Saturday 16 April 2022

Expert tip: Increase impact on your cards

Expert tip: when putting your cards together: Think impact.

What I mean with this, is to consider what you can do so that your completed card will have more impact. 

To demonstrate, I am using two cards on which the same type and number of flowers were used. The cards have the same basic layout, yet the second card is much prettier and has much more impact than the first one.



The following increased the impact of the second card:

1. Using as the background printed paper that echoes and/or complements the colour of the flowers - although very subtle, you will notice on the right-hand the the light purple (echoing the colour) and the subtle blue (blue is complementary to the purple - it lies next to purple on the colour wheel). If you do not have printed paper, you can create a background by blending distress or distress oxide inks, or by using the alcohol ink technique.

2. Using a layered die-cut in a neutral or complementary colour as additional background for the flowers. In this case, the lace effect of the die-cuts truly make the flowers stand out.

3. Using more than one type of flower. It might not be clearly visible when you first look at the cards, but look at the two small vellum flowers added to the arrangement on the second card.

4. Using interesting leaves. Notice how the interest on the second card is enhanced by using an interesting maiden-hair fern type of die-cut rather than just “normal” leaves. 

5 Layering up and doubling up. Although on both cards the flowers are slightly tucked in behind each other, the second card has much more impact because more of the fern-like leaves create the impression of three dimensions. The dragonfly on the second card is made of two layers, making it more special. 

Let me know what you learned from this post, to help you improve your card-making skills.

Please keep warm and I am praying for the safety of each and everyone of our followers, with the current weather conditions.

Happy crafting, until next time.

Marie Smith

Products used (click on the links to take you to the online store):

Heartfelt Creations decorative dragonfly paper pack

Heartfelt Creations decorative dragonfly stamp-and-die set 

Heartfelt Creations climbing clematis stamp-and-die set

Creative Expressions Lesley layered die set

4 comments:

  1. that is so helpful to see the cards side by side and understand what you mean. Sometimes I can't imagine and the illustration is so helpful. Now i can explain to myself, and therefore replicate, how the second card's impact is achieved. before I would have been able to see how that the second card had more impact, but now I understand. Thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad it helped, Janis. Thank you for the feedback.

      Delete
  2. fabulous this is something I like to see and read and learn xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting, Annie. Glad that you enjoyed the post.

      Delete