Do you find it hard to know where to start when creating a card? Card Making and Scrapbooking are very similar but also very different. I come from a Scrapbooking background and I have also found it difficult. Here are 5 easy tips that will help you make that perfect card for any occasion.
1. Create a Focal Point for your Card.
Having a focal point is vital for any piece of art. In card making it is exactly the same. Many find it useful to have a stamp as the focus. A printed paper with a strong design element can also be used for this focus. The mistake many people make is over crowding the card with to many focal points. The focal point should stand out from the rest of the card.
When using a stamp, make sure it is the right size for the card, it should take up at least 1/3 of the card. Keep the printed paper to a minimum to stop 2 designs from clashing and over crowding the page.
Printed paper is also useful as the focal point. When using this technique don’t mix with a dominate stamp. If you decide to use a stamp with the printed paper make sure it simply compliments the paper and doesn’t take the focus away from the stamp.
2. Using Layers or Matting
Not all cards suit layers or matting. But with many cards it frames them. It allows you to pick and highlight it by having that small amount of matting coming from behind.
Matting something can make the colours ‘pop’ on the card especially when using dark colours or something that creates contrast.
Make sure that if using layers that they coordinate or high light your focal point.
3. Keeping it Simple
KEEP YOUR DESIGN SIMPLE. Many times you see cards which have great potential but have been cluttered or over complicated. keeping it simple can be effective and can create an elegant and fresh design.
It’s great to add embellishments but too much can be over powering. When I look at cards the ones that appeal to me are the ones that look effective but are not overdone.
4. Practice Techniques
There are many different techniques out there, some simple and some take a bit more practice.
“Water colouring” is a wonderful technique but you may need to do lots of practice until you feel comfortable with what you are doing or work out a method that suits you.
When i come up with a new idea or card I always do a test card to see how it works or how I can improve. It allows me to make mistakes (and learn from those mistakes) and play around with ideas, before I make the card for someone else.
3D objects is something i always practice on as sometimes there are errors in the instruction or you need to slightly change the card to make it work with your design.
5. Use of Contrast
The use of contrast can really make your card stand out. Contrast of not only colour but texture and prints can create this effect.
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