Amazing Paper Grace

The overall look, I know it should be the thought that counts, but I want my card to look perfect. Although the recipients love any kind of handmade card.ReplyCancel

I think, to me, it is the overall look. I already have a message in mind when creating the card, so it is the design that I struggle with. Though the message is the most important part to get across, it is usually the easiest for me, and I have to spend much more time on the design.ReplyCancel

Morning Becca! Beautiful card with a beautiful sentiment, love it! Both the design and message are important to me.
Have a fabulous day! :)ReplyCancel

This card is so pretty..loving the sentiment and the colour particularly.
I think it is the overall look of the card as I tend to write a message inside to personalise it. XxxReplyCancel

What a gorgeous card and the sentiment – touches my heart. Actually when making cards I like an overall WOW look but each one has to have just the right sentiment for the occasion or for the recipient. The sentiment always has to live up the occasion for me.ReplyCancel

I think it’s the overall look. It depends on what the card is for naturally, but I like CAS cards mostly, I think because I’m uncomfortable in how to make the more elegant cards like you do so well! I have only made a couple of those and although they turned out oK, it was stressful to me. but I want the person getting the card to be very happy with what I’ve sent also.ReplyCancel

Oh Wow Becca, what a lovely card and the sentiment beautiful, Yes it is the sentiment for me , love a beautiful sentiment i do.
God Bless
Elaine H XReplyCancel

Both. The card could be gorgeous but if the stamp is not right … or vice versa. You always manage to match card and stamp perfectly.ReplyCancel

I would have to say it would be the over all card. Then I pick my message for it.ReplyCancel

O that’s a tough question! Both are important bit I think the look just pips it for me.ReplyCancel

It really depends on the occasion. If it’s something like a birthday or a happy occasion, I usually focus on the stamp or image . If it’s a sympathy card or a get well ( card for a cancer patient ) then I focus more on the sentiments used.ReplyCancel

Becca,
As always, you are so inspirational!
For me, stamp companies never make enough sayings for outer cards and for inner cards. I so struggle with sentiments in and out of the card.
Great opportunity for an entrepreneur. ….make stamp sayings for in and out of cards!!!!ReplyCancel

Beautiful card Becca!
I usually know what stamp I will use and choosing one is not difficult. I struggle always at the very beginning of creating a card. It’s like I can’t remember how! Once I decide what colors I’m using and the design, it all seems to come together. Magic happens while I’m making the card and it always amazes me. Almost always looks great when I’m done.ReplyCancel

Love this message!!! I want both on my cards, but I usually start with the message and design around that.
MarcieReplyCancel

I’m all about the message. I want the card to convey exactly what I’m trying to say. It can be the simplest card but have a great impact with the saying that’s on it.ReplyCancel

I would have to say a little of both but the message is definitely the most important. Each card I make is for a certain person and the message must say what I want to tell them. I often change the message several times before I finish the card. As usual your card is beautiful and has a wonderful message. Thank you for sharing.ReplyCancel

Gorgeous card! I am concerned withboth, but a bit more so with appearance.ReplyCancel

The overall look weighs heavier….then I fit the sentiment to fit the look.
Your card is STUNNING Becca!!!!!
Paper Hugs,
JanReplyCancel

Such a beautiful card you have made today, Becca, and the sentiment is just so true…
For me the overall look usually is the most important, but it depends on the occasion the card is made for.ReplyCancel

I love this shade of pink on the card today. Beautiful design!
I try to shoot for a clean look, no flaws, no mess-ups. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to start over! lolReplyCancel

I start with the general purpose, birthday, sympathy, cheer. then I design the card then look for a sentiment that fits my feelings. today’s card is beautiful.ReplyCancel

Beautiful card. I start out with the message and then find I spend more time on the look of the card.ReplyCancel

I think the overall look is very important, even though the message is meaningful. Christine SpringmanReplyCancel

I start with the overall look and/but then I focus on the sentiment. Both matter to me.ReplyCancel

It isn’t always easy to find the right message for a particular person so, I guess, I would have to say I try to get the best overall look.ReplyCancel

Coming up with words for my card is not so hard. Coming up with the design can some times take a couple of hours.ReplyCancel

I go for the overall look. I love embellishing with ribbon, pearls, etc.
Love your beautiful card.ReplyCancel

When I create my cards,
I put more effort into
the look of it. The
saying comes later and
depends on what stamps
I have to go with the
design.
Carla from UtahReplyCancel

Love the colours of this and the sentiment is beautiful. I put equal weighting on the overall look and the sentiment on my cards. I love to use quotes on my cards and if I don’t have a suitable sentiment stamp then I computer generate my sentiment/quote. Hugs Christine xxReplyCancel

Hi Becca, First I just love today’s card.The sentiment is spot on. When I am making a card the person I am making it for is most on my mind.Their favorite colors likes, dislikes,hobby and etc.Have a great day Becca and God bless.
KatherineReplyCancel

Another fabulous card! The overall look is very important to me since I hand write the message inside. It’s difficult to believe we are on day 24, with only another six to go. Well done Becca for such a great idea and for delivering such wonderful posts.
Doreen R from Bournemouth UKReplyCancel

Hi, Becca,
Another thought-provoking question. Being a singer-songwriter, a similar question comes up. What’s more important, the melody or the lyrics?

Songs and handmade cards are powerful because of the harmonious balance of medium and message. The written word sometimes needs no embellishment but give it beauty for eyes and ears and that speaks directly to the heart. That’s why I love expressing this way, my heart can touch another’s heart. Isn’t that an amazing grace?

Blessings,
SandyReplyCancel

Pretty is important but overall, I want the sentiment to be great and from the heart.
As always, fantastic card. Thank you.ReplyCancel

Good afternoon Becca,
I have to say 50/50. In some cases such as sympathy cards, I do a general all white card with black stamp “With Sympathy” on the outside but in the inside I write a personal message. All my cards are made for receipent specific. Sometimes it is all about the outside and how decorated but the message is so important too.
Love today’s card. Very impressive.
Hugs,
Mstgane
Ann RobbinsReplyCancel

I think both are equally important. I custom make the card for who I am giving it to. So I try to make something I know they would enjoy and the sentiment is just as important. Hope you have a great weekend.ReplyCancel

The inside message is the hardest part for me. I probably stress more over the overall look of the card. I haven’t quite made it to elegant yet, but I keep trying.ReplyCancel

Such a beautiful card, Becca. Love your design layout. And the color is so lovely. I never think I need a die until I see what you do with it. Then I have to have it!!

Which weight heavier for me….I’d have to say the overall design weighs the most. I find sentiments are often interchangeable within a design.ReplyCancel

There isn’t an ‘either or’ answer for me. Since I don’t seem to be able to make cards ahead of time for a ‘stash’, all my cards are made for a particular individual so the message and look is all intertwined. Maybe one of these days I will learn how to put a card together without having to know who it is being given to. LOL!ReplyCancel

I guess the overall look, but I try very hard to convey a fitting message too. This card of yours is beautiful overall and what a fantastic message. Giving our children wings is important and oh so hard when they use them. When my youngest complained about chores, I replied with a something I had heard before. Our job as a parent is to work our way out of the job. Hopefully they will still ask for help or advice, but we should make sure they have the skills to survive on their own.ReplyCancel

For me, the card always starts with the sentiment. I have several sentiment stamps that were only used once because they were perfect either for the occasion or the person. The rest of the card is built around the sentiment.ReplyCancel

Everything points to the message to be delivered. .the over package is important..but letting the other know that they are loved.ReplyCancel

Beautiful Becca! The message is the most important part of a card! It certainly helps if the card is beautiful!ReplyCancel

Beautiful saying on this card. Children are a blessing from up above-my Mama use to say that God would lend us our children-to take care of nourish with love and faith. Than we need to let them go and let them begin their journey. Always knowing they took our hearts prayers and thoughts. But leaving their hearts with us. I think that I prefer the overlook of the card first and the finishing touch is the words that makes it all a great creation. Have a wonderful Friday.ReplyCancel

Hello Becca,
As I only make cards for friends and family, I tailor my cards for the person – and the occasion – so the overall look is important. Then I concentrate on the sentiment. If I don’t have the perfect stamp, then I try to compose something appropriate.
Maureen xxxReplyCancel

Very nice!!!ReplyCancel

Becca I heard this saying this morning on AFR. They were talking about raising children. It is what we strive for with our children to know they can take care of themselves when we are gone. They need to know where they come from so they understand why we did what we did with them. When I make a card for someone I really want it to look perfect. I really want the msg to fit the look that I am going for. So I guess both! We can have it all! Blessings, LisaReplyCancel

For me it is a mix. The look of the card I like to be designed with total regard for the recipient….do they like flowers? That kind of thing. After going to the trouble to decide on that then the message becomes important as well.

Gorgeous card again today!ReplyCancel

Wow- this is simply beautiful! I worry more about the design!ReplyCancel

Oh my goodness! I believe the overall card is important, but I believe the sentiment and what I say in a card is part of the overall appearance. So I cannot pick one over the other.ReplyCancel

Its the look sometimes I’m not sure if its enough on it or too much. but in the end i make the right choice. thanks for sharing.ReplyCancel

Ooh, I may have to like this sentiment again. I think it got so overused for a while it became trite for me, however true it is. Love the heart and wings die, and I don’t usually like that image….hmmm…wonder how soon I can roll into JoAnns!
Love how you anchored the wings with the pearls, great visual with the sentiment. Awesome card, Becca. Thanks.

Definitely for me, it is the message in a card, and then I try really hard for the design to support that. I want it to fit the person I am making it for, so color and taste come into play…steampunk for one niece, flowers for another, definitely the princess for one grand-niece, pink/purple for my daughter…but that very special saying first. For me it begins with the words and then works with all the other elements to say, “I love you and you are so important in my life…”
And now you have me thinking especially of my wonderful family, and how much I love them and the next card I will be designing for them….blessings and gratitude, Becca.
JoniReplyCancel

Funny, but I make the card and the “feel” of the card gives me the message.ReplyCancel

Wonderful sentiment, as you say! For me, the overall look of the card is most important. I am not so good with sentimental words but I like to think that the thought and work that goes into the card tells the recipient how much I care. A picture is still worth a thousand words in my book.ReplyCancel

Fabulous card. Not goid with words so the overall look of the card but I make the card suit the person it is for.ReplyCancel

Once again, another beautiful card.

Looks or sentiment. It kinda depends. Right now I have been on a kick of using up my scraps. So, I’m making 4 ¼” square cards with scripture verses and some that are get well cards. They are still pretty but it’s basically The Word that I am concentrating on. I will give them to our church secretary who will send them as needed. So far, I’ve made 19 and I’m close to using up the small scraps. One of the cards unfortunately was mailed to my grandson in Georgia who broke 4 ribs yesterday clowning around in the gym after he just ran for 30 minutes at school. School is out, but he is in track and they are in practice. He knows he was wrong and all he was worried about was the coach was going to tell me how dumb it was. Yes, grandson, a lesson learned. He’s down and out for 4-6 weeks. Praise the Lord he didn’t puncture a lung or damage his spleen. Maybe his Daddy can preach about him this Sunday. Oh those teen years.ReplyCancel

Hi Becca,

When making cards I go for the overall look. I save my message for the inside of the card but really need to purchase some that you use. Not only is the script beautiful, the sentiments can really touch the heart. Have a great weekend.

BernieReplyCancel

Becca for me the overall look is important. If I don’t like what I have done I have ti change it ’til I do. but the message it conveys is important too so I try to make it personal to the receiver. A catch 22 question!ReplyCancel

The overall look, however, the sentiment ,or occasion, are usually intertwined when I create a cardReplyCancel

Hope you are having a wonderful day Becca! Your New Card Is So LOVELY and the sentiment is beautiful. Thank you for sharing so many unique cards that are so inspiring.
When I create a card for someone, I want the card to convey what I am sending it for as well as have a sentiment that puts into words what I want to say. I hope my card draws them in to take a few minutes to really look at the card and that my sentiment will share the emotions behind my card. I would like to share how much I care, how many birthday wishes I am sending or that my deepest sympathy with prayers and love are being sent both by the look of the card and the sentiment. I do
always write my own personal note in every card I send.
Have a wonderful day Becca!ReplyCancel

Beautiful card and sentiment. When making cards the look & message are both equally important.
God bless,
PeggyAReplyCancel

That question had me thinking Becca.
We look with our eyes and read with our minds basicly.
So in saying that the look of card weighs heavier for me.
When I make a card for a person I will do it with colours they like.
Many thanks
Annamieke from the land down underReplyCancel

Usually the overall look and then leave room inside for a handwritten note. Beautiful card again today!ReplyCancel

you have outdone yourself again as usual! I like how you printed material for the wings instead of just plain paper. for me I start first with the outside design,I want it to be perfect. If I don’t have to see him for an outside, I use the computer and print own on my card stock and then cut it with my die. The inside card i typically write myself (on the computer). So I am picky about both – but have the control over the words that will speak to their heart.ReplyCancel

Hi Becca, a magnificent card carrying a very sound sentiment.
You know how we say ‘first impressions are very important’ I think it is the same when someone receives a card. So, No.1 the best design you can produce in suitable or the favourite colours of the recipient, No.2 a spot on sentiment, expressing the reason for the card and appropriate personal message on the inside. Perhaps a suitable verse as well.
Bless you. Mary.ReplyCancel

For me it is often about the look of the card as I like to make things than determine what sentiment goes well with it. I really like the wings on this card. Thank you for sharing.ReplyCancel

The overall look is what I always go for. The message, for me, is my personal note on the inside for my recipient.ReplyCancel

I place the message in the overall look and feel. The look needs to tell the story by generating a feeling similar to a painting. However, I do search for specific words to clearly communicate the feeling. That is why I always like the word stamps that you find at your favorite stamp vendors! It is fun to find the extract message in a stamp! Thanks for finding Quietfire, Waltzinghouse, Justrite, Our Daily Bread, and others!ReplyCancel

Another stunner today Becca! I think are just as important. Couldn’t pick one.ReplyCancel

Sorry, I forgot to answer your question. I do think that the message is more important than the overall appearance, but I do spend more time on the appearance. So in a way it’s rather even… Perhaps as I improve as a card-maker, I will be able to spend more time on the message, at the moment I work on the appearance as I see my technical flaws all too clearly in my cards. But I’m grateful I see improvement over time… :) Partially for sure due to all I learn from seeing your cards and from other card-making great artists. :)

Thanks again for this opportunity to win one of your cards.

Blessings,

JoanneReplyCancel

This is a tough question. Probably the message…especially since I include so much Scripture on my cards. I’m usually making non-Scripture cards with a specific person in mind, so I’m wanting it to be “just right” for that person in both the look and the message.ReplyCancel

I think the overall look is my priority before declaring a card done and ready to be mailed. Your card is so pretty; great sentiment.ReplyCancel

Good morning Becca,thankyou for another beautiful gem!!! It’s usually the overall look for me!!! Good luck everyone!!!
Have a good one!!!
Loopy Lynda xxxReplyCancel

WOW tough question. . . I think with a true heart I would have to say the over all look for most of my cards. . . tho I do spend some time on the message, especially depending on who the card is for. . . some I know like it simple but sweet and others I know love a more in depth message! The one thing I always do is to hand write my message inside the cards, always!!!
This is a stunning card!
Have a great weekend, Becca, can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!ReplyCancel

Both the design and message are important. You always seem to capture both when designing your cards. This is another beautiful card.ReplyCancel

Definitely the over all look. I can usually find a sentiment that expresses what I want but often I get caught up in the over all design.ReplyCancel

wonderful card again ,I choose my color and desine then I put my wording on ,I may do it all wrong ,I need help to improve my card makingReplyCancel

I love your card and sentiment!! I find that the look of the card is very important but the sentiment needs to appropriate to the occasion. I often computer generate my own sentiments since I just can’t have every stamp I might “need.”ReplyCancel

This is so beautiful. The quote touches your heart. I am always searching for right cards for my cards . Never find any appropriate ones. So I keep hunting for right words.ReplyCancel

Beautiful card. I want my cards to be as nice as they can be. I always try to personalize them to the receiver and the occasion. So the look of my card is more important to me.ReplyCancel

Hi Becca this card is stunning!
I think I have to get the look I have in my mind onto card first , sometimes I have a specific sentiment in mind , or even a couple of possibilities.
But on occasion I design my card around my sentiment , especially with cards that reflect nature.
Hope you are well , take care ,
XxxRuthReplyCancel

And you did it again, and made such a beauty Becca, and I absolutely LOVE this sentiment too. It is sooo true and actually the best gift you can give them at all.
I think I value both equally, as I always try to make all my cards so they fit just right for the person, who´s recieving it, and if I can find a sentiment, that just fiit that person too, I really feel a big satisfaction, when I´m done, and I know many of my friends have often said, that it was spot on and just hit them, and then I feel I´ve really managed to do a really good job. So as far as it´s possible I choose everything with passion.ReplyCancel

Which weighs heavier when I’m creating cards? THE LOOK definately, followed by the sentiment inside. Love your card today.ReplyCancel

This card just takes my breath away — absolutely beautiful. Your talents never cease to amaze me. It would thrill me no end to be the recipient of this card. Blessings to you!ReplyCancel

How is it I have some of these same dies and would never come up with such a beautiful card! Yet it makes me keep going, keep experimenting when I see your unique creations – so thank you from the bottom of my heart!
My Stampin Up person – Jenny Hanson showed me what was happening in the stamping world, then Yardgoods Center’s stamping group and Sheila Bacon, encouraged, emboldened, instructed, and generally helped me look behind a rubber stamp, ink, and embossing powder! There are so many talented artists who share their work and do training – so a little of each gets molded into who we are.
And of course, YOU! Thanks Becca!ReplyCancel