Top 13 of 2013

Happy 2014!

It's become a tradition for OWHers to post their 10 favorite cards of the year. In honor of 2013, we are posting our top 13 cards.

 

Before I get to my Top 13, I have two quick announcements.

• Bobbi (of Bobbi's Treasure) and I are debuting a new card-making challenge blog today. We'd love for you to check it out at Words 2 Scrap By.
• As you may have noticed, this is my first post at this new blog. From now on, I will be chronicling future card-making endeavors here at There's Always the Other Side. (Yep, that sums up my stamping abilities in 5 short words!)

Now for the main attractions of today's post.  :)

http://operationwritehome.org/starsandstamps

There have been several major influences on my card making this year.

• First, and foremost, have been Paula's Design Bootcamp lessons. Paula. I so appreciate everything you've taught us. Hopefully, you'll see many of your lessons in the cards below.
• A second big influence has been coming in to my own in terms of a card-making style. I realize I'm not a Copic girl. As much as I love Sandy's amazing creations, I know that's not who I am as a card maker -- and I'm okay with that. Instead, my style has evolved into a CAS-like, paper-embellished, layered approach to making cards.   :)

 

Cards Inspired by Design Bootcamp Lessons

 Always
The Law of Thirds determined the placement of the hearts.
On this card, I knowingly went with an even number of hearts,
with the idea that the sentiment was my third element.

 

Your Hive or Mine?
Again, another example of using the Law of third to determine
the placement of the bees and ribboned sentiment.
Repetition led to the choice of ribbon.
Used a little Glossy Accents for the bees and heart.

Dear Santa
Purposely used three colors, and thought about the percentages for those colors,
when choosing this green, red, and black palette.
Also went with a balanced, asymmetrical layout.
Most importantly, this was my first pop-up card!

Feeling Blue?
Used contrasting colors, and was very deliberate in the placement of the elements.
May have been my first use of acrylics on a card -- and loved the effect!

 

Cards Inspired by CAS-ual Friday Challenges

8 Packages Tied Up with a Bow
Went with this yummy paper and a simple ribbon in a neutral color for this masculine birthday card.
Loved the whimsical look achieved with these little packages!

The Sky's the Limit
Used bubble wrap to create this background.
Really liked the palette and overall design.
Was thrilled when Nancy featured the technique on a Tuesday Tutorial!

You've Got Mail :)
Inspired by a challenge to use the three-color palette of orange, aqua, and green.
Like the effect of cutting out these Paper Smooches images.
Background paper was spattered in orange, aqua, and green acrylics.
Used first, second, third stamped images for arrows.
Also used Paula's Rule of Thirds when determining placement of elements.

An All-American Classic
Almost passed on this CAS-ual Fridays challenge to use a non-paper material.
Glad I decided give it a try and sponged negative images on some fabric.

A Special Card Inspired by a Special Event

An Invitation 90 Years in the Making
Followed all of hubby's "requests", including "none of those brads!",
to make invitations for my father-in-law's 90th birthday celebration.

My Absolute Favorite Cards of 2013



SuperDAD
I can't even begin to describe how many decisions went into what appears to be a really simple design.
What I truly loved was collaborating with hubby for the inside sentiment for this card --
as well as for an earlier SuperMom version.  :)



An Old-Fashioned Christmas
It took about 4 tries, but I finally achieved exactly the look I wanted
when ordering this SU stamp and punch set.
This was my most repined card of the year!

Your Thoughtfulness Meant the World to Me
I have played with lots of versions of a card with this sentiment for several years  --
never quite being completely satisfied.
But, it wasn't until this SU background stamp that I finally achieved the look I wanted. 

Have a BEARy Merry Christmas!
Maybe my favorite card of all time!  Love, love, love this little polar cub waiting for Santa Paws!
Was made for a tic-tac-toe challenge featured as stop on Labor Day's Birthday Blog Skip.
Thanks to everyone who made this little guy the most viewed post of all time.

 

Parting Thoughts

Thanks to all OWH and CAS-ual Fridays fellow card makers and friends who have provided tons of inspiration and never-ending support. Again, special thanks to Paula.

Thanks for stopping and best wishes for a year filled with happy scrappin'!