8/24/2012

Paper Crafts Magazine Presents: Card Design Handbook Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Card Design Handbook blog hop! I am honored to be part of this exciting event! Today, 10 designers from this fabulous new special Paper Crafts issue will show you 10 examples of how to make a great card even better. And it wouldn't be Paper Crafts, if there weren't great prizes involved! So get cosy and hop through this inspirational blog hop! But first, the star of the show. The wonderful, must-have issue:



You need this issue. Now! It is available here. Or, just leave a comment on my post and you will be eligible to win a copy! I have mine already, and it is amazing.

Please leave your comment before Tuesday, August 28th 12 pm

Now to the cards I made for you. Each of the designer chose a design "rule" from the issue. We created a card and then just disregarded a bit of the "rule" to make the card even better. Hopefully :)
My design "rule" is symmetry. Here comes the card following this rule:


See, everything is symmetric. You could cut the card into half and then have two identical halves. My husband liked it like this. My daughter, too. But for me, it was too boring. Here comes the card where I broke the rule a bit:



It is not much, I just adhered the butterfly a bit lopsided, moved the sentiment a bit to the right and arranged the rhinestones more playfully. I like it better this way, what do you think? (Ha, maybe I'd better not know :))


So, that's my example for good to great. You will find the other ones here:


1.       Chan Vuong
2.       Kalyn Kepner
3.       Julia Stainton
4.       Jocelyn Olson
5.       Angeline Yong Jeet Leen
6.       Jaclyn Miller
7.       Lorena Cantó Lavería
8.       Amy Wanford
9.       Emily Branch
10.   Vanessa Menhorn > you are here!

And now, another important thing! Be sure to hop to the Paper Crafts Connection blog for the chance to win an amazing prize!! You won't be disappointed! Good luck and thanks for stopping by today!

Vanessa

supplies:
pp, wood veneer: Studio Calico
stamp: Hero Arts
rhinestones: Doodlebug
button: October Afternoon

153 comments:

Kim M said...

I like the asymmetrical one better. More visually interesting. Great card!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeoug, gorgeous, gorgeous! I'm with you, the second one is a winner :D xoxo

Unknown said...

WOW, love how your second card turned out. I tend to make everything symmetrical too. But I will try this out ;) Thanks for the chance to win ;)

Anonymous said...

Hello, Vanessa, I like the symmetry. It is pleasant for an eye and it doesn't look boring because of the many colors and patterns. Great card!

Caryn S said...

I am finding I am drawn to asymmetrical designs! I too thought the first design was too "neat". The second one flows better.

Elise C. said...

Much better! Thanks for sharing! :)

Anonymous said...

Love this card! The butterfly is so pretty! Gorgeous. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the Card Design Handbook.

Jennifer Scull said...

I so love the whimsical look to the 2nd card. just makes it more fun! the first one is pretty though.

TLady said...

WOW!!!!!!!! WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!! :) GOTTA get that magazine!!!!!!!!!!!! :) (I ordered it already! LOL I'd give the second copy away to a friend! ) I've been looking for a book/magazine like this for FOREVER!!!!!!!!!! THANKS PAPER CRAFTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THANKS LADIES for all your work!!!!!!!! :)

Dana said...

I love you how you broke the rules!!! THe 1st is still good, but the second is lots better!!

Houses Built of Cards said...

Oh - both are BEAUTIFUL, but I definitely LOVE the effect on the second one! GORGEOUS work!!!

housesbuiltofcards@gmail.com
www.housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com

Barbara said...

I like each card equally. That wooden panel is wonderful.
Thanks for the opportunity to win

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

Wow, great minor adjustment, love the butterfly (how perfect for your blog!).

Barb said...

Love this beautiful card, Vanessa - and I'm LOVING this issue too! Even though you've moved some of your elements, your second card is still wonderfully balanced! Love 'em both!

Die Cut Lady said...

Wow I am the first one! Lovely card and fun blog hop when I grow up I would love to be on a design team just like you. :)

cm said...

Hi Vanessa,
WOW - it's amazing how such 'simple touches' can heighten the visual impact of a card; sort of the way a 'simple smile' can brighten a person's day. Your card certainly did that for me, reminding me that little bit of 'lopsidedness' and 'playfulness' really are needed not only on cards, but in life. Thank you for sharing!
carol

Leanne said...

This was a great hop!

Jingle said...

I just love all of the elements on this card!

Renee V said...

Well, I thought the first one was gorgeous until I saw the second one. I like the Great version better too! Just more fun!

pcm said...

love them both :)

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Love the off-centre card . It adds that extra touch of interest.

Lee said...

I love your butterfly card! the change really makes a difference and I love the colors! thanks!

Beastybunny said...

Both cards are great. I am a big fan of symmetry! But the butterfly in the second not only adds a bit a dynamic by making the card a bit asymmetrical, it also give it some motion, which I believe is another design principle. Fantastic!

Sandi said...

I like the more casual look.

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Love the new asymmetrical card. Delightful.

Kailash said...

Love both your cards but really love the change in symmetry with the second card. Turned out amazing. Thanks so much for sharing!!

Betty said...

Your first card is great, but I love the second card! Thanks for sharing!!

Jean Cross said...

Just a little change makes a HUGE difference. Amazing.

elizabeth said...

Sometimes it's just those little changes that make such a difference. Beautiful card.

ParkNSlide said...

Asymmetry is going to be my new thing now that I've seen these before & after examples.

Anonymous said...

Asymmetry makes the card SO much more fun!

Bev E said...

They are both great cards but the 2nd one is the keeper!

calamity jane said...

My vote goes to #2 also! They are both beautiful cards but I'm not a "straight down the lane" type of girl. I do NEED this issue!! TFS!

raquelmason.blogspot.com said...

What a pretty card, love the butterfly. Thanks for explaining the rules.

A Little Licht on the Subject... said...

You're absolutely correct - moving one or two elements off the line of symmetry adds interest and makes the balanced elements even more attractive. Brava! Thanks for the inspiration!

Bethany Stellpflug said...

I like the second one way better! It just looks so much more "right" that the first one! Thanks for the chance to win!

Unknown said...

I like the movement in setting the butterfly askew. What a fun week it's been. It's also been very educational and helpful. Thanks for your contribution.

{VICKI} said...

love both of these cards--too close to call on this one

Becky Dunham said...

I like both of these cards Vanessa, but I do think the second one is better. A little asymmetry is often a fabulous thing :)

Cindy Major said...

I like them both! The orange and turquoise combo looks fab!

Mary Ann said...

I like them both. I am finding that when you put a few assymetrical elements in the card, the card stands out more. I guess it taps into the right side of the brain and the feelings. Thanks for sharing.

Lynda said...

I do like the second one better...a bit more movement and flow too!

Kathleen Rensel, Scrapbook Addict said...

Love the changes! Makes the card more wonderful.

Sandy said...

I'm not sure - I like both and I'm a symmetrical person for the most part. I can see why others like the asymmetrical card.

Anonymous said...

i like them both

Judy said...

Very nice really flows better. Sweet card!

Marie said...

Pretty cards =) TFS!

Mary W. said...

I see a definite improvement. The first one does not have anywhere for the eye to travel. Too much too close together. The second card opens up so the eye can travel over it. Thanks for the examples!

CRAZY4 CHRIST said...

I tend to make cards the first way you did it but i really like the second one, thanks for showing that you can think outside the box and still create a card that looks great!!
Kristan
sierrababy08 at hotmail dot com

bzyPTmom said...

I'm with you--the first card is "nice" and "pretty" but the second one is may more interesting and makes me want to spend more time looking at it. Love the colors and I'm on a butterfly kick--so love that too!

Teresa Zuehls said...

To me both cards are wonderful. Of course I like things more symmetrical. Guess that's why I have a hard time creating asymmetrical cards. But it does happen sometimes. Need to work on this rule to get better at it. Thanks for the lesson and beautiful examples.

Laurie H. said...

I really like both cards, but I guess I can see how the second one is a better design. I think I really need a copy of this Card Design Handbook to help me learn better techniques. Thanks for the chance to win!

Sylvia Blum said...

wow Vanessa, your asymetric card is just fantastic! stunning and really gorgeous! you are my cardmaker hero and super star!!! :-*
mensch wie oberhammergenial! unfassbar was so eine kleine veränderung bewirken kann! vielen dank für diese tolle inspiration :-)

Vicky said...

I get it! Prefer the second one it has that WOW factor.

littlen said...

i like the second one much better. i tend to be too symmetrical, so i'll have to try being a little more asymmetrical in the future.
littlen44 at gmail dot com

Lillian Child said...

This design tip boggles my mind. With just a slight twist of an image/sentiment and VOILA ... all is right with the world. SIMPLY amazing!

Susan said...

I really like both cards, but can definitely sense more movement and a touch of whimsy in the second card!

Pam said...

hard to say which is which because I like them both.

Scrapycandy said...

Great example! Thank you!

Wendy said...

I too like things to be a little asymmetrical!

Becky Cowley said...

WOW! I loved the first card, but seeing the second had me in awe! Simply amazing what a difference it made! Thanks for the inspiration and the great design tips!

Barbara said...

I like the second one better! It has a little more interest that way! Very nice card, by the way!

Anonymous said...

A good example of doing too much centering and positioning things too exactly. Love the card.

Chunyuan said...

love the asymmetrical balance rule you shared. Thanks.

Noreen said...

Love those colors! It looks hugely better with the butterfly angled rather than straight up.

Noreen
http://craftyjournal.com

Cheryl said...

Very pretty card!

Girlsinthecraft said...

Making it less symmetrical sure made it more interesting!

Carol said...

Great projects! I always get such fun ideas from these blog hops!

Carol B
ciaoitalia2007@gmail.com

cassie said...

I love both versions!

Michelle N. said...

Wow-just tweaking the design elements made such a huge impact-the card is certainly not boring anymore.
Thanks for a chance to win.

Sharon Roselli said...

I agree with you completely! the butterfly a little off the buttons not exactly the same gives the card interest.

Cathy said...

I definitely like the second cards better:) more fun.
cathyplus5.blogspot.com

Lindsey said...

The second card is totally more eye-catching than the first! Although I'd be more than happy to be the recipient of either. :D The second card definitely has more "art" to it, I'd say.

sharon g said...

The cocked butterfly on the second looks better. But both cards are great.

Susan R. Opel said...

Love what you've done, Vanessa! Sehr hübsch!

Unknown said...

Rules were made to be broken? lol Nice card! I often have trouble finding these publications in my area, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :-)

jengd said...

Love what going a bit asymmetrical does for this card!

i'm with the band said...

So cute. The 2nd one is perfect!!!

just by lee said...

I also like the second one better, more playful... thanks for sharing

Jocelyn Olson said...

Both cards are so stunning! I think both work...the first card is a great example of symmetry and the second card is so well-balanced. Love them!

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Love both cards. The second card has a comfortable "feel" to it...maybe more natural and organic.

Created by Kathi said...

Thanks for sharing a great before and after card. I guess we all make a card sometimes that isn't our best but with this book I can make my cards really shine!

Pat K said...

The second card is a wow, great job!

Dawn T said...

I certainly like your second one better Vanessa. It is more pleasing to the eye. Would love to win this book thank you!

homerjmo said...

What a small change that makes such a big difference! I like the asymmetry as well.

Sue D said...

It is good to break the rules sometimes! I like both cards.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

Moosisk said...

Great job showing us how to go from symmetry to asymmetry with the same elements on the card. PS I LOVE that background woodgrain paper! :D

Cherri said...

Both cards are nice, but the asymmetrical one is better. Thanks for sharing your beautiful design and thanks for the chance to win.

Shalana said...

I really like both cards but shifting the butterfly does make all the difference and catches my eye. TFS

Tami B. said...

You ladies have really opened my eyes to asymmetry. Thank you.

Unknown said...

I liked the second one best
I am going to have to apply this rule in my future designs

Benwah said...

I like both so I suppose it would all depend on your taste. Thanks for sharing.

Beneta

Big Mamma~ a.k.a. Mary S said...

I think by changing those couple of things it makes you look at the whole card not just glance at it.

Lin said...

Thanks for the tips! Love both of your cards! :)

Louise said...

Great example! I prefer the second card too. Amazing that such small adjustments can make such a difference. Thanks for sharing.

Lynne in NI said...

Wow, such a difference, LOVE your second card!

Lynne in NI said...

Wow, your second card is a stunner! TFS

Lynden Blossom said...

Either way, it's a striking combination, but more 'interest' when asymmetric - ;-}
Lynden
http://aneleganttouch-lynden.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/An-Elegant-Touch-/162889457132788

Nadège said...

When I looked at the first one, it looked perfect to me, couldn't think what could make it better, and yet, you did. The 1st one is still beautiful, the 2nd is just a bit more.
Your 2 cards are gorgeous, love love.

Carole said...

Another great lesson. I agree with you I think it has more interest less then symmetrical. Love it.




http://carolescreativecritters.blogspot.com/

Kathy/NorthCarolina said...

I prefer asymmetry to symmetry...but it bothers me a little that the butterfly looks like it's flying out of the composition. I wonder what would happen if you moved the whole composition down a little on the card so that my eye doesn't keep bobbing up to the top of the card to make sure that lovely creature hasn't escaped...

Anonymous said...

I'm loving the change to asymmetrical! ... Patricia @ Stamped Sentiments

joy said...

The second card is definitely more eye-catching than the first. Thanks for the examples!

Helen said...

I too like the more playful one. I tend to be more symmetrical, I need to start venturing out.

Charo said...

I liked both cards-- the color selection is great also.

mb said...

Ooohh... love the second one! Especially the asymmetric placement of the rhinestones.

Angela said...

hi vanessa,
beide karten sind sehr schön, ich glaub mir gefällt die erste ein kleines bischen mehr......
lg angela

Darcy said...

I SOooooo need that book!

kern said...

Cute card--definitely like the 2nd one better, too! So little can make such a big difference. Also, I really like your color scheme!! Thank you for sharing.

Katie Davis said...

What a great resource! Thanks for the giveaway.

Anonymous said...

Interesting! I really like both versions, but I can see how one might appeal slightly over the other based on my mood at the time.

cheryl (clee') said...

I really like both cards, but the 2nd one is a nice example of asymmetry.

Denise Bryant said...

I like the second version!
DeniseB

anotherid4me said...

fun to see the difference w/ just a small change. Would LOVE to win!

Gwen said...

Surprise..although I am generally a symmetry lover, your second card is far more appealing to me! Love it!

Colleen said...

I like the second one better also, but it is hard for me to make cards that a symmetric, I think they seem kind of boring. Thanks for sharing.

bjmartin said...

The first card is nice, and safe. The second is bolder - and I think more interesting. This process of trying to make it better is wonderful - I hope I can look at my own work and apply some of these principles to make it better! Thanks so much!

Wida said...

Oh my, this is the pinnacle of Studio Calico goodness! I love it. I have been trying to stylize my cards more and this is the exact direction I want to go. Your card will be my reference point when I want to know how to make a SC designed card. GORGEOUS.

Lisa's Creative Niche said...

This is beautiful!!! I love both cards so much! Thank you for wonderful inspiration and information!

CELLO said...

JUST LOVE THE CARD. I LIKE TO USE UP SCRAPS THIS WAY.

Helen F. said...

Both cards are amazing, Vanessa, i really like the 2nd one...I the the 'interest' of asymmetrical designs :)

Anonymous said...

Great job. Thanks for the chance to win.

Jen W. said...

Both cards are gorgeous but the second one has a quirkiness that makes it fabulous!

diana said...

Great card! Thanks for these design tips! ;-)

Kelly Griglione said...

I do like your elements slightly asymmetrical, more exciting!

Pam said...

I really like the asymmetrical card better but both are so pretty!

Thanks for the opportunity to win this great manual.

Pam

ScrappinShawna said...

I like the second one way better...guess I am a rule breaker too!

Inkyfingers said...

I too prefer the second card. Great job of explaining it.

stampingandstitching said...

Vanessa, both of your cards are wonderful but I do prefer the second one! Thanks so much for showing us and giving us all the information on this rule:)

Venus and Luanne @ Sisters Craft Cafe said...

love both cards but even more love the second one.

Ruby Craft said...

Symmetrical vs Asymmetrical seems to be like Safe vs Edgy. Both are great designs but the second has some unexpected surprises in it. This is my favorite of all the rules covered in the glossary and I love the way your examples help define this rule for me. I have enjoyed the blog hop so much.

Sarah Biswabic said...

What a gorgeous card! What a great tip!

Ashley Newell said...

I love both cards! They are fabulous!

Carole RB said...

Fabulous cards!

Pamela Haskin said...

I see what you mean. Such little changes make the card so much better. Very pretty card. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Loved the assymetrical card. It makes it less 'boring'.

Emily H said...

You are so talented Vanessa!

cjgusloff57 said...

Pretty cards! I do like them both, but the second one is a little more pleasing with the few changes you made to it. You make it look so easy! Thanks for the tips!
Corrine Ann

Victoria S. said...

i do like the 2nd one better! love the butterfly!

Unknown said...

Delightful! Sometimes it is hard to break symmetry, but you did it lovely!

stampingbowd said...

Oh yes! The 2nd one has more interest! I love how you scattered the gems and put the butterfly at an angle!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I have got to try this. I do like the second card more but never would have made the changes -- you are such a rebel. Guess I will need to experiment more and stop playing it safe.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful job on both cards - but I really like the remake.

Sheri said...

I like the way it changed the feel of the card. Not so stuffy and buttoned up!

Katherine said...

Love this card. I think the first one is great, too! (I do like the tilt of the second butterfly!)

Larissa Heskett said...

Such AMAZING and FUN cards!! LOVE the tips and tricks!! The second one seems to have more character!! THANKS for sharing and for the chance to win!! Have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)

Sassy P said...

excellent tip and pretty card! i loveit. TFS

BethW said...

I would be thrilled to make a card like the first one-and than you step it up a notch-WOW!

Unknown said...

Both beautiful cards but I like the second one better too. It adds a little fun to it :)

mimi said...

Love your card especially your. Odor arrangement!

jordanbev5@yahoo.com said...

Love symetry as well, and how you "tweaked" it to make it better! TFS! Love your cards!

tape said...

I like them both! TFS.

maria f. said...

I'm with you, I find the second one more interesting. Your gem placement is perfect! And you're so right about the lack of good German sentiment stamps...