Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639 
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Oct 25, 2022 17:28:00 GMT
I'm here - hoping for ideas!
I have a card base with 36 1.5x15 inch squares -- hot pastel colors. I'd like a general occasion card - thinking of you or happy birthday sort - rather generic.
I have, potentially, 36 little squares to fill -- currently it is a multi color small dot matt with one square of the "not pastel" on top on a fuchsia pink base. It is cute - but needs something.
I've been looking in my "tropical" section but all I really have is tropical travel - and too many pineapple icons.
Does anyone have some ideas for what I've described ? I'd appreciate your thoughts!
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,940
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Oct 25, 2022 19:05:59 GMT
I'm a very visual person, so a picture would help if you can link one.
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Oct 25, 2022 19:14:41 GMT
Thank you for your attention. I'm afraid I've never learned how to upload a photo! It is a "tower flap" card if that would help at all!
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,519
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Oct 25, 2022 19:19:17 GMT
I'm not a cardmaker, so unfamiliar with card-specific embellishing/supplies/lingo. Perhaps consider cross-posting on the Stamping sub-board for advice from experienced & talented cardmakers. HTH.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,624
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Post by Elsabelle on Oct 25, 2022 19:24:23 GMT
It sounds like you’re working with inchies? I’m a less is more type when I make cards. I would fussy cut or die cut a flower and some leaves and add a sentiment.
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Post by scrapperal on Oct 25, 2022 19:43:02 GMT
Not sure what you're looking for, but how about any of these to fill up the squares?
Palm leave (die cut or stamp, can use multiple times off the edge, different angles, colors)
Stripes in coordinating colors
Charms
Mini paper umbrella
Sunglasses or flipflops
Sun
Cloud with smiley face
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Post by Embri on Oct 25, 2022 22:04:10 GMT
Are your 36 1.5" squares (bit under 4cm for metric folks) already attached to a base? What orientation are they in? (straight across, scattered, diamond, etc.)
From your description I'm getting that you have so far tried a slightly bigger frame/layer around one of the squares in a coordinating small dot pattern and the card background is going to be dark fuchsia? Was your idea to put the patterned paper behind each square, potentially?
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,199
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 26, 2022 2:52:01 GMT
I had to look up “tower flap card to understand. For something like this, I would get a 6x6 paper pad with coordinating papers and cut the pieces from a variety of those papers. Just mix them up so the effect is varied. The papers in a paper pad typically are made to go together, but even using a paper pad with mi and match papers, it does look like a challenging project.
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Oct 26, 2022 3:09:25 GMT
Are your 36 1.5" squares (bit under 4cm for metric folks) already attached to a base? What orientation are they in? (straight across, scattered, diamond, etc.) From your description I'm getting that you have so far tried a slightly bigger frame/layer around one of the squares in a coordinating small dot pattern and the card background is going to be dark fuchsia? Was your idea to put the patterned paper behind each square, potentially? They are already mounted and oriented as square. Frankly, I could leave them as they are since the colors are all different - and I actually made different "other" patterns (from the same colors) within some of the squares |
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Oct 26, 2022 3:12:23 GMT
I had to look up “tower flap card to understand. For something like this, I would get a 6x6 paper pad with coordinating papers and cut the pieces from a variety of those papers. Just mix them up so the effect is varied. The papers in a paper pad typically are made to go together, but even using a paper pad with mi and match papers, it does look like a challenging project. yes - that is what I've done -- each square has the same matting but a different color of square on top. In some of the places, I cut the paper so that two colors are aligned in the small square; in other cases I cut the pattern paper so that 4 colors show in the square. I could probably go as it is -- but I was wondering about something ... "more"  (and I totally understand that "more" isn't always better -- but too often I am inclined to just leave a design when just a little something else could put it over the top) |
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camcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,990
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Post by camcas on Oct 26, 2022 3:32:40 GMT
Leaves are always my go to embellishment
For a tropical card I would choose monstera leaves
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,199
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 26, 2022 14:10:55 GMT
I had to look up “tower flap card to understand. For something like this, I would get a 6x6 paper pad with coordinating papers and cut the pieces from a variety of those papers. Just mix them up so the effect is varied. The papers in a paper pad typically are made to go together, but even using a paper pad with mi and match papers, it does look like a challenging project. yes - that is what I've done -- each square has the same matting but a different color of square on top. In some of the places, I cut the paper so that two colors are aligned in the small square; in other cases I cut the pattern paper so that 4 colors show in the square. I could probably go as it is -- but I was wondering about something ... "more" (and I totally understand that "more" isn't always better -- but too often I am inclined to just leave a design when just a little something else could put it over the top) Thanks for the clarification. I understand a little better now. Your Tower Flap card seems to be a more elaborate twist on a simpler type of panel card. In both cases, I suggest that less is more. Embellish only a few panels, perhaps one or two with a stamped or printed word. A few others with a small image that coordinates with the papers. One or two panels with half pearls or enamel dots. Keep it to a minimum, and it should look better than with too much embellishment. I love unusual cards, and I’ve been making cards for decades. This is one of the few cards that I have seen that I don’t know if I would tackle. Yes, it’s impressive, but it looks a bit overwhelming, even for a seasoned card maker. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling a bit intimidated by it. I think I would be, too, and I normally love dimensional cards. It seems more like a creative project someone would do if they were trying to get on a design team, rather than a card I would make for a friend. |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,439
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Post by kitbop on Oct 26, 2022 14:24:56 GMT
I too had to google "tower flap card" - I'm impressed! I agree with scrapnnana - choose a FEW panels, add a supporting word strip, pearl, die cut leaf or small punched flower or butterfly. I'd run the items "off" the square and cut the edge, not put them right in the centre.
It's too bad the squares are stuck down because an embossed image would look great but you don't want to mess with embossing in case it goes bad. You could "watermark" with versamark ink and a polka dot stamp or floral stamp or a silhouette style stamp. I like the look when you take just an edge section of a larger floral stamp and place it in the corner of a square (but almost impossible to do with them adhered to the card I expect) And what about ink "stitching" on a few panels? My other thought is circles - because your cards is rectangle/square everywhere, maybe just a few small (3/8"?) punched circle of patterned paper or contrasting cardstock - attach to the EDGE of your square as if the circle is "running off it" - add a sequin or pearl to "join" it to the underlying square. If you used different sizes of circles on a few squares it would add a lot of visual interest. Or (you've got me going now!) how about little critters "peeking" onto a few of the squares? Just the eyes/ears? Some could be from the bottom, or corner, and some from the side or top of the square for silliness! |
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Oct 26, 2022 16:27:58 GMT
yes - that is what I've done -- each square has the same matting but a different color of square on top. In some of the places, I cut the paper so that two colors are aligned in the small square; in other cases I cut the pattern paper so that 4 colors show in the square. I could probably go as it is -- but I was wondering about something ... "more" (and I totally understand that "more" isn't always better -- but too often I am inclined to just leave a design when just a little something else could put it over the top) Thanks for the clarification. I understand a little better now. Your Tower Flap card seems to be a more elaborate twist on a simpler type of panel card. In both cases, I suggest that less is more. Embellish only a few panels, perhaps one or two with a stamped or printed word. A few others with a small image that coordinates with the papers. One or two panels with half pearls or enamel dots. Keep it to a minimum, and it should look better than with too much embellishment. I love unusual cards, and I’ve been making cards for decades. This is one of the few cards that I have seen that I don’t know if I would tackle. Yes, it’s impressive, but it looks a bit overwhelming, even for a seasoned card maker. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling a bit intimidated by it. I think I would be, too, and I normally love dimensional cards. It seems more like a creative project someone would do if they were trying to get on a design team, rather than a card I would make for a friend. Thanks scrapnnana -- but it is actually very easy to create. I like cards that have a big "wow" factor - but are really very easy to build! It is just rectangles laid in an opposing direction on a center tower. It is just the first ones being adhered that are a little mind bending! |
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Oct 26, 2022 16:32:27 GMT
I too had to google "tower flap card" - I'm impressed! I agree with scrapnnana - choose a FEW panels, add a supporting word strip, pearl, die cut leaf or small punched flower or butterfly. I'd run the items "off" the square and cut the edge, not put them right in the centre.
It's too bad the squares are stuck down because an embossed image would look great but you don't want to mess with embossing in case it goes bad. You could "watermark" with versamark ink and a polka dot stamp or floral stamp or a silhouette style stamp. I like the look when you take just an edge section of a larger floral stamp and place it in the corner of a square (but almost impossible to do with them adhered to the card I expect) And what about ink "stitching" on a few panels? My other thought is circles - because your cards is rectangle/square everywhere, maybe just a few small (3/8"?) punched circle of patterned paper or contrasting cardstock - attach to the EDGE of your square as if the circle is "running off it" - add a sequin or pearl to "join" it to the underlying square. If you used different sizes of circles on a few squares it would add a lot of visual interest. Or (you've got me going now!) how about little critters "peeking" onto a few of the squares? Just the eyes/ears? Some could be from the bottom, or corner, and some from the side or top of the square for silliness! Thanks kitbop -- I was thinking something as simple as some enamel dots - using the same color way, a few dots of color sitting on opposing color. I'll probably give that a trial run. I'd pulled a bunch of those old paper flowers -- but that was too much. I'd originally considered circles as the "top" color but when I was cutting the 1.5" squares, I was getting the interesting two color bands and even more interesting 4 color squares -- so decided against any shape. I'll also take a look at some punches -- for a radiating circle design?? Thank you for your time and attention (but I don't do "critters"!! LOL) |
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Post by Embri on Oct 26, 2022 20:17:30 GMT
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Oct 26, 2022 21:58:47 GMT
Thank you Embri for the photo! That is the exact shape, but I did not do the long vertical place - I have all individual squares! I think a "scattering" of enamel dots will set it off well! |
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Post by Embri on Oct 26, 2022 23:12:26 GMT
Enamel dots would be pretty, matching with the dot pattern you've already got. It certainly doesn't need much to make it interesting!
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Oct 28, 2022 15:23:48 GMT
Let's see if I learned how to post a photo ...  Apparently not |
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Post by Embri on Oct 28, 2022 21:28:31 GMT
I don't think Failbook offers hotlinking? You need to use a publicly accessible server, like postimages.org/ (They allow image hosting with or without an account, with a pretty nice easy to use interface.) Tried pulling the URL out of your post but it won't show it to me even if I try a direct access. |
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Oct 29, 2022 2:58:22 GMT
Thanks Embri -- trying again  OH! Yay!!! |
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,417
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Oct 29, 2022 3:16:34 GMT
That's cute!
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Post by Embri on Oct 29, 2022 3:23:35 GMT
What a cheerful looking card! It makes me think of birthdays and those decorated bulletin boards teachers used to do in primary school. Very happy colour palette.
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Post by JoP on Oct 31, 2022 18:09:49 GMT
Thanks Embri -- trying again OH! Yay!!! That's lovely, thanks for sharing. May give this a go |
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