A blog devoted to the cards I make in my tiny upstairs space. When my sister stays there, she calls it an "artist's garret". I'm not an artist, but am an enthusiastic cardmaker - hence the title "Cardmaker's Garret".
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Wednesday 17 February 2016

Straight Up or Offset? Which Do You Prefer?


This week's Merry Monday challenge is to include berries on a Christmas card. 


I chose the lovely Festive Florals stamp as it reminded me of the image on the challenge.

I wanted to compare using my Zig brush markers on watercolour paper and cs. I used watercolour paper for this version.


I kept my panel centred and balanced the way I usually - totally my comfort zone.  I bordered the panel with a subtle dotted dp and mounted on a cream cardbase.

The second version uses cream cs for the image.


I like the results with the Zigs on both kinds of paper.  But I used the Zigs more as markers than as watercolour paints so it might not have been the best test.

When I cut out this panel with my stitched rectangle, I got the cs a bit crooked and slightly cut off one of the corners. So, given that I'm trying to be a little less rigid about mounting everything square and balanced, I angled it to compensate for the cut-off corner.

I'm curious - which do you prefer?




Supplies:

Stamps: Penny Black Festive Florals, Rubber Soul sentiment
Paper: cream cs, red cs, watercolour paper, red dotted dp
Paper Size: A2
Ink: Distress Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Zig brush markers, Lil Inker stitched rectangle, clear glitter, gold stickles, red ribbon

8 comments:

  1. Two lovely cards - I like both designs - but perhaps the angled one slightly more! I think having the plain red background on that one also highlights the pretty stampings better!

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  2. I love the classic Christmas colors you chose! The offset background is my favorite as well. It inspires me to be more experimental with my placement.

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  3. I have no problem with cards that are off center. I think they add an element of fun! Both of these are beautiful. I like the way the Zigs colored on the watercolor paper best. But you know how I love watercolor! Thanks for sharing these with us at Merry Monday!

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  4. I have to say that I'm more of straight, lined up images and panels, but I like the offset version better. Maybe because there's more red and less layers?? Both are beautifully coloured. Great job with the Zigs. I just wrote a post comparing different markers ... we are on the same wavelength. Will be posting soon. xx

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  5. Both cards look really nice! Thanks for showing both. I just got a couple Zig pens for the first time and haven't really used them yet. I am with you on straight and centered. I have a hard time tilting things. So I prefer the more lined up card but I think you are clever to work with cutting off the corner by mistake.

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  6. Susan, your cards are just gorgeous and colored so beautifully! Thanks so much for playing with us this week at Merry Monday!

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  7. Both of the cards are just beautiful! I think I like the interest of the offset one just a little better, which surprises me since I tend to be a straight and evenly spaced card maker. Great job on both of them though...really lovely cards!! :0)

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  8. I love the first card, watercoloured and straight on the base. You did an awesome job with the Zigs. Thanks for joining us at Merry Monday.

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