SHAPED CARDS - A FUN WAY TO ADD VARIETY TO YOUR CARD MAKING

Hi Stampers!

Most of the time I make A-2 size cards. Once in a while I’ll make a slimline card, but when I feel like doing something a little different  I create shaped cards. I enjoy making shaped cards as they force me to think outside the box - you know that A-2 sized box! Shaped cards require me to take a second look at my dies and how I might use them to shape a card base. I also spend some time considering how I might create a shaped card without a die. Today I am sharing several shaped cards and a few tips for creating them. Let’s look at the cards:

NOTE - I use Stampin’ Up!®️Supplies, unless otherwise noted.

VIDEO

SHAPED CARDS - A FUN WAY TO ADD VARIETY 

TO YOUR CARD MAKING

SHAPED CARDS HOW TOS & TIPS

* When choosing dies for shaped cards, layering or nested dies are great choices, as other dies in the set make creating card layers a breeze!

* When using dies to shape cards, measure the height and width of the die to get the dimensions for the card base. Be sure to measure at highest and widest points. 

EXAMPLE - the width of a die is 4 7/8” (let’s round it to 5”), the height is 4”. 

- If I want the card to open at the top, I will double the height. So, I would cut my cardstock 8” x 5”, score at 4” and fold in half. 

-If I want the card to open on the side I will double the with. I would cut the cardstock 10” x 4” and score and fold it at 5”.

*With the card base folded, place the die on top. Slide the die up just a bit above the top edge (or just over <side edge) of the cardstock. Run it through the die cut machine. Most die cut machines will cut through 2 layers of cardstock, but check your machine’s instructions to be sure. This creates the card base.

* Cut a single cardstock layer of the shape, this full die cut will serve as the front of the card. Match up the edges of the die cut to the card base from bottom to top. This will help line up both pieces perfectly. 

LARGER DIES

PEEPS CARDS

These Peeps cards were created using NESTED PEEPS DIES from Scrapbook.com. The two larger cards measure 7 1/2” x 4”. The smaller card measures 5 3/4” x 3”. These cards will not fit inside an A-2 envelope. I will make an envelope for the yellow one. The other two I will just pop in my grandkids’ Easter Baskets. 

These cards open from the side. I cut my card bases, scored, and folded them. Then I lined up the die so it  slightly goes off the edge of the fold along the left bunny ear and the left bunny torso. Then I die cut the shape from another piece of cardstock, and adhered that on the front of the card. This hides the areas not cut by the die on the card base. 

SUPPLIES I USED FOR THE CARDS

* Card Bases - Pretty In Pink, Lemon Lolly, Balmy Blue cardstock

* Card Fronts - Melon Mambo, Azure Afternoon, and Lemon Lolly cardstock

* Inks - Melon Mambo, Lemon Lolly, Azure Afternoon

* Eyes &Noses - Early Espresso cardstock

* Dies - Nested Peeps (Scrapbook.com)

* Stamp Set - Hippity Hoppity (Scrapbook.com)

ALMOST A-2 SIZED DIES

These cards were created using the EVERYDAY ARCHES DIES from Stampin’ Up! These are layering dies. These cards measure just under 5 1/4” x just under 4”. Not quite A-2 size, but close enough. These dies can make cards that open from the side in a portrait style card or from the top. The card on the right is a portrait style, but can be turned with the fold on the left to become a landscape card. Because this is a layering die set, cutting layers and mats is no problem!

HEALING HORIZONS

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base and Card Front- Pecan Pie cardstock

* Layer - New Horizons DSP (retired)

* Other cardstock - Basic White

* Dies - Everyday Arches, Horizons (retired),  Layering Scalloped Squares (retired)

* Stamp set - Heal Your Heart (retired)

* Ink - Pecan Pie

* Embellishments - Adhesive Backed Dragonflies and Birds

* Dimensionals

HAPPY BUTTERFLIES

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card  Base and Card Front -  Gorgeous Grape cardstock

* Layer - Patterned Paper (retired)

* Other cardstock - Basic White

* Stamps - Beautiful Butterflies, Timeless Tulips (retired)

* Dies - Everyday Arches, Beautiful Butterflies, Stitched Labels (retired)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Gorgeous Grape; Stampin’ Blends - Highland Heather, Purple Posey (retired), Pool Party, Summer Splash, Bermuda Bay (retired)

* Embellishments - Glossy Dots Assortment

* Dimensionals

SMALLER DIES

Here are cards I made using various dies in my collection. They range in size from 5” tall (candy corn)to 2 3/4” tall (TV). The other 3 are around 4” tall.  The hexagon and TV dies have great straight lines, making it easy to place the straight edge just above the fold on the card base. The others take a bit more planning, but it is still a matter of placing the die cut just over the fold of the card base.  Cut the die cut again from a piece of cardstock, line it up over the card base, and adhere. I mail these cards in A-2 envelopes. The TV card is about the size of a gift tag, and I will most likely use it for that.

SPOOKY CANDY CORN

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base - Pumpkin Pie cardstock

* Card Front - Pumpkin Pie

* OtherCardstock - Basic White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight

* Dies - Primitive Candy Corn (Whimsy Stamps), Spooktacular (Scrapbook.com)

* Embellishments - Black Star Sequins (retired)

* Dimensionals

SHAGGY DOG BIRTHDAY

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base and Card Front - Poppy Parade cardstock

* Patterned Paper - Surprise Party (Sunny Studios)

* Other cardstock Basic White and Poppy Parade for stamping and greeting, and inside panel

* Stamps - Shaggy Dog - (Avery Elle)

* Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Stampin’ Blends - Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Azure Afternoon, Daffodil Delight, Smoky Slate, Color Lifter

* Dies- Circles (Spellbinders) - 3 3/4” diameter card base and front; 3 1/2” diameter for layer and inside panel

* Dimensionals

BIRTHDAY POSIES

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base and Card Front - Highland Heather cardstock

* Mat - Gorgeous Grape cardstock

* Focal Panel and Inside Panel - Basic White cardstock

* Other Cardstock - Basic White for stamping

* Stamps - Cheerful Daisies & dies, Amaryllis Abloom (retired)

* Dies - Scallop Circles, Circles (Spellbinders)

* Inks - Highland Heather, Garden Green, Gorgeous Grape, Daffodil Delight

* Dimensionals

HAPPY BEE-DAY

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base and Card Front - Crushed Curry cardstock

* Other Cardstock - Basic White, Pecan Pie, Crushed Curry for stamping and die cutting

* Stamps - Bee My Valentine, Meant to BeeHey Birthday Chick (retired)

* Vellum

* Dies - Meant to Bee, Stylish Shapes

* Punch - Bee Builder

* Embossing Folder - Hive (retired)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pecan Pie

* Sponge Dauber

* Embellishments - Simple Vintage Flower Shop Glossy Enamel Dots (Simple Stories) 

* Dimensionals

STAY TUNED

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base - Basic Beige

* Card Front - Woodgrain paper (retired)

* Other cardstock - Basic Beige

* Stamp - Tune In and dies

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pecan Pie

* Embellishments - Adhesive Backed Metallic Gems

NO DIES

So what if you have no dies? You can still make shaped cards. How about creating square cards? Square is a great shape. In my samples I turned my square cards into Christmas presents! How about making it a table top? A box of candies? Turn it to make it a diamond or a kite. Another shape that is easy to make with a paper trimmer is a pennant shape. What other shapes can you think of? A tag shape would be easy to create from a top folding A-2 sized card. Make an angled cut at the upper right corner. Use the cut piece as a pattern to cut the corner on the upper left side. Can you come up with other shapes?

Below are the instructions for creating a Pennant Card from a top folded card base (11” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 5 1/2”). I’ve also given the instructions for cutting layers.

PENNANT CARD BASE AND LAYERS

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base - Daffodil Delight

* Layer - Surprise Party (Sunny Studios)

* Sentiment - Blueberry Bushel, Daffodil Delight cardstock, Happy Birthday die (Hunkydory)

* Baker’s Twine - Blue, Orange, Varigated - for tassel, separate strands at top of card

* Embellishments - Rainbow Adhesive Backed Dots

* Dimensionals

OH CHRISTMAS GIFT

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base - Garden Green cardstock (8 1/2” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 4 1/4”)

* Card Front - Real Red (4 1/4” x 4 1/4”)

* Inside Panel - Basic White cardstock - 4” x 4”

* Ribbon - Garden Green (retired) two at  5 1/4”

* Baker’s Twine - Garden Green (retired) - about 8 inches

* Scrap of white cardstock for tag

* Stamp - IttyBittyChristmas (retired)

* Ink - Garden Green

* Dies - Greetings of the Season

* Embellishments - Trees and Dots (retired)

HOLIDAY FLORALS

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base - Petal Pink

* Card Front - Snow Pine Lodge (Simple Stories)

* Ribbon - Petal Pink (retired)

* Dies - Greetings of the Season

* Ink - Real Red

* Twine - Vanilla (? No clue where I got it)

* Embellishments - Glass Beads (? - again, no clue)

* Dimensionals

FUN TO MAKE SHAPED CARDS

Shaped cards are fun to make, and give your brain a chance to exercise as you have to adjust measurements and think about new ways to use layouts and focal points. Go through your dies, see what ones you have that would make cute cards! If dies are not available, remember you can easily make a pennant card!  A square is a shape, for that matter so is a rectangle! Turn your squares cards and rectangular cards into something unexpected, like a present, , a tag, maybe a house. . . Keep thinking, I know there are more no dies need shaped cards. 

Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time . . . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim