Styling 2 Cards with Simple Washi Accents

It’s time for another Sketch Starter! Are you ready? 

As you might know, as a Design Team Member for Altenew, I create monthly inspiration projects that feature two distinctly different projects using the same sketch. I encourage you to give the sketch a try and share your results on social media (tag me @nicolewattcreates), or if you’re a class member here on NWC, upload a project to the comments below!

sketch #08

I got a bit behind with sharing my Altenew Sketch Starter series here on the blog, so I’m fixing that problem this week! We’ll be blitzing through the last few sketch projects, so, let’s rewind back a few weeks and take a look at Sketch Starter #008 today!

Feel free to pin this image on Pinterest for future reference! 

screaming for clean & simple (CAS)

Are you familiar with the Clean & Simple, or CAS style? Many projects qualify, but in general, there’s lots of white space, a very targeted focal point and very little in the way of embellishment. “White space” can be a patterned or blended background, but it shouldn’t be over done. A CAS card is the epitome of restraint and perfect placement. My favorite CAS designer is Tenia Nelson. Damn, that girl is amazing!

simple floral spread

The first card shows how the circle elements in the sketch can be interpreted as something circle-like. Using three florals from Painted Flowers, and a piece of the Sweet Pea Palette washi, it was easy to incorporate the sketch elements. To soften things up, I did a quick ink glow in the background in Grape Agate. The Altenew Large Ink Blending Tool makes soft glows like that super easy to achieve, even if you have a heavy hand like I do!

flip & switch

For the second take, I flipped the sketch and brought in some more color with the Parchment panel and sentiment. Instead of sticking to the three circles from the sketch, I expanded that idea to five. This works because the majority of the circle shapes are small enamel dots. Essentially, two dots take up the same space as a circle from the sketch. The single strip of Sweet Pea Palette washi looked lonely, so I added a companion piece in gold. To further mimic the first card, I added in another ink glow and black spatter.

sketch starters with nicole

Here’s the companion video that will walk you through creating both designs!

your turn!

Feeling inspired or challenged? Now, it’s your turn to give the sketch a try and share your results on social media (tag me @nicolewattcreates), or if you’re a class member here on NWC, log into your account and upload a project to the comments below!