Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Growing In Unity - Day Three

Here we are, half way to the end... Well, not quite, I suppose halfway through this post would be halfway to the end, so this is the beginning of the halfway to the end. Anyway.... good to see you. Today we are going to endure my thoughts on clean and simple (CAS). Unlike my opening lines to today's post, clean and simple projects are simply that, clean and simple, not a lot of fuss or muss. Now that may sound simple, but I find CAS cards to be really hard! It's hard to find that balance between a simple design and simply not quite finished. I can't say that I've truly discovered the secret formula for CAS. That may be because it's a closely guarded government secret or it's simply not that simple.

I think I've confused even myself, but stick with me and I'll show you some examples of what I think works for CAS cards. I'm not the expert. To see a CAS Master, visit the Unity Show and Tell and look up Tenia Nelson. She make amazing CAS cards and makes it look simple. Here is what works for me.


Heather Hoffman did a great Quick Tip video on how to use a stencil to create a fast, CAS card and it's a fave technique of mine to use. I did a down and dirty version for you. I think the key is making sure your image is grounded and not floating out in the never never. That empty space there grounds my bird.


Firstly, lay a stencil down over your card base; add painter's tape to keep the stencil from shifting, whilst adding distress inks.


Use one or more colors to fill in a strip, banner style. Stamp, color, fussy cut your image, add a sentiment (I made mine a banner, but you could stamp right onto the page. I used I'm Obsessed With Birdies for this one.


Next up is ink smooshing. I love ink smoshed cards. I press the plastic wrapping from my embellishment packages into distress ink, spritz with water, press on my base. Dry between colors so you don't get mud. All it needed was one small image, a single butterfly cut out from the group in Your Smile and a sentiment from Scattered Pieces. Really, I think smooshing a background and simply added a larger sentiment would work just as nicely too.


Next up is something I discovered via a challenge. The challenge was to make a card using a technique opposite of what you normally use. I love paint. Paint here. Paint there. Throw down some inks and pastes and...you get the idea, so for me, the opposite is no paint, no color and I love how it turned out! Just some bright paper, the uncolored image (No One Sweeter here), and a few sequins, and you're good to go.


Now here's a really simple card that doesn't really look all that simple. It's just a sentiment, with some adornments, popped up on cool foil paper, with a sprinkling of sequins. Blossoming Thoughts & Wishes makes this type of card super easy.

As you can see, you don't need to put a lot of time and work into making a card that is pretty and packs a punch. It's a good bang for your crafting buck.

As always, be sure to comment to be in the running to sniff deeply etched red rubber, of your very own.











58 comments:

  1. Thanks for your great post today, such fun CAS cards - you did well!

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  2. I agree! CAS cards are just so hard to make! Almost as bad as a masculine card. LOL
    I love that birdie card (I'm obsessed with birdies!) and the gorgeous BG. And your
    smooshed BG, too. Such pretty cards!

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  3. Wow, you are so talented thank you for your inspiration.

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  4. I really like the butterfly one. All are nice! I love the water coloring and being so "free-hand" about that background!

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  5. Beautiful cards! Wish I was this creative!

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  6. These all turned out great. I'll have to try it. I agree most times for me clean and simple reminds me of a half-baked cake! Anyhoo...you did good!

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  7. These are awesome!!!!! The ink smooshing,,,so beautiful!!! and yes I agree, I think a big sentiment and some smoosh and you are in business!!!

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  8. I love these techniques. I have to try the no color one. It is hard for me to leave an image uncolored, but it looks really great. Thank you again for the great inspiration.

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  9. I think you hit the nail on the head with these! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

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  10. Love all the ideas. Again, some so simple, yet elegant and adorable. I'm really enjoying following your BLOG this week!!

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  11. ਮੈਨੂੰ ਹੁਣ ਹੋਰ ਪਸੰਦ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਇਆ

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  12. Once again - WOW! I too struggle with when is enough, enough, so I tend toward mixed media and throw it all down. So I found a lot of good fodder here. I'm going to visit Tenia Nelson, and my next ATCs are going to be smooshed. Thank you!

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  13. Fabulous cards. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  14. Your cards are beautiful, as always! 😀. I'm a CAS card maker & have used the first and last techniques. Now, I'm going to try my hand at smooshing!

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  15. Love cards with interesting backgrounds. I’m still trying to master Distress Ink ?????

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  16. I learned a lot from this, thank you so much. I think simple is so difficult, then I see simple and say “I can do that” but it never turns out simple! LOL

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  17. Love them all.... and the smooshing info.... I will be using that for sure!!!! I don't know how you didn't color that hummingbird, he's so cute and screams "COLOR ME" but I loved it naked too!!! Fabulous cards!!!!

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  18. Love your CAS cards! ( especially the butterfly 😊) Lots of great ideas here to try! Thanks!!!

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  19. All four cards are wonderful. With use of bright colors & contrast you have beautifully demonstrated how cas is not dull and boring. Thank you for sharing the secret. 😊

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  20. Beautiful cards. That’s for sharing your take on a CAS card. We all do best when we stay true to ourselves and you showed that so well.

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  21. Oh I LOVE that butterfly card!! Gorgeous !

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  22. Thank you for showing me how to use a stencil.. Love the cards.

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  23. These cards are all gorgeous. I need to remember some of your ideas..because I am about the slowest card maker out there...I can use all the help I can get with clean and simple ideas that pack a pretty punch!!! Can't wait to see your next two GIU posts!

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  24. Cute, pretty and wonderful CAS cards!

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  26. Lovely CAS cards; they are so special, colorful and creative! Thanks for sharing.

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  27. All of your CAS cards are amazing! Going to definitely try each of your examples...Let's just see what happens! LOL!

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  28. I'm officially in love with that butterfly card - the background is watercolours love!

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  29. That’s another set of great, and cute cards ! The butterfly with the smooshed background might be my favourite.
    [margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]

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  30. Gorgeous! Every single one! Government secret lol!

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  31. AWESOME SAUCE on those cards! I especially LOVE the Butterfly with the smooshed background! Absolutely GORGEOUS! And I am soooo glad that you used the Distressed Ink pads instead of the Distressed Oxide ones! Because I only have the Distressed ink pads right now and really like to see what I can do with them! And I have to say that you used them very BEAUTIFULLY!!!!!!

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  32. Great backgrounds! I love the stenciling and the smooshed colors!

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  33. Great cards today. I loved all the variety. I am sorry you slightly more than half way through

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  34. Love all of these cards! You are having an amazing week!

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  35. These are beautiful! I am also challenged by CAS cards. They always seem under done. You're smooshing card is fabulous. :)

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  36. The cards are beautiful and colorful! Love the CAS !!!!

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  37. Beautiful cards, Laura. CAS is an art that I have a hard time with - somehow I feel guilty, like I should be making it more complicated! The butterfly card has to be my favorite because I have always wanted to add that saying to my angel tattoo

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  38. These are really great examples of clean and simple. I agree with you that it is hard to make sure they look finished even though that is the style I gravitate to.

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  39. Great examples of clean and simple, I especially loved the yellow smooshed one with the butterfly.

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  40. I’d say you’re on the road to becoming a master like Tenia! I love these cards & will be trying them out soon!

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  41. Beautiful cards! Love that stenciled background!

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  42. Sometimes, simple is the prettiest. Love you CAS cards today.

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  43. Love the cards and love all the techniques (and cards) you are showcasing!

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  44. I like that you didn't color the bird. It looks wonderful and elegant.

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  45. Gorgeous cards. Love the stenciled background and cute bird. Hugz

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  46. They are all great, one if my favs is the smooshed ink. But I love having several go to’s.

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  47. Love them all...very pretty! I will have to try the ink smoosh soon.

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  48. Thank you for your take on "CAS". I think you're right....they aren't always that simple! Love the cards you shared! I get such inspiration to try some things just reading your blog :)

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  49. Love the backgrounds on all of them! ❤️

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  50. love these! especially the “partial” stencil! you’re amazing!!

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  51. Great cards. I don't use a lot of stencils, but you inspire me to try these techniques. It really does create a great background effect. Just lovely cards and designs.

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  52. They are fabulous and adorable cards. Love the backgrounds and stamps you used

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  54. I love the entirely different looks you get! Great inspiration for the CAS Challenge that is running now!

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  55. Such fun but totally different projects. 😁 I love your ink smooshing card. Mine always turns out like mud. Lol. Not a bad thing if you like mud!!!!
    --Phaline Mays

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  56. Ink smooshing is one of my favorites. Your hummingbird is great inspiration, I have so much patterned paper that I barely touch.

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