CASEing the 50’s Part 2 - A RETRO LAYOUT FOR HOLIDAY CARDS; A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST

Hi Stampers!

Last week I recreated my version of Christmas cards from around 1950  -1960. For me the project was a very satisfying creative exercise, and it resulted in a few more cards I can add to my 2024 stash! The inspiration for today’s cards is another 50’s era card, but instead of focusing on the card as a whole the focus is on the layout! When I saw this card I knew I wanted to make cards using that layout!!! Let’s take a look at the cards:

VIDEO

A RETRO LAYOUT FOR HOLIDAY CARDS

This is my version of the original card:

NEW YEAR CHEER CARD

To view the original card click HERE.

Since I had no physical access to the original card, I have no idea if my measurements are equal to the original. I do think the measurements I came up with closely represents the original.

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock colors - Basic Black, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade (all from Stampin’ Up!®️)

* Inks - Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Shaded Spruce, and Memento Tuxedo Black (all available through Stampin’ Up!)

* Stamp Sets - Stars Are Shining, Be Jolly By Golly, Framed & Festive, Cheers to the Year (Stampin’ Up!), Cocktails & Dreams (Visible Image ®️)

MAGICAL SNOWMAN CARD

This is my recreation of the card layout.  The asymmetrically cut pieces of cardstock were cut one on top of the other to insure the edges would meet up seamlessly on the card. I used the card base as a mat for the layout. Once the symmetrical pieces are cut there are enough for two cards. Simply cut two card bases and two of the strips that go along the bottom of the layout.

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Granny Apple Green, Balmy Blue, Blueberry Bushel, Basic White (Stampin’ Up!)

* Inks - Granny Apple Green, Balmy Blue, Pecan Pie, Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin’ Blends (alcohol ink markers) - Pumpkin Pie (light) - (All from Stampin’ Up!)

* Stamps - Snowman Magic and coordinating dies (Stampin’ Up!)

WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THIS LAYOUT

(ORIGINAL VERSION)

(Correction - for two cards you will need 2 strips of cardstock cut at 4” x 1”.)

* Card base - Cardstock cut 2 at  8 1/2” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 4 1/4” along the 8 1/2” side 

*  Strip for layout - Cardstock  cut 2 at 4” x 1” (I used an embossing folder to add texture to this piece)

* Asymetrical piece #1 - Cardstock cut at 4” x 3” 

* Asymetrical piece #2 - Cardstock cut at 4” x 3”

   NOTE - If you plan to stamp a greeting on the card front, one of the of the asymetrical pieces should be white or a light color of cardstock.

* Inside panel - Cardstock - white or light color cut at 4” x 4”

* Other - Stamps for greetings and images, punches, dies, coloring medium, adhesives of choice

CUTTING THE ASYMETRICAL PIECES

* On one of the 4” x 3” pieces of cardstock measure and mark with a pencil at the 1 1/4” point along the 4” side (top left)

* Now on the other 4” side measure over and mark at 1 1/4” (bottom right)

* Place the second 4” x 3” piece of cardstock behind the on you just marked, be sure they are lined up as best you can

* Place the two pieces of cardstock on a trimmer line up the two marks in the cutting track, and cut.

* You will have two sets of pieces  - enough for two cards - be sure to line the up so the two different colored panels form a 4” x 3” rectangle

PUTTING THE LAYOUT TOGETHER

* Complete any stamping on the panels before adhering them to the card base. Punched out or die cut images can be added once the layout is completed

* Place the 2 symmetrical pieces on the card base leaving an even border all around

* Once you are satisfied with the placement, remove one piece at a time, place adhesive on the backside of the piece and adhere it in place. I find it easier to start with the 4” x 1” strip. Repeat the process for the remaining pieces.

FINISHING THE CARD

* Stamp sentiment and or images on inside panel, then adhere it to the inside off the card

* Add any embellishment and other final touches to the card.

* This square card will fit inside an A-2 size envelope (Stampin’ Up!®️ Medium Envelopes)

THREE VARIATIONS FOR MORE OPTIONS

Now let’s take the original layout and modify it a bit to create three similar, but different layouts!

POLAR BEAR GREETINGS CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Blueberry Bushel, Azure Afternoon, Basic White (Stampin’ Up!)

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Blueberry Bushel, Azure Afternoon; Stampin’ Blends - Azure Afternoon (light & dark), Shy Shamrock (light & dark), Bubble Bath (light), Basic Black (dark); Wink of Stella (all from Stampin’ Up!)

* Embellishment - Adhesive backed snowflakes

* Stamps - Warm & Toasty, Holly Jolly Wishes (Stampin’ Up!)

WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THIS LAYOUT

(4 1/4” SQUARE - MODIFIED - NO STRIP)

This variation of the layout simply changes the size of the cardstock for the asymetrical pieces to 4” x 4”, and omits the 4” x 1” strip along the bottom. Create the asymmetrical pieces as directed for the original layout. You will have enough asymmetrical pieces for two cards. 

CHRISTMAS TREE TRIO CARD

For this card I adjusted the original layout to fit an A-2 card front. 

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Basic Black, Basic White, Parakeet Party, Summer Splash, Shy Shamrock, Pretty Peacock, Poppy Parade, Pecan Pie (Stampin’ Up!)

* Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Pretty Peacock, Shy Shamrock, Summer Splash (Stampin’ Up!)

* Stamps - Tree Angle, Snowman Magic (Stampin’ Up!)

This version of the layout is created in a similar manner to the original with the following exceptions:

* Cut the cardstock pieces as directed above. For an A-2 card - cut cardstock at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” score and fold at 4 1/4”

* Mark one piece of the 5 1/4” x 3” pieces of cardstock at 2” along the top left on the 5 1/4” side, and do the same on the bottom right. Place the second piece of 5 1/4” x 3” cardstock under the one you marked. Place the cardstock pieces in a trimmer with the two marks lined up on the cutting track, and cut.

JOYOUS CANDLES CARD

This version of the layout adjusts the size of the asymmetrical cardstock pieces, and does not use the 5 1/4” x 1” cardstock strip.

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Basic Black, Basic White, Parakeet Party (Stampin’ Up!)

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin’ Blends - Poppy Parade (light & dark), Parakeet Party (light & dark), Pretty In Pink (light & dark), Smoky Slate (light), Pumpkin Pie (light), Daffodil Delight (light), Lemon Lolly (light & dark); Wink of Stella (from Stampin’ Up!)

* Stamps - God’s Peace (Stampin’ Up!)

For this version of the layout 

* Cut the cardstock for the asymmetrical pieces at 5 1/4” x 4” 

* Mark one piece of the 5 1/4” x 4” cardstock as directed for the previous card

FOUR VARIATIONS OF ONE LAYOUT

I hope you give one or more of these layout options a try. Each adds a festive look to Holiday cards, or cards for any occasion! Thank you so much for stopping by today. Next week’s Stamp Happy Holiday project will be a fun fold card featuring a Christmas tree!  Hope to see you then! Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

NOTE - I list cardstock colors, ink colors, and the names of stamp sets I use as a reference only.  Most of the Stampin’ Up sets I use are retired. I encourage you to use supplies you have on hand to create your version of the sample cards.

Cocktails & Dreams stamp set by Visible Image®️

See it HERE.

All other stamps ©️1990- 2024 Stampin’ Up!®️

To view current Stampin’ Up! products click HERE.