Sunday 27 February 2011

Retail Therapy.

I am thinking of making a banner for my blog saying ' I welcome constructive criticism'  :D)  Just visiting some of the entries for the Less is More challenge, and not only are the cards fab, but all the tips and advice left in people's comments are really helpful.
I think Chrissie and Mandi have a phenomenon on their hands!!!

Here's my entry for this week's 3 Squares theme.



 I stamped my image onto white card (square 1) and then stamped it again and cut out 2 areas of the image (squares 2 and 3).  I wanted to go for strong, bold colour on my image, so I kept shading to a minimum. I struggled with the black hair - my first attempt was just too flat and using a white pen for the highlights didn't work. In the end, I left some small white lines as I was colouring and it seems to look a little better. Something to work on!
I agonised for ages about whether to run a black line around the card, in the end I went for it and I think it works. The image squares were then stuck on with tape, because I didn't want the shadows that sticky pads would have given.
 
I'm not sure now, if I should have only used colour on the small sqaures - like a spotlight technique. What do you think??


I think this card also fits the 'Fashion' challenge at Moving Along With the Times, so I am also entering it there.

Stamp is from Kanban - Damask Divas, Let's Go Shopping.

54 comments:

Sarn said...

WOW - this card is VERY striking.

I personally like the black edging you gave the larger square as I think it ties in with edging of the smaller squares and brings unity to the card.

Hugs, Sandra

Chrissie said...

This is really interesting Caroline! You have used the three squares in a most innovative way with this really trendy card.
Probably the best way to achieve depth of colour when wanting a black section, is in fact to use varying shades of grey. Both Copics and Promarkers do sets of greys, which when combined give superb shading and depth!
It's great to have your card in our challenge and we look forward to seeing you next week!
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Anonymous said...

Wow Caroline, how clever is this?! I think the card works very well as it is but would look good with just the small squares in colour too - would make a whole new card!
Fab! xx

Sue said...

wow, your card is amazing, love the image and a brilliant idea with the squares, i love it:)

sue
xx

Katalytic said...

It is clear you put such a great deal of effort into the design and achieved a striking card

Vicky said...

I think this is just wonderful hun! very striking as Sandra said and the black edge really finishes the card of nicely ~ maybe just colouring the squares would of good too, but I just love the look this way :o)

hugs Vicky xx

DesignerDiva said...

Stunning card, very stylish and striking in its simplicity Thanks for joining us this week at MAWTT
Hugs Laurie x

Jane said...

WOW this card is fantastic love the way you have interpreted the challenge of 3 squares xx

Maureen said...

Lovely card and well laid out, well done.
Maureen.......x

TAM said...

A great card - I like it just the way it is

Maureen said...

A fantastic card - all just right I think but you could try it with just the small squares coloured - to satisfy your curiosity.

Susan said...

What a creative way to complete the challenge!!! I LOVE it!

Doris said...

Clever use of the squares--what a striking card!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

What a fabulously creative card, love it.

Sue said...

I love your take on the challenge. Great card.

Mandi said...

Hi Caroline
This card is just fantastic! Id love that stamp!!
I think tits uber FAB but I too agree with you and would love to see the orange only on the matted squares

Look forward to your crd next week hunni
mandi
"Less is More"

Joan said...

This card is stunning, love your take on the three squares.

SmilynStef said...

So bold, yet classy ... ♥ this.

Marlou McAlees said...

this is amazing!! very clever the way you used the square recipe :) xx

Pami said...

This is a very cool card Caroline, very trendy feel about it, I love what you have done. Thanks so much for joining in with my challenge at MAWTT this week. Good luck. Pami x

Hazel (Didos) said...

WOW Love it, Very Less is more and simply stunning, thanks for playing on MAWTT Hazelxoxo

Zoe Tant said...

Very clever way of getting 3 squares and such a funky image too!

Pop's Cards said...

Absolutely gorgeous Sweetie biggest of hugs love Pops x x x

Deborah Frings said...

Love this image - fab colouring. In fact, I love the orange and black it has real impact. I think the black border on the big square is perfect. So glad you coloured the whole image!

Brenda R said...

Your card says WOW! I like it exactly as you have it.

Kathyk said...

It's fab and it's funky - great image too

Kathyk

A Consuming Passion said...

Fabulous take on this challenge! Hair is a difficult thing to colour whatever medium you use. If you colour with Copics scroll through this site http://madformarkers.blogspot.com
they have some interesting tips.

Lynne said...

Brilliant take on the challenge and such a fab image. Love the strong colours.
Lynne xxx

lindyloo said...

love your card so modern x

Linby said...

wow-you really thought outside the box for this challenge. superb card-I know what you mean about spotlighting but personally I like the effect you have created as it is.
Linbyx

kaos said...

Lovely card - I really like the colour combo - very striking. And the image is just perfect *smile*

I think the spotlight technique might have been a perfect touch, but it is a great card as it is!

hugs
kaos

Fiona said...

Great interpretation of the challenge. Love the striking colours used, but it would be interesting to see just the highlighted bits coloured too.

Esther said...

Hi - I joined in Less is More first time this week and am really enjoying the comments too...I love your card, I think spotlighting would definately have worked but it's still great as it is. Because your colours are bold with little shading I think how you've done the hair really works, but maybe a little more light/white on top as if the light was catching the top of her head as she looked down..maybe...? Esther xx

massofhair said...

WOW, stunning card which needs nothing more doing to it... Like the way you have interpreted the 3 squares challenge using colour and shading to great effect:-)

debby4000 said...

Oh this is so clever Caroline and love the image.
luv
Debby

Sarn said...

Hi Caroline . . . thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting on my chickens! If you scroll down further, you'll see my two "girls". Or you can click on the SUNDAY ROAST label in my side bar for all the other posts about them!!!
Hugs, Sandra x

Brenda Brown said...

A fabulous card Caroline, the whole layout with the 3 squares is so effective and the colours are perfect.
Thanks for joining in with our Fashion challenge at MAWTT.
luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

Suzi B said...

Great quirky card..love the stamp..

Wishcraft said...

What a great idea! Love how you've used the 3 squares, it's very effective. Great colours and fab image too :o) Lisa x

Stamps and Paper said...

Just love your card its so different, well done.

Anne

Anonymous said...

Great card, very creative. It look really good as it is but I can see how spotlighting a couple of areas would really give it punch too.

Hugs
Brenda

Bernadet Rodakowski said...

Really great card! Great technique and how it fits in with the challenge theme!

P.S. I just learned of Kanban stamps, I'm going to look for more like this one.

Sue said...

Hi hun
yep i been tellin mandi for ages to get a challenge blog goin cause she be brill at it.
Luv this card hun, a strikin design, luv the pop of orange, sue,x

Babs said...

Fabulous card a great idea love it...

Babs x

Suze Bain said...

Wow, this is one fabulous card. Love everything about it.

Anonymous said...

Great card I love how you have incorporated the squares

Aileen said...

Brilliant card. Very clever use of the 3 squares. x

Gibmiss said...

Hi Caroline
this is a gorgeous card soooo different ...love it.....
hugs
sylvie
xx

Canne said...

Fabulous card, love that lo and the colours!

Vicky Hayes said...

Wow - this is a stunner! I know what you mean about the spotlight effect but for me it's the strong orange and black colour scheme that gives the card such appeal and the impact of that would have been lost.

Cherry said...

Caroline, this is sooo uber funky. Love it like this but would love to see it with just coloured squares too as I think both would be perfect but in different ways. Inspiring. Hugs Cherry XxX

Faye said...

Wow, I love it and the retro feel it has. xxx

Juls said...

this is amazing!!! Love how you have highlighted the image with the squares...stunning and stylish card!! Hugs Juls

Michele Gross said...

This is off the hook cool! Genius designing!!I wanted to let you know about a brand new weekly CAS challenge that will be starting soon. Its called CAS-ual Fridays. I hope you'll stop by to check us out and we'd love to have you add yourself to our fun followers :)
http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com