Different Cards, Same Template

In my previous blog, I posted my interpretation of a layout challenge.  If you go to the other site, you see how different each person's interpretation can be of the same layout and color scheme.
Today I am showing how you can use the same interpretation, but make cards that look very different.
The first card is a card I CASED.  It is almost exactly like the card that I found on the internet.  I found it a couple of months ago when we were allowed to pre-purchase the Summer Smooches items, and don't remember who I CASED it from, so I apologize for not having the originator's name here.

I decided to "flip" the card over, with the DSP on the bottom, added a label punch, and made it a Christmas Card.  You can see the results in the next picture.  I also used the Big Shot to emboss the blank top of the card, adding some dimension..  However, you can see I used the same basic lay-out.

Next, I used some cute animals to use the identical layout for the Christmas card and it has a completely different look!

As you can see, once you find a card lay-out you like, you can use it over and over but have very different cards!  So, if you are in a hurry you don't have to stress over finding a card to CASE, you can use a previous lay out, change the colors, stamps and words and you have a quick and easy card of a different style!

June Paper and Color Challenge

June Paper and Color Challenge

This month I participated in a challenge of one of my team-mates.  At Simply Cindy Crafts, a monthly challenge is posted if you are interested in either participating or seeing the results of the challenge, please visit her page (click on the highlighted name above).
The following was the challenge:

Create a card using the above diagram and colors. 
Here is my creation:

 

I used the Floral District DSP on top of Melon Mambo card base.  Woven into the DSP are Lucky Limeade and Daffodil Delight strips of card stock.  Pool Party paper is the base for the words (it looks blue in the picture, but it is the teal color of Pool Party), with the edges roughed up to give it texture, and pool party sponged over it to give it some dimension as well.  The Petite Pairs stamps were used for the words which were placed on one of the Four Frames stamps.  Flowers and leaves were stamped and then hand cut out from Language of Friendship stamp set. The Melon Mambo flower is centered with a daffodil delight brad.  The Pool Party flower has dazzling details in the center, and the daffodil delight flower has a center rhinestone.

I definitely like the real thing better than the picture, and will have to work on my photo techniques!

These challenges really excite me because they always seem to make me stretch my imagination and creative abilities. When I first look at the design and the colors, I think "there is no way I can put all of those colors together and make it look good.  I really struggled with using the Pool Party color in this scheme, but that turns out to be my favorite color - especially when I sponged the ink onto the paper...it really seemed to blend in and become a part of the project.

I have always been "crafty", but usually just good at  following directions, not coming up with my own ideas.

Over the months that I have done Stampin' Up!, I notice a big difference in my cards - both in those I CASE and those I create myself.  At times, I am very unhappy with something I create, but I walk away from it and come back to it several times, and usually end up figuring out what is missing.  

If you make something you don't like, step away and think about what it is you don't like.  Try to figure out what is missing by just leaving the area and coming back.  At times, it just jumps out at me what needs to be done to improve the piece.  Sometimes I ask my daughter, who is very artistic and has a good eye.  Having someone else look at your work and give you an honest opinion really can help - as long as you can take the criticism and they are willing to give you their HONEST opinion.

If you don't do challenges such as these, I suggest you give it a try!  They can be a lot of fun and you may even surprise yourself with what you can come up with!  It is also fun to see how others rise to the challenge.  Everyone's work turns out so different!