Three Ways to Make Simple Stamps SHINE

Hey there, my friends! Today's floral springtime card is quite simple with a stamped image and sentiment but I'm going to show you some tips to make your stamped images SHINE and take center stage. Simple doesn't have to mean BORING - and today I'll prove it! 

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Today's card features this sweet potted flower arrangement called Big Flower Pot, from Impression Obsession. It's such a sweet image and I wanted it to remain the focus of my card. One stamp plus one simple sentiment could equal BORING - but not today. Let's look at a few ways to showcase one stamp and make a big statement on a card.

Begin With the Background

For added POP, begin a simple card with a simple embossed background. Adding an embossed panel to a card can provide the perfect amount of subtle background to make a card more interesting without being distracting. (And I'm always.always a sucker for polka dots.) 

Think About Die Cuts in a New Way

Another way to give extra POWER to a single stamped image is with an unexpected die cut layer. For today's card I used the Three Rectangle Frames dies. The aqua rectangles help tie the colors together, and the shapes anchor the floral image and give it a virtual resting place on the card. This same idea can be achieved with any die cut shape or shapes; sometimes even just a scrap strip of cardstock is all you need to ground your image and give it some weight. 

My Favorite Rule - of THREES

The Rule of Thirds is an idea that artists and designers use all the time - you might even use it and not realize it. Here's the secret - THREE of anything is always more visually interesting than two. Or four. Stick to odd numbers for embellishments. Look at those sparkle dots I used. If you connected the dots, what shape would you have? That's right boys and girls. . .a triangle! Create subtle visual triangles with embellishments to keep the eye moving around the image. I promise - it works like magic. Look back at any of the cards on my blog, and you'll see I can't NOT add three dots to most of my cards!

Bonus points if you noticed that the die cut rectangles are also better because there are THREE. The rule of thirds applies to the entire layout of your cards and crafts too, not just embellishments. Think about the shapes you're making with a focal point and sentiment. A tall-ish floral image with a long sentiment at the bottom. . .there's that triangle again. 

Okay crafty peeps, there's your art lesson for the day. If you learned something helpful, let me know, and then go practice it on your next creative project. 

Today's blog post is part of the Favorites blog hop with the Impression Obsession designers. We're showcasing a few of our favorite product and projects from the March release. 

Here are the important details for today's blog hop:

If you arrived here from Laura Fulcher, you're on the right track. If not, start at the Impression Obsession blog so you don't miss a thing!

• We're giving away THREE Impression Obsession Grab Bags - the more you comment, the more chances to win!
• Comments will be open until March 22nd at midnight CT. All winners will be announced on March 23rd on the Impression Obsession Blog.
• Find all the new release stamps HERE

Next on the hop, head to Lee Ann Barrett for more fun.

Supplies on Today's Card:

Big Flower Pot Stamp

Three Rectangle Frames Dies

One Moment Stamp

(did you notice my trick with this stamp? I wanted just a small sentiment so I stamped this and then just trimmed off the word enjoy for today's card!)

Color Splash Watercolor Pencils from Spellbinders

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