Friday, July 19, 2024

CIRCLE AROUND: CLASSIC IDEAS FOR USING CIRCLES TO CREATE FUN SUMMER CARDS

Hi Stampers!

Today I thought  we would go back to when I began card making and had minimal supplies. One day I stumbled across something called “punch art.” I’d never heard of this wonderful method for creating images for cards. It was such a wonderful discovery! I did not own many punches, but I did have a couple of circle punches and a Fiskars circle cutter that allowed me to make circles any size I wanted. I was so excited, and I made so many images for cards from those circles. Today’s sample cards feature images similar to the ones I used all those years ago, plus these simple images are perfect for fun and brightly colored summer cards! Please note, these circle images are not my original ideas, but over time they have become classic ways to use circle punch outs or die cuts. So grab your circle punches or dies and let’s recreate cards using image ideas that are oldies, but goodies! 




VIDEO
CIRCLE AROUND!
USING CIRCLES TO CREATE FUN SUMMER CARDS



WATERMELON WISHES


There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer’s day than a sweet, juicy, cold slice of watermelon! Use cardstock circles to create yummy watermelon greetings to delight your friends and family! Use circles of patterned paper to create whimsical slices of watermelon!

To create the watermelon slices select 2 circle punches or layering circle dies (3 if you want to include the white section of the rind). In general there is about a 1/2” differences in the diameter of the circle I used. For example if the red circle has a diameter of 2 1/2”, the green circle’s diameter should be 3”. Simple center the red circle over the green one, adhere it, then cut it in half. 

To create the seeds I use a watermelon seed stamp I happened to have. Look through your stamps. Look for a small round of triangular shaped image -confetti, a filler stamp, etc - if there are multiple parts to the image just ink the part you want to use. You can also use a black marker to draw them on.

To create the “bite” use just one area of a scalloped circle punch or smaller circle punch.

SWEET WATERMELON CARD


Fun bright and bold colors made this card eye catching, and delicious! Especially if you like watermelon!

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card base - bright green cardstock cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”
* Other cardstock - white one light color cardstock for inside card cut at 5 1/4” x 4”, bright yellow cardstock -  2 pieces cut at 3” x 1 1/2” and 4 1/4” x 1 3/4”
* Red and green cardstock for the melon
* Ink - black, black marker to create seeds
* Punches / dies -  sizes - 3” diameter for green circle,  2 1/2 or 2 3/4 for red circle; scalloped circle punch or small circle punch to create a “bite” in the watermelon
* Trim - Red - 2 pieces: 4 1/4” and 3”
* Stamp for greeting of choice
* Dimensionals 

WATERMELON PICNIC


Add a white circle to the between the red and green one to add a bit more detail to the watermelon. This color contrast is an easy way to add a bit more interest to the card.

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card base - white 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”
* Patterned paper layer - 5” x 3 3/4”
* Greeting - white cardstock - rectangle die  1 3/4” x 1”: yellow cardstock - rectangle die 2 1/4” x 1 1/2”
* Red, green, white cardstock scraps
* Punches or dies - 3 1/4”. (green),  2 3/4” (white), 2 1/4” (red) - punch for “bite”
* Inks - Red, black
* Greeting stamp
* Dimensionals

PATTERNED WATERMELON


Patterned paper adds a whimsical look to the watermelon slices. Use a plaid or gingham patterned background for the look of a tablecloth or picnic blanket!

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card base - white 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”
* Patterned paper- 5 1/4” x 4”
* Greeting - white cardstock 5 1/4” x 1”
* Patterned paper - green and red
* Punches or dies - 3” (green); 2 1/2” (red)
* Ink - black
* Stamp - greeting
* Dimentionals 

FABULOUSLY FUNKY FLOWER GREETINGS


What would summer be without colorful flowers in bloom? Use the circles to create a whimsical flower or a whole garden full for fun floral card images. For most of the “flowers” I used 1 1/2”, 1 1/4”, 1” punches. I simply layered the circles, then added stems and leaves! The stems are cardstock or patterned paper cut at 1/4” x 5” or so.  The circles can be cardstock or patterned paper or a specialty paper. I used dimensionals behind some of the middle and large circles.


SIMPLY ROUND BIRTHDAY FLOWERS CARD


SUPPLIES I USED

* Card base - blue cardstock cut at 11” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 5 1/2”
* Inside panel - white cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”
* Flowers - 9 cardstock circles of multiple colors - 3 at 1” diameter, 3 at 1 1/4” diameter, 3 at 1 1/2” diameter; cut out with punches or dies
* Stems and leaves -  green cardstock cut into 3 strips 1/4” x 5” or so and leaves cut with a punch, dies, or by hand
* Greeting - white cardstock 3 1/4” x 3/4”
* Ink - blue
* Stamp for greeting
* Dimentionals 


PATTERNED PAPER FLOWERS CARD


This card is made exactly like the previous card, except the circles were cut from patterned paper and I used deckled dies to cut out the flowers. You could also cut the circles with scalloped circle punches or dies.

This card base is 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”.

STAMPED CENTER CIRCLE FLOWERS CARD


This is the landscape version of the previous cards. I stamped the flower centers with a small stamp of a circular pattern. A stamp with small dots image would work well too.

This card base is 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”.

TODAY’S CARDS


The watermelon and flowers are easy to make and very customizable. Use punches or dies or both, dress up the pieces by sponging on ink or stamp small images on the cardstock to create your own whimsical look. These cards were so easy to create and most of all creating them was fun! So why not round up those punches and dies and create some tried and true images for your summer cards.

Thank you so much for checking in. Until next time . . .
Stamp Happy!

Kim

To create my cards I used products from Stampin’ Up!®️

Stampin’ Up! stamp sets used:
(All are retired)
©️1990-2024

Happy Birthday to You
Sweet Scoops
Swirly Birds
Tasteful Texture
Watercolor Melon
Zany Zebras

I also used circle dies from Spellbinders. I bought the dies15+ years ago! Here is a similar set currently offered by Spellbinders:






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