09 October, 2020

N for navy blue

As I have re-opened my crafting corner after a long health-related absence, I decided to take it to the next level and apply for a DT spot over at the Alphabet challenge. I do believe that I'm fit enough for a regular commitment and hope to get along well with the creative crew, but I also have to admit that I selfishly believe that a pending obligation is what is going to keep me peeking into my stash every once in a while :)
Long story short, I'm in for the newest challenge over at the Alphabet challengeblog and we're at the letter "N", meaning it's time to show us your "navy blue" projects. 
I must admit I was a little bit confused by the theme at first. I do create with shades of blue, but navy is quite dark to me and I rarely use it in my creations. Also, I didn't know what exactly I'd like to work with. Of course, paper came to mind, but I didn't find lots of navy blue supplies in my paper stash, except for the remains of dark blue cardboard. I have a variety of dark blue beads so I thought about creating a piece of jewelry, or maybe napkin decoupage in combination with dark blue acrylic paint. In the end, I did what I usually do in this case – I went to bed. 
Upon waking up in the morning, I knew exactly what I wanted: a sympathy card with a stitched silver cross on white cardboard, a navy blue background, and a couple of paper flowers to complete the scene. 
However, I soon realized the remains of navy blue cardboard were too small for what I had in mind, and since I didn't have another one in stock I had to go paper shopping first. And even though I needed this one sheet only, I returned home with a bunch of goodies – ooops!
Among everything else, I got myself quite a few navy blue papers, and the one with the prominent floral pattern turned out to be such a lovely find that I simply HAD to use it, even though it meant I'd have to come up with an entirely new project.
Entirely new? Not exactly. I did stick with the sympathy theme because I believe those sad cards don't always have to be black and white. In fact, they don't even need to be (too) sad – I like to incorporate a little colour or a not-so-sad motif/pattern for a sense of comfort during a hard time of saying goodbye.
I've chosen a part of the paper that would fit nicely on a white card base and added a piece of navy blue cardboard to the background. This way, the tiny strip of card base that is still visible looks like it is part of the pattern itself.
Once that was done, it took me quite some time to figure out how to finish my card. I've been looking for a matching quote, but I soon realized that any long(er) text would probably interfere with the background.
I decided to print a simple "sympathy" message, but I just couldn't find the right font for it. Everything was too bold, too thin, too curvy, too blah... Until I just started picking random fonts to see whether I'd find anything suitable – and I did. I've already forgotten the name of this one, but I think it's a perfect match for the flower doodles. 
To make it stand out a little, I placed it onto another strip of navy blue cardboard, which elevates it from the rest of the card. 
I might have wanted to place a couple of pearls here and there as I always do, but I held myself back this time since I came to the conclusion that the card doesn't need any kind of bling. Just a calming combination of white and navy blue.

24 comments:

  1. Welcome to the team Veronika, you created a stunning card, like you I found the navy theme very difficult, love the simple layout and the paper perfect for a Sympathy card.

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    1. Thanks meg, it was a challenge indeed with the navy blue theme, but then again that's what challenges are here for: a bit of a brain tease for the DT and those who're playing along :)

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  2. Welcome, Veronika! I am thrilled that you joined our design team. Your card is beautiful and will certainly be comforting for whomever received it. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks Debbie, I'm so excited to be on such a great team and I can't wait to create more with you in future :)

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  3. I identify with so much of the process you went through, creating this card. I often put a project off and tackle it again after a sleep. Our brains seem to reboot and our creative spark is back. I often head off to shop for one crafty item and come back with a load of new goodies and many projects in my head.

    Your card is just perfect for a sympathy theme. Elegant, pretty, but also subtle (with your lack of pearls and other embellishments). Just beautiful!

    Congratulations on your new Design team position, and thanks for sharing your lovely card with us at Morgan's Artworld
    Linda

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  4. This is so beautiful. Nice work.Thank you for sharing with us over here at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

    Annette DT / Admin / Registered Owner for https://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com/

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  5. This is so beautiful. Nice work. Thank you for sharing with us over at Morgan's Artworld. We hope to see you again.
    ~ Annette DT

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  6. Welcome to the team! This is such a striking sympathy card and I agree with you...it’s nice to have a different approach to this type of card. I love the water lily background paper - it has a nice Japanese woodblock feel and works perfectly in this design!
    Rachelle : )

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    1. Thanks Rachelle, I'm glad you like my try on the challenge. Can't wait to get crafty again with your team to keep the alphabet rolling :)

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  7. This navy and white design really pops!! Thanks for playing along with our CAS challenge over at Cardz4Guyz!!

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  8. Wonderful flowers. Nice card. Thanks for joining us at EAC.
    Hugs
    Andrea-Emmi41

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  9. Welcome to the team hun. You certainly made an eye catching start. I like the idea of sleeping on it when you don't know what to do. I often resort to that method when looking for inspiration. Love Dawn x

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    1. Thanks Dawn, I'm glad you like my take on the theme and hope I'll be able to keep up with the expectations in future :)

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  10. This is aboslutely stunning. Glad you are feeling well enough to return to crafting and congratulations on your DT post.
    Thank you for entering our Anything Goes Challenge at Through The Craft Room Door this week. Looking forward to see you again next challenge.
    Regards
    Hugs
    Sheryl xx
    TTCRD DT Crazy Craft Corner{My Blog}

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  11. GORGEOUS! I love the navy. Thanks for sharing your art with us. Please stop by again soon. Since we don't get to see/read the replies you leave here on your blog, I'd love to have you stop by mine sometime to say HI. I love visitors too.
    Thank you again for sharing your WONDERFUL art with us.
    Karen
    Word Art Wednesday
    www.karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com

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  12. Hi Cheiro,
    What a lovely card.
    Big Hug Bianca
    The Sketchy Challenges Blog.

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  13. A great card - thanks for sharing it with us at Penny's Challenge Blog.

    Helen x

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  14. What a beautiful and striking card thanks for sharing with us at Crafty catz this week

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  15. Just love the way you used a piece of paper.
    Welcome back! Hope to see a bit more of your work in the future!
    Thank you for joining Creative Moments!
    Hugs from Africa!
    OlgaB

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  16. Beautiful creation! Thank you for sharing with us over at Morgan's Art World. We hope to see you again.
    ~ Sherry DT/Admin/Coordinator xx

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  17. Wow! This is really beautiful. Great card. Thanks for joining the challenge at the Love To Craft Challenge Blog. Dorlene DT LTCCB

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  18. Beautiful Monochromatic card. Thank you for sharing with us over at Morgan's Artworld Challenge. We hope to see you again.
    ~ Arlene DT

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  19. Nicely done! You are a great addition to their team! Thanks for sharing your project with us at 613 Avenue Create!
    Hugz,
    Chana Malkah, Owner

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  20. Beautiful card. Thanks for playing with us at The Sketchy Challenges. Veronique

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