Going from simple to clean and simple

[kmccullo]

OK here is my question. I cruise the galleries and see some wonderful clean and simple cards that are stunning. I try to do something similar with my own, but they seem to just come up simple and not as tied together. So what is the trick. How do you go from simple and blah to clean, simple and stunning?

Thanks!

[thecardpixie]

I don't always do clean and simple, but when I do, I try alot of different embellishments up to it before I decide on one. Sometimes this helps me feel like I have found the "perfect" thing for the card!

[stamps&cars]

I have that problem too.....I just can't do simple but I sure do like it!

[Joan B]

These are the hardest cards to make well, IMHO. It takes such an eye for design. My suggestion is to study those that you really like and look for common elements in the design. Of course, I do that and still can't pull it off!

[LateBlossom]

Here's a thread I started late last year with the exact same question and the word doc I compiled all the advice into.

Forums at Splitcoaststampers

Going from Blah to Beautiful.doc

Hope this helps!

[kmccullo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LateBlossom

Here's a thread I started late last year with the exact same question and the word doc I compiled all the advice into.

Forums at Splitcoaststampers

Attachment 92148

Hope this helps!

This is great!!!!!

[Paula Anne]

Great thread. Being new, I dont' have the supplies that many of you have, and I am not going to go and over-buy at this point. So, looking for the simple and clean and elegant, are my focus. There's lots to look at.
My stock is being delivered next week, so hopefully I will be able to post a few designs before too long.

Thanks for the great links and thread.

Hugs,
Paula

[bettyjoanes]

thanks for this thread. I have only been able to by a few stamps so far. Looking forward to ggetting my paper and inks next month.. the document will be invaluable for me!

[JulieHRR]

I like to think my designs are becoming more clean and simple as I go.

I want to encourage you that you CAN be at one end of the spectrum, or somewhere in the middle, and work towards a different end. I have to practice, but, I'm getting there! :grin:

{{{{{{{{{kmcullo}}}}}}}}}}}

[xiunyuki]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

I like to think my designs are becoming more clean and simple as I go.

I want to encourage you that you CAN be at one end of the spectrum, or somewhere in the middle, and work towards a different end. I have to practice, but, I'm getting there! :grin:

{{{{{{{{{kmcullo}}}}}}}}}}}

oh, Julie...you're SOOOOOO there! lol...how modest!

[LateBlossom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

I like to think my designs are becoming more clean and simple as I go.

I want to encourage you that you CAN be at one end of the spectrum, or somewhere in the middle, and work towards a different end. I have to practice, but, I'm getting there! :grin:

{{{{{{{{{kmcullo}}}}}}}}}}}

Ha, ha, ha! You are soooo funny! I just love your modesty, but honey, you ROCK!


For newbies who may not know, Julie is the QUEEN of clean and simple. Heck, she teaches the class on it! Check out her gallery and her blog and her publications....

[cardsbyjo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LateBlossom

For newbies who may not know, Julie is the QUEEN of clean and simple. Heck, she teaches the class on it! Check out her gallery and her blog and her publications....

Amen to that!! Julie IS the best at at clean and simple. I always look to her for inspiriation! :-D

[braesmom]

Thanks for asking this question. I love the clean and simple cards. I like to get inspired by looking at everyone else's cards. I just started making cards, and I am hooked.

[austamper]

I think my style is very simple and I hope clean and stunning. I don't know how I do it it's just my style. I would love to get more complex and I see some cards and think WHY didn't I think of that?? haha.

[Girlie Girl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LateBlossom

Ha, ha, ha! You are soooo funny! I just love your modesty, but honey, you ROCK!


For newbies who may not know, Julie is the QUEEN of clean and simple. Heck, she teaches the class on it! Check out her gallery and her blog and her publications....

Um...LateBlossom, you are a QUEEN to me and my mom. We love to oogle and google over your cards.

Run, don't walk to her gallery if you haven't seen it.

Oh and Julie, we have been fans of yours forever too!

You girls rock!

[wayleng]

What a great thread - I just made a card last night that was simple and nice. But both I and my DH thought it was just missing something. Thanks for the document. I'll definitely be reading it.

[austamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LateBlossom

Ha, ha, ha! You are soooo funny! I just love your modesty, but honey, you ROCK!


For newbies who may not know, Julie is the QUEEN of clean and simple. Heck, she teaches the class on it! Check out her gallery and her blog and her publications....

Julie is my idol and one that I try to imitate as much as possible. Don't come close yet but still hoping. ;)

[LateBlossom]

Pam, thanks for the nice compliment! You made my day!

wayleng, when you finish your card, would you post a link to it here so we can see what you did? You don't have a gallery yet, so jump on board!

[stampsforfun2]

LateBlossom, I just visited your gallery and your cards are stunning. Thank you for sharing with us. Also, I just printed out your tips document. This is wonderful Thanks

[hskelly]

LateBlossom - I favorited half of your gallery! Your CAS rocks!!

[stampinsista!]

One of the things I found to be important when creating a plain and simple card is having matching papers and ribbon. The look should be tied together with 1 theme.. usually color for me.

[LateBlossom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampinsista!

One of the things I found to be important when creating a plain and simple card is having matching papers and ribbon. The look should be tied together with 1 theme.. usually color for me.

Simone, your gallery is fabulous! And I totally agree with your advice--matchy-matchy is a good thing for keeping it simple and unifying a simple card.

[Erica Fields]

I hope I'm doing this correctly. Here's a link to a card in a blog that really fits my idea of simplity in a card. Tell me this isn't just right???!!
http://dawnmcvey.typepad.com/these_a...uick-easy

[Girlie Girl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erica Fields

I hope I'm doing this correctly. Here's a link to a card in a blog that really fits my idea of simplity in a card. Tell me this isn't just right???!!
http://dawnmcvey.typepad.com/these_a...uick-easy.html

OH MY GRAVY....What a fantastic BLOG. I'll be here all night! Thanks for posting.

[LateBlossom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erica Fields

I hope I'm doing this correctly. Here's a link to a card in a blog that really fits my idea of simplity in a card. Tell me this isn't just right???!!
http://dawnmcvey.typepad.com/these_a...uick-easy.html

Thud. This is FANTASTIC! I bookmarked it for future study! Thanks for sharing it!

[ChristineCreations]

Some of my fav CAS girls are my partners in crime in the Dirty Dozen. And madam HRR is truly wonderful ;)

I think Krystie is amazing: Krystie Lee

And so is Amy: Rohla

And Rose Ann: CuttersCallous

As well as a DD alum Tashers

They might be some galleries to check out to get some ideas on the style. I have tried to do clean and simple, but it just doesn't suit me, and I don't seem to do it right! I think you have to have a really strong grasp of design and use elements that are crisp and stand out well as well as great color details.

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristineCreations

Some of my fav CAS girls are my partners in crime in the Dirty Dozen. And madam HRR is truly wonderful ;)

I think Krystie is amazing: Krystie Lee

And so is Amy: Rohla

And Rose Ann: CuttersCallous

As well as a DD alum Tashers

They might be some galleries to check out to get some ideas on the style. I have tried to do clean and simple, but it just doesn't suit me, and I don't seem to do it right! I think you have to have a really strong grasp of design and use elements that are crisp and stand out well as well as great color details.

I think Christine-style is pretty marvelous! ;) You do it so beautimously!

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hskelly

LateBlossom - I favorited half of your gallery! Your CAS rocks!!

I know!!! (Monica voice)


:mrgreen:

[stampincuzILuv2]

Check out this awesome card made by Tracy!! If you check out her blog you will be amazed!! Her style is clean simple wow
http://durcandesigns.typepad.com/sta...ment-112281904

[monniegirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LateBlossom

Here's a thread I started late last year with the exact same question and the word doc I compiled all the advice into.

Forums at Splitcoaststampers

Attachment 92148

Hope this helps!

This awesome!!! Please let us know when you update this too !! Thank-You so much for sharing

[LateBlossom]

I love that people are posting links to their fave CAS blogs here! So much inspiration and amazing talent.... Thanks!

[mamatygress]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristineCreations

They might be some galleries to check out to get some ideas on the style. I have tried to do clean and simple, but it just doesn't suit me, and I don't seem to do it right! I think you have to have a really strong grasp of design and use elements that are crisp and stand out well as well as great color details.

I don't think it matters so much whether you do clean and simple or busy and beautiful, as long as you like your cards. I've seen both styles and loved many cards from both. I tend to prefer to make the busy ones, but I like both.

[LateBlossom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamatygress

I don't think it matters so much whether you do clean and simple or busy and beautiful, as long as you like your cards. I've seen both styles and loved many cards from both. I tend to prefer to make the busy ones, but I like both.

Well said!

[carla36301]

Here is a card I made that is what I call simple:
Simple Sympathy by carla36301 at Splitcoaststampers

[Girlie Girl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carla36301

Here is a card I made that is what I call simple:
Simple Sympathy by carla36301 at Splitcoaststampers

Your card is stunning!

[braesmom]

Thanks for blog site, it is great. Nice card, very simple but pretty.

[Girlie Girl]

Stop the links...Stop the madness...I'll never get off this computer!!!! I am on my 3rd cup of coffee while I've been on this morning. My kids are hungry, my DH is grumpy....I just can't stop looking..AAAaaargh!

[braesmom]

I hear that. Thankfully my kids are watching cartoons and not fighting right now.

[Girlie Girl]

I just realized that nobody has mentioned Kristina yet. Just in case somebody hasen't seen her before, here is a link to another fabulous gallery. starofmay's Gallery at Splitcoaststampers

Her blog is one of the best I have found. http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/

[Tracy-Stamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampincuzILuv2

Check out this awesome card made by Tracy!! If you check out her blog you will be amazed!! Her style is clean simple wow
http://durcandesigns.typepad.com/sta...ment-112281904

Thanks Dee! I really liked how that card came out