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Mojo Monday 249 Another “Reason to Smile”

Stampin up order online blog demonstrator border punch reason to smile promotion card idea
Welcome to a new Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge (MOJO249).  Sketches are an excellent way to kick start a card.  Give this one a try!

Mojo249Sketch
SOLO OR TRIO?  I could use your advice.  Please leave me a comment at the end of this post on whether you prefer this card with or without the extra two Stampin’ Up! Naturals Designer Buttons in the top left (just two the top two–I’m happy with the one on the sentiment).

Mojo monday 249 mary fish
It’s the little details.  These are the types of things I often debate the most.  How about you?   My daughter, Caroline (yes, my family often gets pulled in for a tie breaker), felt the added buttons were distracting from the button on the friends sentiment.  Good point!  However, I also liked how they created a grouping (below) and they are such adorable buttons.

Stampin up mojo monday scallop border punch demonstrators order online special offer catalog

STAMPIN’ PRETTY TIPS:

  • The flower stamp is from Stampin’ Up! “Reason to Smile.”  This stamp set is EXCLUSIVELY available during July.  Better yet, the complete Reason to Smile stamp set is just $5 with a $50 product order.  Click for more details.
  • Check out the Reason to Smile stamp set images below.

Reason to smile rubber stamps stampin up pretty

  • The Stampin’ Up! Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch is my current FAVORITE of our border punches.  It produces a charming substitute for ribbon (with less bulk for mailing–of course, I added buttons so that’s a moot point for today’s card) and I covet the tiny scalloped edge when tucked below a layer.
  • I used the Reason to Smiler smaller flower stamp add a random pattern to the Early Espresso card stock.
  • A touch of Linen Thread gives the buttons a finished, stitched look.  They stay securely in place with Stampin’ Up! Glue Dots.

B1_ReasonToSmileLP_Demo_June0112_USCA
REASON TO SMILE.  During the entire month of July, you have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive stamp set, available ONLY through this special offer!  Get the Reason to Smile Set (up to a $20.95 value) for just $5 when you spend $50 on any Stampin’ Up! products.

Reason to Smile – Wood Mount Item #131274 – $5.00
Reason to Smile – Clear Mount Item #131275 – $5.00

  • Enter the $5 item number after reaching $50 on your order.
  • Limit of one (1) set per customer
  • The Reason to Smile Set is exclusive to this promotion and will not be available after July 31, 2012.

Mary signature

MaryEndOfPostOrderButton

Stamp Set:  Reason to Smile (Wood-Mount 131274, Clear Mount 131275), Sweet Essentials (Wood-Mount 126455, Clear-Mount 126457)
Paper:  Lucky Limeade (122926), Early Espresso (119686), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Early Espresso (126974)
Cool Tools:  Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439)
The Perfect Touch:  Naturals Designer Buttons (127554), 3/16″ Metallic Brads (119741), Natural Linen Thread (104199), Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

SWEET ESSENTIALS STAMP SET:

Sweet essentials rubber stamps stampin up

132 thoughts on “Mojo Monday 249 Another “Reason to Smile””

  1. Mary, both cards are beautiful! I have to go with the single button as I am a CAS type of gal. Thanks for the inspiration

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  2. I like the card with the three buttons, but of course I am a button girl myself so I tend to go with more.

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  3. Hi, Mary!

    I prefer the card w/o the natural/wood buttons. I would probably add three more silver brads to the top left portion of the card.

    Jennifer

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  4. I like the single button as well, but…. I also think that “something” should go in that blank space where the 2 buttons are. How about just stamping the little flower in this set and either fussy cut it out and pop it up, or using dazzling details? Or, just stamp the little flower from the set in the space, maybe just 2 of them? I love the sketch and.. I always always love your designs! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂

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  5. I agree with Caroline, I think one button looks the best. But as always, a wonderful card. You never cease to impress me with your clean, simple, beautiful designs. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  6. Oh Geeze Mary – that is a tough one as both cards are beautiful – but I think I am more drawn to the one with the 3 buttons. I often ask my family to help me with those decisions too – and often they are are split so it’s not much help :o)

    Reply
  7. I’m with Caroline on this one. Single button = clean, crisp, fresh. And the 3 buttons seemed to compete with the brads on the bottom.

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  8. I prefer the single button, Mary. The grouping is too distracting, possibly because of the larger size. You could use 3 smaller buttons instead of the brads or use brads along the top of the card in the opposite corner which would give a nice balance.

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  9. I seem to agree with most postings. I like the one button: 3 looks overdone, 2 extras detract from the brads at the bottom and without the extras the card looks clean and neat. Love all your designs

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  10. I like the single button. I like to make less weight on the card if I have to mail it. Also, I love my buttons so much that I tend to be a bit stingy with them

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  11. I love buttons but I vote solo button. If you wanted to jazz it up a bit what about adding texture to the very vanilla layer with an embossing folder like the square lattice.

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  12. I like the trio. Yeah I like simple and clean too but a couple more buttons? Not too much more work and gives it an extra umph if you know what I mean. You are the queen a this card making though.

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  13. Well, I prefer the solo button on the sentiment. But, then there is a bit too much vanilla showing so if it was me, I would probably move the center panel up a smidge! But, I love the colors and the card in itself anyway! The one button brings attention to the sentiment.

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  14. am i counting 100 comments on this discussion and growing? how fun!!! honestly, i wasn’t sure if anyone would comment one way or another. keep the comments coming!

    personally, i like the single button . . . but now realize that i started with the green flower layer higher (much more centered/balanced) but moved it down when i added the two additional buttons. when i took the two buttons off for the photo, i neglected to move the green layer back to center. oye! hugs, m

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  15. I don’t care for the extra buttons on the top left corner because of the brads on the bottom right corner… just doesn’t work for me. “Less is more” is definitely the case here.

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  16. I like the one button on the sentiment… and maybe put the 3 brads that are on the bottom of card at the top left.. either way the card is great!! Thanks Mary

    Reply
  17. I like this without the extra buttons. So often less is more. I really enjoy your website. Your inspiration is absolutely awesome!
    Free Draga – San Jose

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  18. I like it without the extra buttons, Mary. Keeps the focus on the flowers. Great use of the sketch!I loved your card.

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  19. Mary, I like the single button. It keeps the look classic, clean and simple!
    Another idea is to eliminate the button altogether, cut out one of the small dark brown flowers and pop it up with a dimensional where the button would go.

    Reply
  20. Love the cards,but think the single button is my favourite. The trio distracts me from the flower image.

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  21. Of course, both are great, but I think I like the additional buttons. Probably wouldn’t have missed them if I hadn’t seen them, but they look great on there. Thanks for asking :o)

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  22. I like the single button. I feel the wooden ones and adding three, take away from the elegance of the card,
    especially with the shiny stones at the bottom.
    Very nice card!!!!

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  23. I love the card with the 3 buttons. It balances out the 3 brads in the opposite bottom corner. Plus I love the wood buttons, and every other card you make!!

    Reply
  24. Hi Mary, I like the single button on this card. Because of the natural tone of the other two buttons my eye is drawn there instead of to the card itself. Love your designs though! Keep on creating 🙂

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  25. I really like the one button! clean and simple. What a beautiful card. I love this set so many options! Can’t wait to get mine! 🙂

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  26. My kids were around me so I asked them…my card-making 9yo says the 1 button, and me and my 11yo son say the 3 button. I like that the other 2 buttons give some color variation.

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  27. What a great CAS card. I love the lucky limeade & espresso together. I vote for the single button also. Think the other 2 area bit distracting. I go over & over the details also. To add a pearl or bling or not? How many? Maybe a button? A brad? So many possibilities.

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  28. Mary, This is a really pretty card. I love the one button. I was thinking how about putting the same three brads also on the top. I think it would give another look to the card. Thank you for giving us so many beautiful card to look at. Mary. I love how you keep it Clean and Simple. You are the queen of this. Thank You Mary.

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  29. I like with all three buttons! Although the single button is nice I like the trio. I myself would have an issue “letting go” of that many buttons, you know that hoarding thing!

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  30. Morning Mary.
    I liked it better with the 3 buttons, or probably with 3 of anything. It looks a little bare with just one.
    Lynn

    Reply
  31. I’m all about embellishments and not a big on clean and simple and think the “without” version seems a little bare without the additional buttons.

    Reply
  32. I think the one button, layout, and colors are perfect for “simply elegant.” I love this card.I can think of many stamps to use with this layout, including a big dragonfly.
    Thanks, Cherie Smith

    Reply
  33. Hi Mary,

    I have to go with the majority! I love your color choices, and the single button only! I think the intention is to keep it clean and simple. That theme flows over to your sentiment choice. The font in that set implies simple. Your 1st choice hit it out of the park……BRAVO!!

    Reply
  34. As the cards are now, I like the single button for the many reasons listed above. However, I would love to see what happens if you put the large button beside the sentiment and cluster the smaller buttons a little closer to it.

    Thanks for showing us both. If nothing else, it proves that beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

    Reply
  35. Well, I love the group of 3 buttons. For me it balances everything and I like seeing that space filled. This is such a pretty card and I love the colours you’ve used.

    Reply
  36. I’d take away the additional buttons but add 3 more brads at the top, either diagonally or horizontally, AND I’d change them to probably brown brads or maybe brads that have a design in them that includes brown.

    Reply
  37. Wow! That’s a lot of comments! I guess when you ask us something specific, we all have an opinion.

    I’ll have to agree with Caroline — I prefer just the one button. The Naturals buttons are so handsome, but I feel in this instance the two extra are overpowering for the card. Great card, though — I’ll definitely be using this sketch this week.

    Reply
  38. I really like both cards, but PREFER the one with the “extra” buttons…I think they balance the 3 brads in the opposite corner. I really like the color combo you’ve used.

    Reply
  39. I like the solo button card. I like my cards plain and simple. The solo card is just the way I would like to make it. Sometimes a little extra on the card helps but to me not this time. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  40. I’m weighing in on your card with the trio of buttons. Love how the three buttons pull everything together and I think it helps to make the sentiment flag STAND OUT. Have to say that this recipe is going to be a CASE for some samples I’m making of the Reason to Smile stamp set. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  41. I find it ironic that I’m voting this way because I’m a HUGE button lover…but I think the single button version looks best. The other way just looks a little cluttered. I’m so glad to see I’m not the only one who stresses about the “littl things”! It’s so funny…we do all the hard work of putting that whole gorgeous card together and THEN stress about two buttons! Been there, done that!
    becky
    beckyboyer.com

    Reply
  42. As always, your cards are beautiful. I like the card with the 3 buttons. The card seems more balanced, and with 3 it attracts your eye to that area.
    Thanks again for your great ideas.

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  43. I think just the single button and this comes from a button addict who really usually thinks there can never be enough buttons. Just love the card.

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  44. Both are beautiful but I think the single button draws more attention to the sentiment so my vote would probably be for the single button. Great job, Mary!

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  45. I vote finally for the single button; however, the 2nd grouping of three is a good design balance–I think perhaps if the buttons weren’t so *large* that might have changed my decision. I also agree with a commenter above who suggested flipping the balance by moving the 3 brads to the top. Lovely cards!

    ~sissun, 070912

    Reply
  46. I like it without the extra buttons. Although I adore buttons, I think it looks clean and simple without. Nice to hear even the experts have the same issues we have with adding too much to a card!

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  47. I like the single button on this card Mary. Beautiful colour combination. Thanks for all your great ideas.

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  48. Here’s a thought: the large buttons make it look a bit top heavy, but they are gorgeous. What about flipping everything upside down? Then the brads would be at the top and the buttons on bottom. Stamp the flowers closer to the top of the green panel and put the banner underneath them so the buttons are still together. Also scoot the green panel up just a smidge so it is a tiny bit higher than center. It might be worth a try just to see how it looks….

    Reply
  49. To me the single button is the better balance with the three brads. Although adding more buttons up top fills some of the white space, it creates a “top heavy” feel for me. Clearly I’m another CAS gal.

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  50. I like the single button only. The other 2 buttons make the top left too busy and make it the focal point instead of the sentiment.
    Love all the ideas you give us all.

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  51. I vote for the single button also. My first impression was that the card was too busy with the 3 buttons. Love your color combo and the Reason to Smile stamped in Early Espresso. CAS as usual – you’re the best at that!

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  52. I like just one button, too. Three buttons appear to make the card “top heavy”. No expert here at all – everything you create is pleasing to the eye. I look at cards with mailing them in mind – would the extra buttons cost more to mail?

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  53. I like just one button, but maybe you should change it to one of the wood buttons instead of the dark colored one — perhaps that would get the look you desire without being overwhelming?

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  54. Love this card, Mary, and I love the three buttons! I don’t think they’re distracting at all. In think the mix of wood tones and varied sizes add to the overall composition of the card and replicate the grouping added brads. Not too much, in my opinion. It’s all about balance and it looks great! Sorry, Caroline! : )

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  55. Love both cards, but especially the 3 button card. I, too, think it offsets the 3 brads perfectly. And I am not distracted from the sentiment. JMO…. 🙂

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  56. Mary, I love the colors in this card and how you stamped a dark color on the Limeade card stock. And I had to laugh, my family gets called in for tie breakers all the time!

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  57. I like it with just 1 button. It keeps with the color combination and it doesn’t look cluttered. Thanks for asking our opinion.

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  58. Although most seem to prefer the single button design, I like the card with the extra buttons. It adds an unexpected element I just like.

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  59. It appears you raised a daughter with a good eye. I agree that the single button appeals to me best.
    Creativity is in the eye of the beholder in this case today. Thanks for all you do, Mary.

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  60. I like three buttons, it provides more interest and still draws the eye to the greeting

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  61. I think the 3 brads at the bottom balance the look of the buttons on top. If you take away the brads – take away the additional buttons. However the buttons create a great grouping together which is an unintended thing I’m sure!

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  62. Nice sketch! God forbid I tell you the addition of the two buttons is “over-done” But the handsome espresso button on your sentiment mimics the color blocking and looks CAS..clean and Smart! Those other button colors are very distracting! But thanks for asking 🙂

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  63. Hi! I think I prefer the one with the 3 buttons. Simply for the focal point it creates. But obviously, both, AS USUAL, are great.

    Reply
  64. Hi Mary:
    I prefer the card without the extra buttons, but both cards are just wonderful. I, too, make more than one version of a card to make up my mind about a final design.

    Reply

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