Card Variations– Vote for your Favorite!

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all the get well wishes! I’m still not feeling 100%, but am definitely on the road to recovery. In addition to resting, I’ve spent time this week working on a new greeting card collection, which will be published in 2018. I’ve created several variations for the “Time to Celebrate” card, and can’t decide which one I like best– so I thought I’d share them on the blog tonight, and ask you to vote on your favorite. Whichever design is chosen will have embossing and foil accents.

The first two designs feature dark backgrounds:

OPTION 1:

 

OPTION 2:

The next two designs have borders, one with lettering, one without.

OPTION 3:

OPTION 4:

Like most of my work, the cards are a combination of traditional and digital designs. I usually hand letter the text and paint the art, and then compose the design PhotoShop. In options three and four I had fun layering the flourishes to create depth, and liked the technique so much that in the fifth design I layered the words.

OPTION 5:

Which one is your favorite? I’d appreciate your leaving a comment to let me know! Although I can’t respond to every comment, I do read each one, and am grateful to those who take the time to share their thoughts. THANK YOU!

This week there were two people who mentioned that they were also sick, and coincidentally both ladies have birthdays this week. Linda Manley will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, and I the card I made Linda was the inspiration for option five of the Time to Celebrate design. Here’s the card I made for Linda:

Suzan Hughes-Kennedy shared that Saturday was her 66th birthday. So this card is for you, Suzan! Hope you have many reasons to celebrate this year.

Before closing tonight, I wanted to mention that I’m heading to Camp Widow in Tampa this weekend, where I’ll be giving my annual “Color, Creativity, Grief & Gratitude” workshop. I teach some basic Zenspirations patterning techniques, along with a simple lettering style, and then give participants a choice of designs which they can embellish in memory of their loved one. If you or someone you know would be interested in taking an ‘on-line’ version of the workshop, please leave a comment to let me know. If there is enough interest I’ll try to find someone who can video it for us.

Stay Zenspired,

Joanne

 

91 thoughts on “Card Variations– Vote for your Favorite!”

  1. I Ike 4 and 5. -4 is elegant, 5 is whimsicsl. I think they’ll appeal to different customers.

  2. I like #4. The words pop out and it’s crisp and clear. But, I LOVE the colors in #5. It’s always so hard to choose just one. I really like the depth of color in the dark backgrounds. But I’m sticking with #4!!!

  3. Love option 3 the most!! The border completes it. I am truly amazed at how prolific and productive you are! I am a big fan of you, your art, your books, and your products! And I have happily acquired quite a bit of them since I discovered Zenspirations last year❣️

  4. I can understand why it’s hard to choose! I love them all! I think if I had to choose favorites it would be #1 and #4. Blessings to you!

  5. Well, it was very difficult to chose, , so imagined I was standing before a card display. Which would I buy? I reach for option 1.

  6. No wonder you cant decide ! They are all gorgous !! I think tho that #5 stands out the most to me. Awesome work !

  9. Joanne,
    They are all great designs! Too bad they couldn’t be sold in a box with 5 each!
    I will choose option 4 because each part is readible. I would not be unhappy with any choice!
    Glad you are feeling better! I had a bad cough and a cold for almost 2 weeks care of my grandchildren and daughter who were sick first! Xoxo Janice

  11. They’re all so beautiful, but this morning I’m leaning toward the softness of Option 5. It just feels warm and tingly all over. If I was to give to an energetic, let’s have fun person, I’d go for Option 3.

  12. Good Morning Joanne

    My favorite would be option #5 if I had to choose only one. Option #4 would be a close 2nd mainly because I like a border around the design. Not sure if you could add some type of border to #5.

    Your 2nd question- YES I’m always interested in seeing you teach. You are so good at it.

    I’m glad you’re feeling better

    Toni

  13. Hello Joanne!
    Glad you are on the amends! 🙂 HUGS!
    All your cards are beautiful of course, but my favorite card is Option #4! I LOVE all the bright, bold colors in it! I also like how you went outside the navy box with he word Celebrate too!
    Can’t wait to see you!! XO
    Gail

  16. Glad you are on the mend! I like #4 the best. I like the colorful border and the text.

  18. Yes, I would be interested in your “Color, Creativity, Grief & Gratitude” workshop. My husband passed away four years ago and though the grief has lessened over time, it is sill with me. Learning creative techniques to deal with it would be wonderful.

  20. It was close between Option 2 and 5 but I love the colors in Option 2. I finally decided on Option 5! They’re all beautiful which makes it very difficult.
    God’s blessings to you!
    I’m working through your new book and it is awesome, I think every Bible journaled should have one. I absolutely love the pages in vellum for tracing! My absolute favorite paper!

  25. So wonderful, Joanne
    #2 and #4 are the best ones. Beautifully flowing letters and clear contrasting color for #2. Less cluttered for #4 than #3.

  26. Of course all your cards are wonderful.! My favorite is Option 4. The color combinations is a gorgeous celebratory choice. I love the wording going around Option 3 but seemed too busy for me with the background swirts. My second choice is Option 1. The rich background coloring brings out the text. With the gradated colored letters they also bring out that celebratory note. Thank you for using your talents to inspire others, Joanne!

  27. Hi Joanne,
    It was good to talk to you,sorry, I did not know you were under the weather. Glad you are on the road to recovery. I like card #3. The sentiments are great, but the colors drew me in. The dark center has wonderful contrast and your words jump out. It is hard to pick a favorite, it’s like your children, they are all your favorites.

  33. Hi Joanne. I’m glad to hear you’re getting better. Sorry not 100% yet.
    I love all the cards you made, but as for my favorites, I would say #1, #4 & #5. That is only my opinion, but you asked for it.
    As for taking an online version of your teachings at the Widows Club, that is something I would absolutely be interested in doing.
    Please have a safe & happy trip. And get yourself 100% already! Even more if that is possible!
    Sent with love & respect,
    Jamie

  37. Joanne – I especially like Option 4 – Teal for the “ponder word” and black to give it drama and make it stand out. All the best for your seminar this week. Linda

  40. Hi Joanne! Beautiful designs as always but really like #4 with the border and colors!!! Prayers for your full healing!

  41. Option 5 is my favorite, but they are all beautiful!, I think I really like the rainbow lettering and layering.
    I also loved the design of Suzan’s card the colors are just great.

  42. Hi Joanne!

    I love the new designs and my favorite is #4. I really like how the word looks like it pops off the card! Glad you are feeling better!!!
    Love and hugs,
    Terri

  43. I love all your creative cards and designs. Would vote for #3 and 5. Have a great weekend as you inspire other widows.

  44. I would be very interested in an online class like this one. I need something fairly simple that can get me started. Thanks for asking those of us who love your “stuff”!

  45. Good morning Joanne, card number five really jumped out at me. I love the colors!

  46. Option 3 speaks to me! I like them all, but partial to #3. Feel better real soon! Thank you so much for all you do.

  49. Hello Joanne. Sorry to hear you’ve been sick, but I’m glad you’re feeling better. Every single card is gorgeous, but my favorites are numbers 1 and 4 with number 1 as my first choice. Also, I would possibly be interested in a grief workshop involving creativity…….Linda E.

  51. I love option #5 for its exuberance and freely expressed happiness. It is very different from the others and gives a visual lift that is a pleasure to experience. A beautiful design, beautifully executed! Laurel

  55. Love all bu especially number 5 if I had to really choose one. Please get better faster.
    Also, would be interested in your class from Tampa.

  56. I like #4 a great card for everyone. I think that the dark purple writing on Option #2 gets lost in the dark background.

  57. I would choose option 4. I like the swirling lines and the energy it gives out. the colors are great, too.

  58. At first I was drawn to 5 because I love those colors so much, but maybe more for a “thinking of you” or “get well” card.
    I like 4 for birthday because of the bright vibrant celebratory colors. I also like the way the flourishes go over the border and also the word celebrate, goes over the border, it really makes it pop. They’re all wonderful!!!

  62. I like #1 the best but love them all. Sending healing thoughts your way xx

  63. Hi Joanne – I Love #4 best. You are so sweet to make all these personalized birthday cards for our community. Hope you are feeling better soon. Thanks for all you do for us and others.

  64. Hi, Joanne,
    Sure can’t tell you are not 100% by these card samples. All are happy and vibrant! My favorite is Option #1. ( A narrow frame would be nice, too.)
    Thank you so much for all your generosity!
    .

  65. I am so surprised more people haven’t voted for #2! I love its simplicity and the bright, vivid colors. Number 5 would be my second choice. The other cards seem very “busy” to me.

  67. I’m sorry. I’m torn. I like both option 2 & option 5. I think because one is light and one has darker tones and I love both! That’s the best I can do. I love them all, of course, LOL.
    Big Hugs!!
    Reeah.

  68. Option 2, 4, and 5 call out to me most!

    I’m glad you are getting over being sick.
    Much love,
    Dee

  72. I like #1 the best because it isn’t too busy.
    Hey I have a 35 year old daughter with special needs named Suzan after my husband’s sister that passed away at age 3. My MIL and her friend were both pregnant and wanting to name their daughters Susan. So my MIL used the Suzan version.
    I’ll be turning 60 on March 21!!!

  73. I like #3 the best! I love the wording around the border it’s very uplifting and the style reminds me more of you!

  74. I like number 3 as it is so festive and five because it is available to use for anyone.

  76. THANK YOU…what a wonderful surprise this morning! I love my card but also love #3…. your work is amazing! Blessings sent your way. LOVE them ALL…but if I had to choose one it was #3, not sure what was-something draws me to it.

  77. tHANK YOU so much for my birthday card. It was a wonderful day. I am glad you are on the mend also.

    I am drawn to options 2, 3, and 5. If I must pick I will choose #5 because it has my favorite colors and is easy to read. I would love option # 3 but if I sent it to my mother, she would think the letter “l” was a “t”. Option #2 is lovely. I agree you should sell a box or pack of cards. When I buy cards in a box, generally it has 3 of a kind and that is too many of one kind. I would like to have 2 of a kind with more designs.

  78. Hello Joanne. My favorites are in order 4 for the crispness and no lettering behind Happy Birthday, #3 …I love the border of words around the frame and the ease to read the message, and #1 for the dark background and simplicity.

  82. They’re all awesome! But if I had to pick one, I’d pick option 5 since I love blue. BTW, the timing is perfect since 3/7 is my mom’s 81st birthday! Thanks so much for all you do!!!

  85. Love them all but 1& 3 stand out to me
    Get well Blessings to u Joann

  88. These card designs are all exquisite and would love to
    have all of them to people whom I love and adore. For voting purposes, # 5 is my absolute favorite! The dreamy blues and purples in the background, the mix of gorgeous calligraphy styles, and your incomparable, loving touch touch extra special. I sure hope to get your cards and your new new calendar when they come out! …Take good care of yourself and have a wonderfully blessed weekend! I’d love to see the video from your workshop. Love and prayers!

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