Patterned Play Class- Day 4

This day's lesson involved using simple touches to add to patterns in the paper.  The other technique for the day also included using Picket Fence Distress Stain to white wash patterned papers to soften the pattern and have them fit together.

The two navy pieces are from the Glitz Vintage Blue paper pack.  The red piece is from the Prima Madeline paper pack.  The maroon piece is from the Prima paper pack Botanicals.  It was difficult to get a good picture to see how much I didn't like the patterns and colors together.  There's just too much going on here.

I started by using the Picket Fence to wash over the top of these paper scraps.  After using my Quickutz dies to cut out the flower shapes, I tried arranging them on the monochromatic patterned paper.  It took a little to figure out how the flowers go together.

I used another of the tricks I've read in other places... the Fibonacci number sequence is naturally occurring in nature. If you observe many clusters of leaves, number of petals in a flower, etc. the number is almost always (there are exceptions, this is just the "rule") within the sequence.  The numbers are found by adding the previous two numbers in the sequence.  It starts with 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, etc.  Essentially, there is an order to the grouping of items and this order is attractive to the human eye.  I've sometimes used it to fix scrapbook layouts and/or card designs that aren't quite right, but I can't exactly place why.  Even grouping items together works- like having 4 of anything, which is not Fibonacci and making two groups of two- suddenly it works.  So, here I started with three flowers... too little.  By adding the other two, suddenly it worked.

I did some more hand drawing of the stems using my Vintage Photo Distress Marker.  The card looked a little plain, so I used the iRock to place the bling on the polka dotted flower and it seemed to meet my class requirements (add small touches to the patterned paper) and finish the card off properly.

The inside of the card is finished with an unaltered strip of the navy patterned paper.  The sentiment comes from A Close to My Heart stamp.  It is a quote stamp that takes up a great deal of space.  I simply inked the first word "Happiness" on the front layer and the last two "A Journey" on the inside of the card. 

I don't think it is my favorite from last week, but it stretched me, gave me some ideas for using my Picket Fence and I've finished one more post of my work.  I've one more lesson to cover.. we'll see whether I get it done :).   Does it help to mention that I've accomplished a lot at work?

Time's running out, this is just a way to remind you that if you haven't commented on the recent post regarding our blog milestone, please click the link provided.  Each comment is a chance to win some blog candy.  All comments must be received by midnight of March 31st, 2013.  We're a small blog, so the chances are large, you could be a winner!

Andie

Pattern Play Day 1- Thinking of You

I just had to share this card with you all.  It represents a stretching of my natural comfort zone and a final result I am so pleased with.  The lesson for this day was to plan your card out using patterned papers to create visual effects.  The example card used three circles with different patterned papers filling the negative space.  I didn't have the same dies, so this is my take on the card.  My circle die is from my old Quickutz set that creates a circle frame leaving the three empty spots and then a smaller circle to be placed inside.  I thought the pattern very busy, so I ended up using two coordinating pieces of paper with a bit bolder print.



I had an epic fail version where I tried to stamp a border onto the kraft paper.  I really didn't like the result- the border patter was too busy, the ink too dark once stamped on the kraft paper.

I think you are compelled to agree with me- this didn't work.  I found a scrap of blue paper from the Prima Madeline paper pack and slid it in place... magic.  I cut the piece down to size, edged everything in Vintage Photo Distress Ink and I think we have a winner.

The sentiment stamp comes from a Close to My Heart set.  The circle "frame" is adhered using foam tape.  I selected the orientation to create some uniformity for my matchy, matchy eye by rotating the wheat sheaf to move toward the left in the top circle and toward the right in the bottom circle.  A final piece of twine and the card is finished. 


Time passes so quickly.  Just a reminder, don't forget to comment on our post regarding a milestone for our blog.  Click the link provided and leave a comment before March 31st, 2013.  Blog candy is available to you should you win the random drawing!

Andie

Pattern Play Day 2

Still catching up on posts of cards made from the Patterned Play card class.  Although the instruction has ended, you can still enjoy the online experience if you register and post questions to the forum and post pictures of your final creation til April 8th.  It is a great group of crafters coming from many different backgrounds across the world.  Plus, you have lifetime access to the content even after the forum and galleries are closed that you can use for inspiration and further honing of your skills.  Click through the link for more information.

This happy hello was created because I couldn't find a stamp that worked for the suggested technique.  So, I punted.  The technique involves stamping on a small print patterned paper, fussy cutting the image out and then layering multiple versions on top of one another for a 3D flower.  I found that I don't own a stamp that is either 1) large enough or 2) creates beautiful layers.  So, I picked up the large pattern print that I had previously cut a portion of the 12 x 12 page out and looked for several intact (no other images layered over a random petal, etc.) flowers that could be layered.  I did find that within the same 12 x 12 sheet some flowers were right facing while others were left facing.  If you are going to fussy cut and layer, you'll need them all to face the same direction.  I cut the middle and top layers from two different flowers on the sheet.  I edged each layer with my Worn Lipstick Distress Marker which totally covers up any messy fussy cuts.  The center was edged with my Rusty Hinge Distress Marker.

The background paper was the "b" side of the same sheet of 12 x 12 paper, making it so that I've consumed 1 1/2 of the 3 pieces of this paper that I own.  Yay for using up the stash!  The smaller flowers were cut from the same sheet as well and layered in the same method.  The sentiment was stamped using a old rubber stamp set on the "b" side of a coordinating paper.  I simply folded the strip and glued down onto the paper to create the 3D effect of the banner.  Lastly the stems were hand drawn (Brandy- you'll be proud of my crafty self going out on a limb like "drawing" on my card!) using one of my Distress Markers (I forget which one).

The inside was dressed with a thin strip of the coordinating paper and the last fussy cut flower from the bunch.  I super like how this turned out too.  I think maybe I just like this paper, because I've enjoyed all three cards made with the same set of papers (here and here for the others).

By the way, if you haven't commented on our recent post regarding our blog milestone, please click the link provided.  Blog candy is available to you should you win the random drawing!  You must comment by midnight March 31st, 2013 to win!.

Andie

Pattern Play- Day 4 Altering Patterned Paper

This day's lesson is on using methods to modify the patterned paper.  The challenge was to use tricks like glitter, sewing, etc. to modify the patterned paper.  In this card, I used a Pearl Pen to alter cream colored polka dots on this striped paper .  The cool part is that the dots were uneven and non-uniform.  This helps my shaky handed, non-uniform application of the pearl pen.

The sentiment came from an old Martha Stewart stamp set (I wouldn't recommend her older sets as this one can be tough to use).  The size was just perfect to create a subtle sentiment on that paper strip.  I used Seedless Preserved Distress ink to stamp and edge the patterned paper.  The cream cardstock strip was altered with Scattered Straw Distress Ink.  The tiny flower was fussy cut from a spare scrap of the flower patterned paper.  I edged this very small piece with the Seedless Preserves as well which covered up a bit of my shaky handed cutting on the small piece of paper.  I didn't snap a picture of the inside, but I used a small strip of the same strip to finish the inside with a coordinating cream cardstock piece replicating that detail from the front.

Although class is over, I am going to try to diligently post the remaining cards this week.  Work is being a bit of a challenge so I won't promise, just try diligently.  If you haven't taken a look at the Pattern Play class yet, it is not too late.  I've enjoyed this class, though it is a bit shorter than my previously classes.  You can still participate by watching the daily videos and posting your works.  Click through the link to find out more information. 

By the way, if you haven't commented on our recent post regarding our blog milestone, please click the link provided.  Blog candy is available to you should you win the random drawing!  Enter by Sunday, March 31st to win.

Andie

Patterned Paper Class- Day 3

Day 3 of my Patterned Paper class covered using bold patterned paper.  I am not so sure how I succeeded in using bold paper on this card.  The tip that I was striving for was to use a bold  pattern to create accent pieces for your card.  these three circles were actually cut from the bolder side of these papers and I just loved how these softer patterns looked together (that flower was so accidentally cut, you probably don't believe it wasn't on purpose).  The Hello stamp comes from my Hero Arts Luscious Frames set.  It fit well, so I went with it.

Everything is edged in Fired Brick Distress stain.  I picked a flower from the stamp set and stamped one on the inside corner.  Then I realized the card didn't fit in the envelope I chose so I cut the card down.  Only then did I realize  I cut the flower off.  So, I added two more stamped flowers to create a bundle that *maybe* doesn't look like I'm a dork.

Super simple, but I  really like how it finished.  Not overwhelming and just the right sentiment.

By the way, if you haven't commented on our recent post regarding our blog milestone, please click the link provided.  Blog candy is available to you should you win the random drawing!

Andie

Patterned Paper Class- Day 1

I'm going back through and trying to post the work I've completed through the week on my online card class, Pattern Play.  This card was made following the formula that Kristina provided.  She cautioned against the busyness that often puts one off of using different patterns together.  Basically, using a combination of a large/medium pattern with a smaller pattern and a solid or monochromatic pattern can create the kind of contrast that is appealing rather than the jarring results that can occur when you combine patterns. 

My attempt isn't a wildly different look.  However, I loved this blue print with people dancing.  It totally intimidated me, however.  As much as I liked it I couldn't envision a use that didn't cover it's lovelyness or bore you out by using only solid cardstock somehow.  So, I took a leap.  The polka dots serve here in my mind as the almost solid contributor and the stamped background on the sentiment serves as my small pattern.  The Scattered Straw Distress Ink around the edges of all pieces tie the elements making them more appealing to me.  The bow adds a focal point (to me).  I am not sure it's my best work- by happenstance I tried a similar combination in this card and it seems to have worked better.

The papers are from the Glitz 6 x 6 paper pad, Vintage Blue.  The ribbon is from the stash and the sentiment is from a Close to My Heart stamp set I've had for years.

By the way, if you haven't commented on our recent post regarding our blog milestone, please click the link provided.  Blog candy is available to you should you win the random drawing!

Andie

Patterned Paper Class- Day 3

So, I've been remiss in making blog posts for the Patterned Paper Card Class I've been taking this week.  Working and crafting are a competing activity.  Blogging just gets squeezed in there where it fits.  Yesterday's class was focused on using hard to use patterns- like particularly bold patterns that seem too large for a card.  The tip of the day that really stood out to me what to split up that pattern by cutting it apart. 

Also, the concept of "placing" the image on the card.  This patterned paper comes from a 12 x 12 piece so old in the stack that no manufacturer identification is on the paper.  The paper has an embossed image that has a sheen over the top.  The picture hardly captures what I mean, but I would never have chosen this particular paper for a card.  Too much!  However, using the two tips of the day, I have to say I really like the result. 

I carefully chose the large pink flower from the 12 x 12 paper to place it strategically in the visual sweet spot (rule of thirds I learned from my reading on taking better pictures with my camera!).  Quite frankly, I should have shifted the large pink flower a little more to the right, but I would have lost the pretty blue flowers in the right bottom corner, so I fudged. 

I normally wouldn't have cut in the middle of a patterned paper either- why waste a perfectly good piece of 12 x 12 paper to "select" as spot when the paper won't work anyway (this is my monkey mind talking).  However, I have three sheets of this patterned paper in the stash that I haven't used for so long I've forgotten when and where I purchased it.  Quite frankly my ole monkey mind, it is time to put that paper to good use.  This is one of the reasons I took the class.  I need to see what I have as a resource for creating what I want rather than always looking to go shopping for more.  I don't need more, I've got a whole store in my front room. 

Nevertheless, I am quite pleased.  The sentiment comes from the Hero Arts Luscious Frames stamp set (been using that quite a lot).  I stamped with my Fired Brick Distress Ink onto a strategic scrap of the larger patterned paper and edged the piece with the same ink. 

Give those bold patterns a try- if me and my old monkey mind can do it, so can you!

Andie