Hi Stampers!
Have you ever needed a card in a hurry? Have you wanted to create a card that was quick, but still had a little flair? Have you ever wanted a card layout that is simple, but could be jazzed up a bit if you had time? Well, if you have ever wanted any of those things, today’s card layout just might be for you! The layout features a full length (5 1/2”) middle panel thus the “Middle Ground” title for this post. The basic layout can be completed in 5 minutes. If you have 10 minutes you can step it up a bit. Twenty minutes, add a bit of texture with an embossing folder. Thirty minutes, well you can really add some pizzazz! Let’s take a look at the sample cards:
VIDEO
WHAT YOU NEED
* Card Base - A-2 size - 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored at 4 1/4” or 11” x 4 1/4” scored a 5 1/2”
* Mat - cardstock or patterned paper cut at 5 1/4” x 4”
* Middle Panel - cardstock or patterned paper cut at 5 1/2” x 2 1/2”
* Inside Panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”
* Other Cardstock - for focal images, greeting, etc
* Other Supplies - stamps, inks, markers, embossing folders, adhesive foam tape (dimensionals), embellishments, etc
WHAT TO DO
* Fold card base and go over fold with bone folder.
* Stamp sentiment on inside panel. Adhere panel to card inside
* Stamp and prepare focal image and / or greeting; punch or die cut images / greeting if needed.
* Adhere mat to front of card, centered left to right and top to bottom.
* Adhere middle panel centered left to right on mat. The middle panel will span the entire length of the portrait style card and the entire width of the landscape version. There should be 3/4” border of the mat on each side of the middle panel. + See note below.
* Add focal image and / or greeting.
* Finish the card by adding a few embellishments.
+NOTE - An easy way to line up the middle panel is to cut a piece of cardstock at 3/4” x 5 1/2” ish. This can be used as a guide to lineup the middle panel.
Line up this piece along the left side of the 5 1/4” x 4” mat. Use a piece of low tack tape to hold this
piece in place.
Place adhesive on the back of the middle panel. Line up the middle panel right up against guide. Remember the middle panel will be even with the top and bottom of the card base. Once you have the middle panel in place, lift up the guide and you will have a 3/4” border of the mat on both sides of the middle panel.
CARD LAYOUT #2616
MIDDLE GROUND
CARDS IN A HURRY TIPS
* Use a simple and familiar layout.
* Use patterned paper as a mat. It is an easy way to add color, images, patterns, etc.
* Use two-step stamps - ink one stamp and stamp the outline, the second stamp fills in the color.
* Use dimensionals (foam tape) to pop up something. (For this card layout the middle panel can be popped up to add a touch of dimension).
* Add a few sequins, dots, gems, etc for a quick and easy way to step up a quick and easy card.
THIS WEEKS CARDS
I created six cards to share this week. I timed how long it took to make each one from start to finish. This includes the time for selecting cardstock, papers, stamps, etc. It includes time spent cutting, scoring, stamping, coloring, die cutting, assembling, and adding embellishments.
FIVE MINUTE CARD
This card was so fast and easy! I completed it in just under 5 minutes. This is the landscape version of the layout. It is a very basic card - the base, a patterned paper mat, and a greeting stamped directly onto the middle panel. I dressed it up with 3 sparkly dots. I think a larger sentiment would have looked better, but I am okay with it. I did stamp a sentiment inside on a white panel.
(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
TEN MINUTE CARD
This card took ten minutes to complete. I just happened to have a piece of white cardstock that measured 2” x 5 1/2”, so I stamped the images on it, used four alcohol markers - no shading just put down some color, then adhered it centered on the middle panel. The middle panel is on foam tape. The patterned paper adds the look of texture. I stamped the greeting on the patterned paper, layered it on a scrap piece of white cardstock and die cut the sentiment then adhered it to the card. Popped on some black faceted gems, popped in the inside panel and called it good.
(Stamped images and dies - Hero Arts; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
TWENTY MINUTE CARD
I spent just under twenty minutes creating this card. I embossed the patterned paper I used for the mat. I stamped the balloons and colored them with alcohol markers. If you want a quick and easy image to color choose balloons! They have no tiny details and you don’t have to do any shading. If you do choose to add a bit of shading, it is super fast and easy. Die cutting the 4 balloons took a little time, but it was work it. I embossed the mat, and die cut the balloons and greeting at the same time. I used dimensionals to pop up the balloons and the greeting. I added the embellishments, and stamped the inside panel and adhered it.
(Patterned Paper - Scrapbook.com; Balloons stamp / die - Colorado Craft Company; Sentiment - Waffle Flower; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
THIRTY MINUTE CARDS
For the next three cards I used embossing folders, alcohol markers, and dies. The two alien cards took a bit under thirty minutes each. The lilac card took right at 30 minutes.
(Stamps and dies - Trinity Stamps; Patterned paper - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
(Stamps and dies - Hero Arts; Greeting - Waffle Flower; Patterned paper - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
VIDEO CARDS
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DAISY BLUES
(Embossing folder - Sizzix; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
THANKFUL BERRIES
(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
TODAY’S CARDS
Whether you take five minutes or thirty minutes to create a card, this Middle Ground layout will work every time! Keep it simple, or really jazz it up - it’s your call! I hope you give this layout a try. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time . . .
Stamp Happy!
Kim
