WHAT NOT TO DO:
In the first example, the flower is only slightly off the edge. Less than a fifth of the image, in fact, is hanging off the edge: just the edges of two petals. It looks weird and accidental and sort of floaty.
With a roundish image like this one, it's better to have about a quarter to a third of it hanging off the edge.
WHAT TO DO:
See the difference? The bottom card looks settled, with the flower hanging more decisively off the corner, like I meant to put it there. The center of the flower is roughly in the lower-left sweet spot (that magic place where the lines dividing the card into thirds intersect). The sentiment balances it in the upper-right sweet spot and has a bit more room to breathe with the flower situated slightly lower.
As an added bonus, if you mess up as on the first card, you can always trim the card down a bit on the left side and bottom. That way, if you have perfectionist tendencies and are bothered by the slightly off-kilter feel of it (raising hand here!), you can change it, and no one is any wiser.
I'll have several more posts with advice for stamping off the edge, with examples of what to do and what not to do. Hope this helps!
Supplies
stamps: Hero Arts
ink: SU pumpkin pie, close to cocoa
paper: PTI vintage cream
accessories: buttons, DMC floss
Oh wow, this helps a ton. I've always ventured off the edge just a bit.......and wondered why it always looks like I made a mistake.
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch!
Hmmmmmm, I saw some OLW cards Wednesday, but now there are none, and Mr. Linky is no more. Is it only MY computer on the fritz?
ReplyDeleteNice! What a simple yet elegant card. Thanks so much for the tip - I really need to remember about that rule of 3rds too.
ReplyDeleteAAAhhh, yes. The second one is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the tip Susan! It is very helpful. Now just to remember it :-)
ReplyDeleteNina (above) has been reading my mind - they are my sentiments exactly! Thank you Susan.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted that I actually understand what you just taught us - I get it! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, beautiful card again today :D xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tip! The 2nd card really looks awesome. I'll have to try this soon.
ReplyDeleteShowing both cards makes such a huge difference! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour explanation is SO helpful!! I don't know that I could have pinpointed WHY the first card is unimpressive, but the image DOES look "floaty," whereas the second card looks simply FABULOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks MUCH for giving us visual COMPARISONS to accompany your instructions!
How great to have this put into words! I've done a few off-the-edge cards, and not been pleased with them. I always thought they looked like I eyeballed the placement wrong. BTW, don't you just LOVE the big flower you used today?! I can't stop using it! Everything I do with it looks fantastic, and I love that --- it's so unusual!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't even read your comments and thought the second card was more eye appealing. Thank-you for sharing your creativity.
ReplyDeleteoh, one of my favorite places to put an image :-) I love the brown button with your yummy orange flower!!
ReplyDeleteWow smart of you to post both cards to illustrate your lesson. The 2nd card is definitely a beauty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to tutor as well as inspire. You have nailed what I probably tried to achieve through trial and error.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip..I'd have done the first card, realized it was off, but had no idea why or how to fix it..thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I'd never really thought about it, but the second one really is much better.
ReplyDeleteLove what you did with that stamp! really gorgeous card!
ReplyDelete