Saturday, April 14, 2012

A Problematic Card

Ever have one of those cards? You know, where nothing looks quite like you imagined it, or planned it, or at least hoped it would? This is one of those cards...




First off, I think this card looks better in real life than in the photo, where the contrast between the embossed flower and the card base isn't quite so stark, and where the sentiment ink is a closer match to the patterned paper. That being said... I picked one of the sketches from the current Hero Arts contest and decided to use this awesome Hero Arts/Basic Grey flower as a focal image. I divided the patterned paper, put it back together with repositional tape, and embossed. When I tried it on a white base... I discovered my white embossing powder isn't so white. (I'm not sure if it's always been so creamy -- I've noticed before it's not a perfect white, but it really showed up with this large, semi-solid image. Maybe it's the age of the powder; who knows?) At least on the vanilla base, the flower just seems more highlighted, and not dingy, as it did against the white. The vanilla base also looks richer than the white did. 
So, while obviously this card didn't end up in recycling, and I'm willing to share it with cyberspace, and I've even entered it in the Hero Arts contest and the current Simon Says Stamp challenge (April Showers Bring Spring Flowers), I'm not entirely happy with it. And if you have any recommendations for a WHITE embossing powder, please share! 



Stampin' Up very vanilla cardstock, My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose Hattie patterned paper, Hero Arts/Basic Grey stamps, Colorbox frost white & VersaMagic Aegean blue inks, white embossing powder, circle nestability, pop-dot tape Pin It Now!

11 comments:

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

OH! I have had SEVERAL cards that don't look like what I envisioned or designed! You are not alone!

However, I love this card--LOVE the three panels and the papers. LOVE that white embossing! BEAUTIFUL!

Christine said...

I think your card is exceptionally lovely!! I love the contrast and think you picked some beautiful papers for this technique!! Sometimes it's those cards that turned out a little different than we expect that are the prettiest!!
Thanks so much for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog.
xoxo, Christine

kasia c. said...

I love the 3 panels and that white embossed flower is gorgeous.
I do completely understand having a card not turn out exactly as envisioned though, but this is still pretty!

Jessi Fogan said...

So frustrating when you can't match the pic in your head! I hear ya. And about the white EP - I've noticed that about mine too, so no help there. Mine is nearly finished, though, so it's probably at least 3-4 years old.I still love your card, though, and that paper was the first I used up out of that collection!

Emily Leiphart said...

Beautiful card, Linds! I don't see anything wrong with it and your embossed section certainly looks white to me. Funny how you asked about white embossing powder 'cause there are a couple of threads about it on the HA Flickr pool:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/heroarts/discuss/72157629446314386/
and
http://www.flickr.com/groups/heroarts/discuss/72157629414611132/

Donelda said...

The embossed image is amazing and looks great on your 3 panels. I also have struggles with my white and silver ep. But I think you found a way to make the overall card work great! As card makers, we all know that our cards don't look nearly as nice in photos as they do in real life ... when I look at ALL cards, I just assume they look better :-)

Kary said...

Hi Lindsey! I think your card looks beautiful as is. Nothing wrong with it, I LOVE that shade of blue and I think the doily goes so well with the paper you used. And the embossed flower is so pretty.
I've searched & bought so many white embossing powders before, and I think I like the Stampendous Detailed White most. Not sure if it is really white, but I like that it is really detailed. Have a lovely week, Lindsey!!

Anonymous said...

I often have 'one of those cards' moments; some I salvage and you see them on the blog, others are tossed! I love the paper you chose and the way your embossed image works with the style of paper. The white embossing powder pops really well on the blue background and every element ties in well with the others. I am glad you persevered with this one; it deserves to be seen.
Heather T

Jen W. said...

"Those" cards drive me bonkers when they don't cooperate but usually I'm the only one that has a problem with them. Funnily enough my least favourite cards are often the first to sell...

That said, I think your card is gorgeous. That patterned paper is so elegant ad that flower image compliments it perfectly.

Jocelyn Olson said...

Oh jeez...at least half my cards end up in recycling. I love the white on blue (fab paper!), and it looks very white on my screen. I love the large floral image embossed. As for white e.p., I have the Inkadinkado white now, but I really liked my old Ranger white.

Lisa Arana said...

i must confess, i sometimes just have to walk away before i end up throwing myself on the floor in a full on tantrum. so frustrating when my idea doesn't quite translate into real life.

i love your beautiful card. it is lovely with that background paper.

I've had the same white embossing powder for years. Stampendous fine detail white. Not sure if it is the bomb, but it is all i know. :)