Sunday, February 7, 2010

Simple Sunday

I am very honored to be this month's Limelight Designer. What a flattering request to receive from Julie! I tend to create a simple card without too many embellishments. I like clean uncluttered images that really stand out. A simple ribbon and bow or a button and some twine and I am satisfied. I love how some people can combine elements and create wonderful texture and dimension with embellishments, but even when I emulate that and like the results, I always tend to go back to my more simple creations.

This week I am sharing a very simple technique. I created this card using these lovely daffodils from A Year in Flowers Calendar Set 1.


Here I've used a paper tole or paper piecing technique as you might call this...although I believe the difference would be that in paper tole you are raising the pieced parts of your image creating a 3-D effect, where with paper piecing you might just be adhering one layer over another with out any depth. I stamped one main image and colored it with Copic Markers. I then stamped two additional images on the same white paper and colored the middle and center layer on one and on the other just the very center of the flower. I cut out the second middle flower image and layered it over the main image with one layer of foam adhesive raising it up above the main. Then I cut out just the center of the third stamped flower and layered that on top of the middle with an additional layer of foam adhesive. Now it stands up once above the middle layer and two times the height of the main image.



This is a very simple technique, sometimes with a bit of fussy cutting depending on your images, but the results can very dramatic! Look at how much depth and character have been created on this simple image just by raising small parts the flower and adding a hint of sparkle. I've done only one layer of image raising (two of the front flowers) on the card below, but I also trimmed the main image panel leaving parts of the flowers extending outside of the frame. This is another simple thing to do and creates a great impact!


This can be done with almost any image and will really make your images stand out so go ahead and give it a try if you've never done it or maybe revisit a technique you've long neglected!

I hope you enjoy your Sunday!

~Danielle

19 comments:

Sabrina said...

Beautiful daffodils! I never thought of that image when I was trying to choose one to pop up for the FTTC52 challenges. I certainly will try it with the daffodils another time - I want to make a few daffodil cards for a cancer fund-raiser.

Becky said...

Both of these are just stunning. Love how you popped them up.

Carol L said...

Oh my, what you've done with these flowers is amazing! I love the popped up images, but the coloring of those daisies is fantastic!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Stunning cards! The details you put into these is amazing! Love, love, love them!

Julie Koerber said...

I gasped when I saw your daffodill card for the first time! WOW, fabulous coloring and the way you popped the image up is just stunning!

Stacy Morgan said...

Gorgeous! I tend to agree I prefer the uncluttered look as well! These are simply gorgeous. Your clean feeling really makes your flowers stand out! Just gorgeous.

Nancy R Grimes said...

What beautiful cards!!!! I look forward to viewing more of your work.

Peggy said...

Both are absolutely beautiful! Love using the paper tole technique to add dimension and pop!

Christina Hicks said...

I love what you have done with these images. I cannot wait to try this myself, thanks for the wonderful idea!

Cammie said...

Your cards are fantastic! Love your designs which focus on those images which you have beautifully colored.

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, oh, OH, how I love these cards! The Gerberas have been a favorite of mine since first sight. Your daffodil card is now my favorite of all daffodil cards. Love the paper combo and your outstanding coloring with the added dimension and sparkle. I think your never-over-done style is what makes your cards appeal to me so much. You color the images beautifully and have a flawless eye for combining those colors with designer paper. Simply fabulous!

Evelyn S. said...

Fabulous! Love the Gerberas, especially....but that daffodil card is special!

Candy said...

Your cards are absolutely breath taking!!
Thank you.
Hugs, Candy

Laura (scrapnextras) said...

Beautiful! The simple touches make for amazing finished results! Love the popped up daffodil and those out of the box daisies are fabulous!

Tammy Hershberger said...

Beautiful daffodils, Danielle! Gorgeous work!

Annette said...

Jan, your DT designs are absolutely beautiful! I am so inspired by their creations! - Annette http://studioapapercreations.blogspot.com/

Linda Carson said...

Love the simple elegance of your artwork!

Bonnie said...

Absolutely beautiful Danielle! I love this popped up daffodil and of course your colouring is beyond gorgeous! Congratulations on being this month's Limelight Designer!!

Donna said...

These flowers are just beautiful! I've stacked one on the other, but the third layer makes a huge difference. Stunning!
Blessings, Donna