May Linky Party, "One Stamp 2 Ways"

Here we are, another Linky Party. With wedding season coming up I thought I would create 2 cards that could be used to celebrate a Wedding, Anniversary, or Engagement. I would like to show you 2 totally different styles which create great diversity using the same image. A brief tutorial explaining "CAS" (Clean and Simple) and it's 180 degree opposite, "Shabby Chic" styles will follow. I decided to use a simple line drawing type stamp that would satisfy the CAS card and have a romantic feel to satisfy both the Shabby Chic style and also this month's romantic theme.

Clean and Simple

The image, CraftySecrets clear art stamp"Cherish" was stamped and embossed in silver and lightly coloured with magenta and lavender. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. I used a background paper I have been hoarding for a while. The frames were all created by drawing lines with an embossing pen and silver embossing powder. It's finished off with a bit of lavender ribbon and a pearl.

Shabby Chic

The same image also stamped and embossed in silver. Starting from the back layer the grey paper was printed with an image from Crafty Secrets CD2. The next layer is white card stock embossed with a sizzix swiss dot folder and a silver ink pad swiped over the surface. The music layer is an Anna Griffiths stamp once again stamped and embossed in silver. The top layer is Crafty Secrets "Blue Damask"( Don't let the colour fool you. I use microsoft word and I changed the colour palette to sepia and white.) The white frame is a sizzix folder but I cut it down. The image is coloured with taupe and cream copics and the moon is painted with a pearl glaze and then the whole thing is fussy cut. I stamped the couple and blossom branch twice and fussy cut again and popped up.  The leaves are a "no name" stamp, stamped and embossed in silver and then fussy cut. The roses are a sizzix die and used up the leftovers from the music panel. All paper edges were distressed.

TUTORIAL

WHAT DEFINES A CAS CARD? It is the equivalent of the "little black dress". It's elegant, understated and is the epitome of, less is more! The main objective is that the main image or sentiment is easily visible and is set in a large ground of white space. This doesn't mean literally "white" but rather background or undecorated space. With a CAS card you should be able to take it all in with one glance. Although less time usually goes into making a CAS card this doesn't mean it requires less skill, graphic skills are very important in placing or angling images. Alittle sparkle is fine as is ribbon, but a simple well tied bow versus a triple bow with tails. For me it's as much about what not to do...stay away from the rhinestones,pearls, ribbon, edge distresser, fussy cutting, flowers, and multiple layers. It's all about editing. Coco Chanel said it best "When accessorizing, always take off the last thing you put on" 

-one main image

-white space

-limited embellishments

-limited layers

-quick and easy

WHAT DEFINES A SHABBY CHIC CARD? This general style began in England in the 1980's as a definition for fine furnishings which were worn and faded but still viable. Slightly faded chintz sofas and curtains were considered "unassuming good taste". Shabby Chic is a soft opulent style where the objects used are chosen for their appearance of age and wear, or new items are distressed to take on this appearance. The colours are usually pure white, ecrus, pale pastels, or worn looking floral patterns. To create this look tea staining or deliberate bleaching are 2 techniques used. Papers which look like linen or damask, roses and angels, anything romantic are appropriate. Paper edges should be torn or distressed and even better is to also ink the edges. Pearls and lace are perfect embellishments better yet if they are tea stained. Start a collection of vintage buttons if you haven't already. Cut every bit of lace off old clothes. Use pastel colours and if the colour is too intense sand some of the colour and pattern off. If you are not already comfortable creating in this style start with your image and collect 3 papers that enhance either the colours or subject of the image. Find some thematic element in either your image or papers and enhance that theme with embellishments.  

-multiple layers 

-distressed and inked edges

-light or faded colours

-roses (flowers) or angels

-very embellished (lace, ribbon, buttons, tickets, keys, hearts, pearls, rhinestones, old jewellery, etc)

-romantic

-tea staining

-sanding

We all develop a so called style of our own as we craft. My own style is probably about half way between CAS and Shabby Chic. I always start with my main image and I like to colour so usually choose something that would be fun to work with. The next thing I choose is my background paper, rarely selecting more than 2 papers to layer. My eye tells me where to stop with the embellishments. I call my style "vintage smorgasbord". There is never a plan when I start but I collect all the papers and embellishments that could work with my image and play around until I like it. My cards evolve, they are not created.

Please come and join our May Linky Party where you can add a sample(s) you've created using any of our products and receive a $6.00 coupon and one random.org winner will get a $50.00 gift card!

Thanks for visiting Paper Pass Times.

Make sure you visit the rest of the design team! 

Kathy Clement Team Leader

Vicki Chrisman

Michele Kovack - 300+ Gallery!

Darlene Pavlick

Sheila Rumney

Cherry Nelson

Cheers, Elizabeth