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

CREATING EASY BACKGROUNDS PLUS A LAYOUT FOR LARGER DIE CUT IMAGES

Hi Stampers!

Do you have tools or supplies you love, but sometimes forget to use? Maybe you use them, but not as often as you should? For me, I forget about my stencils, and I do not use my embossing folders as much as I should. I also own some larger stamps with matching dies I love, but forget I have. So, today I am using a very basic layout to help me solve these issues.  Let’s take a look at today’s cards:

VIDEO

CARD LAYOUT #2607

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base  - Cut cardstock at 8 1/2” x 51/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4” or 11’ x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 5 1/2”

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

* Mat Layer - Cut cardstock or patterned paper at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Embossing Folder / stencil

* Sponge or sponge dauber / blending brush

* Larger stamped image with coordinating die (or can fussy cut)

* Greeting

* Inks, embellishments, adhesives, etc. to finish card

WHAT TO DO

* Prepare card base. Stamp sentiment on inside panel and adhere to inside of card

* Prepare mat layer with either the embossing folder or the stencil

* Stamp, color, and die cut focal image.

* Prepare greeting.

* Assemble card - adhere mat, place focal image toward bottom of card (centered, or a bit more to the left or the right), Add the greeting toward the top of the card. 

* Add embellishments (optional).

SIMPLE EMBOSSING FOLDER IDEAS

BIRTHDAY DOTS

This technique is so easy. Emboss the cardstock. I used a 3-D embossing folder, but any type will work. Ink up a sponge or sponge dauber and very lightly go over the raised portion of the design. This can also be done by very lightly swiping an ink pad across the embossed cardstock. 

(Image - Colorado Craft Company; sentiment - Moonstone/Hunkydory; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

FLOWERS IN THE RAIN

Instead of embossing cardstock, use patterned paper. Test a piece of scrap patterned paper first. If the embossing folder cracks or tears the paper try one or both of the following tips:

* Lightly spritz the paper with water, then run it through the die cut machine. The water helps loosen the fibers just enough to allow the folder to do its job without tearing the paper. 

* Double the patterned paper. Place two pieces of patterned paper cut the same size and placed one on top of the other in the embossing folder, and run it through the die cut machine. The extra piece of paper acts as a cushion to help prevent the cracking. 

(Floral image - Trinity Stamps; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

IDEAS FOR STENCILED BACKGROUNDS

BIRTHDAY CAKE & FLOWERS

This is a simple two stencil (layering stencil) design. Stencils are an easy way to add color and design to a background. Many times the stenciled design can be changed by using only one stencil in the set. Of course the look of the stencil can be changed by using a different color of ink. 

(Greeting - Waffle Flower; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

BIRTHDAY UNICORN

The stencil I used for this background is a single stencil. The yellow ink is the stencil’s pattern. I added more color to the design with two small star stamps and two more ink colors. This simple “technique” added so much to the background.  

(Image - Trinity Stamps; greeting - Waffle Flower; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

Do you have some larger stamps? This layout is a perfect way to showcase them. The backgrounds are so easy to create, and they really accent the images. Pull out those stamps, embossing folders, and stencils, and start creating terrific cards. 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

EASY WAYS TO MIX PATTERN PAPERS AND SELECT CARD BASES

Hi Stampers!

A few weeks back we talked about mixing patterned papers and what designs go with what other designs. I concluded if you like the combination - it is perfect, and I stand by that. Still, I know finding just the right papers can be overwhelming sometimes and maybe even a little frustrating. Once you decide on the papers it’s time to pick a card base, and sometimes that can become an added struggle. Today we’ll look at a few strategies for taking the guess work out of choosing papers and card bases. We’ll put those strategies to work using a layout perfect for showcasing those pretty patterned papers! Here are today’s sample cards:

VIDEO

CARD LAYOUT # 2606

Here is today’s card layout. It features 3 patterned paper designs and a focal panel. The focal panel is a circle. The diameter of the die cut circle is 3”, but a 2 1/2” -3” circle will work, as will squares, rectangles, or anything else you like. This panel can include a greeting and / or an image. It can be placed slightly to the left or right of center or more toward the center of the card. 

WHAT YOU NEED

* Cardstock - Card bases- A-2 size; Focal Panel- for mat and top layers, etc; Inside Panel - white or light colored. Are stock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Patterned Papers - three designs, or three pieces of cardstock (this cardstock can be embossed with an embossing folder)

* OTHER - stamps, inks, embellishments , foam tape, adhesives, and whatever else needed to complete the card

WHAT TO DO

* Cut, score, and fold your card base. Go over the fold with a bone folder. 

* Cut the inside panel, and cut the three pieces of patterned paper

* Stamp the greeting and focal panel and die cut any pieces needed. 

* Starting with the 3 7/8”x 2” piece of patterned paper adhere it along the bottom edge of the card leaving about a 1/4” border along the sides and bottom. 

* Next adhere the 1” x 3” paper along the left side of the card front leaving a 1/4” border along the top and left side (line it up evenly with the bottom piece of paper.

* Moe adhere the remaining piece of patterned paper on the right hand side of the card front. Use the two pieces already adhered to gauge placement for this piece. There should be the 1/4” border at the top and along the right side.

* Add focal piece and or greeting and add embellishments (optional).

* Add inside panel (optional)

EASY WAYS TO MATCH YOUR PAPERS

USE PAPER PACKS OR COLLECTIONS

* Paper packs or collections - most are made up of papers that are coordinated by

   - Theme (birthday, holiday, florals, etc.)

   - Color Scheme

   - Patterns

The two cards below were created using papers from the same collection (Birthday Patterned Collection from Scrapbook.com).

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATTERNS

(Patterned Papers and dies are from Scrapbook.com; All other supplies are from Stampin’ Up!)

(Patterned paper and cupcake die are from Scrapbook.com; All other supplies are from Stampin’ Up!)

Selecting papers from the same collection is the easiest way to match patterns, colors, and themes. The colors are bright and the theme is birthday. I selected colored card bases that made the card pop. More about that later. 

Below is another example of using different patterns from the same paper pack. The paper pack I used to make the two cards above featured multiple colors.  The pack I used for the card below features only two colors - white - off white and shades of yellow to gold.

HONEY BEAR BIRTHDAY

(Patterned Paper - Bees & Butterflies Basics from Paper Rose; Embellishments - Simple stories; all other supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

COLLAGE DESIGNS

* These paper collections do vary, but in general all the pages coordinate. There may be some pages that are more neutral in color and design. The collage design paper allow you to cut the sections of the paper that you want to include on the card. It is possible cut different pieces from the same piece of paper, but the pattern will not be the same- similar, but not the same.

For the card below I did cut pieces from 3 separate papers. The sea star was die cut from the backside of one of the papers. I liked the look of texture the design adds to the die cut.

SILENT SEA & THE SEA STAR

(Patterned Papers - Silent Sea from Stamperia; Embellishments - Simply Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

MATCH THE LEAST PREVALENT COLOR

* Not enough matching patterns in the paper pack? It does happen. It happened to me with the card below.

For this card two of the patterned papers (ladybugs and daisies and red and white checks) are from the same collection (Bugs & Berries from Pink and Main), but the third paper (green & white polka dots) is from another collection (Pretty Patterns from Catherine Pooler). So how did I settle on the green and white polka dots? Here is how. . .

  - Determine the least prevalent color on the papers - that is the color to look for 

  - Select a design that is mostly that color and has a teeny print that is white or  another very neutral color.

  - Do not place the paper directly beside the color you are matching. On the card below the card base forms a white border around each of the patterned papers. Keeping the two greens separated sort of tricks your brain into perceiving the greens as alike or similar. (In real life the greens look a lot more alike than in the photo. 🤷‍♀️)

LADYBUGS AND CHECKS

For this card two of the patterned papers are from the same collection (Bugs & Berries from Pink and Main), but the third paper is from another collection (Pretty Patterns from Catherine Pooler).

* OTHER TIPS

  - Paper Packs from the Same Company. Companies such as Stampin’ Up!, Catherine Pooler and others have their color collections and you can find the same color used in different paper packs. I have matched the same color from different packs many times. That is one advantage of selecting one or two companies to purchase patterned papers from. Now,  do I follow that advice? No, but I can see the advantage in doing so! 😁

* MATCHING CARDSTOCK FOR CARD BASES & MATS

  -  A white card base works most of the time. (So I am told.😁 Hey, I am trying to use them a bit more.) Take a peek at the ladybug card. I think the white card base works really well as each paper contains white. 

  - Many times black, vanilla, or kraft colored card bases are good neutral choices. The Honey Bear card has a vanilla card base. 

  - As with the patterned papers, there are companies that offer color coordinated patterned papers and cardstocks. These products make matching so super easy. They are a good option if you are a beginner or if you just don’t’t feel comfortable with the mixing and matching.

  - Pick a color that is found in each of the patterned papers. Look through your cardstock and find a color that is as close a match as possible. It will work. As I stated before, our brains will see everything as matching. Now if you start looking and comparing you just might pick up on the difference, but otherwise, you won’t. Look at the Happy Birthdays Patterns cards. The card bases and focal mats and the embellishments are all from Stampin’ Up! They match the papers from Scrapbook.com perfectly.  

  - Select a color in the patterned papers. Select a card base that is the same color but a darker shade. It just seems to work for me. See the Sea Star card. 

These tips work for me, and I hope they will be of help to you. When it comes right down to it, if you like your choices, they are perfect. I truly believe that, if I didn’t I would not say it, let alone put it in writing on the internet! 

VIDEO CARD

(Plaid Paper - Lakeside Memories from Paper Rose; Other Papers - Whispering Way from 49 and Market; all other supplies from Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

That is all for today. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time …

Stamp Happy!

Kim