We all have a collection of patterned paper scraps, and finding ways to use them is always a plus. How about cardstock scraps? Do you have a collection of those? I do. I thought today I’d show you cards I made using cardstock scraps and a simple, but versatile card layout. Here are the cards:
VIDEO
CARD LAYOUT # 2609
WHAT YOU NEED
* Card Base - cut cardstock at A-2 size (8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”)
* Inside Panel - white cardstock cut 5 1/4” x 4”
* Mats -cut scrap cardstock pieces at 2 5/8” x 1 5/8” you will need three mats
* Other Cardstock - cardstock scraps for stamped and die cut images, greetings, etc
* Stamps, inks, adhesives, embellishments, etc.
WHAT TO DO
* Cut cardstock pieces base, score and fold
* Cut inside panel and the three mats
* Stamp images, color, die cut; stamp inside panel, prepare greeting if necessary.
* Adhere panels to card base. In landscape orientation, leave about 3/4” border at the top and bottom of the card, and evenly space them across the card.
* Add images, greeting, and embellishments.
EMBOSSED MATS
This card was so quick and easy to create. I simply cut the mats, popped them in an embossing folder, then adhered them to the card base. I added three butterflies I stamped, colored, and die cut out of scrap cardstock. The greeting is stamped directly onto the white card base. Finally I added a few gems.
(Stamps - Hero Arts; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
STAMPED MATS
To create the mats for this card I cut a piece of scrap white cardstock at 4 7/8” x 2 5/8”. I stamped the leaf design on the cardstock, then cut the cardstock along the 4 7/8” side at 1 5/8” twice. This gave me 3 pieces measuring 1 5/8” x 2 5/8”. The bees and greeting were created using more scrap cardstock.
(Embellishments - Hero Arts; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
PORTRAIT VERSION WITH PANELS
This is the portrait version of the card. The mats are put in the same places as for the landscape version. I cut my mats with a die that measures the 1 5/8” x 2 5/8”. I added panels for the images. They measure
1 3/8” x 2 3/8”. The greeting was stamped on 1/2” x 5 1/2” strips and matted on strips of the blue cardstock that is 5/8” wide x 5 1/2” long. I have a lot of 1/2” and 1” white cardstock scraps, so always good to find ways to use them.
(All supplies from Stampin’ Up!)
CHANGING IT UP
This is the same layout just changed up a bit. I started by stamping the card base with a background stamp. Next I used a scrap of green cardstock that measures 1 1/4” x 5 1/2” and stamped a leaf design on it. I adhered it to the center of the card base. I changed the rectangular mats to ovals. The oval die cuts measure right at the 2 5/8” and at the widest point the measure just a smidge under 1 5/8”. I added the trees and forest animals, and finished it off with another greeting made from cardstock scraps and a few gems.
(Tree and critter stamps - Doodlebug Design Inc.; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
VIDEO CARD
(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
THIS WEEK’S CARDS
What ideas do you have for decorating the cardstock mats for this layout? What are some ways you would change up the layout?
Thank you so much for stopping by. Until next time …
Today I have a card layout that is perfect for practicing pattern mixing. It is always good to practice, but today, the main focus is the focal panel. I know I have mentioned before, card layouts are simply guidelines. Yes, you can follow the layout exactly, or you can change it up by adding, subtracting, or changing elements. For today’s cards I changed the focal panel. Let’s take a look at the sample cards:
VIDEO
CARD LAYOUT #2608
WHAT YOU NEED
(For the card layout as shown)
* Cardstock - for card base - A-2 size; and focal panel - 3 1/4” diameter circle, and white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”for inside panel. The inside panel is optional.
* Patterned Paper - three pieces; cut the mat at 5 1/4” x 4” cut the vertical mat at 5 1/4” x 2 1/4” and cut the horizontal mat at 4” x 2 1/4”
* Stamps, dies, inks, adhesives, and other supplies necessary to finish the card.
WHAT TO DO
* Cut, fold, and score card base
* Cut or die cut other pieces - inner panel, three pieces of patterned paper, and focal panel.
* Stamp inside panel, stamp images or images to die cut or punch. Die cut focal panel. Stamp and prepare greeting.
* Adhere inside panel inside the card, adhere the mat to the front of the card.
* Adhere the vertical mat centered on the card front.
* Adhere the horizontal mat on the card front about 3/4” -1”from the bottom of the card.
* Adhere assembled focal panel to front of card. This can be positioned centered but slightly more toward the top of the card, or to the left or right, depending on your preference. Adhere greeting if not included on focal panel.
* Add any embellishments you like.
TWO ORIENTATIONS
The easiest way to change a layout is to change the orientation. For this layout I changed it from portrait to landscape.
PORTRAIT TRUE TO LAYOUT
I made this card true to the layout. The I added the greeting panel to the focal panel.
(Patterned Paper - Scrapbook.com; All Other Supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
LANDSCAPE
This is the landscape version of the card layout. I added an extra 1 1/4” x 4”piece of patterned paper across the center of the horizontal mat, because I felt the card needed a bit more color. As with the card above, I added the greeting to the focal panel.
(All Supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
CHANGE THE SHAPE OF THE FOCAL PANEL
Another easy way to change a layout is to change the shape of the focal panel.
FROM CIRCLE TO BANNER
For this card I swapped the circle for a banner. The straight lines of the banner give the card a clean sporty look.
(All Supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
SUBSTITUTE A RECTANGLE FOR THE CIRCLE
For this card I layered rounded corner rectangle die cuts for the greeting, adhered it toward the left side of the card, and added the flower and greenery to the right. The rounded corners soften the greeting and mimic the little dots and the roundness of the flowers.
(Patterned Paper - Scrapbook.com; All Other Supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
SUBSTITUTE A DIE CUT IMAGE FOR THE PANEL
For these cards I eliminated the focal panel, and added a focal image and greeting.
PRETTY BUTTERFLY
A large die cut image is the perfect substitute for the layout’s focal panel. I positioned the butterfly more toward the upper left of the card and balanced it with the greeting.
(All Supplies Stampin’ Up!)
LOVELY LILACS
I created a focal image for this card with three floral die cuts. I adhered them to the center of the card, and added the greeting.
(Stamped Images & Coordinating Dies - Hero Arts; Floral & Checked Paper - Scrapbook.com; Polka Dot Paper - Simple Stories; All Other Supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
VIDEO CARD
(Patterned Paper - Scrapbook.com; All Other Supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
THIS WEEK’S CARDS
Each of the cards above were made using the same layout, but simple changes give the cards their own unique look. I encourage you to use what you gave to create your own versions of this card layout. Look through your supplies. Do you have some larger stamps and matching dies? If you don’t have dies you can fussy cut the image? What shape dies do you have? Remember, it is easy to create a square or rectangle with a paper trimmer. If you have a corner rounder punch it is supper easy to create a rounded corner rectangle or square! Banners are also easy to create with a trimmer and a pair of scissors (to flag the end or ends of banner). How about ephemera images? Those might be perfect for this card layout!what other items do you have on hand you can use?
Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate it so much. Until next time …
Do you have tools or supplies you love, but sometimes forget to use? Maybe you use them, but not as often as you should? For me, I forget about my stencils, and I do not use my embossing folders as much as I should. I also own some larger stamps with matching dies I love, but forget I have. So, today I am using a very basic layout to help me solve these issues. Let’s take a look at today’s cards:
VIDEO
CARD LAYOUT #2607
WHAT YOU NEED
* Card Base - Cut cardstock at 8 1/2” x 51/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4” or 11’ x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 5 1/2”
* Inside Panel - White or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4’ x 4”
* Mat Layer - Cut cardstock or patterned paper at 5 1/4” x 4”
* Embossing Folder / stencil
* Sponge or sponge dauber / blending brush
* Larger stamped image with coordinating die (or can fussy cut)
* Greeting
* Inks, embellishments, adhesives, etc. to finish card
WHAT TO DO
* Prepare card base. Stamp sentiment on inside panel and adhere to inside of card
* Prepare mat layer with either the embossing folder or the stencil
* Stamp, color, and die cut focal image.
* Prepare greeting.
* Assemble card - adhere mat, place focal image toward bottom of card (centered, or a bit more to the left or the right), Add the greeting toward the top of the card.
* Add embellishments (optional).
SIMPLE EMBOSSING FOLDER IDEAS
BIRTHDAY DOTS
This technique is so easy. Emboss the cardstock. I used a 3-D embossing folder, but any type will work. Ink up a sponge or sponge dauber and very lightly go over the raised portion of the design. This can also be done by very lightly swiping an ink pad across the embossed cardstock.
(Image - Colorado Craft Company; sentiment - Moonstone/Hunkydory; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
FLOWERS IN THE RAIN
Instead of embossing cardstock, use patterned paper. Test a piece of scrap patterned paper first. If the embossing folder cracks or tears the paper try one or both of the following tips:
* Lightly spritz the paper with water, then run it through the die cut machine. The water helps loosen the fibers just enough to allow the folder to do its job without tearing the paper.
* Double the patterned paper. Place two pieces of patterned paper cut the same size and placed one on top of the other in the embossing folder, and run it through the die cut machine. The extra piece of paper acts as a cushion to help prevent the cracking.
(Floral image - Trinity Stamps; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
IDEAS FOR STENCILED BACKGROUNDS
BIRTHDAY CAKE & FLOWERS
This is a simple two stencil (layering stencil) design. Stencils are an easy way to add color and design to a background. Many times the stenciled design can be changed by using only one stencil in the set. Of course the look of the stencil can be changed by using a different color of ink.
(Greeting - Waffle Flower; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
BIRTHDAY UNICORN
The stencil I used for this background is a single stencil. The yellow ink is the stencil’s pattern. I added more color to the design with two small star stamps and two more ink colors. This simple “technique” added so much to the background.
(Image - Trinity Stamps; greeting - Waffle Flower; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
TODAY’S CARDS
Do you have some larger stamps? This layout is a perfect way to showcase them. The backgrounds are so easy to create, and they really accent the images. Pull out those stamps, embossing folders, and stencils, and start creating terrific cards.
Thank you so much for stopping by today. Until next time . . .
