Is your card feeling a little… chaotic? If so then you are in the right place as I have some tips to help you create a balanced scene!
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For those who joined me live, we had a lovely time talking about balancing card designs and chickens! If you missed it, don’t worry – you can still catch the replay on YouTube HERE (Scroll down for more pics and details).
#BALANCETIPS
When you’re using bold or funny images (hello, chickens! 🐤), it’s easy to go from fun to overcrowded. But with a few simple design tips, you can keep things looking clean, intentional, and totally cute.
Here are my favourite tips for designing a balanced card layout… even when your chooks are stealing the show.
- Choose one clear focal point
Let one element be the “star” of the card (in this case, the hen house). This helps guide the viewer’s eye and prevents the layout from feeling too busy, it also gives a ‘base’ to place other elements or images onto the design. - Use white space (aka breathing room)
Don’t feel the need to fill every inch. Blank space adds calm and contrast – plus it makes your images stand out! - Keep colors cohesive
Use a limited color palette or repeat colors to tie the design together. It keeps the eye from darting all over the place. - Vary your image sizes
Balance large bold images with smaller supporting ones. A big chicken and a tiny speech bubble? Perfect combo. - Stick to one strong sentiment
Choose one sentiment that supports your design. Too many words = visual clutter (and possible mixed messages). - Layer thoughtfully
Place bold images or die cuts in a way that creates visual weight – then balance it with something lighter on the other side. - Align your elements
Whether centered or off to one side, make sure your elements feel anchored. Random floaters tend to cause chaos. - Let your images breathe
Give bold or detailed images enough space to be appreciated. Crowding them in a corner steals their thunder. - Step back and squint!
Seriously. Squinting helps you quickly see where the design feels too heavy – or where it needs a little something.
Ready to take a peek inside the hen house?
I’d like to introduce you to Tina (Turner) – our glamorous Crested Legbar. Sadly, she’s no longer with us, but this card is a little nod to her fabulous feathery spirit.
And the Diva? Yes, well that one is a Sussex, this breed originated in Britain and she calls herself Adele!
You may notice that she has a little shimmer added to the boa and yes there is also some shine on the pearls too…. And, I didn’t add the Action Wobble (well, not yet anyway 😉).
Bold images can be tricky to balance, but with a few simple design choices, it’s totally doable. I hope these tips help take the chaos out of your next card – whether it features chickens or not!
Have any favourite tricks for keeping your layouts clean? I’d love to hear them in the comments below!
Happy Papercrafting my friend!
Special thanks to my crafty assistant, Chad (aka ChatGPT), for helping me stay on track with my Gemini brain, grammar, and spelling… well, all the things! 😄
SUPPLIES:
SHOP Stamps & Dies from KAT SCRAPPINESS!
Inks: Altenew – Dew Drops | Firefly.
Alcohol Markers: Copics – 0 | T0,2 | W7 | RV04,17,34 | R05,27 | E25,34,37,40,42,43,44,97 | YR24 | Y21,32.
Cardstock: Crafty Critta – Design Paper Pp0016 – Altenew – Jet Black.
Prismacolor Pencils: Kelly Green | Prussian Green | Spring Green.
Dies: Penny Black – Chat Bubbles
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 Sassy Chickens OTH |  Sassy Chickens Die OTH |  Hen House OTH |  Altenew Cardstock ALT | SSS |
 Concord & 9th – Cardstock SSS |  Crafty Critta Designer Paper – Wood 17 OTH |  Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS | Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS |
 Nocturne SSS |  Tuxedo Black SSS |  Copic Markers SSS |  Tweezers ALT | SSS |
Scissors AMZ | SSS |  Bone Folder ALT |  Score Board ALT | SSS |  Platinum 6 ALT | SSS | OTH | SB US |
9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer AMZ |  Glue Tape ALT | SSS |  Foam Tape NEW sizes! ALT | SSS | Bearly Art Glue AMZ | SSS |
 Satin Masking Tape ALT |