Stamping Critique

Does this need something more?

2009-10-23T03:49:00.006-04:00

So this is my first submission to this blog and I'm really hoping someone is still around :) Please be gentle.

I've made this card for a swap with the requirement that the colours used be only pink and black. It's one of those cards that grew as it went along and is nothing like the card I originally planned. The main background is alcohol ink. (I don't know if it's my scanner or my monitor but the pink does not seem to have reproduced well - it's quite strong & looks fine.)

Overall I'm not too unhappy about how it turned out. The swirl didn't stamp very well but I'm more concerned about the layout and if it is balanced. I think it needs something on the left but nothing seems to work. Any ideas? Actually any suggestions at all for any part of the card would be welcome.

Elizabeth

Updated post

2009-04-30T07:29:00.002-04:00

I updated my "Should I throw this away" post below. Please let me know if I am on the right track. Thanks!

A beautiful card is lurking here somewhere... (and AFTER)

2009-04-27T11:16:00.006-04:00

This card (at least the pieces of it) has been sitting on my worktable for a few days. I used scraps of some Colorbok paper that were laying around my work area. I really like the 3 squares concept but I think my layout is off. I tried it with 1 square each in the 2 left corners being centered by the 3rd square but I didn't really like that either.

Does the circle work? I thought it highlighted the greeting a bit but I'm open to ideas.

FYI The actual card is a white base, the peach layer behind it is a manilla folder I put the card on to take the photo. Don't worry- even I wouldn't use peach with those colors!

All comments appreciated. I learn so much reading your critiques.

Here is the final card. It didn't turn out exactly as I had envisioned it but I like the 4 large squares. I'll need to experiment again with that type of layout.

Should I Just Throw This Away? - UPDATED 4/29

2009-04-26T17:51:00.004-04:00

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

I started out sewing on a die-cut piece of turquoise card stock, then I decided I'd had enough, so I cut off the one side that was stitched, and then it went downhill from there.

First I took a scrap of textured yellow card stock and punched it with a border punch. Then I added the yellow die-cut piece behind the turquoise. Then I looked for a scrap with yellow and blue in it, and I found that patterned piece of tissue paper. Then I added the Groovy Guava patterned paper to try and pull out the orange in the piece, and I mounted the whole thing on a piece of Basic Gray.

Then I rested.

Here is the piece next to a card so you can see the relative size of the thing.

So what do you think? Should I put it out of its misery and just throw it away? or does it have at least one redeeming quality? And if you think it DOES have a redeeming quality, would you please tell me what it is?

I thank you.

Update 4/29:

Thank you for all the suggestions. You were, of course, correct in thinking the yellow was WRONG, so it has been removed to the circular file. Is this one any better? (Personally, I think the blue in that paper is wrong for the turquoise stitched piece ...)

Masculine Birthday

2008-11-22T16:52:00.003-05:00

I took your original design and did a bit of tweaking. I hope it is o.k. It is just easier for me to take the original and make a card to see if I can work with it. I do not have the stamp set you used but tried to keep the elements about the same size. I did change the card from Horizontal to Vertical to start with because it just was not working for me.

The major change was more layers. It seemed that helped the focal point to stand out more.

I did use retired designer paper because I wanted the brown color, but......you could use any patterned roller wheel to get the same background coverage or something like the canvas, twill or polka dot background stamp. That will give the card some added texture. I also added ribbon. Chocolate Chip ribbon right down the middle just adds more texture. I purposely did not add a bow. I put your focal point at the top of the card and left room for the sentiment on the bottom. I used the ticket corner punch like you did as I like the effect you gave your card. Really the only thing I did different was add more layers and put the sentiment onto a different piece of cardstock. I like your card and really there is nothing wrong with it. I just had to play.....LOL! In fact, you card forced me to do something as I have had a stamp block for the last two days, did not even want to pick up a stamp. Thanks for helping me get energized again. Rubber Hugs, Paula

How to finish this card

2008-10-11T11:07:00.002-04:00

I like this background and I like the chocolate cupcake. What should I do for the birthday sentiment?
Vertical?
Large Circle?
Any ideas appreciated- this has been sitting on my stamp table for a week.

Help Baby My Card Layout! (updated 9-19)

2008-09-04T12:32:00.005-04:00

Updated 9-19-08
I actually finished the card last week and my husband sent the gift today. No big rush... the baby was born 8-30.

I ended up getting rid of the scallop but I lightened up the carriage, brightened it up by adding more DP and while this is by far my favorite card of all time... I'm ok with it ;)

I really like the scallop with the carriage. I have tried this layout 2 different ways but I really don't like either. Is it that the large panel is too overpowering? I just don't know what is wrong so I'm asking the experts (or people who think they are experts!)

Need help with this

2008-08-27T11:26:00.005-04:00

I made this card for You Know You Rock's Metal challenge. I am not sure if I really like it.
What do you think it needs done to it or taken away?

You can see a little more about it at www.stampndaly.com/?p=853

Thank you
Sue Daly

Edited Post- 08/29/08 Ok, I took the comments that I received on the original card which is the one in the bottom right hand corner and came up with the other three versions. Please tell me which one you like the best or should I try again. Note: This is all done before breakfast and I am now really hungry :).

Show Us What You Did!

2008-07-02T11:52:00.002-04:00

Hey, Ladies! I would love to see what you changed, if anything, based on the comments you received on your posts. Please show us what you did by posting an updated photo of your creations! That's part of the fun! ;-) Thanks!

Ribbon winner

2008-07-01T11:03:00.002-04:00

Ladies- thanks for the creative art and critique for the month of June.

As promised, each artist who posted artwork in June was entered into a drawing for a custom selected ribbon grab bag.

The winner is:

Sue Daly

Congratulations Sue!

Please send me an e-mail:
alces.alces at g m a i l dot com

Easy Embrace Life Card

2008-06-27T21:47:00.004-04:00

Brenda,

I love the simple card you did, but you gave me a big challenge....

how.....by needing a simple card....I had not done this in ages so....

just for the fun of it..... I challenged my self to use mostly white card stock with one other color. I only used markers. The flower is colored with Apricot Appeal then I used close to cocoa for the stem. I did cheat a bit and used my aqua painter to dab Groovy guava ink from the pad onto the flower. I scored the bottom of the card three times at 1/2" intervals then added flower brads. You could add ribbon instead, they were already out so I used them.

Now......here is my challenge to everyone else. Make a card with a white background and one color card stock. Only use one embellishment and markers to color your images. Use the stamp set Embrace Life. Lets give Brenda lots of ideas to send off to her cousin. Thanks for playing along. Paula

Soda can Embellishment- bare or leave alone

2008-06-26T08:44:00.003-04:00

Hello there, I am Susan Daly and I am new to Stamping Critique. This is my first post.

I made this card for Card Positioning System's weekly sketch. My main focus in this card was the oval embellishment that I made out of a soda can. I wanted to highlight how the embellishment turned out.

My question is should I add more to this card or leave it alone. It may look a bit bare.

What's Wrong With This Card? - Update Last (Thanks!)

2008-06-17T19:52:00.010-04:00

I thought this would work, but I am not liking it much right now. What's wrong with it? Should I lose the tan patterned strip? Is it the wrong ribbon (the only one I had that was not red + white-white)? Should I not emboss the sentiment? Should I lose the glitter spots? Does it need some more off-white somewhere? WHAT?! Sigh ....

Thanks in advance...

Love the ideas, ladies! Keep 'em coming! I firmly believe in baby steps, and when possible I only like to change one thing at a time. First up is making the eagle pop a little more.

I really like the idea, though I do not think my execution is on the mark. I think I'll lose (or narrow) the tan strip next. I still believe it needs some more white ... somewhere .... maybe ... oooh, maybe some white glitter instead of red? I'll sleep on this and try again tomorrow. Thanks for the help!!!

Here we are again! I broke my own rules and changed two things: I added the white layer behind the blue and I changed the ribbon. I decided to leave the tan patterned paper since the ribbon was not so much of a contrast any more. I might go back and trim the white layer to match the blue scallops ...

I think it is MUCH better, and on its way to being an okay card. :-)

Do you think the sentiment is passable now? I was going to try either leaving it off entirely so the card could be used for any occasion, or maybe using my Cuttlebug Olivia alphabet to do the sentiment instead of stamping it. I may also lose the red glitter gunk and replace it with clear Stickles.

Thanks, as always, for the great feedback!

I've decided not to bore you with all the in-between steps that have happened since the previous post, and just show you this last version; and I think I like it.

I trimmed the bottom of the white layer, and I like it better. I tried to use the Olivia alphabet for the sentiment, but it was wider than the whole card, so I opted for what you see here. I also covered up the red glitter spots with clear glitter Stickles.

Thanks for all of your great suggestions! It really helped me see beyond the idea in my head and make it better. :-)

Kristin.

2008-06-07T22:35:00.004-04:00

Kristin, I used your wonderful card as a guideline.
I did not have the same stripe paper and I was to lazy to go in the other room to get the same stamp out, but....I did use your card as my guideline.

Since the rub-ons were hard to see on my striped paper I took them off. First, I put the stripe paper onto a solid color piece of card stock (you can just barely see the Wild Wasabi behind the striped paper). I then added a different piece of designer paper with the same colors to break up the middle of the card. It is mounted on Pumpkin Pie. I then added the flower and since I did not want to go digging for a big brad, I used an eyelet. I stuck it on a piece of pumpkin pie scalloped card stock because it did not stand out enough like your pretty flower with the white edge. I stamped happy birthday, and mounted it in the middle of the second piece of designer series paper to break it up a bit. I added the ribbon and just tied a knot. A ribbon slider would accomplish the same thing. I then added the three orange brads to fill some of the empty space. I loved your layout, I just added too it. You are on the right tract and I like what you did, I just went one step farther by filling in some of the middle.

Rubber Hugs, Paula

Need something??

2008-06-07T11:13:00.002-04:00

I whipped this up quickly yesterday after a serious lack of stamping, and hoping something would just come to me. Sometimes I can stamp like that successfully and sometimes I can't. I'm not sure this time. I like it, but wondering if it needs a little something else?? Another sentiment?? Thanks for your help!

Kristin

One time only special offer

2008-06-02T07:36:00.002-04:00

To stimulate growth on this blog we are running a drawing from 6/1/08 - 6/30/08. Anyone who posts artwork to be critiqued will have their name entered into a drawing for a grab bag of ribbon. I live near the Offray ribbon outlet and I can stuff many ROLLS (as in 1 yard to 6 yards) of ribbon into a mailer. Ribbon is light and I'll open this up to our international friends as well. Leslie (my co-moderator) and I are not eligible to win, but we are allowed to post to the blog during the contest

Our goal is for this blog to have 1 new piece of artwork posted per week. Help us meet that goal- sharpen your artwork and your critique skills.

I know personally, I learn a lot from reading the critiques- it can be very helpful to hear why something isn't working!

Now What? - Takes 3 & 4

2008-03-31T19:40:00.023-04:00

I've made this much of the card so far, and all it's got is potential. I think. When I am faced with a busy background like this, I freeze. I am really bad at collage-y things, too, probably for the same reason.

Any ideas for a sentiment? No sentiment? Wha?

Thanks in advance!

Update: I loved the idea of a coffee theme!!! I had this sentiment out (er, not put away yet), and I used the coffee cup from part of an A Muse image.

I used the blue for matting the sentiment to try and pull that color out a little. Do you think it also needs a layer of green before the brown?

I also really liked the idea of chipboard letters, but all of mine are as big as the card, so I opted to not use them.;-) I'll just file that idea away for another time!

Too much? Too little? Maybe some brads in the top corners?

Update Last:

For this version I added a green layer, and Ithink I like this one much better than the previous one.

Then I went a little crazy. I do not have a big coffee cup, but since I liked the idea of the sentiment on the cup, I tried to make one. I think if I leave off the silly line (my attempt to define the top of the cup), it will work.

Any final thoughts? Wanna vote? :-)

Thanks, as usual, for all your input!

Color Help Needed

2008-03-07T21:09:00.002-05:00

I have been practicing shading with watercolor markers.

I need ideas for color palettes for this stamp. I can't tell if I just don't like the image or if it has potential if I picked colors that were harmonious.

This project has a ton of detail work and

2008-03-07T14:09:00.002-05:00

I do think it's beautiful but it still needs something to finishi it off...I made it long ago but was not impressed with the results so I put it away and it has been sitting idle with no home to give it love...So sad!

Give me some ideas if you will...TIA

{ I am so sorry!! }

2008-02-19T17:33:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to apologize to everyone for the personal post. Something very strange with blogger today. I posted on my personal blog...then read it afterward, on my personal blog...and now was informed that it was on Stamping Critique! Again, I am sorry...it is gone now. :0)

I Need Your Help!

2008-02-18T00:10:00.002-05:00

What does this card need? I was thinking of putting something white on the bottom middle/right? Does it need anything or should I just leave my hands off of it?

It just feels like there is something missing.

Its hard to tell as the base card is Whisper White card stock. I then layered Sofst Sky then Designer Series paper. I placed the White taffeta ribbon around the card then added the sentiment stamped in Soft Sky onto Whisper White then punched out with the scallop punch. This was layered onto soft sky then whisper white. Does it need anything else????? Thanks for your help. Paula.

Playing with Stuck Again sketch

2008-02-15T22:33:00.003-05:00

To Stuck Again. I hope you do not mind me playing with your sketch. I really liked the basic layout so I just played around with it and this is what I came up with.

I added the turquoise eyelets to the upper right area so it did not look so bare. I actually could have gone with more white rubons but I did not think they would show up enough.

I used a stripe paper for the center of the card in the same family and just backed it with certainly celery card stock. I used scissors to notch the corners. I then used the scallop punch on tempting turquoise and 1-1/4" circle for the center. You can stamp just about anything in it. I needed a get well card so that is what I stamped. I should of sponged around the white circle but I had already stuck it down.

I hope you don't mind my creative license with your sketch. Happy Stamping, Paula

Stuck, again ... UPDATED!

2008-02-15T17:52:00.015-05:00

I almost always get stuck at this point in the card-making process. I see pretty paper, and I see the SU colors in it, and I put them together. Perfect match! Now what?

Actually, this is all SU stuff, so of course it was a perfect match! But I have no idea what to do with it now. I could look at it for a week, but then I thought I'd solicit ideas from all of you! :-)

Please ignore that mangled corner. I tried white rub-ons - failed. I tried folding it up to hid the rub-ons - not too excited about that. I punched a notched corner in the folded part ... See? I need HELP!!! All ideas will be warmly received!

Update: I humbly ask you to a lot of pretending here...pretend there is no extra hole in the top corner...pretend the brads are not retired...and pretend the bottom corner is not still mangled.

Thanks to Paula I got a clue, and I went with her idea! I really like the idea of mixing the patterned papers, and I took her idea of the scallop and substituted two Sale-A-Bration sets in its place. I think when I re-do this I'll use the Teal instead of Turquoise for the scallop.

Thanks for the suggestions! What do you think?

Way late update on my Christmas cards

2008-01-30T11:13:00.001-05:00

I couldn't figure out how to edit the original post on this card so I just started a new post.

I appreciate you all so much for your comments on my Christmas card. I was under a huge time crunch to get them done and ended up making 137 Christmas cards in a period of 5 days. Whew!!

So I did try some with a darker blue and it was okay but I really liked the contrast of the Heavenly Blue against the black. On many of the cards I added a red sparkle to the circle snowflake and that looked really nice too. But I didn't have enough red to complete all of them. So the majority of them went out like this. Not my best effort but I finished them in time! Now on to Valentine day cards! But I just have a few of those to make. ; - )

P.S. I started a blog of my own. Please check it out and let me know what you think. http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/

Stuck, again - updated (twice)

2008-01-28T13:16:00.001-05:00

Here I am again - stuck. This card was inspired by some wallpaper I saw, and I made that the background of the card. I added the twill and top image, but aside from a sentiment - I need input on that one, too! - what does this need?

Update: Here it is with a sentiment:

I liked the suggestion of a ribbon (instead of the twill), but alas, SU does not have a Sage Shadow ribbon, and inking up the white with Sage Shadow came out too dark. Bummer.

I think I will leave it like this for now. Thanks for the feedback!

Update #2: Oooh, Happy Anniversary - I like that! I will post this with a picture of the wallpaper on my blog either tonight or tomorrow night so you can see what sent me down this path. :-)