Tuesday

A lesson in style with Colleen Dietrich!


My guest today is sweet Colleen Dietrich from Dietrich Designs. Colleen's style is the epitome of classic elegance. Her cards are impeccably layered with each element just perfectly placed. There is inevitably a lot of sighing when I visit her blog as her marvelous creations provide such a feast for the eyes. I am so glad that she broke down her creative process for us so that with practice, we could be such style mavens like her. She is also hosting a fabulous challenge with an amazing prize for one lucky player! 
But first, let's have a look at her gorgeous gallery....







Like many crafters, I sometimes need a kick-start to help get my creative juices flowing.  Maybe I want to be inspired by a gorgeous photo, or study a sketch.  In this case, I chose a Sketchbook Saturday example.  (I will often save sketches on my computer hard drive .)



For this project, I began by choosing the La Blanche Spray Flower stamp.   I am drawn to stamps that exude traditional elegance - botanical drawings, iconic images like fleur-de-lis, Eiffel Tower, fancy flourishes, and sentiments that have pretty fonts.




Choosing stamps with illustrations that have shading helps greatly with coloring.  The heavy lines tell you where to put your darker colors.  

After studying the sketch, and stamping and coloring my image, I chose the patterned papers.  Because I wanted my deep periwinkle flowers to be the star, I looked for lighter-colored papers that would enhance - and not compete with - them.  

Before I permanently adhere anything to the card, I audition elements together.  What you see here is not what made it to the final product.  The lighter cream patterned paper was too light beneath my rectangle, so I placed it at the bottom.  The deep lavender circle element also changed:  I did not like the scallops competing with the deckled edge of the rectangle. 







Another trick I use before permanently adhering anything:  lay your project on the floor and, while standing, look down at it.  This extra distance can help you see things with a more objective eye.

When it comes to sketches, I try to up the ante as I get my elements together.  Where there is a straight line, I add touches to give more interest, like this stamped-ruler, and a stretch of lace topped with tiny pearls.  For the circle, I used inks to distress its edges.



I love pairing all shades of white together.  The crisp white bow, button, twine and lace stand out against the creamy patterned paper, subtly-distressed white card base and deckled edge rectangle.  (Antique Linen and Walnut Stain Distress Inks by Ranger come out to play often!)  


Even though I try to put my own creative spins on a sketch, sometimes a suggested element happens to be just the right thing.  This sketch features a butterfly, and I tried to substitute other items.  Nothing else looked quite right:  a flower would compete with my floral image, a bow competed with the bow down below, etc.   I went with a butterfly.  I added a pearl for balance in the top right corner, and well, because I am hopelessly addicted to using them on my projects.  



My challenge to you:  make a card that incorporates the shabby-chic style, using pearls and lace.  Play along for your chance to win this prize package I am offering:


And my thanks to Yvonne, for the opportunity to host a challenge with you!  I'm completely honored!  It was a learning experience for me, to really study 'how I do what I do'.  
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Ready to play along? Please share your newly created shabby-chic style cards using pearls and lace via InLinkz located at the end of the post by Friday October 5.


As always, please leave a little love for my guest Colleen!








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37 comments:

Lisa Elton said...

Gorgeous Colleen! Thanks for sharing your creative process with us!!

Martha Herrera said...

Beautiful card, Colleen! Thank you for sharing... :)

Lynnda said...

Oh wow Colleen is amazing!!! Her card is absolutely a stunner!!! I love the shabby chic style... this is my weakness... its a good challenge for me !!!!I'll try my best!!! Hugs...xoxo

Unknown said...

Wow amazing inspiration and challenge by Colleen.I hope to play along.

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

I loveeeeeeeeee Colleen!!! She is AMAZING!! I loveeeeeeee her card and love love love the tip of standing over your project!!!!!

Jill Norwood said...

Beautiful card and sketch. Thanks for sharing how you do what you do! Love all the great suggestions and tips!

Katy said...

This is a great spotlight! Colleen is so talented-she does beautiful work. Thank you for sharing! :)

lavina agarwal said...

lovely card and amazing step by step explanation! thanks for sharing this!! will try to participate..

Jaya Raghuvanshi said...

Lovely card by Colleen!! TFS.. And will definitely try to join in..!

Handmade Cards by Archana said...

Amazing cards.Thanks for the ispiration and will try to join in for the challenge.
Hugs
Archana

Hussena said...

I love Colleen's work its so elegant and beautiful!!! the way she uses soft colors and the shabby chic elements is simply gorgeous!!...Thank you Colleen for this wonderful tute and challenge would love to participate in this one for sure :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for breaking the steps down Colleen, your cards are stunning!

Vasundhara Modi said...

Thanks for the tutorial..love Collen's style. Would play along this one for sure.

~amy~ said...

Yahoooooo for Colleen...I'm a big fav of her work!

Audrey Pettit said...

So very pretty! Love Colleen's elegant shabby chic style!

Vasu said...

such beautiful creations, love them all...super wow :)

sandi said...

She really does beautiful work! TFS!

Colleen Dietrich said...

Yvonne, you are so gracious to have me as your guest. Thank you ever so much, I just love working with you! *You* are the sweet one. :)

Cindy deRosier said...

Beautiful!!

Carole said...

Beautifully chic...can't wait to play along.

Miae said...

I always enjoy learning the thinking process of artists...thank you for sharing yours! What beautifully shabby chic cards!

Benzi said...

Beautiful card, Colleen, and some wonderful tips. Congrats on being GD this week.

Tone-Lill said...

An amazing card and thank you for your tips and tutorial, I might give this challenge a go!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Beautiful, Colleen!!!!!!!! Another fabulous card!!!

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

BEAUTIFUL, Col!!! I love those papers and that ribbon...LOVE that butterfly!! This is a gorgeous card:) YOU ROCK!

gracescraps@gmail.com said...

Wow, Coleen's work is amazing!! ~ Blessings, Tracey

http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

I recognize these fabulous cards, congrat's colleen!

ANUPAMA CHOUDARY said...

Loved looking at the slideshow of her gorgeous work.

Sharm Nidyanandan said...

Gorgeous card Colleen! Tfs the creative process! :)

Annette Allen said...

congrats to Colleen...she is amazing...

Shirley said...

Lovely, Colleen, and I am not surprised either!!

Ella Swan said...

Very stunning card & Colleen's work is so beautiful!

Alice said...

wow! Colleen's style is so beautiful and elegant. love seeing her work. thanks for the wonderful post! =)

Emily Keaton said...

Fabulous post, Colleen! Thanks so much for sharing your process--that was so instructive. You do LOVELY work, always!!

maria f. said...

Wonderfully put together, Colleen. The tip about putting the layout on the floor to achieve distance - great idea. I have sometimes taken photos of various "auditions" to look at and compare. But I'm often too lazy to run and get my camera!

Maria said...

Lovely interesting tutorial, Colleen! Thanks so much for sharing your creative process with us! Love your elegant shabby style, so pretty!

Vasundhara Modi said...

I've linked up my entry :)

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Thanks for visiting my blog and taking time to leave a comment. I really appreciate it. Have an awesome day!:)

Cheers, Yvonne.

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