Wplus9 Design Clips: Working with Patterned Paper

Hi guys! I've got a card and video to share with you today. Paper Crafts Magazine has been celebrating their latest special issue Card Design Handbook all week. It's a great issue and goes into detail on all of the technical design terms that explain the foundations of "good design". I've never really been one to follow rules just for the sake of following them. I usually start working and tweaking as needed by referring to the basic rules as a guide if something just isn't working. You can see a little more of my process in the video below:

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

The rule of "three" isn't something that I usually take literally. I tend to pay more attention to visual weight. For example, the blues in this card; they are represented 3 times, in the patterned paper in the background, in the light aqua in the second layer, and then again in a darker shade with the buttons in the foreground. I chose to go darker because I didn't want a huge contrast between the apple and buttons. I think they work more harmoniously together since they are both in the same depth of shade. Remember, matchy-matchy isn't always the best route. If you want to add instant interest, add something unexpected.

I used a classic rule of "framing" to draw attention to the focal point as well. This could fall under movement. The buttons lead your eye from either the top or bottom straight to the sentiment. Having the lighter mat helps to push the entire focal point to the front. Since the overall design is quite busy with a lot of pattern paper, I chose a muted color palette with just a few pops of brighter color to create a sense of balance in the overall design.

I hope at least a little bit of that made some sense. If not, please excuse my rambling! Quite frankly, I don't realize while I'm creating that there is that much thought going into it. But I guess once you step back and start analyzing it, there is. Or at least we can BS and make it sound that way! ;o)

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are having a great week. It's almost Friday!!! Woot, Woot!

Project Supplies

You're The Best
Stamps: Design Basics: Classroom Backgrounds, Class Act (Wplus9)
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up!); Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen & Vintage Photo (Ranger)
Card stock: Oatmeal (Wplus9); Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Clippings (Basic Grey)
Tools: Clear Cut Stackers: Pinking Squares Die, Pretty Patches: Apple Die, Label Layers 2 Die (Wplus9); buttons (Papertrey Ink); crochet thread