Saturday, October 8, 2011

Kicking It Up a Notch

First, let's announce the winners of the super-minimalist card from my last post:

Angela
Marisa
Cassandra
Danielle Daws
Lorrinda

Please email me your snail-mail addresses so I can add you to my Christmas list. My email address is susanraihala at woh dot rr dot com. Oh, I'm so excited!!!!

And now for those of you who thought the last card was a bit too, um, plain, here are two cards I made immediately after finishing the first. As you can see, adding simple little elements does kick the original design up a notch.

Denise, great minds think alike. I had PTI's Holly Jolly set out on my desk and just had to add a little holly and bling, although your idea of red pearls would be just as lovely.




And I just love the clean and graphic elements in Faux Ribbon. Adding a little border of double lines gives a hint (just a hint, really) of movement on the card by guiding your eye.



It's interesting to pay attention to how your eye moves (or doesn't) on a card. The top card requires very little eye movement and as such has a more peaceful, traditional feel to it.  The bottom card is more modern and fresh, with just a bit of eye movement added by the double line.

Neat, eh?

Supplies
stamps: Papertrey Peaceful Poinsettias, Faux Ribbon, Holly Jolly
ink: Memento cottage ivy, SU real red
paper: Papertrey
accessories: red rhinestones

12 comments:

Colorado Crafter said...

I like both of these. I really do need to try this CAS thing!

Cath Wilson said...

Much prefer these, have to admit, tho the first one was brilliant because of its minimalism. But I love the touches of colour, which I think make all the difference and lift it from plain to something more special. Love your designs x

Susie said...

Very cool cards.

Cassandra said...

I like the first but I LOVE the second, so simple and stylish - what more do you need.

Sue said...

You know, I like the holly & berries on the first card, but I really like the double line on the second one. It surprises me, because I'm such a traditionalist, but I like the innovativeness (?) of that card. And with the sentiment, along with the use of the 2 traditional Christmas colors, it's still traditional, with a modern twist. I like it!

Danielle Daws said...

I still love your original one. But the second one on this post is gorgeous too!

Vicki Dutcher said...

I just love the perfectly straight faux ribbon lines -- seriously impressed :)

Susan said...

Interesting comments as most of them seems to prefer the second of these two cards whereas, for me, the first one with the holly is perfection - and I like it far more than your original one with just the sentiment. I guess I'm just not a true minimalist!!

Devina said...

I always enjoy just a touch of bling, top one gets my vote, well if there were a contest

Smilie girl said...

Neat. There's a place for them all.

Marg said...

I really do love the look of the second card. I might just have to copy it :<)

Bumblebee said...

They're both lovely. The second one makes me think of Krispy Kreme donuts!