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

TWO SUPER EASY GIFT CARD HOLDERS TO WHIP UP IN NO TIME - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST 🎄

Hi Stampers!

Here we are! Christmas is two weeks away. I hope your cards are finished or nearly so, and you have plenty of tags for all the gifts you are wrapping. If you are like me, sometime between now and Christmas you’ll find yourself needing an extra gift at some point. In my mind gift cards were created for times like those! So, today I thought we’d take a look at two super easy and really quick gift card holders! They are basically cards with a flap that serves as a great pocket for a gift card! Let’s take a look:

The two gift card holders on the left were made a couple years ago - maybe 3! I’ve yet to use them, but I will - maybe this year! The two on the right I made in the video that coordinates with posting. Watch the video to see the cards open, and to see how to create the gift card holders!

VIDEO

TWO SUPER EASY GIFT CARD HOLDERS TO WHIP UP 

IN NO TIME

LANDSCAPE SUPER EASY GIFT CARD HOLDER

WHAT YOU NEED TO CREATE THIS VERSION

* Card Base - cut cardstock at 9 1/4” x 5 1/2”

* Patterned Paper - 2 coordinating patterns; cut one at 2 3/4” (top flap); cut another at 1 3/4” x 5 1/4”

* Inside Panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Sentiment Piece - white or light colored cardstock for sentiment, cardstock same color as card base for mat, stamps, ink, dies or punches

* Adhesives

WHAT TO DO

* Score cardstock along 9 1/4” side at 3” and 7 1/4”

* Fold score lines toward center of card (valley folds), and go over with bone folder

* Stamp sentiment on inside panel - toward the top, centered left to right

* Adhere panel to inside of card centered.

* Adhere patterned paper pieces to front of card

* On back side of bottom flap apply adhesive to the right and left sides of the flap, fold up, and press

* Adhere sentiment to card. Keep adhesive near the top half of the sentiment to keep from adhering the card front down

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Shaded Spruce, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps - Framed & Festive, Snowman Season

* Ink - Cherry Cobbler

* Dies - Nested Essentials

* Adhesive and dimensionals

PORTRAIT SUPER EASY GIFT CARD HOLDER

WHAT YOU NEED TO CREATE THIS VERSION

* Card Base - cut cardstock at 11” x 5 1/2”

* Patterned Paper - on this sample the patterned paper is cut at 5” x 3 3/4”, but you can use a 5 1/4” x 4” piece if you like, or any patterned paper layout that appeals to you.

* Inside panel - white or light colored cardstock - mine is cut at 5” x 3 3/4”

* Focal image of choice - the matted focal piece on my example measures 3 3/4” x 1 3/4”

* Stamps, inks, adhesives, etc

WHAT TO DO

* Score cardstock along base at 4 1/4” and 8 1/2”

* Fold score lines toward center of card (valley folds), go over folds with bone folder 

* The small flap will be on the left when the card is open. Place adhesive along the back side of the top and bottom edges of the flap. Press to adhere.

* Stamp greeting on inside panel and adhere inside card.

* Adhere patterned paper to card front.

* Add focal panel / greeting

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Garden Green, Basic White, Real Red

* Patterned Paper - Christmas Spectacular (49th and Market)

* Stamps - # Elfie (retired)

* Ink - Garden Green; Stampin’ Blends - Real Red, Mossy Meadow, Lemon Lolly, Pretty in Pink, Wild Wheat (retired), Natural Tones #1000; Glitter Brush- clear (Scrapbook.com)

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

SUPER EASY GIFT CARD HOLDERS

These gift card holder are super quick to create. Of course you can dress them up with ribbons and gems if you like. I like the idea of popping the gift cards inside an actual card. It adds that special and unique handmade touch to the gift. Pop the gift card inside, place the card in an envelope, write the recipient’s name on the front and stick a bow on it. It’s ready to go! Of course you can also send it through the mail!

Thank you for stopping by today, and all year long. Your support is much appreciated. I wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season! Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a Prosperous New Year to you and yours. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

I use mostly Stampin’ Up! ®️ products. Some are retired and noted as such. Products from other companies are noted as such. I encourage you to use supplies you have on hand, and create your very own and unique versions of the samples.

IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS CARDS IN A HURRY! A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST🎄

Hi Stampers!

Happy December! Can you believe we are just short of 3 weeks from Christmas? This year has flown by, and I am certain the pace won’t slow down now! I hope your cards are completed or almost complete. If not, it’s okay. Keep going, and just do the best you can do. If you haven’t made any cards, but would like to - it’s not too late. Today’s post might help you come up with ideas for cards you can make in a short amount of time.  Let’s take a look at the sample cards:

VIDEO

CHRISTMAS CARDS IN A HURRY

PATTERNED PAPER + A LARGE WORD STAMP

Do you have a life time supply of patterned paper? It’s time to use it! Cut full panels (5 1/2” x 4 1/4”) as I did for the card on the right, or cut the panels and mat them (panel - 5” x 3 3/4”; mat 5 1/4” x 4) as I did got the card on the left. Next choose a large word stamp. Merry Christmas, Joy, Peace, even Hello will work. Stamp a sentiment inside, add a few sequins or other embellishments, and the card is finished. Not all patterned paper lends itself to stamping a greeting directly on it, but many do! Lighter colored papers work best. I did use a stamping platform to stamp the greeting. This allowed me to stamp the greeting multiple times to get a richly colored sentiment.

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanills (inside panel)

* Ink - Cherry Cobbler

* Patterned Paper - Retired

* Stamps - Merry Christmas, Wishes & Wonder (retired)

* Embellishments - Red sequins (?)

* Adhesives

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Basic White, thick

* Ink - Pretty Peacock

* Stamps - Merry Christmas, Wishes & Wonders (retired)

* Embellishments - Rhinestones Basic Jewels

* Adhesive 

BACKGROUND STAMPS 

Background stamps are great, because they cover a lot of space fast! As the stamps are so large, it is a good idea to use them with a stamping platform to ensure achieving a great result. The stamped panel can be adhered directly to the card base or it can be matted. Add a greeting and you are good to go. You can add fussy cut or die cut images if you like and if time allows.  To finish off the cards I added some embellishments. I zig-zagged some ribbon and attached it to the back side of the greeting on the card to the left.

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Pool Party, Basic White

* Stamps - Knit Together (retired), Winter Wishes (retired), Stay Warm

* Inks - Pool Party, Fresh Freesia, Gorgeous Grape, Soft Sea Foam, Garden Green, Lost Lagoon

* Embellishments - Glittered Enamel Dots ( Simple Stories)

NOTE - The two sweater images on the card came from my box I use to store extra images. If you have a box like that you might take a look and see what images you can find that would work for your Christmas cards.

* Adhesive & dimensionals 

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso

* Stamps - Sheet Music (retired). Hope & Peace (retired)

* Ink - Early Espresso

* Embellishments - Red Sequins (?), brown ribbon (Offray)

* Adhesive, dimensionals

LARGE WORD DIES / COVER PLATES

Do you have some large word dies? Die cut words make a great focal point for cards! The die set I used for these cards included the words and the background. I cut one each in blue and one each in white to create two cards. I added a mat of patterned paper to the blue card to add a bit more interest. 

SUPPLIES

* Cardstock - Basic White, Boho Blue (retired)

* Patterned Paper - Simple Vintage Fresh Snow (Simple Stories)

* Ink - Boho Blue (inside)

* Die - Joy, Hope, Peace (Photo Play)

* Embellishments - Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Snowflakes (retired), SmallPearls (retired)

* Adhesive, adhesive sheets (put on back of cardstock I used to cut out sentiment)

The die I used for these cards actually is an A-2 cover plate. I like that it creates not only the sentiment, but also a great frame. I used specialty papers on white cardstock to add an extra festive look, and finished it off with some shiny embellishments.

SUPPLIES

* Cardstock - Basic White -thick, Red Glimmer Paper (retired), Gold specialty papers (retired)

* Die -Merry Christmas A-2 card die (Scrapbook.com)

* Inks - Real Red, Wild Wheat (retired) -inside sentiment

* Embellishments - Gold snowflakes (retired). Red Shiny Disks (retired)

* Adhesive

COVER PLATE DIES

For the next few cards I used cover plates or A-2 card front dies. They really speed up the card making process. Some of the dies cut out a 5 1/4” x 4” piece allowing for a nice border around the die cut. Others go over the entire card front and create great overall designs.

This design was created with two dies. I cut one of each color, layered them and adhered them to white card bases. I added die cut greetings with a few gems. Quick, easy, and quite merry!

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock- Basic White - thick, Real Red, Garden Green

* Dies - Layered Stripes (Tim Holtz). Happy Holidays (Scrapbook.com)

* Embellishments - Rhinestones - red (?)  Shiny Dots - red (retired)

* Adhesive

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Basic White - thick,  Shaded Spruce, Gold Glimmer

* Dies - Tree Pattern (Hero Arts), Fancy Dies Christmas Words (Hero Arts)

* Embellishments - Glitter Gems (retired)

* Adhesive, adhesive sheets

Cover plates do not need to be specifically for Christmas. I used Garden Green cardstock for the die cut, and adhered it to a Real Red cardstock, added the greeting and a few gold embellishments. It looks very festive, don’t you think?

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Real Red, Garden Green, Basic White

* Dies - Cover Plate (Alex Syberia), Happy Holidays (Scrapbook.com)

* Embellishments -  Gold Swirls (retired)

* Adhesive

EMBOSSING FOLDERS

An easy way to create cards in a hurry is to use embossing folders. Like the cover plates, there is no need for them to be specifically for Christmas. A general design makes a great background for a Christmas image, or a greeting, or both!

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock- Azure Afternoon, Basic White

* Ink - Azure Afternoon

* Embossing Folder - Snowflake (retired)

* Stamps - Itty Bitty Christmas

* Embellishments - Rhinestones Basic Jewels + Stampin’ Blend - Azure Afternoon - dark

* Adhesive

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Garden Green Basic White

* Stamp - Warm & Toasty Wishes

* Ink - Garden Green

* Embossing Folder - Sweater Weather (Spellbinders)

* Dies -  Anne’s die (retired)

* Embellishments- Green Rhinestones (retired)

* Adhesive

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Basic White, Rich Razzleberry (retired)

* Embossing Folder - Dainty Diamonds (retired)

* Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento)

* Stamps - Come to Bethlehem 

* Die - Retro Mod (Whimsy Stamps)

* Embellishments - Rhinestones Basic Jewels + Berry Burst Stampin’ Blend

* Adhesive, foam tape

CARDS IN A HURRY

I made 13 of these cards in 3 hours. The other two cards are from last year, but they are good examples of how great a card can be made in just a few minutes. Stamping the greeting in patterned paper was definitely quick. The embossed snowflake card was super quick! The sweater card took about 7 minutes, but remember the sweaters came from my premade box of images. Having that box of images turned out to be a real time saver. The card that took longest to create was the sheet music card. It took about 12 minutes to make. Using large greetings stamps, background stamps, cover plates, and embossing folders truly speeds up the card making process. So . . . if you still need some cards, why not give these ideas a try?

Thanks for stopping by today. I appreciate it. I hope you all are enjoying all the activities associated with the season. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

I use mostly Stampin’ Up! products, some are retired, and are noted as such. Products from other companies are also noted as such. I encourage you to use supplies you gave on hand to create your versions of the sample cards.