Which do you do first

[buddy'smama]

Pick out your image or stamp and then pick out the paper? Or do you pick out the paper first and then pick out the image or stamp?

[allee's]

I always start with the image.

[muscrat]

I pick out paper first!

[toyabrown]

Depends on the type of card I am making.

[Oddesigns]

I find that I'm at my best when I'm making a card for a particular person, for a particular reason. That means I start with the image (or sometimes a sentiment). This is why color challenges are particularly hard for me.

[cat_woman]

I usually start with my image. Though it would probably work better for me to colour co-ordinate what colours I use to colour in my image if I did pick my paper first...

[TeeGeeDee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oddesigns

I find that I'm at my best when I'm making a card for a particular person, for a particular reason. That means I start with the image (or sometimes a sentiment). This is why color challenges are particularly hard for me.

I agree ... most of my inspiration comes from the recipient so I almost always start with an image that brings that person to mind. I also try to use their favorite color if it works with the image.


However, for holiday cards I often start with patterned paper then gather coordinating card stock and embellishments. This works for me because I like my holiday cards to be coordinated but not identical. Plus the sentiment is usually on the inside or just a fairly simple one. Even if it's large enough to be the focal point this approach still works.

[arlenevita]

Usually I start with an idea and the stamps.

[Cook22]

I think image and then papers.
Very occasionally papers and then image.
But whichever I pick first, actually colouring the image is 99.99% of the time after choosing the papers so that the colours work together.

[August29]

I usually pick image first, then paper , then marker colors because I have more marker colors than paper colors and it's easier to match.
But to be honest a lot of my cards look like I picked everything in the dark..with my eyes closed..and a blindfold on.
Anna Lee

[dini]

Image first... the exception is when scraps on my desk group themselves together while I'm supposed to be cleaning my desk.

The variable for me is whether I color the image first and then look for matching papers, or find papers first and match my coloring to them.

[stamphappy1650]

It varies for each project. It can be idea, colors, image, paper, technique, die or embossing folder. Then I shop my room for suitable items that coordinate.

[RiverIsis]

I tend to create my cards to a theme, either seasonal or specifically for a person. That tends to dictate that my process is to pick my image stamp first but sometimes it is my color scheme first such as my Christmas cards last year...those were paper first with unifying cardstock and then stamp last.

That said, I have challenged myself to use all my stamps this year so that is going to be my 1st choice, but I won't limit my process if I am in the groove to mix it up a bit.

In a rut I will always pick a stamp first, I can always color a background to match my stamp if necessary.

[smhtwin]

I do it both ways - depends on what the card is for.

[SophieLaFontaine]

Lately, paper first, because I have a ton of paper that I'm trying to use up.

[jactop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stamphappy1650

It varies for each project. It can be idea, colors, image, paper, technique, die or embossing folder. Then I shop my room for suitable items that coordinate.

I do the same. Start with one product or technique then see what suits it.

[PikkuLilla]

It depends - sometimes I find a colour combination I want to try, then match that to an occasion and then look for stamps that would work. Sometimes I have a stamp I want to use, and start from there. It is usually easiest if I am making a card for a specific person

[Allistamps123]

Usually image! I am another stamper that has to have a reason to make a card.....a birthday coming up, holiday, etc.

[Scrapjanny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeGeeDee

I agree ... most of my inspiration comes from the recipient so I almost always start with an image that brings that person to mind. I also try to use their favorite color if it works with the image.


However, for holiday cards I often start with patterned paper then gather coordinating card stock and embellishments. This works for me because I like my holiday cards to be coordinated but not identical. Plus the sentiment is usually on the inside or just a fairly simple one. Even if it's large enough to be the focal point this approach still works.

This is what I do too.

[Beate]

I pick the image first. Then I pick the paper before I color the image, if it needs coloring. This way I know I have paper that fits my colored image.

[snowcountry311]

a few times it's all started with the ribbon

[Rachelrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowcountry311

a few times it's all started with the ribbon

So true! I've been there!

[PedalPower]

I usually start with a paper pad and several colors of card stock then pick my stamps or die cuts after that. Great question...made me think for a bit!

[suenscs]

It depends on what arrives in the mail or i bring home from the store. Some paper packs I can't wait to dive into and start making cards. Some stamp sets arrive and I can't wait to see how the color, look on paper, etc. If the card is for someone specific, I tend to pick the paper based on their personality and then the sentiment.

[Kathleen Mc]

I usually start with an image, then pick a colour mentally and find papers that fit. Then I colour my image to match the papers I've chosen.
Once the card is composed then I think about what embellishments I have that will complemnent the card.

[ch]

It depends on what is sitting on my table at the time!

[Peglar]

I usually go with a person I have in mind. Then an image that would fit the occasion or reason I am sending it. I mail almost all my cards out. People love receiving them.

[Rebecca Ednie]

Depends on what I'm doing, if I'm doing a challenge (or three), if I'm working on a DT project, who it's for, if I have new supplies I'd like to use or anything else I have as a jumping point to work from.

So first are any of these four: main image, layout, paper, any focal embellie (if there is one I have to work around). The main image might sometimes be a sticker or paper cut out or ephemera. But usually I stamp or stamp and colour something.

Second I work in the other aspects of the card layout choosing background, layers, ribbons an adding focal embellishments I've left room for.

Lastly I pick my smaller embellies. Add ribbons that needed to be left til last and sadly this is usually when I choose or decide to leave off my sentiment. I'm not good at working them in unless it's a specific card for a challenge or a card I need for an occasion or special person.