Friday, January 16, 2015

Kraft or White? You Be the Judge--Edited

I needed to make a birthday card for our nephew the diesel engine mechanic, so out came the Time set from Uniko. I made a kraft card and then wondered if it would look better (to my eye) in white. You be the judge:




I (of course) prefer the white (the crisp contrast is just my style!). But that Cosmic Copper Brilliance Pearlescent Rust ink looks great on both papers. Check out these two close-ups:




These two cards allowed me to use up some old, old, old brads, too. I don't have any rusty ones, which would have looked stunning, but made do with good, ordinary brown...just like the sentiment. Brads are one of those embellishments that rarely get used but are nice to have around in neutral colors.

If you're new to stamping and haven't used brads, you should know these two tips:

1. Poke a hole with a push pin where you want the brad to go. Positioning it is much easier.

2. Never, ever, ever--under any circumstances--use brads on a one-layer card. It leaves unsightly brad butts showing.

Someone (*cough*Leslie*) said "butt" wasn't the proper term. They are "legs." Well, showing Brad's spread legs inside a card is even worse than showing his butt. Don't do it.

And don't blame me for the image in your head. It's Leslie's fault.

Let's circle back to kraft or white. Which do you like best? Why?

Supplies
stamps: Uniko
ink: Brilliance
paper: Papertrey kraft and white
accessories: brads, dimensionals, copper metallic marker (Pentel, I think; and yes, working that rounded corner was a bear), metal ruler
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32 comments:

  1. StarlaJanuary 16, 2015 at 9:10 PM

    Hmmm. My gut reaction favored the white too (contrast!!!) but as I compared more, I really like the Kraft paper too. Perhaps, a bit more masculine? Then again, can one go wrong with copper ink?!

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  2. DebJanuary 16, 2015 at 9:58 PM

    I like them both, but the white seems to pop out more!

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  3. uncbballfanJanuary 16, 2015 at 10:23 PM

    Kraft... because the copper is a warm color.

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  4. Leslie HannaJanuary 16, 2015 at 11:23 PM

    Bwahahahahaha! DYING here! Brad's spread legs might be worse than his butt; I'll agree with you there.

    I like them both, but although the white is crisp with contrast, the Kraft is warmer, and more masculine.

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  5. JoyceJanuary 16, 2015 at 11:25 PM

    Like them both, but I think the kraft makes it more of a masculine card...also agree with the warmth of the kraft and copper.

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  6. Patti JJanuary 16, 2015 at 11:42 PM

    I love all things Kraft, but my fave is the crisp white one. However...I agree that the Kraft is more masculine, so it's the winner :-) Now....ahem. I'm sitting here minding my own business, drinking my cup of evening tea, and I happen to pop in to see what you're up to. Now, imagine me trying so hard NOt to spit my tea all over my IPad, that it nearly comes out my nose! Yep, that's how hard I was laughing. You. Are. A. Hoot! Hopefully Brad never shows himself on a pear card! Hugs...

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  7. jakiJanuary 17, 2015 at 12:41 AM

    Oh my! My computer screen almost got a wash. I have been guilty of showing Brad's butt on a single layer card in the past...never again with this new image in my head thankyou Leslie :) :)

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  8. AileenJanuary 17, 2015 at 12:57 AM

    I feel the white draws my eye to the details better. Though I have to admit I struggle with Kraft. I really think the white is crisp and shows off the copper ink b

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  9. Kathy McJanuary 17, 2015 at 2:09 AM

    My first view picked the white card, but then when I saw your close-up shots I changed my mind. The copper on the Kraft looks brilliant, and I'll bet even more so IRL. Either way it fits the bill for a masculine card, Susan.

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  10. UnknownJanuary 17, 2015 at 2:16 AM

    It has to be white for me every time, but then again the kraft is more masculine, but no it has to be the white. I think. Oh My.......

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  11. Anne January 17, 2015 at 3:14 AM

    Has to be the white card for me because it looks crisper, brings out the colour and looks very chic. The kraft card dulls the image, despite the lovely sheen from Brilliance, but it does look more antiqued. I much prefer the white background! I wouldn't quite use your terminology regarding brads but the image is stuck in my noggin now......however I agree, brads must not show their legs!

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  12. Maarit at Violets CornerJanuary 17, 2015 at 4:29 AM

    Love the crisp white one, but hubby loves the kraft one....will I ever use a brad again?!

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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  13. TaniaJanuary 17, 2015 at 4:30 AM

    White! It`s crisper. Everything pops on it.

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  14. MichelleJanuary 17, 2015 at 4:55 AM

    Susan! I was just enjoying the thought of "brad butts" on OLCs when you brought up brad's spread legs. Luckily my wine was safely in it's glass and not about to be swallowed! I usually love lots of white (as you know), but for this card, I like the kraft. I also agree that, while they are rarely used, it is always nice to have some brads in the stash. :-)

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  15. TrishJanuary 17, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    Well Susan, you gave me my first laugh of the day! I'll never look at Brads in the same way...
    I love kraft and the kraft card is probably more masculine, but the white is MY favorite. You rock white (White is the new Orange)

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  16. TiaraHelenJanuary 17, 2015 at 7:03 AM

    Oh my!
    So many thoughts...
    I like both of your cards. I like the contrast against the white, and the masculinity of the Kraft. Often it seems to me where there are mixed feelings, there may be a third way! How about somehow outlining the the cogs on the craft card to increase the contrast, maybe with double stamping a shadow slightly offset in a darker colour like the brown or a dark grey shadow, or "rock n roll" on the cog stamp before stamping with a darker ink to give it a soft dark edge all round?

    And as for Brad's spread legs, I'm feeling quite disturbed! Generally if it's just decorative I cut off the spread legs with a pair of sharp scissors and use a dimensional or glue dot to stick it down instead...

    Thanks for the laugh this chilly morning! xx
    I like the grungy effect of the Kraft card

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  17. Sheila HJanuary 17, 2015 at 7:20 AM

    I like the masculine feel of the Kraft. Legs versus butt - LOL!

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  18. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2015 at 8:09 AM

    Susan, I agree with Sheila, I think he would like the Kraft better...though, I LOVE both! Bwahaha...Legs vs. butt...Sheila, you kill me!!
    Hugs and keep smilin'...
    Sunshine Sharon

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  19. Karen (TLgirl353)January 17, 2015 at 8:34 AM

    Both are wonderful and either one would be loved by the recipient.

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  20. stamping sueJanuary 17, 2015 at 9:04 AM

    I totally agree about brad butts---legs showing through! cover them up!
    The white card does pop more but I do like the kraft card more.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  21. PattiJanuary 17, 2015 at 10:15 AM

    brad butts and pears what else ya got!!! I love a good laugh
    As to the cards, I like both but since it is going to a diesel mechanic I think the kraft one is (as my sister, also an English major) would say mo' better.

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  22. Carol CelJanuary 17, 2015 at 10:27 AM

    Brad's legs and butt - oh my! -- The image in my head is fabulous (and it doesn't involve crafting) I did enjoy a laugh with my morning coffee!!
    White is my preference -- perhaps black ink on the kraft?

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  23. SandyJanuary 17, 2015 at 11:16 AM

    I prefer the Kraft one which is unusual for me as I don't use a lot of it myself, but for this card it just seems better.
    As for brads I will never use them again without and smile on my face...Thanks!

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  24. marilynJanuary 17, 2015 at 11:18 AM

    The kraft cs is more masculine and more interesting. I generally navigate towards white as well, but this stamp needs to be on the kraft....I feel it loses the whole gears/mechanic vibe on white....who ever saw a really clean mechanic? !!

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  25. jintyoo7January 17, 2015 at 11:44 AM

    LMHO - and again, LOL!

    I prefer the white - although I do often reach for Kraft (it just depends on what the "subject" and colour is)!

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  26. MargJanuary 17, 2015 at 1:16 PM

    To me the white card looks more dramatic but I also like the softness of the Kraft one. So, I guess the process to use.is to have someone hold them both behind their back, one in each hand and you pick either their left or right hand. Thanks for the chuckle.

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  27. Karen @ Misplaced MojoJanuary 17, 2015 at 6:20 PM

    No doubt in my mind... Kraft! My 13 year son is into steampunk so the kraft card appeals to me. The way the rust / coppery ink looks against the kraft gives it a more industrial / victorian look that lends itself well to the steampunk style. I can appreciate the contrast of the white, but the kraft still wins in my mind. As does the mental image of spreading "brads" legs and /or showing his butt... omgosh that cracks me up. Funnier still that they actually make tools to do that to keep from hurting your fingers :-)

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  28. LauraJanuary 17, 2015 at 8:13 PM

    I like Kraft!

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  29. KristenJanuary 17, 2015 at 9:27 PM

    Both! My son is an engineering student and his school colors are brown and orange so of course both of these cards would both work! I use a lot of orange(copper) brown (kraft) cogs/gears and black and white in his cards.

    I like the contrast of the white on the screen but I bet in person that kraft and copper sublime.

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  30. KristenJanuary 17, 2015 at 9:28 PM

    oh and if you spread Brads legs surely they meet in the middle at the butt! LOL! oh the imagery!

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  31. Jeanne HJanuary 17, 2015 at 10:22 PM

    Thanks for the laugh! Your blog and the other comments are too funny. :-) Oh, I like both cards very much.

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  32. RoniJanuary 18, 2015 at 2:30 AM

    Love your blog, it makes me giggle!!

    Even tho I like both cards, I'm thinking of who it's going to, so it needs to be the Kraft card for me! White is too clean, he's a mechanic, a grease monkey!! The White needs to be dirty'd up a bit more! :D

    Big hugs Roni :O) xox

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!

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