I have a question for you for which there is no right answer...it's just a matter of taste and opinion, without moral or ethical significance.
Do you prefer soft cards or dramatic cards?
My butt is on the fence, but today, I'm definitely leaning toward soft, serene, peaceful cards. Perhaps my life is a little wacky and chaotic right now (in a good way, I keep telling myself), and I crave calm. Perhaps I've always found peace in soft colors and subtle images. Perhaps by February, after months of gray and white landscapes, I will once again gravitate toward bright, fun colors. But for now, this soft chandelier is making me very happy.
I used Memento London Fog and Angel Pink for the stamps, and a sheer ribbon with shimmer to hang the chandelier and anchor it in all that restful white space. I do wish I'd cut the ribbon more simply at an angle rather than notching it, but that's a quibble. The card makes me happy.
Today's more dramatic card changes the orientation from portrait to landscape and the white ribbon and gray sentiment for black. I remember watching a home decor show on HGTV years ago in which the designer explained adding a touch of black to light pastels helps keep them from being too blah. This is, I think, a universal design idea that works extraordinarily well on cards and scrapbook pages, too.
I cut the ribbon too short on this one (what was it with me and ribbon that day?), but otherwise, I like this. The sheer/satin ribbon isn't too heavy for the chandelier (as a solid satin or grosgrain might have been), and the black certainly kicks up the baby blue.
So, what is your preference: soft or dramatic? Why do you think you're drawn to one over the other? Or are you, like me, affected in your preference by whatever is going on in your life...your mood, level of caffeine, etc.?
Boy, Susan, I'm with you on that fence! I loved the pink as I scrolled down and read, and it felt perfect. Then when the black came up, I loved that one, too. If I HAVE to choose, I'd say the black & blue is ahead by a hair. Or a hare. But both are simply lovely!
ReplyDeleteI admit, I'm a dramatic-colors kind of person, but your pretty pastels have me thinking twice! Love the chandelier in both colors!
ReplyDeleteI tend to lean towards the soft side of things - so the top one really appeals to me! Thanks for the inspiration, again :)
ReplyDeleteI'm climbing on the fence with you. I'm drawn to both of these.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it depends on the season and my mood. While I like the softness of the pink card, that black one REALLY draws my eye. I would guess it's because my world is one of white softness right now and the black is a nice contrast.
ReplyDeleteThey are both beautiful. :o)
both cards are great.
ReplyDeletei really like the portrait layout with the chandelier. seems the perfect match.
i'm not usually a pink girl, so i prefer the baby blue and bladk colorwise.
thanks for showing 2 different looks for the same stamp. i love that!
marty
leaning towards the black and blue card. I echo Rach...season, mood and I will add the personality of the person receiving the card and what their need might be at the moment.
ReplyDeleteblessings
patti moffett
I like peaceful cards, but blue is more peaceful to me. So I would choose the second card. When I make cards, it depends on my mood or inspiration. Cards with a lot of contrast can be so stunning.
ReplyDeletePetra
I'm climbing up on that fence too! Like you, it can depend on what is going on in my life whether a calm card will really draw me in; or whether I will prefer "drama"!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMostly, I think I tend to appreciate "cozy" cards if that makes sense.
I do tend to like deeper colors such as burgundy, forest green, deep purple, navy blue etc..which would be considered dramatic I suppose.
I like them both! It is interesting to see them side by side. My favorite is the blue and black, especially the layout. It does not seem overly dramatic to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm drawn to soft, relaxing colors and shapes, but not necessarily pastels. Just not too bold and bright. For myself, I'll always choose the softer look, but for the recipient, I may go more dramatic.
I've jumped off the fence today (which is rare for me as I'm usually a fence-sitter) and going with the soft pink card (which is also rare for me as I usually go for blue over any other colour). Maybe I'm tired, or maybe I'm craving some quiet peaceful time after Christmas, and that's why the black ribbon on the pale blue felt too jarring for me while the pink and white made me feel lovely and calm.
ReplyDeleteOkay - for me of these two - I'm going for the blue and black one. But I think it depends on my mood and also what/who I'm making the card for. I think I'm going to sit back on that fence :)
ReplyDeleteMy mood defines the colours I use. But it always tends to be the stronger colours ... it is difficult for me to work with pastels.
ReplyDeleteBoy, that's a hard one! I LOVE both, depends on my mood and what stamp I'm working with...but if you really wanted me to choose...I'd say I tend to lean with soft more than 50% of the time....but then when I kick it with the dramatic colors, I'm really out there! Love your cards!
ReplyDeletewow Susan! I love both cards. It's hard for me to say which one I lean towards more. The blue doesn't seem dramatic to me at all but the pink is definitely very soft. Normally I tend to choose pink over blue but today I pick blue.
ReplyDeleteThey are both beautiful, Susan! If I had to choose I would say I like the layout and colors of the second card, but the sheer ribbon on the first card. I think you made a good point about it depending on your mood though too!
ReplyDeleteSubtle or bold you style is just exquisite it doesn't matter!
ReplyDeletemandi xx
Is there room on the fence for a wee one....I love them both
ReplyDeletexxxx
I'd say that whether I aim for (but not necessarily attain) soft or dramatic depends on many factors... the day, the mood the recipient, the stamps I'm drawn to that day... I like the elegance of both these cards.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely depends on my mood. If I saw the same card on two different days I would probably react completely differently to it each time. Right now with the weather so gloomy I'm loving dramas and bright colours. But check back with me tomorrow on that opinion... :)
ReplyDeleteDramatic cards.That s my preference.I want my cards to tell a story ...most times a dramatic one!Yep, that s me, drama queen
ReplyDeleteI love both but today leaning towards the pink. By tomorrow i think I might change my mind they are both gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteGreat question. I lean towards the dramatic. All my papers in my stash are darker or jewel tones. I don't have any pastels in the lot.
ReplyDeleteIf I do use use the pinks and blues they are always the darker tones of those colors. Must be because I'm a Leo and have a dramatic flair. HA
Karen
I, too, love the both of them! super cards!
ReplyDeleteI like the pink much better but I like the layout of the second card.
ReplyDeleteI like the second card best and it may be because I like the design. I tend to like the jewel tones over pastels but both of these are pretty.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I like peaceful cards; there is enough
ReplyDeletedrama and chaos in life already and sending a
peaceful card, offers a kind of respite from it
all. Once in awhile, the occasion may call for
a more dramatic card. I do believe an understated
peaceful card can also have its own kind of
dramatic effect.
No question in my mind...the peaceful pink is my favourite!
ReplyDeleteI think many times it depends on what kind of card you are making. For a sympathy card or an elegant card I prefer soft colors, for birthday or "hello" cards I prefer brighter colors. But I love the look of both.
ReplyDeleteAm new here and am in love with your cards. I tend to prefer peaceful, soft and elegant cards. Yet I love the blue one. I NEED that chandelier stamp, lol Thanks for the inspiration.
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