Thursday, December 15, 2011

Thinking of You...Graphically Enhanced

The new Papertrey set Background Basics: Circles is a fabulous set to use when you really want to highlight a sentiment. You can use it to frame or bracket the sentiment in interesting, even playful ways. Like this:




The sentiment is from Botanical Silhouettes. It has a very strong horizontal component to it, so I decided to use the border stamp to emphasize the vertical. That looked a bit plain, so I blinged it up with some large rhinestones that have languished unused for far too long. Don't they look happy to be out of the package?

Since the you is in blue, the recipient is emphasized here. The line of circles creates a visual triangle of the blue, which forces your eye to the sweet spot of the card.

How easy? How clean and simple? How do you like it?
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26 comments:

  1. Heather TDecember 15, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    It looks very striking. This is classic Susan Raihala right here using very few elements to create a perfectly balanced layout.
    Superb.

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  2. SueDecember 15, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    This is gorgeous! What a beautiful color blue, and I love the added bling. I particularly like that the "you" is emphasized in blue, with the rest of the sentiment black. This would be appropriate for man or woman, and for any occasion. Gorgeous, Susan. I can see it in all different colors, too, and just as gorgeous. Simple, yes, but so striking!

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  3. Erin December 15, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    This is stunning!

    You are killing me with this stamp set! I sure did just place an order for it. :)

    Your blog keeps me in the stamping mood when I feel it slipping. You truly are an inspiration and a blessing to me. I get all inspired here, then go make cards, it refreshes me and then I am happier, which blesses my family. I don't know if you knew you were doing all that with your white cardstock, blue ink, black ink and blue rhinestones, but you are.

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  4. JoyceDecember 15, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    This is absolutely amazing. Now, I must have this stamp set. I will do exactly this. "How do you like it?" you ask--Love at first sight!

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  5. Glennis FDecember 15, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Like it?? - I love it!

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  6. Princess Judy PalmerDecember 15, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    I do like it! I like it very much, thank you for asking, and thank you for sharing. How do you do your two colored sentiments?

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  7. Susan RaihalaDecember 15, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Judy, I use memento dew drop ink pads. It's very easy to control where the ink goes.

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  8. BethDecember 15, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Love it! I bought SU's Borderlines set but haven't used it. Thanks for the great idea.

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  9. FrancieDecember 15, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    I think this card is perfect!

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  10. Mynn xxDecember 15, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    Oh, this really is striking!!! It took my breath away!!! And any bold, bright color would do that! LOVE it! :)

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  11. ShobanaDecember 15, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Me likey very! :)

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  12. Chris SimonDecember 15, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Love, love, love! Fortunately for me, I already have both of those sets. I see several of these finding their way into my box of cards for the middle school teachers. I'm the PTA hospitality chair, so I do birthday cards for about 150 there, and am always on the lookout for great, non-fussy designs, especially for the men.

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  13. Linda EDecember 15, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    LOVE it!

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  14. AnonymousDecember 15, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    Amazing card, love the blue and the bling. Have I told you that I never even used bling before I started reading your blog?

    Petra

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  15. Vicki DutcherDecember 16, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    Wow!

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  16. Jeanne HDecember 16, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    What Vicki said, "Wow!" is exactly what I thought when I saw your card. Your card is great, Susan. Thanks so much for sharing your talent. So inspirational.

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  17. judyDecember 16, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    I simply love it--very striking!!

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  18. Barbara AxmacherDecember 16, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    This card is stunningly simple and beautiful. While it makes me want to order this set, I am also inspired by your commitment to use every unused stamp in your stash. Perhaps that is the inspiration I take away from your post this time!

    Merry Christmas

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  19. Stampin DevaDecember 16, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    I love it !!

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  20. Susie W.December 16, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Love it! You've inspired me...again!

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  21. GabbyDecember 16, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Love the circles stamp set and how you have stamped this simply wonderful card! Great touch adding the rhinestones and the blue "you." :)

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  22. AnonymousDecember 17, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    I see someone already said what I was going to say but I'll say it anyway: I love, love, love it. It is a constant source of amazement to me how you can take one or two stamps and make something so totally perfect. I feel like I signed up for the wrong hobby, ha-ha. Too late now - I will continue to muddle through with a lot of help from you.
    Lura

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  23. Kris in AlaskaDecember 17, 2011 at 4:00 AM

    Wow! How do you do it? I have so many of your cards in a saved folder... just so I can gaze upon them for inspiration! Thanks!

    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

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  24. AnonymousDecember 17, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Such a handsome card! I like the style of the sentiment. Is Botanical Silhouettes from Papertrey?

    m Carolyn w

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  25. Susan RaihalaDecember 17, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    Yes. It's PTI's Botanical Silhouettes.

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  26. MichellemDecember 19, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Fabulous stamp set - even more fabulous card!! Perfect use of bling!

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!

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