DESIGN DISSECTION #2

Originally, I intended this design to be a single layer. But, after creating the background, I banked left . . . slightly . . . LOL!

Read on, for the design breakdown . . .

DESIGN DISSECTION #2 • CLICK ON THE PIC TO ENBIGGAN

FURTHER NOTATIONS:

  • A 9-patch grid (indicated in aqua) helps to divide the space visually on your canvas and to guide you in placing “visual weight”. Notice how the initial pattern/design of strawberries is contained within a vertical column, down the center third, from top to bottom; this will later affect the rest of the design*.

  • Initially, I wasn’t going to pop up anything but the gold foiled sentiment and gold embossed tag line. However, they were getting lost against the strawberries in the background. To resolve that issue, I decided to add a circle die cut from vellum card stock; vellum acts as a diffuser, softening whatever is behind it. I didn’t want to soften the entire card front, I just needed more contrast in that particular area to help that sentiment stand out more.

  • On a vertical layout, it also helps to *position your sentiment, or your focal image towards the upper third or lower third, as opposed to dead center. Otherwise, it feels like the card is visually cut in half.

  • To give it even more visual oomph, I decided to pop up a trio of die cut strawberries and have them “hug” the sentiment. Odd numbers are (generally speaking) more visually pleasing to the eye, so I typically start with 3, making sure their placement balances the design so the eye doesn’t get “stuck” on one spot and has that nice triangular flow (those golden arrows).

  • I always consider metallics as part of the color scheme on a project; gold and copper can be used to warm up a card while silver tends to give off a cooler vibe.

By the way, it’s totally OK for strawberry stems to be a beautiful shade of red, instead of green; the color police are not gonna’ bust ya’. 😉

The end.

Hope the rest of your week is great!

DESIGN DISSECTION #1

In the past, I’ve posted pics of my card designs on my Instagram that included some notations and folks seemed to appreciate seeing why I did what I did, or why it works—I don’t know why I’ve never thought to share something like that here, so today, I am!

Design Dissection #1

In addition to the above notations, I’m hoping you can also see the “visual flow” of this design, highlighted with the soft pink arrows. This is a triangular path that leads the eye around the design. Even if there’s technically nothing in that upper right corner, the direction of the flower naturally draws the eye towards that area. The eye then flows down towards the left where the twine is tied into a bow. The line of that twine running across the bottom then leads the eye to the right, and “into” the card.

Side note: I usually make side-folding cards because I had so many folks who have taken my live classes tell me they preferred them over top-folding cards—side-folding cards easily remain upright when displayed. I honestly hadn’t thought much about that until they pointed it out to me! LOL!

So, what do you think? Is this helpful to you?

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THE ESSENTIALS BY ELLEN MAR 2022 RELEASE IS NOW LIVE!

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Click on any photo above to enbiggan.

Are you ready for Spring to arrive? I’m so SO happy—literally over the moon happy—about all the fresh fun of this release! The EH Design Ambassadors have been sharing the most KILLER samples and we’re having a hop over on Instagram—click HERE to check it out and leave some comment love for a chance to win some prizes!

And, by all means, please take a moment, if you haven’t already, to go see the uber cool samples Guest Designer Joan Bardee has been sharing on her Instagram —they will DELIGHT you and inspire you to drop everything and get busy makin’!

Also, I would like to send one of you all of the handmade sample cards pictured above! If you will kindly leave a comment on this post by Wednesday Mar. 9th, I will draw a name and announce by Friday, Mar. 11th! Side note: I promise not to write inside the cards so you can send them to family or friends, if you want.

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Have a great weekend, and thanks for poppin’ in!

FEATURED:

ESSENTIALS BY ELLEN MARCH 2022 RELEASE

Disclosure: This post includes my affiliate link(s). If you use my links to make a purchase, thank you so, so much for your support!

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TODAY IS THE BIG DAY!

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It’s finally here—Day 1! So many fab companies sponsoring!

My class airs at 2:00 EST; for those that registered with a free ticket, each presentation will last for 24 hours, after it goes LIVE.

If you prefer:

  • Immediate/no waiting + ongoing access to all the sessions (a.k.a. “lifetime” yes, that means you can watch whenever it suits your schedule, as often or as many times as you want!)

  • Plus all the cool bonus materials, in addition to the exclusive virtual crop events

you’re going to want the VIP All Access Pass.

After my class airs, I’ll also be LIVE in the Card Maker Success Hangout Group at 2:30 EST —hope to see you there!

Disclosure: This post includes my affiliate link(s). If you use my links to make a purchase, thank you so, so much for your support!