January 15 - Design Basics Lesson #2

Well, here is my second lesson on Design Basics. For those of you who missed the first lesson, you can read it HERE. I am using a book called Design Basics Index by Jim Krause and learning a thing or two about design so that I can feel more confident in my card and scrapbooking creations!

Today, I was continueing to read about The Principal of Unequal Spacing - dividing space. I intrepret Jim to mean that if the spacing of a design is unequal it will look pulled together and more interesting.

Here I have made 2 cards that include the same components but I've applied what I learned from Jim to the one on the left and kept spacing equal on the right. What do you think?? Cover one up with you hand and look at the other and then do the same to the other card. I've got to agree with Jim, the one on the left definately appeals to my eye more!! Especially the two different sized spaces (designer paper) on the left.

Also, while I was tying the hemp onto the bottom shapes, I realized that they fit the Principal of Unequal Spacing - point placement (lesson #1) as well. See WHERE the hemp is tied on the left card...it is off to the side. While the hemp on the right side I tied in the middle and knotted it in the middle - YUCK!! It is amazing how once you really start thinking about this principal, you realize how often you actually use it.

A few notes about making these cards. The stamp I used actually has 2 boys and a dog on it but I only wanted one cowboy. So I partially inked up the boy I wanted with my ink pad and then finished it off with my black marker (SU). I made sure to "huff" on the stamp and then put it to cardstock - Voila, one boy. He is dressed in his awesome polkadot shirt and jean shorts - did this by stamping this part onto the designer paper I wanted to use, cut it out and attached it in the correct location! It is called paper piecing and there are a ton of great samples in the SCS gallery. Finally, if you are looking for this cowboy from the supplier, you will not find him with a cowboy hat! Those stars totally screamed COWBOY to me, but I don't have any cowboy or western images but that never stops me. When a roadblock like this happens, I often turn to CLIP ART....and that is where I got that cute cowboy hat!! I printed it on vanilla cardstock, cut it out, sponged it with some more mustard and Voila, a cowboy! I love that kind of creativity!

(Supplies used: Cardstock: More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Basic Black (SU), Designer Paper: Scenic Route's Cape Town - Warren Hill and Multi Stars by Sarah Milne and jean paper (unknown), Ink: More Mustard, Basic Black (SU), Stamps: Justin and Kyle (Me&My Big Ideas) - note how I only used part of the stamp!, Accessories: hemp, clip art (the cowboy hat - I don't have any western stamps but this paper screamed Western to me!!)

I hope you've enjoyed today's lesson as much as I did. I must admit, I am looking at cards totally different than I did before I started reading Jim's book!!

Thanks for visiting.