Nature and natural materials have been a big trend lately. The beauty of kraft and canvas, burlap and twine translate really well into paper crafting as well. You might think that this neutral palette could get boring quickly but they complement each other so beautifully I could create with them over and over.
Today's project combines many natural elements and tones for a card design that will work any time of the year. This card has a definite feminine feel to it but by removing the flower and doily, This card would work really well as a masculine design as well.
There are a few tricks to creating with a natural palette. The first is to add subtle interest with small patterns or text to add visual interest.
The base layer of the card is stamped tone on tone with a script stamp from Hero Arts. To add further subtle interest, I pulled out one of my favorite new products, the Mr. Huey's Calico White Color Mist by Studio Calico.
The other main element for making these very neutral palettes work it to add a lot of textures. The textures of canvas, burlap, cardboard and wood all work together well.
The corrugated cardboard layer is the main layer of my design that anchors all the other elements together. I've used some great corruaged Kraft paper from Ellen Hutson LLC to die cut this element from. I love this new paper as it die cuts so cleanly and while adding texture, it doesn't get too bulky to use. My favorite is the Kraft E-Flute Corrugated Stock for it's fineness.
A really fun way to add interest to a die cut shape is to add a doily. To do this, adhere the doily to your kraft cardstock before die cutting and then cut both layers together. I love this pretty look.
Here's a look at how everything is layered together.
To finish off, I added in my final embellishments. Dont' be afraid to add small touches of color, especially if they are colors you find in nature. The canvas flower is misted with some Glimmer Mist. I used one I had on hand but you can find another canvas flower in Ellen's shop here that will work in the same manner.
Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom! I hope you've been inspired. I also want to take this time to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, the happiest of holidays and a wonderful year to come.
Supplies: DesignBlock Old Letter Writing Stamp by Hero Arts, Coffee Archival Ink by Ranger, twine, Mr. Huey's Calico White Color Mist by Studio Calico, Kraft Cardstock by Memory Box, Kraft E-Flute Corrugated Stock, Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint, Frame Back Ornate #3 Bigz Die by Sizzix, ATC Burlap Mini Shapes, Birds Bigz Die by Sizzix, Assorted Doilies by Essentials by Ellen, Basic Grey Canvas Tags Kraft, Green Leaf Trinket pins by Maya Road, canvas flower, Electric Blue Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels
