Jun 9, 2016

Matting and National Colors

Hello DRU Friends!

Donna, here, with a little Dies R Us Inspiration!

Today's cards utilize simple layering techniques to draw special attention to a focal image. 



My cards use the following Dies R Us Products:
Spellbinders - Grand Rectangles
Spellbinders - Matting Basics A and B 5x7
Sizzix - Branch with Leaves

The rectangles are different sizes in order to produce a little intrigue, while keeping the over-all design simple.

The first image was stamped in Memento Flannel Gray Ink. 
I chose turquoise and orange Prismacolor pencils to highlight the vivid colors in Old Glory.
After selecting several reds ranging from orange to burgundy, I chose
blues including navy, bold-true, and turquoise:


As the star section was completed, I pressed the turquoise pencil harder over the area, using it as a blender pencil, rather than a traditional Prismacolor Blending Pencil:


In the same manner, the orange pencil was used as the blending tool for the red stripes.
The white stripes were deepened using both grays and blues:



Finishing touches include Vellum and Vellum Cardstock. The Sue Wilson Pierced Flags set was used to feature the sentiment. Spellbinders Grands and Card Creator Matting Basics A and B (5x7) were used in creating layers.


In the next card, the image is stamped in Memento Cocoa on ivory for a sepia effect. Darker pencils were used in coloring. Tan, gold, and brown tones were used in shading, with a black layered panel. The Pierced banner is placed on the side:


Another Sepia tone card on ivory, this time layered with red and navy, and a touch of green for our beautiful country. Even though this was colored with a lot more browns, the blue matting highlights the cooler colors. Using different sizes of rectangles makes a pretty mat:


Lastly, a vintage rendition done in Gray Ink and gray-and-blue tones of pencils to create yet another flavor. This one is simply adorned with navy cardstock, and green branches:


In each case, a slight variation in the matting sizes and colors
and in the blending colors, 
has created a different effect.

For more information about this card, and some sentiment freebies, please visit my blog post.

Please come back tomorrow to see Ann's beautiful "The Tassel is worth the Hassle" post!

click below for:
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8 comments:

  1. WOW! Donna, your project is awesome! Love it.

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  2. Great tutorial Donna! You have designed fabulous cards, fantastic how they all look different by making small changes!

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  3. You are always so clever and creative! Giving all the details on how to create such works of art! Great information....you make it all look so easy! Thanks so much for sharing. These are pretty AWESOME!

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  4. WOW these are FABULOUS Donna! Thanks for all the wonderful tips & tricks you have shared! Awesome inspiration to all.

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  5. These are amazing, Donna! Your coloring is fabulous and these must have taken you forever to color, but so worth the time. BEAUTIFUL cards, my friend!

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  6. I first thought "these have to be digital images that were precolored" but then I read your post and saw how you colored the stamps in...........totally blew my mind. You did such a great job Donna. You are one talented artist!

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  7. they look fantastic, great coloring!!

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