said...

Very sweet cards--the addition of the leaves does help you "travel" through the card. Also, I like your use of the twine as it also helps draw the eye from one point to the other! Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Both are great, but I actually like the one with all the white space better. I think the texture of the cardstock gives it enough interest for it to stand on it's own without a stamp.

cheryl (clee') said...

Great improvement in the 2nd card. Now I love that sketch and might have to try it with some other stamps to see if I can work the same magic!

Denise Bryant said...

Love the second one! The leaves are gorgeous!
DeniseB

Gwen said...

Love,love, love your great card! The addition of the leaves is awesome!

cmq3 said...

Hi! I really want to get this book! I love the ideas!

Colleen said...

Wow the one without the leaves really does look bigger. What a difference the leaves make. Thanks for sharing.

bjmartin said...

Another lesson that I need to learn. I love seeing the cards side-by-side - it really helps me to understand (and hopefully to improve my own work!). Thanks so much!

Wida said...

is it aweful to say I wouldn't mind either one? I think the stitching stands out more in the first, but do favor the second only because it's more interesting. But I guess I would consider the first ULTRA CAS vs regular CAS in the second.

Lisa's Creative Niche said...

Those leaves are stunning!!! I love them!

CELLO said...

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FAST CARD TO MAKE. GREAT IDEA.

Helen F. said...

Such helpful hints along this hop. The leaves on your second card make a world of difference! TFS :)

Jen W. said...

Gorgeous transformation! Can't wait to get ahold of this issue!

Anonymous said...

Great. TFS. Thanks for the chance to win.

diana said...

Great card! Thanks for these design tips! ;-)

Pam said...

Autumn is my favorite season too and I love the fall leaves that you added to the CAS card. It really did make it pop and flow.

Thanks for sharing! If I win, my soon to be worn and dog eared copy of the Design Handbook will have a place of pride on my messy desk as well! :-)

Kelly Griglione said...

Great movement in your card!

ScrappinShawna said...

Fabulous...just loving the orange this year!

Inkyfingers said...

Great example Aimes and I def need a copy of this issue!

stampingandstitching said...

Amy, thanks for showing and explaining how to achieve movement in a card! Loved seeing how the addition of leaves made such a difference to your gorgeous card!

Venus and Luanne @ Sisters Craft Cafe said...

both are very pretty card. love the colors and stamping

Ruby Craft said...

Thanks for being part of the blog hop. Love the way you added movement to your card with the flowing leaves. Beautiful Autumn card! Great lesson for me. Thanks for the chance to win this terrific book!

Maureen said...

OH, Duchess...2 gorgeous creations and love how you talk about them...nothing like a pop of orange to wake up the senses! I've got this issue on my nightstand! LOL Not surprised you are in the hop...they could have called it the Duchess edition with all your gorgeous cards! Hugs!

Sarah Biswabic said...

What a huge difference!! I love the 2nd card!!

Carole RB said...

I love your cards!

Pamela Haskin said...

The second card is much improved. Very pretty. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Wow! It really made a big difference those Autumn leaves!

cjgusloff57 said...

Nice lesson on movement/flow. Nice cards, especially like the second one. Would love to have this magazine on my craft table!
Corrine Ann

Emily H said...

Fabulous Aimes!

Victoria S. said...

i do like the 2nd one. that is a great lesson!

Unknown said...

Both cards are fantastic! I love the addition of the leaves! So perfect for fall!

stampingbowd said...

TFS this great design tip! I love CAS but I don't always know how to pull it off!! Thanks for showing us side by side examples!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I can really see what you mean by "flow". Thanks for the great example cards!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful job! I liked the first one, but WOW to the second

SheriE. said...

Yes, that definitely makes a difference to the eye. Loving these lessons, can't wait to put them in action in my own projects. Thanks!

Katherine said...

Lovely fall colors! I think this card is fantastic.

Angela Reeves said...

Great designs and imagination. Love the way that you develop an idea to make it stronger.

Larissa Heskett said...

Such AMAZING and FUN cards!! LOVE the tips and tricks!! THANKS for sharing and for the chance to win!! Have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)

Sassy P said...

cool
i love the leaves' branch. nice card for fall too! TFS

BethW said...

I understand what you are saying but I have to admit the Zen simplicity of the first card speaks to my soul.

Unknown said...

The movement of the leaves definitely adds an extra oomph! :)

jordanbev5@yahoo.com said...

Wow! I can see the difference!!

tape said...

They both look great to me! :)

None None said...

This is amazing! The flow concept is illustrated so beautifully- the eye naturally follows the image to the sentiment. Love it!

Emily Leiphart said...

There's no need to choose me as I already have a copy but I love what you did with the leaves, especially when they look like they are changing colours toward the middle of the card. Fantastic!

maria f. said...

Missed this post somehow, nothing like photos of the before and after to bring home the effect. I actually like both cards.

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I am on various design teams and receive free product to use and promote. I geniunely love the products of the companies and all opinons are honest and my own.

I'm flattered if I've inspired you and you want to CASE anything of mine, but please don't enter it for commercial publications or competitions.
Thank You!
All designs, text, and photographs on Crafting Confessions are ©2009-2016 to Amy Gray unless stated otherwise.