Today I decided to make a monochromatic card…I find these tough because I always want to add a splash of color and find it SO hard not to…

But today I managed to make one without being tempted to add that splash…BUT I still had a dilemma!!!

Read on to find out what that dilemma was and how you can help me resolve it along with a chance to win some celebratory Blog Candy…the winner will be announced on Friday!

Sooo here is my monochromatic card…it is made using the stamp set Everything Eleanor plus a background stamp – combined they give a beautifully elegant look…

Isn’t it gorgeous?  Even if I do say so myself LOL!  I am so happy with how it turned out…well, almost…just can’t make up my mind about something…

My card base is Soft Suede onto which I layered a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and onto this I added another layer…

That background? So quick, easy & cost effective to make because it uses a background stamp called En Francais (pg 129) – background stamps are sized to cover a card front and I love this one because it has such an elegant look about it.  I inked it up using Crumb Cake in and stamped it – that’s it!

Why are background stamps cost effective?  Because once you purchase your stamp you have it for life and can re-use it over & over thousands of times to create the same pattern – unlike patterned paper which you can only use a few times and the pattern often varies depending on where you cut it…

And the Swirl on that background? Made using another stamp, this one is from the beautiful set Everything Eleanor which you can find on pg 112 – I stamped it using Soft Suede ink and my background was done – I added it to my base and then onto the flowers…

Those three Flowers…are also from the set Everything Eleanor…I stamped them in Soft Suede ink and cut them out using my well loved Paper Snips (I love these for close cutting work like this – not got any?  They last for years and I guarantee you will wonder what you ever did without them!!!  Find them by clicking here)

See how the petals are curled upwards?

This is so simple to do but so very effective – you can do this to all flowers, both stamped & die cut – I have made a little free printable Tutorial to show you just how easy it is – find it by clicking here

The sentiment…is from the set You Are Loved (pg 24) – another set with flowers & words that are just gorgeous…

This card could be themed for almost ANY occasion – wedding, engagement, anniversary, birthday, thank you, sympathy – such a versatile design!

Now…that dilemma I was talking about…I want to know…because I just can’t make up my mind…

WHICH DO YOU PREFER?

OK well first made this card with just TWO flowers…I liked it because you got to see the extra swirl and it looks more simple…and you know me…I love clean & simple looking cards…so here it is just with two:

But then I couldn’t decide whether or not I should add a third flower…and so I did…and that is the card at the top of this post…now I like it because it definitely adds something BUT I’ve lost that swirl…and I am a swirly kind of gal!!!

SO my dilemma is that I really can’t make up my mind if this card should have TWO flowers or THREE flowers…

WHICH DO YOU PREFER???

Leave me a comment below to let me know if you prefer this card with TWO FLOWERS OR THREE and WHY, and you will be entered into a draw – ONE lucky winner will be drawn by random.org on Friday morning and will win a pack of PATIO PARTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER!!!

Good luck and be sure to come back on Friday to see if you are my Blog Candy winner!

Here are the images included in the beautiful set Everything Eleanor…it is a set of 8 and comes in both wood & clear mount versions…click HERE to view it in the online store

FOR NEW CUSTOMERS – PLACE YOUR FIRST ORDER WITH ME USING THE LINK BELOW AND GET A COUPON FOR FREE SHIPPING ON YOUR NEXT ORDER!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR STAMPIN UP SUPPLIES ONLINE TODAY!

Everything Eleanor in a Monochromatic theme…
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39 thoughts on “Everything Eleanor in a Monochromatic theme…

  • October 9, 2012 at 3:34 pm
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    It’s a beautiful card and I prefer it with three flowers. If you don’t want to hide the swirl, maybe try putting it below the sentiment to see what it looks like. Just a thought…

  • October 9, 2012 at 4:10 pm
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    I prefer the card with the 3 flowers. I really don’t think that you cover up the swirl all that much by adding the third flower. I’ve always preferred the 3 compared to just 2. Just gives it that extra umphhh. Beautiful card either way.

  • October 9, 2012 at 4:15 pm
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    So pretty… and I prefer the two flowers. I think the card is beautiful with the french writing in the background and I think the swirls finish it off. Thanks for the chance to win some blog candy!

  • October 9, 2012 at 6:39 pm
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    Beautiful cards! I prefer the one with two flowers. Not because I break out in a cold sweat at the idea of cutting anything out, but because it just seems to flow better and shows more of the elegant swirl and background.

  • October 9, 2012 at 6:45 pm
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    Beautiful cards. My favorite is the one with 3 flowers. One extra flower to love!

  • October 9, 2012 at 7:22 pm
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    Wow, these cards are really beautiful. Very elegant & pretty. I prefer the card with 3 flowers – they always say when making a card, do things in odd numbers – it catches your eye more. I do love them both though! Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy your blog – you are an inspiration to me.

  • October 9, 2012 at 7:57 pm
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    Definitely 3. Not only in card marking – but design in general, odd numbers work better than even. But, honestly, both are beautiful. I love the monochromatic look. Especially the soft suede; it’s one of my very favorite colors!

  • October 9, 2012 at 8:22 pm
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    I Like the one with 3 flowers. The third flower just adds a little something. I don’t think it takes away from the swirl either–I’m a swirly kinda girl, too! In a way, it kind of accents it! I hope you don’t mind if I case this card?!? :)

    Kathy

  • October 9, 2012 at 8:26 pm
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    Of course I don’t mind Kathy…case away :-)

  • October 9, 2012 at 9:02 pm
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    Hi Sarah! I love them both, great design. My preference is the one with 2 flowers though. Yes, I know the rule of 3 and I usually agree with that. But the swirl almost acts like the 3rd component and I like the flow better. Such a classic card and could be used for other occassions. It’s lovely!

  • October 9, 2012 at 9:30 pm
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    I like the monochromatic look and prefer the card with 3 flowers. It’s like landscaping…always in 3’s. Thanks for asking and the chance to win.

  • October 9, 2012 at 9:41 pm
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    Both cards are lovely but I do prefer the one with two flowers….guess I’m just a less is more kinda gal! Look forward to each and every one of your blogs….ALL your cards are terrific! Thanks for the chance to win! Keeping my fingers crossed.

  • October 9, 2012 at 10:42 pm
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    lovely card, i really think that 3 flowers has it. Worked in a kitchen and alwas work in odd numbers. will be having a go at something similar

  • October 9, 2012 at 10:43 pm
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    I prefer the two flowers. I know you’re supposed to use odd numbers but I like the simpler look with more of the swirl showing in the one with 2 flowers. Beautiful card!

  • October 10, 2012 at 12:05 am
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    Hi, I love the one with 3 flowers as it is balanced better. Just love your card though whichever one it is.

  • October 10, 2012 at 3:12 am
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    Both cards are beautiful, but I think I like the one with the 3 flowers. It seems to have a more finished look. Thanks for sharing.

  • October 10, 2012 at 4:08 am
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    Both cards are beautiful. Love the monochromatic look. I vote for the one with 3 flowers. I guess I always try and do an odd number of embellishments based on something I read from a graphic designer.

  • October 10, 2012 at 5:22 am
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    Both are beautiful, but I would say the card with three flowers purely because everything I’ve ever learned is that you should work with odd numbers…silly reason. LOL

  • October 10, 2012 at 5:48 am
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    I think the two flower card would be great for Anniversary or Wedding…and the three would be great for everything.
    So the answer to you delimna for me would be I like them both and just would use the two flower card for certain occasions and the three for all occasions.

  • October 10, 2012 at 6:42 am
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    I think both cards are just beautiful but I like the card with the three flowers. I’m with everybody else that things should be in odd numbers. I would be happy to receive either one.

  • October 10, 2012 at 6:47 am
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    Three – for sure!! The two flower “needs something” Third flower is the answer

  • October 10, 2012 at 7:14 am
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    I like the card with three flowers. The more the merrier! Love the look.

  • October 10, 2012 at 7:52 am
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    I’m a swirly girl too and for that reason, I like the two flower card. But there is the law of 3’s. Bottom line–I like them both!

  • October 10, 2012 at 8:46 am
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    Gorgeous card either way, but I prefer the one with 3 flowers because it’s more pleasing to the eye with the odd number of elements. You don’t lose that much of the swirl. Maybe you could add part of the swirl above that 3rd flower.

  • October 10, 2012 at 9:18 am
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    My daughter is a graphic designer and has taught me the philosophy of using odd numbers. That being said, I still prefer the card with two flowers. I agree with Kelly that the swirl acts as the third element and the swirl is to beautiful to obscure. I love this card!

  • October 10, 2012 at 9:47 am
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    I like the three flower card. I think most things look better in odd numbers and this card is beautiful!

  • October 10, 2012 at 10:14 am
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    I prefer the card with 2 flowers! The whole card seems to open up and be more visible for some reason. However, the card with 3 flowers is beautiful too!!!

  • October 10, 2012 at 10:22 am
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    A tough chocie because they are both lovely but I think the 2 flowers is much nicer as everything is framed nicely within the card.
    Eileen

  • October 10, 2012 at 11:05 am
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    Sarah, both cards are totally Gorgeous; if I had to pick just one it would be 2 Flowers. BUT, I was looking at the cards and the stamp set and was wondering if, for the third flower, you used one of the 2 smaller flowers in the set? Just a thought. Beth

  • October 10, 2012 at 11:33 am
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    Beautiful cards !! I like three flowers ~ the swirly thingy still shows enough and I like an odd number of things in a group. These cards would be so pretty in just about any color scheme!
    Cindy

  • October 10, 2012 at 11:57 am
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    I prefer the card with two flowers. I love the swirl! Two flowers seems to fit the whole style of the card. They are both beautiful though! Nice job!

    ~Alicia

  • October 10, 2012 at 2:12 pm
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    3 flowers are best for me, since I’m trained to do things in 3s.

  • October 10, 2012 at 5:39 pm
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    Absolutely beautiful…I think the third flower really makes it but love it either way! TFS!

  • October 10, 2012 at 6:19 pm
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    Love the cards, but I prefer the one with 3 flowers versus 2. Believe me, I love clean and simple and HATE cutting, but I think the card with 2 flowers just doesn’t looke complete yet, it’s too bare.

  • October 10, 2012 at 10:48 pm
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    They are both gorgeous, Sarah, but would have to go with the 3 flowers simply because I’ve always been taught the Rule of 3 in cardmaking. Perhaps the flourish could be masked and extended so more of it shows and the flowers positioned so the open space in the middle of the flourish is covered. Just a thought.

  • October 11, 2012 at 7:52 pm
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    Sarah, I love both of them but I think I prefer the 2 flower one the most. (Possibly because I won’t have to fussy cut all three!) These are both gorgeous cards! I plan on casing them soon.

  • December 20, 2012 at 8:53 am
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    GORGEOUS cards!!!! 3 flowers because of the “rule of 3”. But what about moving the third flower down a little into the blank space between the swirls and tuck it behind the other two a bit? You might preserve most of the swirl that way. Just a thought.

  • January 5, 2014 at 8:35 pm
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    Such a beautiful card! I love that you included both ideas of your card — with 2 and 3 petals! Love them both, and I love having options to give my customers :) So many want to copy exactly, and this gives them freedom whether they like it or not! Showing how to curve the flowers up by breaking the fibers in the paper is a good reminder that not all our customers just know how to do this. Love your website!

  • June 9, 2015 at 8:48 pm
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    I love the three flowers — elegant card. Love the simple classic cards —- sometimes it seems people put something of everything in the card room on the card . Not my favorites

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