There is Still Time to Play in the Texture Challenge!

There is still time to play along with Challenge #2 here at The Card Concept!

You can find the details of the challenge HERE. We are loving the submissions so far, and we hope you'll join in the fun!

This challenge will end on Monday, February 3rd at Noon (PST).

The Difference between Clean & Simple and Clean & Layered!

Hi everyone! Lesley here, creator of The Card Concept. 

Wow, I am thrilled with the response to our challenge! Thank you so much for joining us!

To play along with the current challenge, please CLICK HERE.



My sweet bloggy friend Darnell, asked this excellent question:

I think a lot of us are still confused about what is CAS and what is CAL. I should say, speaking for myself, that I am confused about it. If someone could enlighten me about my card today, I would be grateful. I see that Tracy's and Deanna's brilliant cards both have layers, so I'm beginning to understand that it is really more about the "white" space than the layers? Yes? My card this week is really questionable in my own mind as far as whether I've left enough "white" space to be considered CAS. Thank you! Hugs, Darnell

Thank you for your question, Darnell!

Clean and Layered is actually QUITE a bit different from Clean and Simple. For instance, all of the designers over at Freshly Made Sketches are Clean and Layered artists. I think of clean lines, lots of design papers or embossing and usually some embellishments. There is nothing "simple" about a clean and layered card.

Here are some cards I created in the Clean and Layered style. As you can see...not simple but layered with NO sponging or distressing...they are clean and layered. The second card looks more simple, because of the white space...but it is Clean and Layered too...because of the flowers, and the flourish. It took a while to make! LOL!

Clean and Simple is all about less is more. Usually one layer...sometimes artists like Deanna and Tracey use pens to create lines that "look" like layers. I truly do not usually "do" clean and simple but there have been some great examples of it in the linky gallery. One of our winners for last week's challenge, Brian, shared an excellent example of Clean and Simple.

Our Challenge Manager, Tracey McNeely, created this awesome Clean and Simple card...no "white" but lots of white space!

I hope this helps to clarify the difference between the two styles! Thanks again for your question, Darnell!

Clean and Simple (CAS)

Definition:

• One main image
• Lots of open space (uncluttered)
• Limited layers & embellishments
• Quick & easy to recreate

Clean and Layered

Definition:

• clean lines
• lots of layers
• designer papers/embossing
• embellishments/accents
• clean and fresh looking
• some coloured images at times
• white space

Challenge #2 - Use Texture (Jan 22)

Welcome to The Card Concept. 

This week we would like you to add some texture to your card! You must use the texture and create your card in one of the styles of the designers. 

The styles are explained HERE.

Clean & Simple

Tracey McNeely

I was inspired to recreate the scene using texture and dimension through dry and heat embossing while still keeping true to my CAS style.

Deanna Dean 

I love the colors in this photo and pulled from them to create this CAS card.

Clean & Graphic

Ardyth Percy-Robb 

Choose two or three elements to focus on from your inspiration to create a graphic card!

Geri Greening

Using sandpaper in a masculine design is an interesting way to add texture to a card.

Clean & Layering

Kay Miller

When I saw the word texture, I immediately thought of the Perler beads that my daughter and I have been playing around with lately.  I used one of my little beaded creations for the texture on my card.

Kerin Sylvester

I was inspired by the red and white of the house for my card, and chose this stamp because the tree trunk reminded me of the wood texture of the roof.

Shabby Chic

Narelle Farrugia 

The texture of the shingled roof reminded me of burlap and the colours of my card were based on the colours from the inspiration pic.

Debbie Marcinkiewicz

I was inspired by the colors from the photo - coral, green and kraft!

Freestyle Collage

Karen Davis 

I was very inspired by the colour contrast between the house and the greenery, and the challenge requirement to use Texture.

Cindy Lovell 

I was inspired by the red of the house and the word texture.So i did a little embossing on the red piece of paper and started my card from there.

Teresa Kline (Guest Designer)

I was inspired by the roof and immediately thought of corrugated cardboard. I knew I wanted to use a piece of cardboard, I then added a glittered flower and used rusted metal for the leaves.

Classy & Elegant

Lee Ann Barrett 

Natural settings always inspire me to use natural materials such as burlap, which gives great texture.  Heat embossing adds texture and also provides elegance, especially when on black cs.

Cathy Weber

Gold spray paint adds an elegant textured touch to rustic wired jute ribbon.

Our Rules

1. Use the Challenge to create a card.
2. Choose one of the design team "styles" to create your card. Click HERE for the different styles summary.
3. Explain in your post which style you used.
4. Link up your blog post here, not your whole blog.
5. Comment on the card ahead of you and behind you in the linky. Everyone loves comments!

This challenge will end on Monday, February 3rd at Noon (PST).

Challenge #1 Winners!

Hello, Tracey here with the winners from Challenge #1 - Colours. The very first challenge at The Card Concept.  We had quite a time choosing our winners with 104 participants! Hope that you all come back and play next challenge which goes live in an hour at 5:00  AM (PST).

Congratulations to all of our participants for this week's challenge here at The Card Concept. We have each chosen a winner who we liked the best but not necessarily in our design style, and who followed the rules and challenge.

If you are viewing this in Google Reader, please visit our blog, to see the winning projects, by clicking on the pictures.

1. Teresa's Choice: Brian's card is perfect, the clean lines made with a marker and straight edge and the splendid stamping.....what not to luv?	2. Ardyth's Choice - Darnell's layered skyline allows her to use the vertical sentiment perfectly!	3. Geri's Choice - Jen created beautiful movement with the softly curving lines in her design!
4. Deanna's Choice - I adore this beautiful card by Lindsey. Simply stunning.	5. Kerin's Choice - The combination of textures and layers Sharyn used really caught my eye!	6. Narelle's Choice: I just fell in love with Kim's beautiful butterflies & shabby style! Congrats!
7. Lee Ann's Choice-The unique image, CAS elegance & use of washi on Jenny's card really caught my eye!	8. Kay's Choice- The beautiful layered elements in Chupa's card are absolutely stunning! A work of art!	9. Cindy's Choice:Nancy created a beautiful card,with her layering and the pretty butterfly! Love it!
10. Tracey's Choice: I love the watercolour effect and selective masking Leigh used for her city scene.	11. Debbie's choice: Giovanna Smith! Gorgeous flowers, lace and bling! A shabby chic work of art!	12. Karen's Choice: I love Michelle's pretty card with it's wonderful colour proportions.

Meet Our Newest Classy & Elegant Designer!

Today I am thrilled to introduce our newest Classy & Elegant Designer. Cathy is an amazing and creative designer. I can't tell you how many times I have seen a card she has posted and said to myself "why haven't I ever thought too do something so fantastic!" You will love her designs and her ability to add that regal touch to her creations! 

Let's welcome, Cathy Weber!

Hi there...I'm Cathy Weber and I live in Southern California with my husband of 34 years.  It wasn't until my three children grew up that I discovered there was a "crafty" side of me.   My typical crafting style is Clean and Layered, but I am going to stretch myself right out of my comfort zone and be one of the designers who represent the Classy and Elegant style.  Those two styles actually have a lot in common and I hope to be able to combine the best of both as I join what I consider to be the “hottest” card challenge out there today…The Card Concept.  Let’s see how much “Classy & Elegant” I have in me!

The Classy/Elegant Style can be defined as:

• polished
• shiny finish
• sparkling embellishments
• rich colour scheme
• sophisticated sentiments
• regal
• sweeping
• dramatic
• monochromatic
• layered textures
• awe
• impress

Have you ever created of using this style before? 

If you have or would like to come and try it out our next challenge starts Wednesday January 22nd, 5 AM (PST)--see you there!

There is Still Time to Play at The Card Concept!

There is still time to play along with Challenge #1 at The Card Concept!

This challenge will end on Monday, January 20th at Noon (PST).

Challenge 1 - Colours (Jan. 8)

Welcome to the brand new challenge blog The Card Concept!

We have been preparing for this day for months and we are so excited to share the inaugural challenge with you!

This is a bi-weekly challenge blog, which features 12 designers and 6 different styles.

Each designer has their own "style" of design and they explain how they were inspired by the challenge.

The styles are divided into 6 style themes:

• Clean & Simple (CAS)
• Clean & Layered
• Clean & Graphic
• Freestyle Collage
• Shabby Chic
• Classy & Elegant

We would love you to come and play with us. This week we have some colours for you to try! You must use the colours and create your card in one of the styles of the designers. 

The styles are explained HERE.

Clean & Simple

Tracey McNeely 

Inspired by these colours I made a smaller card, with a smaller image adding enamel dots for interest without clutter.

Deanna Dean 

My card is inspired by the softness of these beautiful colors together.

Clean & Graphic

Ardyth Percy-Robb 

Use lightest and darkest colours the most to create high contrast and really pack a graphic punch!

Geri Greening 

My design was inspired by the pretty cornices on the buildings in the inspiration photo

Clean & Layering

Kay Miller 

I couldn't help but think of flowers when I saw this beautiful color scheme. I alternated layering elements in the different colors, then added the pretty layered flower on top.

Kerin Sylvester 

I was inspired by the softer shades of the challenge, and thought this sweet little girl fit those colors nicely. 

Shabby Chic

Narelle Farrugia 

This colour combo is one of my favourites. These delicate pink flowers popped into my when I saw it.

Debbie Marcinkiewicz 

Whenever I hear pink, I think 'flowers', so this week I was inspired to create with lots of pink and florals!  The dress form shape reminded me of the tall buildings in the photo!

Freestyle Collage

Karen Davis 

I was inspired by the buildings because I have them as stamps and dies, and by the pink which I enjoyed using in this setting.

Cindy Lovell 

Because of the Pink,the first thing that came to my mind was Love,so created a Love themed card,with hearts and the pink background

Teresa Kline (Guest Designer)

I was inspired by the different textures, shapes, and of course the colors in the photo.

Classy & Elegant

Lee Ann Barrett 

I used this elegant flourished image as a base for my butterfly.  Placing the pink butterfly on a dark brown base allowed the butterfly to pop.

Our Rules

1. Use the Challenge to create a card.
2. Choose one of the design team "styles" to create your card. Click HERE for the different styles summary.
3. Explain in your post which style you used.
4. Link up your blog post here, not your whole blog.
5. Comment on the card ahead of you and behind you in the linky. Everyone loves comments!

This challenge will end on Monday, January 20th at Noon (PST).