Saturday, April 23, 2011

An Easel Card Challenge

Welcome back to my weekly Saturday morning post for Our Creative Corner.  This week our hostess, Vicki Burdick, is challenging us to make easel cards.  I know for the past year everyone has been wild for easel cards, but for some reason, they are not a favorite of mine.  I think it has to do with the fact that I can NEVER get a decent picture of one.  To get the entire card in the photo, you have to move back a bit farther than normal and with my little point and shoot camera, I seem to lose details.  But ever a challenge trooper, I plunged in and here is the result.  I actually like the card, but dislike the photos.  I'll give you a few close ups to help you see the details.

Where to start...that was the problem, I didn't have a clue as to what I could make when I sat down to get started.  Usually I have some nugget of an idea when the time comes to start, but not this time - no idea of colors, images, stamps, themes - nothin'...well, maybe not quite nothin' - I did have that bit of lace running across the bottom.  So with my lace in hand, I started scrolling through my vintage image digital files and came up with this sweet image of two little girls whom I envision are sisters sharing secrets.  I drew my colors from the image - a sweet blush pink and aqua/teal highlights with a bit of vintage brown tones thrown in.  That revved up my mojo and I was off and running.

The CS colors are kraft and Blush Blossom and the DP is from the same SU pack I used yesterday - retired and don't know the name.  I threw in a couple of strips of my vintage songbook, some SU glass glitter on the Spellbinders frame and then I hand dyed the applique posies and fan.  Hand dyed also are a small scrap of shabby seam binding and a crinoline/tulle flower.

What do you think?  Too much teal or a nice accent? I'm on the fence.  I like the teal, but am thinking maybe I have bit too much of that color - it really does jazz it up though, don't you think?  Whatever, I did have a sweet time dying all those fibers.  If you are looking for any of these dy-able products, hop over to my Etsy shop and...shop.


I hope you will make an easel card and join in the fun with us this week at Our Creative Corner. Be sure to stop by the blog and see the easel cards created by the rest of the design team.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and for any comment you care to leave.  

Post Update:  A reader kindly critiqued my card and suggested that I replace the deal seam binding on the tag with a neutral.  I thought it was a great suggestion so here is the modified card.  Now what do you think?  Thanks Sue, I appreciate your input!










Tutorials
Hand Dying Shabby Seam Binding
More Crinoline Flowers
Easy Apple Blossoms

Challenges Entered:
Gingersnap Creations: GC99 Random Redhead Challenge - Fans

31 comments:

  1. I don't think you used too much teal. I think it's distributed nicely in your project. You did a great job with the dying of details! Wow! Lovely card, Linda! I love the soft colors and what a sweet image and sentiment...cinderella! I likewise had no clue what I was going to do when I sat down and started doing!

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  2. OMG! So beautiful! It looks very luxury!!!

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  3. Beautiful card I think the teal really compliments the other colors . Love the softness of this card.

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  4. Lovely card! Beautiful frame for the sweet vintage image. The teal lace and embellishments are a very nice accent and bring the teal out in the photo.

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  5. Linda, as always I am in awe of your creations! I love all the little details, the different textures, the use of different products. Your card is stunning & gorgeous!
    I too sat down, and struggled. But, I love your final piece, yes, even with 'all the teal'. I think the repeated color holds the card together. And the 'frame' you glass glittered for the 'sister's' is a perfect touch!

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  6. Total Vintage Loveliness. Great job, I love shades of aqua/teal so you did wonderful layout with this.May you and yours enjoy the Blessings of Easter.

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  7. i love all the teal! of course I'm not good at being objective because all of your creations just blow me away!
    have a blessed Easter (-:
    hugs
    Linda

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  8. Another beauty, very well thought out and balanced. Your cards are always so detailed so it's very interesting to read how you go through the process.

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  9. Fabulous easel card and so full of beautiful pieces to look at and touch. I agree this type of card is really difficult to photograph. My easel cards have never looked as beautiful as yours....sigh sigh. Happy Easter my friend, Annette x

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  10. I love the teal....I love it all! The glitter on your "postcard" is perfection---where does the sentiment come from? That's perfect too!

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  11. Wow! This is a jaw dropper! I love the teal, personally. Then again, that color is one of my faves. lol. Love the glitter around the image, good stuff!

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  12. Yes I know what you mean about easel cards Linda, I don't do them either.
    Well, I am going to be the one that says "too much teal'!I do not want to offend anyone, just keep in mind this is just how I view your card.
    There is not enough constructive criticism around the blogging fraternity, how else are we going to improve and see where we have gone wrong if some suggestions of alternatives are not put forward.
    I think you should lose the teal ribbon on the sentiment and make it neutral, having said this your card is beautiful, you do it all so well.
    Smiles:)

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  13. I, of course, love your card and I think your photos look fabulous. So sorry you don't like easel cards, but you could never tell it from your fabulous vintage creation! I love the teal, I love it with the teal on the sentiment tag and love it with the neutral there as well. Both look great to me!

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  14. OH Yes Linda.
    The Sentiment now is a focus and not lost amongst the teal.
    I LOVE IT.
    Smiles:)

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  15. Beautiful card Linda, I think the teal was just right and prefer it in your first version. The colours blend together really well and with your usual style it all comes together perfectly.
    Sue C
    x

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  16. I just love this.. It Has so many yummy elements to look at..

    Happy Easter..

    Hugs, Linda

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  17. I love it! Both ways. And I think the photos are fine!

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  18. I love the teal with the tans, beautiful framing and such a pretty fan, perfect with the darling image!

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  19. Wow, this is gorgeous! I love your colors - both versions are beautiful - and the lace fan and trim are perfect for this vintage card. Thanks for playing along at Gingersnap Creations!

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  20. This is such a gorgeous piece! I can just look at it, and look at it! Lovely job.

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  21. just too wonderful. I loved the teal

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  22. Love the teal flower! The card is absolutely gorgeous!

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  23. I love your bits of teal. The lace fan is so elegant. Thank you for playing along with us at Gingersnaps Creations!!

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  24. Fabulous card!! I love how you've jazzed it up with the teal parts. I must admit it suits my eyes better with the change of seam binding ribbon colour - just awesome!!

    Thanks for sharing! :)

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  25. Beautiful! Love your colours! I love teal, I've got a soft heart for it... and I love the neutral too ! Gorgeous piece!

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  26. This is totally breathtaking!
    XO
    Cindy

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  27. Congratulations on being a Ginger Gem this really is a stunning card XOXO Zoe

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  28. Hmmm, I don't think it's POSSIBLE to use too much teal! Your card is gorgous; congratulations on being a Ginger Gem at Gingersnap Creations!!

    :)

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