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Emily and I were giggling as we looked at some of her old cards and it got me thinking....
what are the top 10 things you have learned along the way that add "oomph" to your cards?
Let's just add to this list... could be a valuable resource for newbies I know I've come a looooong way from where I started, and I'm sure someday I'll look back and laugh at my cards that I'm making now!
1. Ribbon! Ribbon can add so much to a card!
2. Background stamps! Even just a versamarked background gives so much texture to a card!
3. Metal! A brad, eyelet, metal tag, clip, staple..... just a touch of metal really jazzes up a simple card!
....
I find that layering a card makes it look stunning to me. For an easy metallic layer take a Krylon pen and run it around the edge. I also like beautiful backgrounds as part of the layering. Just did shaving cream background for the first time last night and layered some christmas cards with it. I found that the subtle pattern was what the image needed for some ompf.
Allready mentioned, but RIBBON!!!! and layers upon layers!
I look back at my first cards and think, man I have come a long way! No where near most of the talent on here, but I am getting better!
I love to use Crystal Effects. I think it really dresses up any card. Also, sanding blocks. Sometimes when I card looks too crisp, I'll sand the edges and corners to give it a little worn look. Love it!! Oh, and dimensionals! Stick them under your focal point and it really pops!
Thanks for this cool thread. I agree with Ikimom and I try to dress up my envelopes and packages. The ladies at the post office here always comment on them and I know they won't go missing in the post too. Thanks for helping us newbies with this thread.
Pat
This is a great thread, it will inspire us to do something different.
Some of the things I do to dress up my cards are:
Dry emboss stripes onto the background layer.
Use fine point of a black marker to make dots and or dashes around a stamped design.
Blend chalk along the tearing edge ruler to make soft but "edgy" stripes.
Use decorative edge scissors on the top and bottom edge of the focal point.
A coordinating marker can be used to draw an evenly spaced border around the edge of a card.
As you can tell I try to add something that doesn't cost extra (So I have more money for stamps). Dina
Thanks for this cool thread. I agree with Ikimom and I try to dress up my envelopes and packages. The ladies at the post office here always comment on them and I know they won't go missing in the post too. Thanks for helping us newbies with this thread.
Pat
i love to dress up my envelopes! i love to mail odd colored envelopes too. i have bright pink business envelopes that i use to get my "offical" mail noticed.
my sister's mail lady loves to deliver my mail to her (i send mail to her job in beverly hills). she even waits around these days to see what kind of card i've made.
I'd say, adding texture to "plain layers" by
1. sponging/DTP ink on the edges
2. applying pastels with a cotton ball one shade darker than the cardstock color
3. Stamping with "texture" stamp (ie. Wonderful Weaves, any background or pattern stamp "brick" from Paint prints, "dotted square" from All Natural...)
I like to use punches on the edges and little windows in my cards. I like crimping too, my daughter found several different design type crimpers but they are not SU so I guess I won't be using them any more. Oh and I use the scissors for decorative edges.
My preference is toward more 'earthy' cards (the pastel/girly ones are hardest for me to get done) but love to use -
- layers
- torn paper
- crumpled paper (smoothed out)
- rolled edges (moisten the edges a bit & roll with fingers or around anything to get the look you want)
- twines, leather pieces, raffia, shoestrings (plain colors or anything interesting), yarns
- wire, paper clips (colored, striped, any shape/size)
- (real) hardware [the guys in the hardware stores think I'm nuts but they laugh)
- key tags
- meshes (from the fabric store - stuff used for hooking rugs, needlepoint, crinolin, etc)
Absolutely anything!!
Santakitty
Not sure there is anything left. I read it fast.... but has anyone said tags?
Also, I think the layouts given on the weekly sketch challenges have helped me. Often when I have things designed with unity, it needs less sprucing up.
Great thread. I am going to use some of these ideas and put together a tip sheet to offer newbies at workshops. Thanks. I have to say when I look back at my early cards they look sterile and to precise. Texture makes the difference; DTP, backgrounds and embellishments!
Sandy
Vellum! And mulberry paper! oh, there's so much out there.
Hitting the hardware store is a great idea. For all you non-sewers, do you realize that you can buy twill tape in the sewing dept. way cheaper? Comes in different widths & in white & natural for about $1.40 for 3 yards.... ;)
What awesome ideas everyone has! Love them all. The ones I use most that are background stamps, brads and ribbon.
I think though, that the most important thing to "add" to the card is to think about the layout. A great layout makes the biggest difference in my humble opinion. That's why I love the sketch challenges so much!
I'm a technique girl...I think adding a simple technique to a card is WOW...something like Kissing, dtp, brayer tech, crimping, poppin pastels, there are so many simple techniques out there...it's easy to add SOMETHING! ;)
Top 10 Oomph-Adders for Cardmakers...
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