Big Sentiments

Big sentiments can sometimes be tough to work into CAS designs except in the simplest way: just stamping the sentiment. But let's face it...that gets boring after a while. Finding a way to balance a big sentiment and some sort of background without losing simplicity might lead to something like this:

The border picks up on the leafy pattern inside the letters of the sentiment, and the curves of the fronds make it look like the fronds are reaching out for hugs.

Yet the design stays clean in a couple of ways. First, the silver line creates a clean, bold division between the pink and green. I contemplated briefly putting little pink flowers or bling amongst the fronds and coloring the insides of the letters green to unify the two parts, but decided that would clutter things up. After dismissing the color-unifying ideas, it occurred to me that this card would be sent to a friend far away, so the separation in the design actually makes meaningful sense.

Second, the clean feel of the card is reinforced by the bright, cheerful colors popping off the white background. This isn't a hug card to send to someone who's fresh in mourning or some other tragic situation. It's a card for someone you don't see often but think of with happy thoughts.

Food for Thought
Using a large sentiment with a border design on one side of the card (any side, really) is a super way to be a bit more creative with those big words. Consider running the border up the side of the card and stamping the word so the first letter or so overlaps the border. Consider resting the word directly on the border running across the bottom of the card. Or consider creating a border that runs vertically or horizontally the card's center, with the word stamped over it in a darker color! The combinations are nearly endless!

Also, play with colors. Look for elements of the word (curves, angles, embellishments) that you can carry over into the border. Make the sentiment black and combine with either bright or regal colors create completely different atmospheres. And it's always fun to use Kaleidacolor spectrum pads with big words and background stamps.

Aren't we blessed with so many options?!?!?!

Supplies
stamps: Papertrey
ink: Memento Luxe
paper: Papertrey white
accessories: silver metallic pen (Prismacolor)