KEEP THE LAYOUT, CHANGE THE FOCAL PANEL

Hi Stampers!

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 …

Stamp Happy!

Kim