Thursday, July 12, 2018

Make It Monday #328 - Creating Shadow Backgrounds

Hello friends.  This week Laurie is hosting the Make It Monday challenge and shows us how to create shadow backgrounds.  You can check out her beautiful cards and video HERE.

I have 2 cards to share today, but not because the process went so smoothly that I decided to create another card.  I loved Laurie's card with the Weathervane gray cardstock and so that's where I started, but after multiple attempts I only came up with a card that was ok...not terrible, but just ok.


I like the background because I really like the color Weathervane and I really like that butterfly from Butterfly Blooms.  That was my sticking point though where I just couldn't seem to come up with anything that looked good over the background.  I stamped so many of the smaller butterflies from the A Bit More: Butterfly Blooms set in different colors and even embossed with silver on vellum, but nothing looked right to me...grrrr!  I know I'm my own worst critic, and it isn't a terrible card, but...

So I played again, this time with The Sweet Life and am much happier with the end result!


This time I made my background using Fine Linen ink and the roses and leaves from The Sweet Life stamp set along the bottom and up the left hand side of my white panel.


I stamped my sentiment at this point so I would know exactly where to put my colored flower and leaves.


I used Berry Sorbet and Pale Peony inks for my rose and then fussy cut it out and pop dotted it to the panel and tucked my leaves in underneath.  After adhering to a Berry Sorbet card base, I added a piece of jute and then finished up with a few clear sequins.  I was much happier with the way this card came out!!

Make sure you check out Laurie's beautiful cards and video and all the lovely cards already in the gallery, and then play along right HERE.

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!


19 comments:

Birgit said...

They're both fabulous Marcia, but the Sweet Life roses make for a stunning background. Beautiful!

Christine Alexander said...

Beautiful Marcia, the rose on the white card it has a beautiful antique look. You gray card is simply classic. Love both :)

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Two wonderful cards, Marcia! Just love the soft butterflies on grey with the pop of pink on card one! Perfect border of the soft neutral on white for card two and the pink blossom looks amazing!!

lainey said...

Two lovely cards! I like that you used Fine Linen for your background on the roses card. Using different ink colors (instead of grey) gives us more options for this technique. Both looks are great!

Betty Wright said...

These are both beautiful, Marcia! Lovely cards!

Bonnie said...

I like the first card, Marcia! I love these butterflies! I agree that the second card packs a real punch! I love the soft stamping in the background and that gorgeous rose! Love the twine treatment and how the rose fits around the sentiment! You done good, my friend!

Lisa Elton said...

Two splendid cards Marcia! I like the pink and gray on the first and your pretty blooms on the second!

Ros Crawford said...

Oh they are both fabulous!! It's not something I have ever thought to do so now I will try this... TFS!

Kara Lynne said...

Such a great technique and they turned out great (even if the first one was a struggle for you). I feel your pain! Sometimes a small thing can take hours and never come out the way we want. I must apologize for my absence, Marcia. Summer is full with these two teenagers, and I wouldn't have it any other way, but I do wish it left time for blogging!

Helen F. said...

Oh Marcia, I LOVE those Sweet Life roses~your beautiful design of this card has me adding this set to my (way too long) Wish List! I already have the Butterfly Blooms on that list and think your card is so very lovely!

Carmela said...

Lovely cards, Marcia! Love that large butterfly stamp on your first card and the pretty design on the rose card!

Loll said...

Two beautiful cards Marcia! Your gray on gray is so pretty with the pink butterfly. But I have to agree that your second card is my favourite. The stamping of the roses and leaves down the side and along the bottom make for a gorgeous border. The coloured bloom just pops against it. This is a great technique! xx

Marlena M. said...

I love both! Gorgeous color scheme in the first and wonderful details in the second~

Colleen said...

You are definitely your worst critic because both cards I would be proud to claim! *wink Lovely cards my friend! Have a super weekend!!

Papercraft Boutique said...

I love the dynamic butterfly background of the first card, Marcia! But I agree with you that the second card has a more finished look. The design is especially beautiful - all elements are placed in just the right position. The rose is so pretty and the sentiment looks crisp. Hideko xx

Vikki H said...

Two beautiful cards, Marcia! The first is more modern with its colors and word die but the second's classic colors and balanced elements appeals more to my eye this time. And as Colleen added would be claimed by me! Maybe the first will end up as a Transformation Tuesday entry. ;-)

nancy said...

I need to spend some time visiting your blog soon. You make beautiful cards, Marcia. The second card is just lovely. You were clever to use one of the layers for your shadow. For me, the first card has all the elements of a fabulous card, but the scale is off. I wonder how it would look with the smaller butterfly as the shadow and the larger butterfly in color. As Vikki suggested, this could make a great Transformation Tuesday project. ;-)

nancy said...

PS - Your floral card has been pinned for future inspiration. Thank you!

Maureen said...

Just stunning! I love the backgrounds. This was a fun and striking technique