A Little Self Promo

If you should happen to look in the current Mar/Apr issue of RubberStamp Madness, then you'll find ME in there!  Yup, page 27 to be exact -- The Card Shoppe section...  in an article called, "Wordplay" -- This is the published card:

I won't regurgitate what the article says, but I will share "the rest of the story..."

"Joy To You" was actually submitted with 5 other cards, as a variation on a theme sort of thing.  Out of the six, RSM kept only this one, and although stating the card was originally designed for a "massive" (as in 40 cards) pen-pal experiment (which is true), the card they kept and published was not the one replicated forty times and mailed out hither and yon...

A display of all six cards, can be seen in my "Joy To You" photo album.

Now for the Cardworks:
All six cards started with the same basic "formula" --

A formula is my way of defining a concoction of pre-determined guidelines for card making... Essential ingredients include paper sizing, technique, and basic layout.

"Joy To You" Basic Formula
Paper Sizing: (1) Blank, white ATC (2-½” x 3-½”)
                        (1) Black layer, 2-¾” x 3-¾”
                        (1) Colored layer, 3” x 4”
                        (1) Side-folded white card, 3-¾” x 5-¼

Technique:  smARTworks' Fluid Chalk Collage

1.  Using 3-4 complimentary colors of Fluid Chalk ink, randomly stamp a variety of background and solid images across the ATC -- Overlap some of the images, stamp some of the images a second time without re-inking, and leave a bit of “white space” here and there.
2.  Stamp a focal image in black.  Clear emboss.
3.  Stamp a saying and additional images in black.  Do NOT emboss.

Layout:
Adhere stamped panel to black, then colored layers.  Centering layered panel, mount to card front.

Once the basic formula has been concocted, then it’s time to invent some variations.  Possibilities include:

Rotating the colors within the chosen palette.
Changing the entire color scheme.
Changing the stamped images.
Tweaking the layout.
Adding embellishments.

In the case of "Joy To You," the five variations were created as follows:

Variation #1 - Adjusted placement of colored layer.
Variation #2 - Changed color of card.
Variation #3 - Changed color of card, and eliminated the black layer.
Variation #4 - Eliminated the colored layer, and embellished with added stamping.
Variation #5 - Adjusted placement of colored layer, and embellished with punches and mini buttons.

On first read, one might think stamping by way of a formula would stifle creativity, but for me it's just the opposite.  I find determining the right mix for each initial formula wonderfully challenging, and working out variations within the pre-set guidelines, good for stretching my ingenuity.  A great way to play with purpose!

Stamps used on the Joy To You cards:  WD-02 Joy, FL-16 Real Stems & Blossoms, FL-09 Darling Duo, FL-17 Grasses, WD-92 Great Day, BG-18 Goin' in Circles.

Any idea which variation actually became the pen-pal mailing????   My personal favorite.... Variation #4.

And there you have it... the rest of the story...

Comments

[Maxene Choi]

I love all your variations and color combos! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Michelle Adams]

I was thrilled to see someone I actually "know" in RSM! I love your card and loved the article, too! Congrats!