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First I want to make sure that it is not "taboo" on this board to ask for design advice. I'm fairly new, so not sure of the 'etiquette' of the board. You all seem really helpful, but you're never sure unless you ask, right?
I have a card I'm working on, and I'm stuck at this point as to where to place the ribbon -- plus I feel the card looks like it needs a little more...something. Below are three pictures, each with slightly different ribbon and/or bow placements.
What does the card seem like it's missing - maybe embellishments? Or do you feel it's fine as-is? I didn't want to 'pop' up the heart, because I think it draws attention away from the two birds. But I didn't want to 'pop' the birds up, because I've already applied a thin layer of glitter glue around the circle that surrounds them. (It's hard to see the glitter glue, but I have a thin layer around top and bottom of the bird house, chimney, and the opening where the birds are).
So, please, be brutally honest, I'd love to hear any and all suggestions.
Design 1-one ribbon on top; one bottom and bow on top.
Design 2-one ribbon on top; one bottom and bow under birds.
Design 3-yellow layer moved slightly down, and one ribbon on top w/bow on top again.
Oh yeah, PS: I was going to sponge or chalk some light brown around the edges of the top layer....
And one more thing - I KNOW that top layer is not a perfect circle. I was doing a practice run, then thought, what the heck, maybe I'll just keep it a little imperfect. Be honest if you think it looks ridiculous imperfect.
i like the bottom one if you feel it needs something else
maybe crystal effects the hearts
maybe do three of those gems or brads or eyelets in the top right corner going vertically.
little sponging would be a nice touch also
isnt it fun to play
__________________ I've waited my whole life to flirt with the MOUSE
I'll go with the majority - I like #3 too. You could also try a variation of #3 - move the image to the top and put the ribbon at the bottom. Just a thought.
__________________ Mary Ann GALLERY Fan Club member since 4/08
I'd do a variation of #3 with the ribbon at the bottom instead of the top. I tend to like clean lines on the cards I make, so personally I would trim following the outline of the birdhouse leaving a little border around where you have shaded. I might pop the birdhouse up on a smaller white layer. I would sponge the edge of that white layer so it's not too stark, then I might then mount that on another layer pulling a colour from both your main image and the ribbon to tie it in with the card. HTH....
__________________ Alanna
"It's all fun and games until someone loses an eyelet..." Gallery & Blog
I like 3 the best, but my thought is because the panel with design is cut unevenly on the one side, something needs to be in that area of yellow matting. Maybe fold the yellow corner down on the right top edge? Add a brad there too? Or instead of that, its kind of an awkward shape, add another mat underneath that has torn edges that come out more on the one side (right side) Is that making sense? Or curl and distress the underneath panel , so its not so 'clean', I think that would go better with the cutout shape.
I like the idea of popping the bird up too! More dimension.
Sweet treehouse design!
You have some real potential to make a card that sings!
The coloring on the image is divine, and the ribbon colors are perfect with the image.
Here's the brutal honest part: I don't think the trimming around the birdhouse highlights the image to its best advantage. [ But that's me...I'm an engineer and I am drawn to clean and simple lines. ]
If you want to keep it that way, I agree with Inkalicious that you need some type of embellishment in the upper right corner....maybe that is where a ribbon knot/bow should go?
If you are not set on keeping it the way it is, I agree with al_silver2 and I would trim around the birdhouse, and use dimensionals to pop it up on another layer. The image is so beautiful the way you colored it....you want to make sure it is the first thing your eyes go to!
Please post your revised version....we'd love to see it!
I like 3 the best, but I'm kind of thrown off by the uneven cutting of the background, but its not ridiculous I think it might look cute if you cut out the image and mount it the card front and then maybe stamp another image, color the green circle, cut it out and mount it over the first one with foam tape. It will stand out and make it look like the birds are inside the bird house. I think the suggestions about adding glaze are really good also. Its a cute card and I'm just another stamper....
Well, so far, 3 has the most votes, with 2 close behind because of the ribbon underneath the birds.
I'm going to play around a little more. Trying to decide whether to keep it uneven or go for a cleaner look. I'll try a layer of torn paper underneath first (thanks, Inkalicious!), and see how that looks. If it's still not looking good, I'll probably trim the design as Alanna and Beth pointed out. Beth, you make a good point about wanting the eyes to go right to the birdhouse. That is exactly where I DO want them to go.
Ok, I'll play around with it a little more tomorrow, and will post an update.
Thanks again!
Edited to add, Stamphappy, we cross-posted. I like your advice about the green circle.
Going to play now...
ok...I'm late here, but I'll throw in my two cents worth. I like #2 best...love the ribbon under the bird house. I don't like the cutout of the bird house. I would tend to rip, rather than use a decorative scissor...because the birdhouse is out in nature...(bad reason?). To have a perfect cut border, but a totally unbalanced shape...it just looks like a mistake, and you couldn't get it any better. I would also add another layer, and 3 brads in the corner....or maybe some music notes? I like the coloring, colors, and ribbons!!!
You have some real potential to make a card that sings!
The coloring on the image is divine, and the ribbon colors are perfect with the image.
Here's the brutal honest part: I don't think the trimming around the birdhouse highlights the image to its best advantage. [ But that's me...I'm an engineer and I am drawn to clean and simple lines. ]
If you want to keep it that way, I agree with Inkalicious that you need some type of embellishment in the upper right corner....maybe that is where a ribbon knot/bow should go?
If you are not set on keeping it the way it is, I agree with al_silver2 and I would trim around the birdhouse, and use dimensionals to pop it up on another layer. The image is so beautiful the way you colored it....you want to make sure it is the first thing your eyes go to!
Please post your revised version....we'd love to see it!
And WELCOME TO SCS!!! :-D :-D :-D
I totally agree with this and want to echo the Welcome to SCS too!:-D
my favorite is number 2, with the bow underneath the birds.
I'd either Crystal effects the birds or cut them out and pop them up on Dimensionals. Maybe a little glitter on the hearts as well..even just outlining the largest one like the house itself is done.
You have some real potential to make a card that sings!
The coloring on the image is divine, and the ribbon colors are perfect with the image.
Here's the brutal honest part: I don't think the trimming around the birdhouse highlights the image to its best advantage. [ But that's me...I'm an engineer and I am drawn to clean and simple lines. ]
If you want to keep it that way, I agree with Inkalicious that you need some type of embellishment in the upper right corner....maybe that is where a ribbon knot/bow should go?
If you are not set on keeping it the way it is, I agree with al_silver2 and I would trim around the birdhouse, and use dimensionals to pop it up on another layer. The image is so beautiful the way you colored it....you want to make sure it is the first thing your eyes go to!
Please post your revised version....we'd love to see it!
And WELCOME TO SCS!!! :-D :-D :-D
I'm loving your coloring too! What a sweet image.
I would agree that you need to trim the bird house out. That will make it the true focal point. If you want to still shade around it (which I love), you can stamp your birdhouse again on a post it note and cut it out. Then lay that post-it on top of the colored image and "mask" it. Then shade around it onto your background piece. That puts your shading on the white piece beneath. Then adhere your image with pop dots or dimensionals and your birdhouse will appear to be 3-d!
Ooops, I forgot to add that you could use your mustard piece to make a layer under the white and show an 1/8 of an inch around the base white piece. That would make your little hearts that color also and bring it all together.
I'd agree with the layer the stamped image is on not being quite right - but if you want to use it as it is, the sponging you are going to do should make a big difference. I'd sponge the yellow layer too. As far as the various layouts go, I like the 3rd one best myself.
Looking forward to seeing what you ended you with. It's a great help bouncing an idea off other people, helps you clarify how you feel yourself as well as getting loads of constructive input.
Hi Renee! Where in Central NJ are you? I, too, am in Central NJ, not far from Princeton.
I like #3 as well. My first thought was to add something like a "popped up" little circle that the birds are in (the birdhouse "door")...then I decided that this was because my eyes weren't first drawn to them. I love sponging, so that may be what is needed, as you were thinking. Anyway...
Welcome! If we're close enough, stamping together wouldn't be out of the question!
__________________ **Rock is dead. Long live paper & scissors**
Thank you all so much for giving me such good advice. I did decide to trim the birdhouse after all. I tried quite a few different things with the piece that was cut un-evenly, and none of them made the birdhouse or the birds really "pop" and that is the effect I want.
So, now that it's trimmed, it's time for me to work on backgrounds, and I think I will cut the little circle out and pop that up, and maybe even pop the birdhouse up for a 3D effect. I like the idea of putting a little shimmer on the hearts also. Great ideas from all of you.
Personally, I like #3 the best, but I would do the following:
1) trim around the image a little more. And then ink the edges.
2) Use some of the little adhesive gems for the eyes of the birds - it will make them stand out more.
3) You could do like one of the ladies mentioned and add some crystal effects to the hearts.
It's a beautiful image. I love the colors you've used. Let us know how it turns out.
Good luck.
Did somebody say cut out a whole other bird house and then cut out the circle so the birds are "inside"? I think that would be cute (and way more work than I am willing to invest!)
Your coloring is so fabulous I didn't really notice the ribbon one way or the other. I like the punched out hearts and could live without the uneven layer, or agree to try it ripped.. The shading and sponging around the birdhouse are really lovely, too.
Keep us posted to the final, final card. (And don't throw any of the other perfectly lovely ones away!)
I like #1 the best. It looks like the ribbon "fits" there. But I also like the bow under the house in #2. I guess if it was me, I'd have two bows on the card (#1 and #2).
I love that image and how you coloured it!!! What company makes it??
I like number 3 the best. I think it's a good idea to sponge the edges of the white paper to create a more soft look. As for the heart in the center, I might stamp the image again on a separate piece of paper and cut it out and use a dimensional on the back to sort of make it pop a bit to give the more dimension.
Just my two cents...
Just saw this thread--I am looking forward to seeing your final version. You did a wonderful job coloring it, and I also want to know where the main image comes from!
Sharon
__________________ Sharon My blog Love yourself. You are worth it.
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You've already received lots of great advice (I would cut out the birdhouse, too), but my eyes were really drawn to the sweet little ribbon bow underneath the birds----so cute!
Can I ask for design advice (3 pics)
