CAS-ification of a Card by Suzanne Czosek

Yesterday's CAS-ification was all about stripping multiple embellishments off highly embellished card while still preserving the layout. Today's inspiration piece is by Suzanne Czosek and was published in Crafts 'n Things, December 2009. Suzanne's lovely card isn't "over the top" at all, so CAS-ifying it was pretty straightforward. Today's make-over is more about style.

My card is smaller, a 4.25" square. I substituted a white card base and a linen-like Chatterbox patterened paper on top, which allowed me to easily eliminate the tag/sentiment and move the sentiment to the bottom right corner...necessary to balance my simplified version. I also switched the border punch from the pretty lace punch she used to a simple dotted wave.


The result is a totally different look. Where Suzanne's card is warm and cozy and shabby chic, my make-over is crisp and bright and graphic.

So just because you look through a magazine and don't see anything that's your "style," remember that you can still get huge inspiration from other styles when you look for a solid base of good design and start substituting product and colors you love.

Supplies
stamps: PTI Signature Christmas
ink: Versacolor
paper: PTI white, Chatterbox
accessories: edge punch, ribbon

Inspired by Donelda Again

Donelda (wiggydl at SCS) has a wonderful CAS style that often inspires me, most recently with this card.

I found these squares of Basic Gray Christmas paper in my punch scrap container. The sentiment is by Hero Arts and is perfectly sized to balance the busyness of the patterns.



Then I decided to try plain ol' cardstock with this layout to make a masculine get well card. It's definitely on the plain side, but those colors together really do say "dude" to me.



This sentiment, also by Hero Arts, is so useful. What sentiment do you use with very elderly or chronically sick people? "Get Well Soon" seems sort of falsely hopeful and bossy, like they have a choice in the matter and you're totally over them being sick. "Take good care" seems warmer and more huggy, like saying "do the best you can." Of course, "Thinking of You" is always appropriate for the recipient, but sometimes I get bored with it.

Do you have a favorite sentiment for cards in these cases? Please share!