A LAYOUT WITH A CLASSIC LOOK FOR THE NEW YEAR!

Hi Stampers!

Happy 2026! It’s anew year, so time to try something new! Time to step out of my comfort zone and push myself to try new things! Do you want to join me? This year I am going to improve my cards, how? I am going to try and use colors and patterns and techniques I have used, but then put on the back burner where I totally forget about them! So, how am I going to do this? With card layouts! If the layout is taken care of, that will allow me to focus on colors and techniques! Let’s see how I do? 

We are starting off the new year with a basic card layout and pairing it with color and patterns. This particular layout may be basic, but the classic design gives your cards a polished look without a lot of fuss! Here are sample cards made using today’s layout:

TODAY’S LAYOUT (2601)

CREATING THE CARDS

This layout is perfect for using scraps of patterned paper and scraps of cardstock. It also easily lends itself to monochromatic cards. There is nothing at all wrong with monochromatic cards, but I try to push myself to select complementary color themes, at least once in a while. Today’s samples are heavy on the monochromatic theme. I did manage to create one card with a complementary color themes! I’m counting that as a win!

The layout does not specify a place for a sentiment. It can be stamped directly onto one of the panels or stamp it on a banner or rectangle of cardstock and add to the card.

Cardstock - For my sample cards I kept the cardstock mats the same color as the card base, but different colors can be used for one or both panel mats.  

Patterned Paper- I used 3 different designs for my patterned paper pieces, but 2 designs will work great as well. One design will be great too. Remember the layout and card samples are just ideas. They are for inspiration. Change it up as much as you like! 😊

* Don’t have any patterned paper? Create your own by stamping images on cardstock. Instead of stamping you can apply ink to white cardstock with a sponge or blending brush.  This creates interesting and color-focused designs. Use an embossing folder with cardstock to create textured panels. Add extra color and definition by lightly going over the embossed image with ink.

Mats and Panels - The sizes of the mats and panels can be adjusted to your liking. For example, adjustments might be necessary to fit larger sentiments or images. Maybe you want the strip panel to run from the top of the card to the bottom, or you want it a bit wider, or you just do not like working with eighths of an inch, no problem. Tweak the measurements to fit what looks good and works for you. 

Orientation - this layout can be used in portrait or landscape orientation. It can also be flipped left to right (portrait) or top to bottom (landscape).

WHAT YOU NEED

* Cardstock - for A-2 card base (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”), and to mat the two panels(measurements showed above), plus white or light colored cardstock for inside the card (5 1/4” x 4”)

* Patterned Paper - 2-3 designs that coordinate in some way (color, pattern, etc.) The measurements are shown above.

* Adhesive

* Stamps, ink, die cuts, for focal image / sentiment

WHAT TO DO

* Cut, score, and fold the cardstock for the card base. Go over fold with bone folder

* Cut other cardstock and patterned paper pieces

* Adhere patterned papers to card base and mats. 

* Stamp, , color, die cut any focal images and sentiments.

* Stamp sentiment and or images on inside panel.

* Assemble - add panel to inside, adhere the two matted panels to the front of the card, adhere any die cut images and the sentiment. Finally add any embellishments, and the card is complete.

VIDEO

THE CARDS UP CLOSE

BIRTHDAY FLOWER

This card is an example of using the layout with complementary colors - orange and blue in this case. The navy blue card base and mats do look great with the patterned papers. The multicolored floral print features the orange and blue theme along with a few other colors on white. It helps break up the two orange panels. 

(Cardstock, patterned paper, ink, stamps - all from Stampin’ Up!; floral focal image  from Live the Dream ephemera pack from We R Makers.)

BIRTHDAY MOOSE

This card is an example of a monochromatic color theme. The moose adds a bit of relief from all the green, and it does coordinate with the tree trunks.  Repeating the shape of the trees in the focal image helps ties everything together. 

(Cardstock, patterned paper, ink, tree punch, banner punch, all from Stampin’ Up!; Forest Friends stamps and dies for moose and sentiment is from Doodle Bug Designs)

THANKFUL MUSHROOMS

Another monochromatic card. As I mentioned this layout truly makes it very easy to create monochromatic cards! That is great, but it also is a bit of a down side. You might have noticed the orientation of this card is landscape as opposed to portrait. Layouts that can be created in both portrait and landscape orientations are a big plus!!!

(All supplies for this card are from Stampin’ Up!.)

VIDEO CARD

(All supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

CARDS MADE FROM LAYOUT 2601

That’s all for today. I am so happy you stopped by. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim