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

MIX PATTERNS AND ADD PIZZAZZ TO YOUR VALENTINE CARDS OR ANY TIME CARDS

Hi Stampers!

Do you ever find yourself wondering if the designs on two or three pieces of patterned paper will work on a card? Do you fret over mixing stripes and checks or florals and dots? Would you faint at the thought of mixing florals with stripes and dots? Do you avoid pattern mixing all together, or do you stick to one or two tried and true pattern mixing duos? Would you like to mix patterns without doubts and use up more of your papers? If so, this just might be the post you have been waiting for! Today we are talking about mixing patterns without fear and adding a bit more pizzazz to our cards.  Of course there is a card layout to help us along. This week’s layout is perfect for mixing pretty patterned papers , and is perfect for using scraps! I have created a lot of sample cards for today! Let’s take a look at a few:

MIXING PATTERNS CARDS

VIDEO

TODAY’S LAYOUT 

(#2603)

This layout is perfect for mixing patterns. The background panel, panels #1 & #2, and the cross-panel are all areas that can be filled with a patterned design!

WHAT YOU NEED

* Cardstock for card base, inside panel, greeting, focal image, a panel and or mats for panels (optional)

* Patterned Papers - three or four different patterns

* Stamps, inks, die cuts, embellishments, adhesives, etc.

WHAT TO DO

*Prepare card base (A-2 size) 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”.

* Select and cut patterned papers and cardstock for panels and mats (if using), cut cardstock for inside card panel and greeting. (See diagram above.)

* Stamp greeting, sentiment on inside card panel, and focal image (optional)

* Adhere inside card panel.

* Adhere mats to panels if using

* Adhere 5 1/4” x 4” mat to card front

* Adhere 5”long panel centered top and bottom and about 1/4”from right edge of card.

* Adhere the cross panel to the card from one edge of the mat to the other at center or slightly below

* Adhere 4 1/4” panel slightly below center

* Add greeting

* Add embellishments

PATTERN MIXING TIPS

NOTE - These are tips, not rules. They are a starting point. Once you feel comfortable mixing patterns, you’ll discover there are no rules.

* Mix various patterns of matching color. 

* Mix patterns with same color scheme.

* For a multicolored design, pick a predominant color or two, and mix with patterns featuring that color(s).

* Stripes, florals(includes plants), dots, and checks (includes plaids) all tend to mix well together.

* Balance larger patterns with smaller or understated patterns.

* Treat tiny or small patterns as solid colors.They mix well with most anything. 

* Catagorize similar patterns as stripes, florals, dots, or stripes. (There are example found in sample cards below.)

* If you like the combination, it is perfect! Go with it!

NOTE - Paper Pads usually contain patterns that mix well together. 

STRIPES, DOTS, AND FLORALS

One of these things is not like the other . . . or is it?  These three cards mix dots, stripes and floral patterns. 

STRIPES, FLORALS, DOTS, CHECKS 

WHERE ARE THE FLORALS?

* When a pattern contains a repeating image or similar images with space between them, as the fish pattern above, I treat it as a floral. This makes it easy to decide what patterns to mix with paper containing such images.

(All supplies are from Stampin’ Up!)

WHAT IS THE PREDOMINANT COLOR?

*  A design with multicolored images is easy to mix with other patterns, just pick the predominant color and go with that. What happens when there really isn’t a predominant color? Simple! Choose the color (s) you like! I chose the pink and added stripes and dots with the floral pattern. 

* The pink wood grain pattern I categorized as a stripe pattern as it is basically parallel lines. 

(Embellishments from Simple Stories; all other supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

MORE STRIPES AND DOTS

* For the floral paper the predominant color is black. I chose some black and white patterns to go with it. 

* The background paper is a honeycomb pattern. I consider it a dots pattern. 

* The tiny black dots on white give the eyes relief from all the black. 

* Where are the stripes? The chevron pattern can be considered stripes.

(Embellishments from Simple Stories; all other supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

COLORS AND PATTERNS

Color is one of the first things we notice about a card. Color can be used to coordinate patterns. I used colors to select the patterns used on the cards above. 

MONOCHROMATIC

* Monochromatic color schemes can sometimes be tricky, but using papers with designs that are the exact same color can help keep the theme on track. For this card the papers contain some white which helps give the eye a break from the purple. 

* The script and ogee pattern used for this card I considered stripes. The straight lines of the script certainly resemble stripes. The curves of the ogee pattern is a bit more difficult to see as a stripe, but keep looking, you’ll see it. I am not saying either pattern is a stripe. I am saying you can consider it a stripe for purposes of pattern mixing.

(All supplies are from Stampin’ Up!)

MOST PREDOMINANT COLOR

* Once again I started with the multicolored paper (the critters), and once again there really is no predominant color. There is a case to be made for selecting black as that color, so I did and I added the turquoise. The print on the turquoise paper is small enough to look great with most other prints. 

(All supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

BALANCING PATTERNS

* On this card the balloons can be considered florals for pattern mixing purposes. The background is a bold and colorful stripe pattern. The turquoise print can be considered dots, and the green print has a diagonal stripe pattern. The two papers with smaller designs add balance to the card.

(All supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

VALENTINE PATTERNS

Sometimes adding a little something different, but similar can really bring all the patterns together!

MATCHING HEARTS

* This card features papers with hearts. Two papers have a color theme of red, pink, and white. I paired these with another heart patterned paper that adds purple to the red, white, and pink. For me, that is a little bit out of my comfort zone! The small dashes pattern on the final paper breaks up all those hearts! The red mats for the panels highlight each pattern. 

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TEXT PATTERNS

*Doesn’t the text panel add a surprising touch to this card? Text and script patterns mix well with almost all patterns! I like the small hearts on the text panel, because it brings some unity to the card. The red dash pattern breaks up all the purple.

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

SOLID PANELS

* Sometimes mats help define card panels, but sometimes a solid colored panel works too. This card features a solid red panel. It is embossed with a floral pattern similar to the other floral patterns on the card. The stripes coordinate with the other papers and add variety to the card.

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

MORE SAMPLES

Here are three more examples of mixing patterns on cards. 

FLORALS, DOTS, AND STRIPES

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

MONOCHROMATIC PATTERNS

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

FLORALS, DOTS, STRIPES AND A SOLID

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

ORIENTATIONS

As with most all card layouts this one can be created in portrait and landscape orientations. Of course mixing the patterns works with any orientation or card size. 

PORTRAIT ORIENTATION

This card turned out to be one of my favorites! I mixed these patterns using one criteria. Each pattern contains the berry color. The dots panel has only one dot in the berry color that shows. Somehow it works!

This is a good example of just giving it a try and surprise, it works! 

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

LANDSCAPE ORIENTATION

This is a sample of what the card looks like in landscape orientation. I did place panel 1 (floral) more centered left to right to balance the card a bit.

(Patterned Papers - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

VIDEO CARDS

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

I hope you pull out your patterned paper scraps and create cards with mixed patterns. This card layout (2603) is perfect for mixing patterns, as are the layouts in the previous two posts. Here is the most important thing I have learned about mixing patterns - it is all a matter of personal taste! Pattern mixing is like everything else in card making; there are no “set in stone” rules. It is a creative process. It is okay to color outside the lines, or erase the lines all together. So go ahead, mix those patterns, and if you like the results, your card is perfect!

That’s all for today. Thank you so much for stopping by. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

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 . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim