Saturday 26 February 2011

Less is more 4 ...

... it's hard to believe that this blog is only on its fourth challenge.  Chrissie and Mandi have built up a large and growing following.  Their aim is to "promote the making of classic Clean and Simple cards" which they do with a series of different challenges and some fabulous tutorials.  And what's really nice with the people taking part and leaving comments, is that we get "real" feedback and helpful criticism.  I've been trying to get around all the entries to see what people come up with and to leave comments - but they had nearly 200 entries last week and I didn't get to see them all!!

This week the Less is More challenge is a recipe - "to use three squares" on your card.  Mandi and Chrissie have come up with great inspirational cards - both totally different looks.  And in the spirit of learning and development, I've made two cards - there's really only one difference between them - and I'd like to hear thoughts.



Both are plain white A6 cards.  I've used a punch to make the square and mounted the stripes onto some blue swirly paper that I found in my stash.  On the card above, I mounted this directly to the card and added a greeting underneath the stripe, making sure that the greeting finished at the edge of the stripe.


On version two - I made the stripe in exactly the same way as above, but this time I emphasised the edge of the stripe with matching ink.  Then added the sentiment to finish in line with the stripe.

Stamps:  Hero Arts - Letter "U" (alphabet set, large capital letter and various images/sentiments to match)
Inks:  Memento - Danube Blue
Accessories:  Card & paper from stash; Papermania square punch (can't remember name of design)

We had a great time out at Whiz Kids this morning - the girls were absolutely shattered when we came back.  They've been playing quietly (I've had to check to make sure they hadn't fallen asleep) in Kathryn's bedroom.  Ben is making the most of the nice weather - really, the sun is shining - by going out to see some of his friends. 

While we were out this morning I finished reading The Valley of Horses - book 2 in the Earth's Children series by Jean Auel.  I read this series of books when they  first came out (too many years ago) and the final instalment about Ayla and her journey is coming out in March.  So I've been re-reading the stories.  If you've not read them - the story (very, very briefly) is about Ayla (Cro-Magnon) who is found and rescued by a Neanderthal clan and her journey as she begins to grow and mature, her natural tendencies emerge, putting her in the middle of a brutal and dangerous power struggle.  They're wonderful stories and I highly recomment them!!  This might be another reason why I've not made many cards this week :)

That's all for now.  Back later.

Edit:  I've had 14 comments so far (26/02 @ 7.00pm) and most people seem to prefer the first version.  I've found this very interesting, as when I made the card I immediately felt it needed something, which is why I made version two.  I showed hubby (via Skype) and he went for V2.  I think my preference is for V2, but I would probably make the edging a bit neater ;) 

51 comments:

Jose said...

I love the first card Deborah, and what a good idea using a square punch, I would never have thought of that.
Jose

Pauline said...

Lovely and simple Deborah, love the blue panel. Personally, I prefer it without the blue edging, I think it distracts from the squares, but that's just my personal preference! xx

Gibmiss said...

hi Deborah
i love the second one ...if i have got to choose...hugs
sylvie
xxxx

Chrissie said...

I think I must agree with Jose... I prefer the first of the two cards! I find the inking a little too random for the crispness of the punch designs.
Great to hear that you are enjoying our little community Deborah, we are delighted with the response!
See you next week!
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Gibmiss said...

Hi Deborah
Great card ...love the second one...personally...if i have got to choose
hugs
sylvie
xx

Sheila in Cyprus said...

Lovely CAS cards, but I have to agree with the others the first looks best. Love Sheila (Cyprus)

Kim S said...

This is simple yet totally eyecatching. I like the first one (it looks like we are split on our opinoins!). I think that the blue of the squares stands out more without any distractions.

Anonymous said...

Both card are fab Deborah but i much prefer the first one. this colour is gorgeous.

Enjoy the rest of the weekned Deborah :D

Ali x

Lynne said...

Two lovely cards but I think I prefer the crispness of the first one. Thats a gorgeous shade of blue you`ve used.
Lynne xxx

Laura Tee said...

The first one is my favourite but both are great!

Clever idea to use punches!

Fiona said...

Great idea to use a square punch like that. Both lovely cards but No.1 is my preference.

Hazel (Didos) said...

Oh I love the second one more, Love how we are all different with our choice, Mmm We had sun today for a while too, its great to see it again, Thanks for dropping by my blog, Hazelxoxo

Viv said...

Can't choose! Like them both... and I think the ink colour is gorgeous!

Vicky Hayes said...

I like the sentiment lining up with something blue, so it's the second one for me! Love the classic blue and white colour scheme Deborah.

Mandi said...

Oh I wrote loads then blogger went loopy!
I prefer the first as the design, to my eyes lends itself to a crisper look. Hd the box been crisp and not smudged it may have worked better
WEll done as always Deborah Great work
mandi
"Less is More"

Caroline Hallett said...

Hi hon - I think version one - less is more x

Faye said...

Deb, both make great cards and are so similar it probably is a tossup as to which is best. My preference is the first one because the blue outline tends to throw the balance off just a tad, to my eyes anyway. But don't go on my eyes. You said you liked number 2. Send out both of them. They will both be appreciated. I love the blue square design. Just gorgeous.

Donna Mosley said...

Hi Deborah, you're so good at these CAS cards. My fave is the 2nd one.

Donna x

Ciara said...

Very nice, love the blue colour against all that white. I think I prefer the top one as the eye is drawn straight to the squares. I think I couldn't help noticing the smudgy bit too, sorry!!!

Julia Aston said...

two lovely CAS designs Deborah! I think I prefer the 'cleaner' one on top!

Susan said...

Deb, I find that my eye is more drawn to the first card. Maybe it's the inking that takes away from the squares? Both are beautiful card, though!

Shaz said...

Both lovely cards, but i am also drawn more to the first one. x

Rosemary said...

both cards are lovely, but i think i like the first one best.

Canonbury creations said...

Love version one Deborah, great colour and the blue square is very striking!

Cazro said...

They are both eye catching, I prefer V1. Cazro

A Consuming Passion said...

I actually really like the look of the second card Deborah I thought it needed that bit of extra blue!

Alice said...

gorgeous colors! beautiful card, Deborah!

Keep It Sweet and Simple said...

Gorgeous cards, and I love the clever use of the punch.
For me, it's version 1. I think the crisp blue designs need no other emphasis.
Caroline xxx

Stella said...

I'm blown away by this beauty; CAS in a fabulous way. Love it!

Sue said...

hi Deborah, 2 fabulous cards, i really like what you have created with both of these cards but i think i prefer the first one best:)

hope to see you again next week:)

sue
xx

Tara Cardwell said...

Hi Deborah

I think I prefer the first one, as the edges of the second are too random to match the geometric punch. But I do agree with you that the first one needed "something" so perhaps I would have chosen to add to very slim mat in a co-ordinating blue behind rathen than ink the edges.
Craftilicious x

Maureen said...

looks like I'm with the majority as I prefer the first card also.

Maureen said...

Both cards are lovely but I prefer the 2nd one. Well done.
Maureen.......x

Sue said...

Hmmm, very difficult to choose between them, they're both lovely cards. I think I agree with the comment someone else made, that the squares on the first one do stand out more without the edging so I am going to go for version 1.Sue.x

Sarn said...

I prefer the first card. Both nice cards though and great idea for using the punch.
Hugs, Sandra

Angelnorth said...

I see what you were going for on the second version but I think I would have gone for a narrow mat of matching card/paper rather than inking the edge (more in keeping with the clean lines, I think). Really fresh and pretty though, both of them!

Sally H said...

Beautiful! I think I prefer the first one, but it is close!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Both Great cards, love the blue and white, my little comment on which card - I think perhaps if the first card had been stamped on to the card maybe it wouldn't have needed something else? that5 aside, as I said BOTH great cards.

Paula (PEP) said...

I have to say I'm entirely with you on this one - the second one I prefer with your making the edging a little neater. Lovely classic design.
Paula (PEP)

Marlou McAlees said...

I like them both :) well done :)

Anonymous said...

I really like the first one; very crisp and clean!

Kathleen said...

Two fab cards and I like the 2nd one.

Kathleen said...

Love the idea of using the punches and the colour that you have used BUT a definate for the first card for me too.

Kath x

Meggymay said...

Two fantastic cards, its a gorgeous blue, think I like the first as well.

Sharon Traynor Designs said...

Hi Debs, Oooh! What a quandry. Love the clean crispness of the first card - but I also think the contrast of the crisp punch and the softer inked edges is just brilliant! SOmetimes, contrast is good.
Lol about your comment on my blog. If you want to 'borrow' the idea, be aware that all the footsteps are at slightly different angles - not easy to line up!
I need to thank you, and collect the lovely award you gave me too...just need a few days to catch my breath first.
Hugs,
Sharon xx

massofhair said...

DEFINITELY the second card with the inked edge! Much better and frames your squares very well. Agree that i would try to get the edges a tad neater but i like a little grunge in my CAS cards.
Great entry this week:-)

Commenting on all the entries is not something i would try but i agree that it is always good to try:-)

Stamps and Paper said...

Love the cleaness and elegance of your cards both lovely and difficult to say which one I prefer...


Anne

Anonymous said...

Another vote for the first card Deborah, but only because I prefer the cleaner lines of it, I think the blue ink looks too random for the clean lines of the punch.

Hugs
Brenda

Suze Bain said...

I have to agree with those who like the first one best, the second one is not so 'clean'.

Anonymous said...

hmmm very difficult to decide on which one i prefer they both have their own merits. I love them both and think that anyone recieving them would just adore them

Aileen said...

Hi Deborah,

I struggled to get round everyone too and this week looks like even more! I like your first card best. Love the shiny blue!

Aileen x

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