Monday, August 22, 2011

Sound Off!

I wanted to take a minute and sound off in response to a letter to the Editor printed in Scrap & Stamp Art magazine.  Without going in details the writer implied that cards without the use of stamping required little talent.  I strongly object to that, as no matter what media is used the card requires the use of a strong sense of design ... which is talent!  Yes, I agree that certain media create a wow factor but that does not mean the card maker does not have to apply their own imagination or TALENT to put the card together.


This card uses pencil coloring, stamping, rub-ons and stickers, all which work individually but when put together do so much better.  The background is created by layering a solid colored paper (American Crafts) over a patterned paper (DCWV).  The edges and corners of the solid colored paper were distressed using a light olive coloring pencil. The nest (E.K. Success/Inkadinkado) was stamped in grey ink and then colored with markers and pencils.  the nest actually has a butterfly instead of a bird perched on it's edge ... I colored the butterfly green to make it look like leaves.  The 3D bird and eggs paper stickers (E.K. Success/K&Company) cover the stamped butterfly and eggs.  The 3D dogwood flowers (E.K. Success/Jolee's Boutique) cover the stamped flowers.  The rub-on text (E.K. Success/K&Company)  was chosen not only for what it says but also for it's color (green) and the associated flourishes.  I created my own matching flourishes on the opposite side of the nest using coloring pencils.

Yes the stamped nest contained eggs, flowers and a butterfly instead of a bird and I could have stamped a similar looking text.  To me that would have been a very flat and dull looking card compared to this 3D multi medium gem.

2 comments:

  1. Yea!!! You tell 'em! You are absolutely right and your cards is stunning!

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  2. I don't read Scrap & Stamp Magazine but as a professional designer (with a BFA from Parson's School of Design) I couldn't agree with you more John. The editor seems to imply that so long as you use the right materials and techniques the end result will be good. This couldn't be farther from the truth. I would go so far to say that no amount of expensive supplies or fancy techniques will compensate for a poorly designed card. Good design takes an understanding of the principle and elements of design and the skill and talent to apply them well.

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