Windy Robinson
So are you enjoying Paper Crafting Tip & Tricks Week? I’m excited to be posting here this week because this special issue is my favorite out this year!
It’s a 164-page issue full ideas of all kinds of paper crafting techniques and cool ways to use all of the products that we have on hand in one place! Where else can you learn about hundreds of new tricks to take along to your next crop and share with your friends!
Okay, so are you ready for my peek into the issue? I created a collection of style squares for the issue that I get to share with you today. Each square illustrates one of the different styles of card making: Fun & Cute, Clean & Graphic, Classy & Elegant, Shabby Chic, Vintage, and Freestyle Collage. You’ll find these on p. 112!
For a great explanation of each of the first four styles be sure to check out Julie Campbell’s awesome post on Card Design Style.
You may have noticed that I illustrated freestyle collage, which is a style that is making a surge in paper crafting. Notice the square at the bottom right.
Freestyle/Collage is a difficult style to define, and that’s what’s so intriguing about it. In this layered and eclectic approach to design, seemingly unrelated patterns, embellishments, and textures are gathered together—often in an asymmetrical way. The combination of items and techniques used may appear odd taken one element at a time, but put it all together, and collectively, somehow it sings. It’s the freedom to delve into all parts of your stash, the permission to combine disparate techniques, all while knowing that your strong sense of design will allow it to work. For instance, I combined fun & cute polka dots with large amounts of white space from the clean & graphic style to create a freestyle design.
Since Halloween is just a few days away, I thought I’d share a Halloween card today that illustrates freestyle/collage.
I created the card by using an elegant patterned paper as the “white” base of my card. Then I added strips of patterned paper that range from fun & cute stripes to the graphic chevron owls. I even distressed the polka dot paper and added vintage looking trim with a satin bow and cameo.
So what card style do you like best? Have you ever tried freestyle collage on any of your projects? Leave me a comment by Friday, October 26th at 5 pm MDT and I’ll enter you to win the Once Upon a Halloween collection by Webster’s Pages that I used on my card today, plus a copy of the issue!
Yours in style,
Windy Robinson, Paper Crafts Go-to Gal
P.S. Do you like journaling cards? Check out some of the exciting projects featuring these cool items from Paper Crafting Tips & Tricks, and participate in the newest challenge on the Moxie Fab World!
I tend to gravitate towards fun & cute or clean & graphic. They best fit my overall style and I choose depending on both the topic of the card and the recipient.
My style seems to be all over the board, mainly it depends on who/what the occasion the card is for. Love your Halloween card and the idea of Freestyle collage ~ may give that one a try soon.
I like all the styles! I never tried freestyle collage
I’ve never tried freestyle collage, but I’m tempted to give it a try!
Love the halloween card and freestyle collage technique you used. I will have to try it. Where did you find the cat cameo? W hat brand of paper did the chevron owl come from?
I want to make one similar and use the word Meow and i will probably use an orange trim. Thanks for giving great inspiration!
I have tried freestyle collage but really struggle with it. I love the look when other people use it but hate it when I do it. Thank you for the chance to win.
I don’t think I’ve done a freestyle project – I tend to bounce between Fun & Cute, Clean & Graphic, and Classy & Elegant, depending on my mood and which supplies I feel like using.
Thanks for the chance to win!
I wasn’t paying attention tonight – just realized the giveaway is already over – oops!