Introducing Card Sketches and Inspiration Challenge

There are many times when I am sitting down to create a card or scrapbook page that I'm at a loss for where to begin.  It is during these times that I look back at past projects I have created or pull out a sketch design - whether of my own creation, picked up from a magazine, or from another crafter.  These sketches can be used over and over without becoming old.  With new colors, new stamps, or new details the sketch is refreshed and renewed (and this is always a good time to consider taking it 'up a notch' as well!).

I would like to help you start building your own card sketch library.  If you have saved past card creations, then you have already begun.  You can just look back to the cards themselves, or you can sketch out the major elements in the card and start a sketch journal.  I find that a sketch journal allows me more freedom when I sit down to stamp.  I am not influenced by the colors and textures of the original piece.

The following is the first card sketch from Stamping with Noel:

And to help you use these sketches, here is a card I created this same sketch:

Please notice that I took some liberties with the sketch.  I changed the shapes of the major components and the volume of the side 'ribbon'/paper strip.  These sketches are only intended to get your creativity flowing.  Once you've decided to work with one of them, please do not feel like you can not make changes.  Sometimes the finished card will resemble the sketch, and sometimes you will take off on a tangent and the inspiration might be unrecognizable in your finished product!    

Once the card sketch gallery gets a good footing, I'll show you how to take these sketches and work them into your scrapbooks too!

Inspiration Challenge (and reward!):

Are you inspired?  I will send a small sampler of Designer Series Patterned Paper (both current and retired) to anyone on my mailing list (remember to sign up first if you haven't already!) who sends me a sample card (in the mail or via email) made with this sketch by the end of the month!  Remember to include your mailing address, and please let me know if it is ok to share your card with my readers.

Happy Crafting,

Noel

Supplies used in my card:  cardstock (Basic Gray, Very Vanilla), Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper, stamps (Nature Walk and Thank You Kindly), ink (Staz On Black, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze), Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Circle Cutter, Blender Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Comments

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Wow, from simple circles and squares... it turns out into a beautiful butterfly. Very motivational. Love it! Thanks for the great idea. =)