Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Top 13 Cards of 2013 - My Favorite Card Choices

Welcome to my favorite card choices for Operation Write Home's "Top 13 of 2013."  I truly enjoy being part of the OWH community, helping our troops connect with family and friends across many miles, and learning to be a better card maker while playing with my art supplies :-)  For more of the Top 13 posts from OWH card makers, click here or on the Blog Hop banner to the right.

The cards below are good examples of my usual "crisp and clean" style with lots of die cuts and colored card stock.  I'm not a stamper, but I love to draw and color using Copic markers.  My cards often include:  Simple sentiments (computer-printed or word dies) or no sentiment.  Shapes layered over each other.  Strong color contrast.  Plenty of "white space," though not much white.  Some monochromatic patterned papers.  Textures from embossing folders.  Touches of embroidery floss, twine, or sometimes a bit of ribbon.

You can click on any card for a larger view.  If you're interested in the products and techniques, click here to see my original 13 posts for these cards.  Thanks for visiting my blog, and I'd love to read your comments!

My drawings, scanned and computer-printed,
then colored with Copic markers
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Scenes with birds and a cat
Note: The gray border on the left card is background, not part of the card.
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Simple and serene
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Flower die cuts
Note: The gray border on the right card is background, not part of the card.
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Stitching with embroidery floss
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Bright colors, clean lines
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Like almost all of my cards, these were created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." 

21 comments:

Carol L said...

Your favorite cards of 2013 look wonderful, and I love the first cards you hand drew and then colored yourself! You're very talented and our troops are fortunate to have such pretty cards to use for their personal correspondence! Happy New Year!

Jen M said...

Your simple & serene "hello" card is beautiful! I really like your CAS style. :)

Linda said...

Great group of cards! I think the Love You card is my fave! Really like your use of color on all of them. tfs and Happy New Year!

Sharon Cheng said...

Wow, how impressive that you drew the images yourself and then colored them. Thank you for sharing your talents with us and our heroes.

Sybrina K said...

What a lovely collection of cards -- and to think you drew some of the images yourself. Now, that's amazing! TFS and all the best in 2014!

craftysahmiam said...

Your hand drawn / colored images are
wonderful as are all of your cards for our heroes !

www.hokiecoyote.com said...

I have to agree..I love the crisp and clean style as well. Great job and TFS.

Unknown said...

Love the flower cards, I also like the simple and serene...okay I like them all...very nice...thanks for sharing.

Terri said...

They are all great. I especially like the hand drawn ones. What a great thing to do for the troops. Happy New Year!

lainey said...

The cards you hand drew are so impressive - what talent you have! I like how you categorized each of your cards...you are very organized too!

April said...

I like your style. Coloring is always such fun and digis are great for coloring. Thank you for sharing. April

Paula S. said...

Beautiful choices Cindy! Your collection is a perfect example of how finding our own style and embracing it results in great work. I always admire people who don't feel compelled to jump on the trend bandwagons whether it be stamping or coloring or whatever... and instead work to perfect a style that is one they love. best wishes for a a happy, healthy, and creative 2014!

Diane said...

Amazing- so cool that you draw images--and oyur coloriing in fab! I am a fan of your flowers! Thanks for sharing and supporting OWH! Happy New Year!

Diana K said...

Simply beautiful! You really have a recognizable style and your drawings (and colouring) are amazing. Lucky you to be so talented!

Sherry Hickey said...

Hi Cindy! Thanks for sharing your top favorite cards with us! I love the paper collage feel of many of your cards and my favorite card is your stitched patriotic star wreath! Wow! Thanks for all you do for OWH and have a great 2014!

Donna Nuce said...

The cards with your drawings are fabulous! What a dynamic group of cards. Happy New Year!

Joyce said...

What a wonderful retrospective on your 2013. OWH is so lucky to have such a talented artist creating cards for them.

Dixie Cochran said...

A terrific collection of cards! My favorites are the cards with the birds. LOVE them!

Chris Janne said...

I love your cards. I am a beginner in card crafting and appreciate the artist that are willing to share and inspire. Thank you.

Joan B said...

these are lovely and I am sure very appreciated. happy new year!

Ann said...

What a great group of cards!! You are very talented, I love the ones you drew! I really like you CAS style. TFS