Tuesday, January 19, 2010

CAS50 Teal!

This week's CAS challenge is to use teal, white, and one other color. I chose black. Just keepin' it simple, folks.

First up, I used the new SU two-step bird punch, which I knew I HAD to have the first time I laid eyes on it. It doesn't get any cooler than this punch, folks...for those of us who don't have die cut systems, at least.


I punched the bird and branch in white and put them on a scalloped teal panel with the quotation from Emily Dickinson on the white card base in black ink. Isn't that quotation THE BEST! I just love ol' Emily; she had quite the way with words.

Anyway, the scallops are accented with small half pearls, which were also used for the bird's eye. Putting a big, clunky quotation on the front of the card like that is a design challenge, but I like how the black-on-white balances the almost equally sized bird and branch on the solid teal, and adding the pearls made a huge difference, softening the division between the heavy teal and bright white.

At least that's my take on it.

Next up is a card that practically made itself. The Echoes of Kindness set is an unusual one for me, but I absolutely adore it. The artwork is so loose yet so elegant. I have NEVER satisfactorily colored an image like this, so I don't even try anymore. Just stamp it in a single color and work it, baby. So much easier for us artistically challenged stampers.


The top border is punched with a Martha Stewart punch that reminds me a bit of fancy garden lattice. The white satin ribbon softens the dark teal nicely and the knot balances on the left balances the image on the right.

BTW, I used Ancient Page Deep Harbor instead of SU's taken with teal, which stamps really, really dark for me. The deep harbor is actually a better match for the paper than SU's ink. I've noticed a similar darkness in bravo burgundy ink.

This was a great challenge, and if you haven't played along yet, give it a try. Teal is such a versatile color. It can go cute or elegant, soft or strong.

Supplies
stamps: SU, PTI (thank you)
ink: Ancient Page Deep Harbor, Palette noir
cardstock: PTI white, SU taken with teal
accessories: two-step bird punch, border punches, half pearls, dimensionals, ribbon

29 comments:

  1. I absolutely adore your commentaries, I love the way that you take time to explain the design elements of your cards, and of course, I love your cards as well!

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  2. you just keep hittin' 'em outta the park, lady!

    design challenged my hind leg, as my papaw would say LOL

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  3. I love that you generally post just as I'm heading to bed, I always check in last thing in the hope you have blogged :)

    I LOVE that new SU punch and have my fingers and toes crossed it makes it into our next catalogue. (Aust)

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  4. Two very stunning cards, I really need to get a border punch. I always look at the Martha Stewart ones when I'm at Michaels.
    Petra

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  5. Just wonderful as always Susan, loved the quote too! Jo x

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  6. wow Susan, these cards are just spectacular!!! I agree, that bird is a must have!!

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  7. These cards are both so beautiful. Just like all of your cards:)

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  8. Probably my favourite SU colour - and I love both of these cards. I love the idea of the half teal/half white layout - I think I'll play with that one a lot!

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  9. FANtastic creations, Susan! I just ordered that bird punch and can't wait to play with it!

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  10. Elegant and simple :o)

    I really have to get at least 1 border punch because they add such a special touch!

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  11. These are absolutely gorgoeus! I love the teal with the white and black. So striking. And I've gotta go find me some pearls. Quit showing us cards with them until I get some. (just kidding)

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  12. Beautiful, as usual!

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  13. These are both so beautiful - I love that bird punch!

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  14. I love both these cards, but especially the first one. I'm going to be ordering that bird punch at stamp club this Friday!

    I also appreciate your design analyses (this balances that, this softens that).

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  15. I love that bird punch too. In fact I'm ordering it today when I place my SU order.

    It looks great in all white against the black background. I have that same sentiment stamp. I do like how it balances the "heavier" top of the card. The layout on the second card is pretty. And I like that you were able to use the line stamp without feeling the need to color it. That's a big challenge for me.

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  16. Is that Emily Dickinson quote a stamp, or did you print it? I used to have that font, and I loved it, but I lost it when our computer died and I can't remember where I bought it now!

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  17. Gina,

    It's a stamp from StampinUp. I left off the attribution line to make it fit better. Not sure the name of the set, either, as it's one I broke up years ago.

    Susan

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  18. Love these----so clean, crisp, elegant! The Emily Dickinson quote is from a set called Friend to Friend....although I think it might have been in another set as well! Thanks for your wonderful inspiration!

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  19. These cards are simply elegant, and even though teal is a strong color, both cards have a gentleness to them. Thank you for sharing.

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  20. Sigh. These are both so beautiful. Could I just be you for awhile? :P

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  21. Susan these are both so PRETTY! Not sure which I like best!!

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  22. Both cards are beautiful!! Great use of the border punches and I LOVE that bird punch!!! It is on my list of must haves! I need to find some time to play:)

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  23. Both teal cards super beautiful!

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  24. Love the contrast of the deep teal colour with the white.Both cards are just lovely!

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  25. I agree with you about colouring those types of flowers. With my HA cling flower in a similar style, I actually cut the flower away from the stem so that I can ink and stamp them separately, or together, if I want.

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  26. Susan!! Why, oh why, do you do these things to me??!! I've been wanting that bird punch something fierce - but I've resisted so far BUT then you go and put your "white" touch to it and now it just HAS to come live with me - You even made me like teal (we haven't been friends for a LONG time now) -

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  27. I find teal a very hard colour to work with but your examples really show how to use it well. I like the second card best - such a lovely flower image and I have just bought the MS punch!!
    BTW if YOU are artistically challenged then I am gonna go shoot myself because there is just no hope left for mere mortals like me (I am joking as I don't own a gun!!!!)
    TFS .... you always make my day with your amazing cards anad funny, informative commentaries.

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  28. I love your color choice for these beauties, Susan!

    Your punched bird in white is so striking, and I love that quotation! The lattice is so pretty on your floral card, and I love it's simple elegance!

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  29. Beautiful cards! I love Emily Dickinson too.

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!