EASY WAYS TO MIX PATTERN PAPERS AND SELECT CARD BASES

Hi Stampers!

A few weeks back we talked about mixing patterned papers and what designs go with what other designs. I concluded if you like the combination - it is perfect, and I stand by that. Still, I know finding just the right papers can be overwhelming sometimes and maybe even a little frustrating. Once you decide on the papers it’s time to pick a card base, and sometimes that can become an added struggle. Today we’ll look at a few strategies for taking the guess work out of choosing papers and card bases. We’ll put those strategies to work using a layout perfect for showcasing those pretty patterned papers! Here are today’s sample cards:

VIDEO

CARD LAYOUT # 2606

Here is today’s card layout. It features 3 patterned paper designs and a focal panel. The focal panel is a circle. The diameter of the die cut circle is 3”, but a 2 1/2” -3” circle will work, as will squares, rectangles, or anything else you like. This panel can include a greeting and / or an image. It can be placed slightly to the left or right of center or more toward the center of the card. 

WHAT YOU NEED

* Cardstock - Card bases- A-2 size; Focal Panel- for mat and top layers, etc; Inside Panel - white or light colored. Are stock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Patterned Papers - three designs, or three pieces of cardstock (this cardstock can be embossed with an embossing folder)

* OTHER - stamps, inks, embellishments , foam tape, adhesives, and whatever else needed to complete the card

WHAT TO DO

* Cut, score, and fold your card base. Go over the fold with a bone folder. 

* Cut the inside panel, and cut the three pieces of patterned paper

* Stamp the greeting and focal panel and die cut any pieces needed. 

* Starting with the 3 7/8”x 2” piece of patterned paper adhere it along the bottom edge of the card leaving about a 1/4” border along the sides and bottom. 

* Next adhere the 1” x 3” paper along the left side of the card front leaving a 1/4” border along the top and left side (line it up evenly with the bottom piece of paper.

* Moe adhere the remaining piece of patterned paper on the right hand side of the card front. Use the two pieces already adhered to gauge placement for this piece. There should be the 1/4” border at the top and along the right side.

* Add focal piece and or greeting and add embellishments (optional).

* Add inside panel (optional)

EASY WAYS TO MATCH YOUR PAPERS

USE PAPER PACKS OR COLLECTIONS

* Paper packs or collections - most are made up of papers that are coordinated by

   - Theme (birthday, holiday, florals, etc.)

   - Color Scheme

   - Patterns

The two cards below were created using papers from the same collection (Birthday Patterned Collection from Scrapbook.com).

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATTERNS

(Patterned Papers and dies are from Scrapbook.com; All other supplies are from Stampin’ Up!)

(Patterned paper and cupcake die are from Scrapbook.com; All other supplies are from Stampin’ Up!)

Selecting papers from the same collection is the easiest way to match patterns, colors, and themes. The colors are bright and the theme is birthday. I selected colored card bases that made the card pop. More about that later. 

Below is another example of using different patterns from the same paper pack. The paper pack I used to make the two cards above featured multiple colors.  The pack I used for the card below features only two colors - white - off white and shades of yellow to gold.

HONEY BEAR BIRTHDAY

(Patterned Paper - Bees & Butterflies Basics from Paper Rose; Embellishments - Simple stories; all other supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

COLLAGE DESIGNS

* These paper collections do vary, but in general all the pages coordinate. There may be some pages that are more neutral in color and design. The collage design paper allow you to cut the sections of the paper that you want to include on the card. It is possible cut different pieces from the same piece of paper, but the pattern will not be the same- similar, but not the same.

For the card below I did cut pieces from 3 separate papers. The sea star was die cut from the backside of one of the papers. I liked the look of texture the design adds to the die cut.

SILENT SEA & THE SEA STAR

(Patterned Papers - Silent Sea from Stamperia; Embellishments - Simply Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

MATCH THE LEAST PREVALENT COLOR

* Not enough matching patterns in the paper pack? It does happen. It happened to me with the card below.

For this card two of the patterned papers (ladybugs and daisies and red and white checks) are from the same collection (Bugs & Berries from Pink and Main), but the third paper (green & white polka dots) is from another collection (Pretty Patterns from Catherine Pooler). So how did I settle on the green and white polka dots? Here is how. . .

  - Determine the least prevalent color on the papers - that is the color to look for 

  - Select a design that is mostly that color and has a teeny print that is white or  another very neutral color.

  - Do not place the paper directly beside the color you are matching. On the card below the card base forms a white border around each of the patterned papers. Keeping the two greens separated sort of tricks your brain into perceiving the greens as alike or similar. (In real life the greens look a lot more alike than in the photo. 🤷‍♀️)

LADYBUGS AND CHECKS

For this card two of the patterned papers are from the same collection (Bugs & Berries from Pink and Main), but the third paper is from another collection (Pretty Patterns from Catherine Pooler).

* OTHER TIPS

  - Paper Packs from the Same Company. Companies such as Stampin’ Up!, Catherine Pooler and others have their color collections and you can find the same color used in different paper packs. I have matched the same color from different packs many times. That is one advantage of selecting one or two companies to purchase patterned papers from. Now,  do I follow that advice? No, but I can see the advantage in doing so! 😁

* MATCHING CARDSTOCK FOR CARD BASES & MATS

  -  A white card base works most of the time. (So I am told.😁 Hey, I am trying to use them a bit more.) Take a peek at the ladybug card. I think the white card base works really well as each paper contains white. 

  - Many times black, vanilla, or kraft colored card bases are good neutral choices. The Honey Bear card has a vanilla card base. 

  - As with the patterned papers, there are companies that offer color coordinated patterned papers and cardstocks. These products make matching so super easy. They are a good option if you are a beginner or if you just don’t’t feel comfortable with the mixing and matching.

  - Pick a color that is found in each of the patterned papers. Look through your cardstock and find a color that is as close a match as possible. It will work. As I stated before, our brains will see everything as matching. Now if you start looking and comparing you just might pick up on the difference, but otherwise, you won’t. Look at the Happy Birthdays Patterns cards. The card bases and focal mats and the embellishments are all from Stampin’ Up! They match the papers from Scrapbook.com perfectly.  

  - Select a color in the patterned papers. Select a card base that is the same color but a darker shade. It just seems to work for me. See the Sea Star card. 

These tips work for me, and I hope they will be of help to you. When it comes right down to it, if you like your choices, they are perfect. I truly believe that, if I didn’t I would not say it, let alone put it in writing on the internet! 

VIDEO CARD

(Plaid Paper - Lakeside Memories from Paper Rose; Other Papers - Whispering Way from 49 and Market; all other supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

That is all for today. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time …

Stamp Happy!

Kim

ONE CARD LAYOUT, DIFFERENT LOOKS

Hi Stampers!

For a month now I’ve shared some card layouts I use to help me hone my skills as a card maker. Using a layouts allows me to focus more on colors, patterns, textures, and more. Today I am switching things up a little bit. The sample cards this week focus a bit more on the layout by using those same elements of  color, pattern, texture, and orientation to alter the layout just a bit. Let’s take a peek at the sample cards:

VIDEO

CARD LAYOUT 2605

I like this layout, because it provides a lot of opportunities to change things up. Note, there is no specific spot for a greeting. 

NOTE: If you prefer not to work with eighths of an inch change the measurements for the panels to

2 1/4” x 1 1/2”.

WHAT YOU NEED

* CARDSTOCK - For 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”; for inside panel cut white or light colored cardstock - cut at 5 1/4” x 4”; for panel mats cut three at 2 1/2”x 1 3/4”

* PATTERNED PAPER - For mat - cut a piece at 5 1/4” x 4” ; for panels cut 3 at 2 3/8” x 1 5/8” (for no eighths cut them at 2 1/4” x 1 1/2”)

* OTHER - Stamps, inks, dies, embossing folders, adhesives, Dimensionals, embellishments, and other items needed to finish the card

WHAT TO DO

* Stamp inside panel (if using) and complete other stamping.

* Punch or die cut any images you will be using.

* Adhere panels to mats. Place one mat in the top left corner of the card leaving an even border also the top and side. Adhere the bottom panel to the bottom right of the card leaving the even border on the side and bottom. Use adhesive or dimensionals (foam tape) to adhere the center panel. Center it on the card and over the top and bottom panels. 

* Add any images and or the greeting.

* Add embellishments if using.

LAYOUT #2605 TRIO

FOLLOWING THE LAYOUT

 

For this card I followed the layout. I cut a piece of white cardstock for the middle panel, and stamped the greeting directly on it. The whale image is stamped and punched, then adhered to the panel. 

(Embellishments - Simple Stories; All others - Stampin’ Up!)

STAMPED BACKGROUND

This time I skipped the mat, and stamped the card base. I added the three matted panels, and finished the card with the cake image, a greeting, and some embellishments. 

(Embellishments - Simple Stories; All others - Stampin’ Up!)

LANDSCAPE VERSION WITH VERTICAL PANEL

I turned the card base to landscape orientation, skipped the patterned paper for two panels, and embossed the cardstock mats with an embossing folder. I placed the center panel in a vertical position as opposed to horizontal. 

(Embellishments - Simple Stories;  All other - Stampin’ Up!)

THE LAYOUT WITH STAMPED PANELS

Instead of using patterned paper, I stamped the design onto the panels. 

(All supplies Stampin’ Up!)

THE LAYOUT WITH SPARKLE

For a little extra shine I used some glimmer paper on two of the panels. 

(Rainbow Glimmer Paper - Scrapbook.com; All other - Stampin’ Up!)

THE LAYOUT NO MAT

Another version where I left off the mat and allowed the card base to shine. I used two patterned paper designs to add a bit more interest. 

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

THE LAYOUT IN LANDSCAPE MINUS PANELS

Another card in landscape. I stamped the background on the focal panel.

(All supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

A PAIR OF OPPOSITES 

BASIC LAYOUT WITH HEARTS & RAINBOWS

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

VIDEO CARD

(All supplies Stampin’ Up!)

SAME LAYOUT - DIFFERENT VERSIONS

Finding easy ways to change up layouts is a great way to add variety to your cards without starting from scratch. 

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

Stamp Happy!

Kim

A SUPER EASY CARD LAYOUT THAT HELPS YOU HONE YOUR SKILLS

Hi Stampers!

Do you have areas of card making you struggle with? I sure do! For example, I am not fond of using white cards bases, I avoid red and green color schemes (except for Christmas cards), and guy cards do not come easy for me. I am not saying I do not use white card bases, or that I don’t use red and green on non- Holiday cards, or that I don’t make guy cards. I just struggle with these things. 

So, how can these struggles be overcome? Practice, of course, but practice with structure. In this case the structure is a card layout. Using a card layout means the designing is done, and we just need to concentrate on filling in the blanks, so to speak. This allow more time to focus on overcoming the struggle. So let’s discover how a simple layout can help us hone our skills and overcome our card making struggles. Let’s take a look at some sample cards:

VIDEO

CARD LAYOUT # 2604

WHAT YOU NEED 

* Cardstock - A-2 cardbase: cut cardstock at 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”; Inside panel (optional) -white to light colored cardstock cut at 51/4” x 4”.

* Patterned Paper - Two designs; cut one at 4” x 2 1/4” and cut the second one at 4” x 3 1/4”. Score the 4” x 3 1/4” piece along the 3 1/4” side at 3”. 

* Seam - cardstock strip (4” x 1/4” or 4”x 1/8”), ribbon, twine, etc to cover seam between the two pieces of patterned paper. This is optional.

* Greeting and / or Focal Image

* Stamps, inks, adhesive, and other supplies needed to finish the card.

WHAT TO DO

* Cut, score and fold card base.

* Cut patterned paper and score

* Cut inside panel

* Stamp and prepare greeting, stamp inside panel.

* Adhere inside panel to card.

* Assemble the background panel (the two pieces of patterned paper)Adhere the shorter piece to the longer piece along the score line on the 4” x 3 1/4” piece. The completed piece should measure 4’ x  5” x 4 1/4”. Adhere this piece centered on the card front. If adding ribbon or twine, adhere it to the patterned paper piece prior to adhering to the card base.

* Add greeting, focal image, etc. 

* Add embellishments

HONING MY SKILLS

Below are cards I created using today’s card layout, and focusing on honing my card making skills to overcome my “struggles.” I think I did okay. As they say, “practice makes perfect.” Not sure who “they” are, but in this case I know “they” are correct. If I continue challenging myself in these troublesome areas, before too long they won’t seem like such a struggle.  Tackling something head on feels a lot better than avoiding it, and I like the results.

WHITE CARD BASE

I paired the layout with a my nemesis (AKA - white card base). Both patterned papers feature white as a supporting color. I was happy with the look. I thought about using a white ribbon to conceal the seam, but it was just not working for me. The peach color looks so much better! The greeting on white cardstock ties everything together. I usually mat my greetings, but skipping the mat really helped the white card base not look so stark to me. 

(Enamel Dots - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

RED & GREEN (NON-HOLIDAY) COLOR SCHEME

I am so happy with this card. I do struggle with red and green when the card is not for Christmas. The red poppy pattern is so bright and cheery and screams summer, so all I needed to do was select a paper with green. I found this checked pattern. To me it is sort of a neutral design and compliments the busyness of floral pattern. I was happy with the results. The card layout really helped me to balance the red and the green. I love it. 

( Enamel Dots - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

GUY CARDS

When it comes to creating guy cards it is a hit and miss proposition for me. I have plenty of “guy” themed patterned paper, plenty of “guy” stamps, plenty of everything, but I still struggle to come up with guy cards I truly like. With the layout it is just a matter of filling in the blanks with paper, add a greeting and a few embellishments, and suddenly you have a great card! I really like how the airplanes are going in all different directions, and how the sentiment reflects that as the letters are arranged in different directions. I was so happy with this card. 

 

(Enamel Dots - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TWO FOR ONE

I liked this card so much, I made two. Here is a tip for how to make two cards a little quicker.

* TIP - 9Cut two pieces of patterned paper at 4” x 5 1/2” . Along the 5 1/2” side cut at 2 1/4”. You now have two pieces of paper that measure 4” x 2 1/4” and two that measure 4” x 3 1/4”. You can create two cards that are opposites!

VIDEO CARD

Wasn’t this card so quick and easy to create?  I really like it. 

(All supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

CARD ORIENTATIONS

PORTRAIT

This card layout looks great in portrait landscape and you can place the smaller piece of paper at the top of the card or at the bottom of the card. Both look great!

(All supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

LANDSCAPE

And, yesterday the layout looks great in landscape orientation! As with the portrait orientation the smaller piece of paper can be placed on the left side or right side of the card. 

(Ribbon on Happy Birthday card Offray; All other supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

HONING CARD MAKING SKILLS WITH LAYOUT #2604

What card making struggles do you have? Why not try using a card layout to help hone your skills? It really does help you focus on overcoming the struggle as you just have to “fill in the blanks” with papers, a sentiment, and embellishments (if you like). It is a strategy that works for me. Maybe it will work for you too. 

That is all for today. Thank you for checking in. Until next time …

Stamp Happy!

Kim