Wednesday, January 1, 2014

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'!

19 comments:

  1. Love your style and the your hive card is so sweet! Thanks for sharing the year in review with us and best wishes for the new blog!

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  2. You're on a roll with all of these great cards, and I especially like the map you used on the next to last card! I love the old world feel of that one! Good luck with your new challenge too! I may have to play along :) Happy New Year!

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  3. Great group of cards...the sky's the limit is my fave card of the group, however theat little polar bear is a close second! tfs and Happy New Year!

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  4. Your 'define good' card is really cool (pun intended, lol). And your special invites turned out amazing! Way to go, and congrats on the new blog endeavor. :)

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  5. I love all your cards, Sybrina. The polar bear is a favorite of mine, but the card with the map of the world is great too! I can't wait to participate in your new challenge blog - good luck with it. Happy New Year!

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  6. Wonderful cards ! I like that your hubby was invovled in creating some of the cards, too.

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  7. Thank you for sharing your cards, Sybrina. The Bee card is so much fun!

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  8. Very cute cards. I really like the Christmas card too! Good luck with the new blog.

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  9. Great top 10 and congrats on the new blogging endeavors! Email me at neezer@ptd.net regarding the little tree/leaf stamp set. I pulled the photo from my blog. It's yours!

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  10. Love the blog name (and what it implies) your cards are very very good.

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  11. Your cards are beautiful! Looking forward to your new challenge blog! Happy New Year!

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  12. Hi Sybrina! What a nice collection of cards. Those bees are so sweet and what a fun background for the kite design. I really respect your words about taking the time to think about who we are creatively. It's useful to try new and different things but it's also valuable to be able and willing to admit when something is just 'not my thing'. That there are so many approaches and styles is what makes it exciting.Thanks too for your kind words. I am so glad that you enjoyed the Bootcamp lessons.Here's to a happy, healthy and creative New Year!

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  13. Terrific collection! LOVE the kite card! It’s a fun design.

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  14. I really like your polar bear! So cute! It is really something when we look at all we did over the year! I'll be checking out your new challenge blog. I always like a good challenge! Thanks for sharing your cards and have a very happy 2014! --Yvonne

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  15. Awesome cards! that bear is adorable!

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  16. Great mix of cards. I'm with you on the Copics. I tried markers and they are so not for me. I like CAS designs as well. Your mail card is super fun!

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  17. Hi Sybrina! Your cards are just wonderful, each and every one. I especially like the honey bees card and the unique patriotic fabric card! Best of luck with the new challenge blog and Happy 2014!

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  18. An awesome group of cars Sybrina! I especially love the flag sponged on fabric and the map background is fabulous! TFS

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  19. You have such a variety of cards! I think I like the challenge you took to make the All American. Sometimes I forget a little fabric makes a big statement! TFS! Happy New Year!

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