Saturday, June 4, 2011

Variations on a Set: Dot Spot

Note: If you are reading this in email, don't miss the two posts below!

Today's two cards with Dot Spot feature the big flower in dramatic settings. On both cards, I combined lines with the design to balance all the great big roundness of the big flower.

First up, a pink and black card. I stamped the small dot circle in pink in the middle of the black and accented it with a bit of pink bling. The lines come from Background Basics: Retro.


Creating a center for this monster-sized flower is important for obsessive stampers. Leaving it empty is like not putting thread on a button. You could do it, but it almost always looks like something is missing.

Note that I said almost. There are exceptions to every rule. But you won't see an exception on this post, and you know why. Because I'm obsessive.

The next card is a 4.25" square card. The lines were drawn with a Memento marker and ruler. Blue and orange are complementary colors, meaning they are opposite each other on the color wheel. Any time you want a peppy, high-energy color combo, pick complementary colors in bright hues. Guaranteed happiness!


And speaking of color wheels, if you don't have one and feel a bit color challenged, I highly recommend getting one. Small ones are available at the big box stores for very reasonable prices. There are all sorts of tried and true color combinations that a color wheel can help you find easily.

Supplies
stamps: Papertrey Dot spot, Background Basics Retro, and one I don't remember for the friend sentiment; the thanks sentiment is from Hero Arts
ink: Memento
paper: Mark's Finest (top), PTI (bottom)
accessories: rhinestones, marker, ruler, corner chomper

18 comments:

  1. Wow these are both super cool! The bling is the cherry on top!!

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  2. I have always been on the fence about this set. It is going into my basket for my next PTI order. I love these cards. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  3. I especially love the black and pink. Big and beautiful!

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  4. Love especially the black/pink card - it is such a strong color combo!!! and I love the bling in the center!;-)

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  5. Love the striking colours and design, these are truly versatile stamps :)
    Jenny x

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  6. Wow love both of them, particularly the centres but also the lines make it.

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  7. Both are just fabulous. FABULOUS I tell you. I must CASE these. Wonderful designs. I love my color wheel - bought it many, many years ago from SU. I did not know that Memento makes markers. I swear by their ink pads.

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  8. Thanks for showing what can be done with a big stamp-great cards!

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  9. What lovely cards! I've always loved pink & black together, but never thought of blue (is that turquoise?) and orange together. It's gorgeous! I LOVE that dotspot set, and you are really twisting my arm with your lovely cards using it! What "big box" store would carry a color wheel? Maybe my new Michael's, opening June 17 just 4 miles away, will have it!

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  10. Dot Spot has been on my wish list for so long, but it just has to make it into my cart soon. I especially love the way you paired it with the lines from BB: Retro for balance. Fantastic cards!

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  11. I love pink and black together! They make me think of an elegant black tie event! The blue and orange are summery and bright! Those big stamps are always hard for me to know what to do with. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  12. I really love these two cards!!! ;)

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  13. I am loving the pink & black card! it's so striking!

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  14. These are both amazing! I have this set and still haven't inked it up. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  15. Totally fabulous cards Susan, love that superb stamp and design, WOW, :0) xxx

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  16. Love love love these cards! Fab contrasting colors! :)

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  17. I LOVE these cards - my Dot Spot set hasn't been used lately but now I'm going to make myself a set of thank you cards! Thanks for the inspiration!

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!