Today’s post is a bit different. My original plan for this week will keep for another time. Today’s post is not so much about the finished cards or how to create them, but about the process. It is mostly about stamping and why I do it. When I first started stamping, my fellow stampers and I joked about stamping being our therapy, and how it was so much cheaper than a therapist. Not so sure I could say that now, about it being less expensive. 😊 But, stamping and card making are definitely what I do to relieve stress, relax, and process difficult situations. This week was a very difficult week. Some drama came along that isn’t worth going into detail about. Then my brother was hospitalized and diagnosed with a heart issue. Finally a dear friend passed away unexpectedly. I did what I needed to do, and finally I had the opportunity to stamp. I just took cardstock, ink and stamps with no real plan, and just stamped images. I basically created my own patterned paper for a background panel. When I was stamping it was just about the stamping. What colors would be best, what stamps do I want to use. Before I knew it I had created
4-5 card panels, and my mind was clear. I felt more myself and ready to deal with life again. Today I am sharing the cards o made using the panels I stamped. Let’s take a look at the cards:
VIDEO
TODAY’S CARDS
I really do not have a layout for today. I used one or two layers adhered to an A-2 card base. This is a great opportunity to use the Layers Measurements Tool to determine the measurements for your choice of layer /layers. Don’t have a tool? To learn more click HERE
WHAT YOU NEED
* Card Base - A-2 size
* Inside Panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4.
* Cardstock - for focal panel, for mat (optional)
* Stamps, inks, adhesive, dies, embellishments, and other items needed to complete your cards
WHAT TO DO
* Stamp images multiple times on cardstock (focal panel)
* Trim panel to size if need be.
* Adhere panel to mat and / or card base.
* Add greeting.
* Add embellishments
* Prepare inside panel and adhere.
AUTUMN LEAVES
(Greeting - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
PUMPKIN PATCH
(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
SUNFLOWER HELLO
(Greeting - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stamping Up!)
FLORAL HELLO
(Greeting - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!
Donna, my friend who passed away, liked the color purple. Her birthday would have been later this month. I made this card in memory of her.
(Greeting - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
TODAY’S CARDS
Is stamping and card making therapy for you? If so, when you need to destress, do you stick to basics, or create more complicated projects? I know today’s subject is a bit different. Thank you for understanding and bearing with me. Until next time …
Stamp Happy!
Kim
Today’s post is dedicated to the memory of my friend, Donna T. 1959-2026.
You might have heard - I do not like making multiples. It is something I try to avoid like the plague! When I first started card making a way back when, making multiples of cards was defined as making numerous cards that looked exactly the same. I knew card makers who every year would put together 50-60 identical Christmas cards! I tried doing the multiples thing one year for my Christmas cards. I made about 8, and that was it. Multiples just aren’t my thing, but sometimes they are necessary and I admit there are some positives when it comes to multiples. So, today I am going to share my version of multiples. Let’s take a peek at the sample cards:
VIDEO
PROS OF MAKING MULTIPLES
The cards take less time to make because:
* one layout is being used
* they measurements for mats and panels are the same for each card you get into a rhythm while cutting them an that speeds things up.
* it is easy to use the assembly line method for assembling the cards
Sometimes they are practical
* party invites, wedding invites, etc
* when you need cards for card ministries, craft fairs, etc.
CONS OF MAKING MULTIPLES
My biggest complaint is boredom!
* using the assembling line process for cutting card pieces and assembling them begins to feel robotic
* the cards are each a clone of the others, there is no real personality
* for me it is difficult to complete my cards
Whether you follow strict rules for making multiples or mix things up a bit, it is always good to start with a great layout. Here is the one I used for today’s cards.
CARD LAYOUT # 2634
HOW I CHANGE UP THE MULTIPLE PROCESS
TO KEEP ME GOING
* I select a layout that can be used in portrait or landscape orientation without no change to the cutting measurements
* I use different patterned papers for each card or small groups of cards
* I use different colors of card bases
* I used different greetings
These changes add no significant time to creating the cards. The assembly line process can still be used. These changes keep the biggest advantage of creating multiples, but gets rid of the boredom and hohum!
WHAT YOU NEED
For each card you will need the following
* Card Base - 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”
* Inside Panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4” (optional for white or light colored cardstock bases)
* Patterned Paper - Two designs - cut one each from each design - 2”x2” square and a 1’ x 2” rectangle
(you will have 2 squares and 2 rectangles).
* Cardstock for mats - Two colors of cardstock. Cut one at 4 1/2” x 3 1/2” and one at 4 1/4” x 3 1/4”
* Greeting, embellishments, adhesives, stamps, inks, dies, etc and other items needed to finish card
WHAT TO DO
* If you are using an inside panel, stamp a sentiment on it and the like, then adhere to the inside of the card.
* Adhere the patterned paper pieces to the 3 1/4” x 4 1/4” mat - the two 2” squares go on the left side. The two 1” x 2” pieces go on the right side. See the card layout above for placement.
* Adhere the 3 1/4” x 4 1/4” mat to the 3 1/2” x 4 1/2” mat. This is the focal panel/
* Adhere the focal panel to the card base, centered left to right and top to bottom.
* Adhere greeting of choice.
* Add embellishments to complete the card.
CHRISTMAS VERSION
The first time I heard about multiples was in the context of Christmas cards. It seemed to me that all card makers selected a layout , color scheme, images, and greeting for a card, then created multiple copies of the card. I remember discussions about ordering 2 -3 packs of a specific patterned paper to have enough of a couple of patterns to complete the number of cards needed. As I mentioned, I tried this approach, and failed. I found I am okay with using the same layout, but I change up the patterned papers, the color scheme, and the greeting! That helps me keep going. The cards will have the same layout and will look similar, but will not be exactly alike.
(Greeting - Waffle Flower; Embellishments - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
LANDSCAPE VERSIONS
Another way I take the boredom out of making multiples is choosing a layout that can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation without changing any measurements.
(Greeting top card - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
USE DIFFERENT GREETINGS
(Top left card patterned paper and greeting -Scrapbook.com; Die cut greetings - Scrapbook.com; Greeting bottom left - Waffle Flower; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
(Top cards butterfly paper and bottom card patterned papers - Scrapbook.com; Other papers and cardstocks - Stampin’ Up!; Embellishments - Simple Stories; Greetings - top left Stampin’ Up!;top right - Scrapbook.com; bottom - Waffle Flower)
USE DIFFERENT COLORED CARD BASES
I am learning to use white card bases, but they are not my favorite. I prefer colorful card bases. When making multiples using different colors of card bases and different patterned papers ads variety without infringing on the positive aspects of creating multiples!
(Die cut greetings - Scrapbook.com; Stamped greeting - Waffle Flower; Embellishments top left card patterned paper- Stampin’ Up!; All other embellishments - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)
* The patterned paper was scraps. It is no longer available. The embellishments are also retired.
TODAY’S CARDS
If you enjoy making multiples that are identical, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Card making should be enjoyable. My twist on multiples is just that - my twist, and it makes me happy. Do you have card making processes you tweak a bit to make the experience more enjoyable for you?
Thank you so much for stopping by today. Until next time . . .
Today’s card layout will help you use some of your patterned papers, and give you the option to practice pattern mixing! Three matted panels are arranged on a 5 1/4” x 4” mat. Add a greeting and / or an image, and the card is finished. The layout works in both portrait and landscape orientations. Let’s take a look at the sample cards:
VIDEO
CARD LAYOUT # 2633
WHAT YOU NEED
* Card Base - A-2 size; cut cardstock at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” score and fold at 4 1/4”.
* Inside Panel - cut white or light colored cardstock at 5 1/4” x 4”.
* Mat - cardstock, patterned paper, etc cut at 5 1/4” x 4”
* Panel Mats - Cut three from cardstock at 3” x 2”
* Panels - Cut three from patterned paper (patterns of choice) at 2 3/4”x 1 3/4” - be aware of directional papers.
* Supplies needed to create greeting and/ or images -stamps, inks, dies, adhesives, embellishments, etc.
WHAT TO DO
*Prepare card base. Go over fold with bone folder.
* Prepare inside panel and adhere to inside of card.
* Adhere mat centered on card front.
* Adhere the three panels to the three mats.
*Adhere these to the front of the card - for PORTRAIT orientation - place one in top left corner leaving an even border on the top and lefthand side of panel. Repeat for the bottom lefthand side with another panel. Center the remaining pattern between the other two panels and move it to the right leaving a border equal to the others. For LANDSCAPE orientation - line up one panel to the top left leaving an even border along the top and on the left side. Repeat with another panel on the right hand side. Place the last panel centered between the other two panels with a border at the bottom equal to the other borders.
* Adhere greeting and/ or images.
* Add embellishments if desired.
PORTRAIT VERSION
(Patterned Paper - Doodlebug Design; All other supplies- Stampin’ Up!)
LANDSCAPE CARDS
(Patterned Paper Sunny Studios; Greeting Die - Scrapbook.com; Cardstock-Stampin’ Up)
(Patterned paper - Doodlebug Studio; All other supplies- Stampin’ Up!)
* These items are similar to the items I used for the card. For the circle dies the 2 1/2” stitched did and the 2” circle die will work for the greeting. Use the greeting of your choice.
TODAY’S CARDS
The staggered panels card is a great layout for using patterned papers. My cards are all bright and whimsical, but the layout works well for any style or theme. The large mat can be patterned paper or cardstock. If you choose cardstock you can dry emboss it for more texture and interest or stamp on it if you like. I hope you give this card layout a try.
That’s all for today. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time. . .
