Simply Beautiful

Sterling and I received a card after Grandpa Great died from Jill, a good friend and coworker. She’s sent me several cards in the past, and every single one of them has always impressed me with how beautiful—and simple—they are.

I have a friend celebrating a birthday this weekend, and I wanted to make her a packet of cards, so I decided to make those cards beautifully simple. I tend to like textures and dimension and accents, so most of what I create is beautiful (I hope!) but somewhat complicated. I wanted to challenge myself to simplify. 

I used Jill’s card as a template. She had used Cool Caribbean and True Thyme (In Colors from last year), so I went with current colors (Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant, and Very Vanilla), and worked from there. This photo doesn’t do the card justice at all—it was truly beautiful!

   While the challenge I’d given myself was enjoyable, I discovered that I flat out couldn’t do it! Once I’d folded, and stamped, and adhered, I just couldn’t stop. I simply had to add one (and sometimes two or three) final finishing touches! I smiled when I’d get to the simple place—and then couldn’t leave the card alone.

So here’s one of the cards I ended up with. Even though it’s not as simple as I had intended, I think my friend will appreciate her gift. Who can’t use cards? And I have a new appreciation for the skill it takes to create simple beauty!

Comments

[Deb]

Very nice!

[NotGonnaGetHooked]

Both cards though are beautiful! "Simple" is tough for me too. (Sounds like a great future theme for your "So Shelli Challenge"...) ~Sharon Schroeder

[Kelly J]

Shelli,
I'm with you. I find it ridiculously difficult to create CAS (clean and simple) cards. On the other hand, my cards are not nearly as detailed or intricate as your “normal” creations. I tend to reside in the middle ground between CAS and MIM (more is more). Thanks for sharing the result of your challenge to yourself with us. Have a blessed day!

HUGS!
Kelly

[Sherrie Robinson]

I love simplicity! I'm sure your friend LOVED it!

[Julie Davison]

I think more simple is more difficult sometimes because EVERY little detail matters when there's not much on the card. If it's not perfectly straight, there aren't other elements to compensate! Your cards look great and I'm inspired to do some clean and simple stamping...

[SHH]

I love the simple look! While I can look @ the card & tell it is not your style, it is my favorite style. I much prefer simple to all the additions. Isn't that one of the many great things about using SU! products to create? We can each find exactly what works for us. I love the card your friend made. I REALLY love that you are giving cards to a friend for her use. The gift of hand-stamped and blank cards that my friend gives me is always one of my favorite gifts.

[Tricia]

Your cards are beautiful. Whether simple or ornate, the joy of making and receiving them is all that matters.

[Mama Leone]

Shelli,
I am so very happy to see this card from you! I love simple card for many reasons. As a demo I think it is easier to get someone stamping when "less is more".I can convince them to put ink to paper with a beautiful end result. It's a little more challenging to convince them they also **need** ribbon, buttons, eyelets etc,. As a very busy working mom personally it is less overwhelming to put together a card at the last minute if I don't have to get out glitter, and embossing gun or a ton of other tools. ( If all that work is going into it, for the sake of time Im tempted pick up a card at the grocery store on my way home) I also think that "back to the basic" cards are big wright now as it relates to our economy.People with jobs that can afford stamping, don't have a lot of time. People with out jobs that don't have a lot of money are more likely to start stamping if its a minimum investment of ink, cardstock. In addition to that people feel pressure for "more is more" spend more, make more, so much pressure- the last thing we need/want. Lately, I find most design magazines have simple clean lines,without the clutter of the 80's. Even shows on TLC about simplifying. Totally just **my** thoughts, and I can't believe I am really going to post this!
Aside from stamping, your such a busy person. If you ever have another questions post...I would love to know how you find time to exercise and what you do to keep in such good shape? Thanks so much!

[Tracee]

I lean towards the more simple stuff myself. I am sure people must just want to reach over and add an embellishment or three! I was once scrapping with some friends, admiring a super simple layout that I had just decided was done - and my friend looked over my shoulder and asked 'is that it? Are you not doing anymore?!' Clean, simple and refreshing. It's not really so bad!

[Sarah]

Love the card, but weren't Cool Caribean and True Thyme part of the first In Color group--two years ago?

[Jeannie]

I am like you, I love the look of clean and simple cards, but when I try to making one I always feel like it's lacking something.
Thank you for sharing!

[Sharon]

I too adore simple cards but have a hard time creating them. I joined a single layer card swap for convention and I'm so paranoid about doing it. One layer, how can that be? I probably won't have any fingernails left after working on that swap. Beautiful card and wonderful gift!

[Catherine]

Shelli,
You have to love the simple cards. I was wondering one thing. I use google reader and the pictures never show up. Do you know why?

Catherine

[KRISTY YOUNG AUSTRALIA]

Gorgeous Shelli just gorgeous.
Kristy Young

[Cindy Major]

hahaha, oh gosh, I really recognize myself in what you've said! Every time I post something on my blog and write, "look, I did something simple" and am so very proud of myself, my friend Marika reminds me that that's NOT simple... She keeps threatening me to challenge me to a ten-minute card - which scares me to death!

I have a lot of respect for people who can do a simple card that looks elegant and perfect as is. I love them from others, but not when they are my own creations - they just never feel quite right!

Good for you for not shying away from it and giving it a try, though! I think your resulting card is beautiful :)

Cindy

[Beth]

Shelli,
I am new to Stamp'n Up and have enjoyed ordering stamps thru my local rep.

I see the new catalog does not have any seashore/lighthouse related stamps. Previous catalogs had minimal.
I think of seashore themes as year around stamps for the classic beach look in scrapbook pages and cards.

Lighthouses, ocean/sand, adirondack chairs...all sorts of beachy ideas.

This theme is huge on stamp/scrapbook websites.

Any reason not producing these stamps or do you have plans to?

Thanks,
Beth

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