AN EASY LAYOUT WITH SWATCHES OF TEXTURE

Hi Stampers!

As I explained last week, this year I am going to use a different card layout each week. The purpose of using the layout is to put less focus on the card design and pay more attention to colors, patterns, textures, and other elements of the card. The result should be a more interesting, more polished card! Focusing on colors, patterns, and textures will also serves as a gentle nudge out of the card making comfort zone! 

Today’s focal element is texture. The card layout is perfect for adding small areas of texture to the card. The layout itself is quick and  easy to create. Adding the texture is super simple with embossing folders. No embossing folders, no problem! You can use a stencil with embossing paste to create the texture. Or how about using a stylus and scoreboard to create a bit of texture - you can do the same with a trimmer and a scoring blade. Another idea - cut the cardstock for the textured pieces. Now, wad up the cardstock pieces, flatten the pieces out and adhere to the card. Finally, look through your patterned papers for faux textured designs. Those will work just fine. Let’s take a look at today’s card samples:

TODAY’S LAYOUT (2602)

CREATING THE CARDS 

As I stated earlier this layout allows for adding small areas of texture. The texture really accents the focal piece. If you have scrap cardstock, this layout will help you use some of those pieces!

Cardstock - For the sample cards I used 2 colors of cardstock for one, and 3 colors for the other. I think selecting 2-3 colors works well for this particular layout. 

Patterned Paper - The only patterned paper I used on the cards was a 5 1/4”x 4” piece for the mat. As I mentioned earlier the textured cardstock can be replaced with patterned paper with textured looks - wood grain, fabric patterns, twigs, bricks, stones, etc.

Mats and Panels - The size of the accent panels, focal mat, and focal panel can be altered your  liking.  You can substitute circles or other shapes for the squares.

Embossing Folders - I used 3 different embossing folders on one card, and 2 different embossing folders on the other. I used patterns that are similar either in shape of the design or size of the design. 

Orientation - The card can be created in portrait or landscape orientation. 

WHAT YOU NEED

* Cardstock - for card base (8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/2”); texture panels, focal mat and focal panel (see measurement on diagram above); and white or light colored cardstock for inside card, cut at 5 1/4” x 4” (optional)

* Patterned paper - for main mat

* Embossing Folders - or items needed for alternate texture creation

* Stamps, ink, embellishments, adhesive, and other items needed to complete your card

WHAT TO DO

* Cut, score and fold the card base, go over fold with bone folder to get a nice crisp crease. 

* Cut other pieces of cardstock needed for texture panels, focal panel, inside panel, etc.

* Emboss or otherwise texturize the cardstock panels.

* Create focal image and / or greeting, and stamp sentiment on inside panel.

* Assemble card. Adhere the 5 1/4” x 4” patterned paper to the card base, and adhere inside panel. Place the top texture panel about 5/8” - 3/4”down from the top and the same from the left side of the card. Do the same for the bottom piece. Place it 5/8” - 3/4” from the bottom of the card and the same from the left side of the card. 

* Adhere the focal piece to its mat, and adhere to the card  centered top to bottom between the two texture panels and slightly more to the right. Add greeting if it is separate from focal panel

* Add embellishments if you like to complete your card. 

VIDEO

THE CARDS UP CLOSE

WITH LOVE CARD

I used two different embossing folders for the swatches (texture panels). I selected embossing folders with designs that are similar and about the same size. I chose a monochromatic color theme.

(Supplies for this card: Embellishments - Simple Stories; all other supplies are from Stampin’ Up!)

HEY VALENTINE CARD

I chose the cardstock for this card by using two colors from the patterned paper. I substituted the heart die cut for the focal panel and added the greeting to the die cut, Each “swatch” was embossed with a different embossing folders. I chose patterns that were similar in size and design.

(Supplies -all are from Stampin’ Up!)

 

SWATCHES OF TEXTURE CARDS

VIDEO CARDS

FLOWERY BIRTHDAY CARD

(Supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

SAILING STRIPES CARD

This is the landscape version of the layout. 

(Supplies: Patterned Paper - 49 and Main, all others from Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

Today I focused on using texture with my card layout. It made me feel good to get out my embossing folders and select the ones I wanted for today’s cards. I do not use my embossing folders as often as I should. To me this layout is perfect for those little swatches of texture, and that was my goal for today - adding texture. This is a fun layout whether you make it in portrait or landscape version, or add the texture or not! 

Thank you for checking in today. Until next time . . .

Kim

A LAYOUT WITH A CLASSIC LOOK FOR THE NEW YEAR!

Hi Stampers!

Happy 2026! It’s anew year, so time to try something new! Time to step out of my comfort zone and push myself to try new things! Do you want to join me? This year I am going to improve my cards, how? I am going to try and use colors and patterns and techniques I have used, but then put on the back burner where I totally forget about them! So, how am I going to do this? With card layouts! If the layout is taken care of, that will allow me to focus on colors and techniques! Let’s see how I do? 

We are starting off the new year with a basic card layout and pairing it with color and patterns. This particular layout may be basic, but the classic design gives your cards a polished look without a lot of fuss! Here are sample cards made using today’s layout:

TODAY’S LAYOUT (2601)

CREATING THE CARDS

This layout is perfect for using scraps of patterned paper and scraps of cardstock. It also easily lends itself to monochromatic cards. There is nothing at all wrong with monochromatic cards, but I try to push myself to select complementary color themes, at least once in a while. Today’s samples are heavy on the monochromatic theme. I did manage to create one card with a complementary color themes! I’m counting that as a win!

The layout does not specify a place for a sentiment. It can be stamped directly onto one of the panels or stamp it on a banner or rectangle of cardstock and add to the card.

Cardstock - For my sample cards I kept the cardstock mats the same color as the card base, but different colors can be used for one or both panel mats.  

Patterned Paper- I used 3 different designs for my patterned paper pieces, but 2 designs will work great as well. One design will be great too. Remember the layout and card samples are just ideas. They are for inspiration. Change it up as much as you like! 😊

* Don’t have any patterned paper? Create your own by stamping images on cardstock. Instead of stamping you can apply ink to white cardstock with a sponge or blending brush.  This creates interesting and color-focused designs. Use an embossing folder with cardstock to create textured panels. Add extra color and definition by lightly going over the embossed image with ink.

Mats and Panels - The sizes of the mats and panels can be adjusted to your liking. For example, adjustments might be necessary to fit larger sentiments or images. Maybe you want the strip panel to run from the top of the card to the bottom, or you want it a bit wider, or you just do not like working with eighths of an inch, no problem. Tweak the measurements to fit what looks good and works for you. 

Orientation - this layout can be used in portrait or landscape orientation. It can also be flipped left to right (portrait) or top to bottom (landscape).

WHAT YOU NEED

* Cardstock - for A-2 card base (8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4” or 11”x 4 1/4”scored and folded at 5 1/2”), and to mat the two panels(measurements showed above), plus white or light colored cardstock for inside the card (5 1/4” x 4”)

* Patterned Paper - 2-3 designs that coordinate in some way (color, pattern, etc.) The measurements are shown above.

* Adhesive

* Stamps, ink, die cuts, for focal image / sentiment

WHAT TO DO

* Cut, score, and fold the cardstock for the card base. Go over fold with bone folder

* Cut other cardstock and patterned paper pieces

* Adhere patterned papers to card base and mats. 

* Stamp, , color, die cut any focal images and sentiments.

* Stamp sentiment and or images on inside panel.

* Assemble - add panel to inside, adhere the two matted panels to the front of the card, adhere any die cut images and the sentiment. Finally add any embellishments, and the card is complete.

VIDEO

THE CARDS UP CLOSE

BIRTHDAY FLOWER

This card is an example of using the layout with complementary colors - orange and blue in this case. The navy blue card base and mats do look great with the patterned papers. The multicolored floral print features the orange and blue theme along with a few other colors on white. It helps break up the two orange panels. 

(Cardstock, patterned paper, ink, stamps - all from Stampin’ Up!; floral focal image  from Live the Dream ephemera pack from We R Makers.)

BIRTHDAY MOOSE

This card is an example of a monochromatic color theme. The moose adds a bit of relief from all the green, and it does coordinate with the tree trunks.  Repeating the shape of the trees in the focal image helps ties everything together. 

(Cardstock, patterned paper, ink, tree punch, banner punch, all from Stampin’ Up!; Forest Friends stamps and dies for moose and sentiment is from Doodle Bug Designs)

THANKFUL MUSHROOMS

Another monochromatic card. As I mentioned this layout truly makes it very easy to create monochromatic cards! That is great, but it also is a bit of a down side. You might have noticed the orientation of this card is landscape as opposed to portrait. Layouts that can be created in both portrait and landscape orientations are a big plus!!!

(All supplies for this card are from Stampin’ Up!.)

VIDEO CARD

(All supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

CARDS MADE FROM LAYOUT 2601

That’s all for today. I am so happy you stopped by. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

TWO SUPER EASY GIFT CARD HOLDERS TO WHIP UP IN NO TIME - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST 🎄

Hi Stampers!

Here we are! Christmas is two weeks away. I hope your cards are finished or nearly so, and you have plenty of tags for all the gifts you are wrapping. If you are like me, sometime between now and Christmas you’ll find yourself needing an extra gift at some point. In my mind gift cards were created for times like those! So, today I thought we’d take a look at two super easy and really quick gift card holders! They are basically cards with a flap that serves as a great pocket for a gift card! Let’s take a look:

The two gift card holders on the left were made a couple years ago - maybe 3! I’ve yet to use them, but I will - maybe this year! The two on the right I made in the video that coordinates with posting. Watch the video to see the cards open, and to see how to create the gift card holders!

VIDEO

TWO SUPER EASY GIFT CARD HOLDERS TO WHIP UP 

IN NO TIME

LANDSCAPE SUPER EASY GIFT CARD HOLDER

WHAT YOU NEED TO CREATE THIS VERSION

* Card Base - cut cardstock at 9 1/4” x 5 1/2”

* Patterned Paper - 2 coordinating patterns; cut one at 2 3/4” (top flap); cut another at 1 3/4” x 5 1/4”

* Inside Panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Sentiment Piece - white or light colored cardstock for sentiment, cardstock same color as card base for mat, stamps, ink, dies or punches

* Adhesives

WHAT TO DO

* Score cardstock along 9 1/4” side at 3” and 7 1/4”

* Fold score lines toward center of card (valley folds), and go over with bone folder

* Stamp sentiment on inside panel - toward the top, centered left to right

* Adhere panel to inside of card centered.

* Adhere patterned paper pieces to front of card

* On back side of bottom flap apply adhesive to the right and left sides of the flap, fold up, and press

* Adhere sentiment to card. Keep adhesive near the top half of the sentiment to keep from adhering the card front down

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Shaded Spruce, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps - Framed & Festive, Snowman Season

* Ink - Cherry Cobbler

* Dies - Nested Essentials

* Adhesive and dimensionals

PORTRAIT SUPER EASY GIFT CARD HOLDER

WHAT YOU NEED TO CREATE THIS VERSION

* Card Base - cut cardstock at 11” x 5 1/2”

* Patterned Paper - on this sample the patterned paper is cut at 5” x 3 3/4”, but you can use a 5 1/4” x 4” piece if you like, or any patterned paper layout that appeals to you.

* Inside panel - white or light colored cardstock - mine is cut at 5” x 3 3/4”

* Focal image of choice - the matted focal piece on my example measures 3 3/4” x 1 3/4”

* Stamps, inks, adhesives, etc

WHAT TO DO

* Score cardstock along base at 4 1/4” and 8 1/2”

* Fold score lines toward center of card (valley folds), go over folds with bone folder 

* The small flap will be on the left when the card is open. Place adhesive along the back side of the top and bottom edges of the flap. Press to adhere.

* Stamp greeting on inside panel and adhere inside card.

* Adhere patterned paper to card front.

* Add focal panel / greeting

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Garden Green, Basic White, Real Red

* Patterned Paper - Christmas Spectacular (49th and Market)

* Stamps - # Elfie (retired)

* Ink - Garden Green; Stampin’ Blends - Real Red, Mossy Meadow, Lemon Lolly, Pretty in Pink, Wild Wheat (retired), Natural Tones #1000; Glitter Brush- clear (Scrapbook.com)

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

SUPER EASY GIFT CARD HOLDERS

These gift card holder are super quick to create. Of course you can dress them up with ribbons and gems if you like. I like the idea of popping the gift cards inside an actual card. It adds that special and unique handmade touch to the gift. Pop the gift card inside, place the card in an envelope, write the recipient’s name on the front and stick a bow on it. It’s ready to go! Of course you can also send it through the mail!

Thank you for stopping by today, and all year long. Your support is much appreciated. I wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season! Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a Prosperous New Year to you and yours. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

I use mostly Stampin’ Up! ®️ products. Some are retired and noted as such. Products from other companies are noted as such. I encourage you to use supplies you have on hand, and create your very own and unique versions of the samples.