Criminal Grace

I’ve been trying some new tricks in my cards lately in an effort to broaden my paper crafting horizons. Last week, Paper Crafts started showing off their new special issue, Card Style, and had me itching to branch out. The issue breaks down into four general styles: Fun and Cute, Clean and Graphic, Shabby and Vintage, and Classy and Elegant.

I would call my style Fun and Clean because it’s not often cutesy (at least in papercrafting terms) or graphic, but it is fun and simple. I think I can swing Elegant, but am a bit too reserved with the shine and shimmer that would make them Classy. And while I love vintage images and touches,  I struggle with layers and distressing that make it shabby.

When Cath encouraged readers to try each of the styles for the next Moxie Fab World challenges, I thought it was a perfect excuse to try something different. Here are my forays into each style:

Let’s Do Fun and Cute

stamps: pumpkin mouse and pick of the patch from A Muse; paper: blue petite gingham, black kitchen dot, natural, and sage cardstock from A Muse; ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; other: Pigma Micron pen; Copic Markers; grass punch from Martha Stewart Crafts

Look at that adorable mouse! Polka dots! Gingham! Border punches! Fun and cute is totally in my wheelhouse. It’s almost second nature, although I struggle a bit with adding embellishments, ribbons, and patterned paper. I want everything I add to a card to be either the most important thing or a subtle background element. I just can’t stand to take attention away from an awesome image/sentiment and give it to window dressing.

Let’s Do Clean and Graphic

stamps: elegant winter clear set from A Muse; paper: white cardstock from American Crafts; navy notecard from A Muse; ink: whisper white craft from Stampin’ Up!; other: white detail embossing powder from Stampendous; alpine trail edge punch from EK Success; frosted lace Stickles

That’s design philosophy is probably why Clean and Graphic is so easy for me.  I’ve been holding onto this card idea for years. It’s based on the shadowbox displays Hallmark created for their ornaments using navy backgrounds and a few layers of white hills with trees. I’m kind of smitten with the concept and the execution in this card.

Let’s Do Shabby and Vintage

stamps: miss you from A Muse; Pure Innocence 016 digital stamp by Heather Ellis; script stamp; paper: yellow petite gingham, red kitchen dot, and natural cardstock from A Muse; white cardstock; ink: bahama blue Memento; basic gray dye ink from Stampin’ Up!; old paper Distress Ink from Ranger; other: yellow ruffled trim from Maya Road; Copic Markers

Yeah. That philosphy is also why Shabby and Vintage is so difficult for me. This card took a lot longer than most and I still feel like it’s missing a little something. Maybe another ribbon with a charm? And now that I see it in a photograph, putting the sentiment on a little tag would’ve kept things more in the shabby and vintage style. This was also my first experience with a digital stamp, which is a lot like clip art, just designed with stampers in mind.

Let’s Do Classy and Elegant

stamps: baroque from Stampin’ Up!; holiday labels cling set from A Muse; everyday sayings clear set from Hero Arts; paper: basic gray from Stampin’ Up!; unknown white and red cardstock; ink: basic black and basic gray dye ink from Stampin’ Up!; ladybug Memento; other: ribbon from Michael’s; ruby slipper Stickles; silver Gelly Roll pen; apple punch from Martha Stewart Crafts

I’m comfortable with the bold ornamentation common in this style. And I like using it with big, graphic stamps. It’s just not my first choice. It’s a natural choice for Twilight-inspired cards though. Take a classy black and red card, add some shimmer, an apple or heart, and you’re in sparkling vampire territory.

So, what do you think about the different styles? What is your favorite to make? Is it different than what you like to look at? If you want more style examples, check out the other entries in the Moxie Fab World challenges. And for even more inspiration, check out the Dare to Get Dirty challenges on SplitcoastStampers that really drove the content of the cards above.