Friday, August 29, 2014

MFT- Spooky

I mentioned in my last post that I've been trying to put some effort into having some simpler designs that I could use to create card sets. I'm very much make-it-up-as-I-go when it comes to cardmaking, which is both wonderful and frustrating. It's wonderful because I end up with a design that's completely unique and inspired. It's frustrating because I can never replicate it entirely or turn it into a set. So, I continue with my quest to find some classic and simple designs I can use for card sets.

My friend Kylie suggested a while ago that I should take part in some of the weekly MFT designer sketch challenges, and I thought it would be the perfect way to explore the card set idea and grab a few go-to designs.

This week, the sketch was a pretty simple one:
As I was going through my MFT stamps, I decided to use the newest Birdie Brown - Witch Way Is The Candy stamp set - and make a Halloween card. I know, Halloween is some time away, but it never hurts to be prepared!

I started by creating a background panel out of MFT's Limeade cardstock by cutting a rectangle panel to measure 3 3/4 by 5". I then took out MFT's Striped Background cling stamp and inked it with Limeade hybrid ink for a tone-on-tone look.

Witch Way Is The Candy has a few adorable critters, but I finally settled on the cat. After stamping her onto some Copic marker paper with Black Licorice hybrid ink, I colored her in with Copics. I chose to make her a black cat, and colored the bow in orange. Although the set has a coordinating die, I didn't have it - so I cut around the cat with my scissors, leaving a small white border.

I grabbed my Bigshot and MFT's Stitched Circle STAX dies to cut out two circles - one in black, one in orange. I layered them together with my standard dot adhesive, and added the cat with foam squares.

I cut out two black strips and one wider orange strip with my paper trimmer. I adhered them to the striped panel at an angle with my standard dot adhesive, then added the circles and the cat in the bottom left corner. While I had my paper trimmer out, I cut and scored half of the black cardstock sheet to create a standard top-folding A2 card (4 1/4 by 5 1/2").

I wanted to add another layer between the card base and the striped panel. I tried a few color combinations, but finally decided on another Limeade panel - this time measuring 4" by 5 1/4". I used some foam squares to adhere the two panels together, then adhered it to the card front.

Lastly came the sentiment. I really like how clean and simple the rest of the card looked, so I decided to use some white sticker letters from Basic Grey to spell out the word "spooky". I made sure the letters were not set in a straight line for a bit of a whimsical touch.

Supplies:
My Favorite Things Birdie Brown: Witch Way Is The Candy stamp set
My Favorite Things BG Striped Background cling stamp set
My Favorite Things Heavy Cardstock in Limeade
My Favorite Things Hybrid Ink in Limeade and Black Licorice
My Favorite Things Stitched Circle STAX dies
Copic Mini Marker Pad 70lbs
Avery Elle New Moon cardstock
Simon Says Stamp Orange Peel cardstock
Basic Grey White sticker letters
Tombow Dot Adhesive Runner (pink)
Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares
Copics (R22, Y15, BV13, BV25, BV29, YR14, YR68)

4 comments:

  1. This is so cute! I also make things up as I go, so I understand the struggle when it come to trying to replicate cards. Love your idea to try and find simpler designs that are easy to reproduce!
    You did a perfect job on this card!
    <3 Emily L.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Emily! I'm so glad you like the card. :)

      There are definitely some pros to doing unique cards. You know they're one-of-a-kind, and that makes them that much more special. And you are completely free to mix things up with the next card and go for a completely different style. It's pretty awesome for creativity!

      But I do want to give away a couple of sets for Christmas and I like the idea of all of them matching - so it's like a stationary set.

      If you come up with any simple designs or practice with cards you could reproduce, definitely pop over and let me know! I'd love to check them out. :)

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    2. So glad to see you entered the MFT challenge! And you knocked it out of the ballpark too. It's a fantastic card. The little cat is coloured to perfection and I love how you did the sentiment too. Good luck!

      I can totally relate to your struggles. I do think the sketches might be the way to go to simplify things. Certainly cannot hurt anyway!

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    3. Thank you, Kylie! It's really fun to enter a challenge every now and then. I really ought to do it more often, but I keep forgetting to. I'm glad I read about this challenge in time. :D

      And definitely, so far the sketches are really helping. I've just got to figure out a couple of sketches that are versatile enough for any card - which is tough!

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