GIVE IT A LIFT - EASY WAYS TO ADD DIMENSION TO YOUR CARDS

Hi Stampers!

I know we talk a lot about adding dimension to cards. Using methods that add height, texture, perspective, shadow or highlight, etc are common to card making.  With all the talk about adding dimension, we really don’t talk much about the definition of “adding dimension.” 

There are several definitions for dimension. Many are associated with mathematics, and those definitions do apply to card making. For example the measurements for card bases and layers are perimeter measurements or dimensions.  Another definition for the word is: adding a lifelike or realistic quality. (Many thanks to Merriam-Webster) Adding texture, creating shadow, masking and stamping images behind others, and strategic placement of images are examples of adding lifelike qualities. 

In my opinion, when it comes to card making the definitions of dimension overlap and work together. We can’t have cards without a bit of math, and cards would be dull without lifelike qualities! For today’s cards I am focusing on the mathematical definition. We’ll look at ways to add dimension to cards by lifting up (elevating) certain images or areas of a card. Lifting up areas of the card also adds lifelike qualities, so as I mentioned there is a lot of overlap in these definitions. Let’s take a look at the sample cards:

VIDEO

GIVE IT A LIFT - 

EASY WAYS TO ADD  DIMENSION TO YOUR CARDS

ADDING DIMENSION BY LIFTING UP ELEMENTS ON CARDS

TACO CARD

* Dimension was added to the cards on the left by using dimensionals to lift up the focal panel, the taco, and the word bubble. 

* More subtle dimension was added by paper piecing the taco and adhering it with dimensionals. Drawing the arms and legs directly onto the focal panel helps enhance the 3-D look of the taco. (And give it lifelike qualities!)

BURRITO CARD

* For the card on the right the same techniques used for the taco were used on the burrito, except the burrito was lifted up using stacked card stock instead of dimensionals. This lifts it up, but keeps it lower than the frame.

* The focal panel and the mat layer have been altered. The  mat layer was changed to a frame, and dimensionals were added to the frame. The focal panel was adhered directly to the card base. 

* The word bubble was adhered directly to the focal panel accenting the elevation of the frame and the burrito.

INSIDE THE CARDS

The cards are the same inside.

CARD MEASUREMENTS

For these cards I used one of my favorite layouts the Around the Block Layout. To learn more about an Around the Block card see this post AROUND THE BLOCK

All supplies are from Stampin’ Up!®️ The stamp set, rectangle die, and patterned paper I used are retired items. To view current Stampin’ Up! products click HERE.

* Card base - 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded in half at 4 1/4”

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

* Patterned paper - 1 or 2 or 4 designs - two cut at 1” x 4 1/4” and two cut at 1” x 3”

* Printer paper or cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”  (I recommend cardstock for the framed version)

* Focal panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 3 1/2” x 2 1/4” (taco card) and 4 1/4” x 3” for burrito card

TACO CARD

SUPPLIES I USED 

* Cardstock - Lost Lagoon (card base),  Lemon Lolly (focal panel), Basic White (inside panel); scraps of Crushed Curry (taco shell), Granny Apple Green (lettuce), and Basic White - for greeting

* Patterned Paper - see note under measurements section

* Printer paper to help with constructing the frame  (optional)

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Daffodil Delight, Crushed curry; Basic Black marker; Stampin’ Blends (alcohol markers) - Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green

* Stamp Set - Taco Fiesta (Retired) ©️1990-2024 Stampin’ Up!®️

* Dies - Stitched Rectangles - measures 3 1/2” x 2 1/4” or cut rectangle of same dimension

scissors for fussy cutting; word bubble die

* Adhesive and dimensionals (taco, greeting, focal panel)

SUPPLIES I USED

*The supplies for this card are the same as for the taco card, except the focal panel is not die cut (see card measurements above). The frame is placed on dimensionals as opposed to the focal panel. 

* To lift up the burrito I cut 3 pieces of Crushed Curry cardstock at 1” x 1/2” and glued them together - one on top of the other, then adhered them to the back side of the image, and placed the image on the card.This lifted the burrito, but kept it just a hair lower than the frame. This technique and variations can be used in place of dimensionals for panels, die cuts, sentiments, etc.

NOTE - I list the supplies I use and the source as a reference. I encourage you to use the supplies and stamps you have  to create your version of the sample cards.

WRAPPING UP

Adding dimension by lifting up certain portions of a card is one of the easiest (and budget friendly) ways to add interest to your cards. I hope you give some of these ideas a try. 

VIDEO CARD

That’s all for today. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

Today’s supplies and stamps are from Stampin’ Up!

* Stamp set - Taco Fiesta ©️1990-2024 Stampin’ Up!®️

* NOTE - I am not affiliated with nor do I receive compensation from Stampin’ Up! or any other company. 

BEWITCHING SPELL WITH STAIR STEP DIMENSION; A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST

Hi Stampers!

Welcome! Today I have a Halloween card to share. I enjoy Halloween. I grew up in a close knit rural community back in the day when trick or treating meant wearing homemade costumes and receiving homemade popcorn balls, caramel apples, cookies, and sometimes cupcakes as opposed to candy.  Halloween parties meant bobbing for apples, hayrides, and wiener roasts. Fun times! Creating Halloween cards brings back all those great memories!

Today’s card uses the BEWITCHING BUNDLE (Bewitching stamp set and Witch Hat Builder punch) and help from a couple more stamp sets, plus a technique I call stair step dimension. Sometimes I want different levels of dimension. In my sample cards you will see the stamped feet / legs that is the basic layer of dimension. It is simply stamped right onto the focal panel.  The next level of dimension is the sign. The dimension for this is achieved by adhering two same sized die cut squares together. This adds just a tad bit of dimension. The final level of dimension is achieved with dimensionals (witch hat).  That is my stair step dimension technique! Let’s look at the cards!

As you can see the two cards are similar. I used the Witch Hat Builder Punch and Basic Black cardstock to create the hat. When using cardstock for the hat it is easy to switch the direction of the hat. To create the hat band I covered the punched band with Highland Heather washi tape, and trimmed the tape with paper snips.

BEWITCHING STAMP SET

BEST WITCHES & SCARY CUTE STAMP SETS

SUPPLIES FOR THE CARD

* Witch Hat Builder Punch

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Daffodil Delight

* Stampin’ Blends - Parakeet Party (light & dark), Highland Heather (dark), Daffodil Delight (dark), Smoky Slate (light), Color Lifter

* Matte Black Dots -3

* Glitter Washi Tape - Highland Heather

* Stylish Shapes Dies - square (2” x 2”)

* Adhesives & dimensionals

* Card base - Parakeet Party 4 1/4” x 11” scored & folded at 5 1/2”

* Larger scraps of Basic Black and Parakeet Party cardstock for die cutting

* Basic White cardstock for focal panel and for inside panel cut at 4 3/4” x 5”

* DSP - Celebrate Everything, Black with Crushed Curry stars. Cut 2 at 5 1/4” x 4”

TO MAKE THE CARD

* DIE CUT & PUNCH

* Punch out the witch hat and band from Basic Black cardstock. Use the die to cut two squares from the Parakeet Party scrap.

* Cover the hat band with the Highland Heather Glitter Washi Tape, and trim away access tape.

* Adhere the band to the hat.

STAMP

* Stamp the witch feet (Bewitching) and frog on focal panel, stamp the greeting (from Best Witches) in the center of one of the Parakeet Party die cut squares, stamp the inside sentiment ( Scary Cute), and witch hat with the Memento Black ink. Stamp the stars (Bewitching) on the inside panel with Daffodil Delight. Once the focal panel is assembled use the Daffodil Delight ink to stamp a few star images around the witch. Waiting until after adding the witch gives you some wiggle room for placement of the sign and witch hat.

* Use the Stampin’ Blends to add color to the feet, the frog, and the stamped witch hat. Use the Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blend and color lifter to add a bit of shadow and to ground the images.

ASSEMBLING

* Adhere the 2 Parakeet Party die cuts together.

* Adhere the sign to the focal panel along the top of the witch legs, the use dimensionals to adhere the witch hat above the sign.

* Adhere the focal panel to the DSP and adhere this piece to the card front.

* Adhere the inside panel to the DSP, and adhere this piece to the inside of the card.

* Add the Matte Black Dot to the sign.

The stair step dimension is not the only demensional elements on the card. The placement of the frog makes it appear to be behind the witch, The shadowing under the frog and witch not only “ground” the images, but also creates the illusion of the shadow being 2 dimensional under a 3 dimensional object. The hat band being adhered to the hat adds dimension. The Matte Black Dots add one more touch of dimension to the card. Finally, the card layers add dimension as well! What other ways can you think of to add dimensional interest to your cards? 

Thanks you so much for stopping by for this edition of my Stamp Happy Holiday series. Until next time… 

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990 - 2022 Stampin’ Up!®️

SHOP DEALS

CREATING DEPTH WITH STAMPING & MASKING OR STAMPING & DIE CUTTING - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST

 Hi Stampers!

Welcome to my STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAY SERIES! In my previous post I used the TREES FOR SALE STAMP SET & TREE LOT DIES, and created two versions of one card design. I simply changed the color scheme and greeting so the cards were appropriate for different occasions. Today I am using the same stamp set and dies to create two versions of a card design. Instead of using different color schemes I am using two different techniques for adding depth and dimension - stamping with masking and die cutting. These techniques can be used with many stamp sets and dies. Let’s take a look at the cards!

TREES FOR SALE STAMP SET

This stamp set is featured in the Stampin’ Up! July - December 2022 Mini Catalog.

TREE LOT DIES

When I wrote the draft version of this post the TREE LOT DIES were still available as a Sale-A-Bration choice. As of 1 August, the dies are no longer available.

TREES FOR SALE  

ADDING DEPTH AND DIMENSION TO CARDS 

VIDEO

SUPPLIES:

Each card will take the following supplies:

* TREES FOR SALE stamp set

* Card base - Real Red cardstock cut at 5 1/2” x 8 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Card layer - Kraft 6” x 6” Paper cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Focal panel - Basic White cardstock cut at 3 1/2” square

* Mat for focal panel - Real Red cardstock cut at 3 3/4” square

* Greeting - Basic White cardstock cut at 3 1/2” x 1/2”

* Mat for greeting- Real Red cardstock cut at 3 3/4” x 3/4”

* Inside panel - Basic White cardstock cut at 5” x 3 3/4”

* Inks - Real Red and Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate; Stampin’Blends - Real Red (dark), Daffodil Delight (dark), Parakeet Party (dark); Wink of Stella (for lights)

* Real Red Ribbon - about 8” (Note - the Real Red & Garden Green 3/8” Ribbon Combo Pack can be found in the current mini catalog.)

* Adhesive, dimensionals, glue dots

* Merry Christmas sentiment for inside card (I used the Merry Christmas from the Brightest Glow stamp set.)

JUST STAMPING LIGHT UP THE SEASON CARD

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES FOR THIS VERSION

* Paper snips / scissors

* Masking paper or sticky note

Note - Use a dimensional to adhere Trees For Sale sign, and glue dot to attach bow

STAMPING AND DIE CUTTING LIGHT UP THE SEASON CARD

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES FOR THIS VERSION

* TREE LOT DIES & Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (die cutting machine)

* Scraps of Crumb Cake and Basic White cardstock for stamping and die cutting images

Note - Place a glue dot on the back of the die cut trees near the bottom. Adhere the tree stands. Use Stampin’ Seal to adhere the darker trees directly to the focal panel. Use dimensionals to adhere the other two trees. Adhere lights with glue dots, use a dimensional to adhere the sign.

Use a glue dot to attach the bow.

LIGHT UP THE SEASON CARDS

That is all for today. Thank you for checking in. The next STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAY post will be on Tuesday, 9 August. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

 

NEW CHOICES FOR SALE-A-BRATION!

** PLEASE NOTE - THE PRODUCT ADDITIONS TO SALE-A-BRATION ARE ITEMS FROM THE ANNUAL CATALOG. YOU MUST ENTER THE SALE-A-BRATION ITEM NIMBER LISTED ON THE FLYER WHEN SELECTING ONE OF THE PRODUCTS AS A CELEBRATION CHOICE AS OPPOSED TO THE ANNUAL CATALOG ITEM NUMBER.

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990 - 2022 Stampin’ Up!®️

ADDING DIMENSION WITH THIS BIRTHDAY PIGGY

 Hi Stampers!

Today I thought we would take a look at some easy ways to add depth and dimension to cards. For today’s cards I used the THIS BIRTHDAY PIGGY stamp set found in the STAMPIN’ UP!®️ 2022-2023 ANNUAL CATALOG. Here is a look at the cards:

THIS BIRTHDAY PIGGY CARDS

THIS BIRTHDAY PIGGY STAMP SET

VIDEO

EASY WAYS TO ADD DIMENSION TO YOUR CARDS FEATURING THIS BIRTHDAY PIGGY STAMP SET

The easiest way to add a bit of depth and dimension to a card is to use layers. Each of today’s cards features layers of cardstock and patterned paper (DSP) coupled with another method for adding dimension.

JUST ADD DIMENSIONALS CARD

This card is very simple to create. I stamped and colored the focal image, die cut it, and added dimensionals to the back side of the piece and adhered it to the card front. The greeting is also attached to the card with dimensionals.

SUPPLIES

* Parakeet Party card base 4 1/4” x 11” scored and folded at 5 1/2”

* Basic White cardstock - cut two at 4” x 5 1/4” - one for the inside, and one for a mat - use the mat piece to stamp and die cut the focal image and greeting. Yes, it will have a circle and rectangle cut from it, but no one will know!

* 2022-2024 In Color 6” x 6” Designer Series Paper - Parakeet Party - 3 3/4” x 5”

* Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Parakeet Party;  Stampin’ Blends - Crumb Cake (light & dark), Natural Tones - Light #900, Petal Pink (dark), Parakeet Party (light), Fresh Freesia (light), Daffodil Delight (dark & light), Flirty Flamingo (dark)

* Stylish Shapes Dies - largest circle; Stitched Rectangles Dies - one that fits sentiment best

* Adhesive & dimensionals

ADD A FUSSY CUT IMAGE ON DIMENSIONALS CARD

This technique for adding dimension is super easy. Stamp the focal image, color the image,  then stamp the image again on another piece of cardstock.  Color the element of the image you want to put on dimensionals, fussy cut the element, place dimensionals on the back of this piece, and adhere it over the corresponding element on the focal piece. On this card I chose the pig image to pop up on dimensionals. The cake could be used as well.

Note - For the focal image I used the Stylish Shapes Dies - 2nd largest square, and the Partial Die Cutting Technique. For technique how- to, click HERE

The focal image and greeting for this card were cut using the same die. For the sentiment I die cut it making sure the sentiment was near the top of the die, the ran it through the die cut machine. Next I moved the die up so the side still lined up, but the bottom of ythe die was near the bottom line of the sentiment, then I ran it through the machine again.

SUPPLIES

* Sweet Sorbet card blew 4 1/4” x 11” scored and folded at 5 1/2”

* Basic White card stock 3 3/4” x 5” - stamp and die cut the focal image from the center of this piece

* Basic White cardstock cut at 4” x 5 1/4” for inside card

* Larger scraps of Basic White cardstock for greeting and second image

* 2922-2024 In Color 6” x 6” DSP - Sweet Sorbet 3 1/2” x 4 3/4”

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Sweet Sorbet; Stampin’ Blends - Sweet Sorbet (dark & light), Flirty Flamingo (dark & light), Crumb Cake (dark & light), Ivory, Balmy Blue (light), Daffodil Delight (light), and Soft Sea Foam (light), Bronze

* Paper Snips / scissors

* Adhesive and dimensionals

Note - stamp the focal image, color, and do the partial die cut technique. Stamp the image again, color the pig, fussy cut the pig image, add dimensionals to the back, adhere it over the pig on the focal image. Adhere the focal image and greeting to the card with dimensionals.

 

WOBBLY SPRING CARD

This focal image on this card is created just like the previous card, except the main focal image is attached to the card with an easy to make wobbly spring. In the video above I show you how I made the wobbly spring. I also demonstrate how to make the spring with photos, written instructions, in another blog post and a video HERE

SUPPLIES

* Tahitian Tide card base  - 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Basic White cardstock cut  2 at 4” x 5 1/4” - emboss one with embossing folder of choice- I used the 

Time worn Type 4-D embossing folder, he other piece of cardstock is for the inside of the card

* 2022-2024 In Color 6” x 6” DSP - Tahitian Tide / dots  cut at 4 3/4” x 3 1/3”

* Basic White cardstock for focal panel, die cut with Stitched Rectangles Die to measure 4” x 2 5/8” 

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Tahitian Tide; Stampin’ Blends - Flirty Flamingo (dark & light), Tahitian Tide (dark & light), Crumb Cake (dark & light), Pool Party (light), plus colors of choice for confetti

* Stitched Rectangles Dies

* Paper Snips

* Adhesive

SUPPLIES FOR THE WOBBLY SPRING

* Two pieces of cardstock (any color is fine) cut at 1 1/2” x 3/4” each, scored at 3/4” (you can adjust the size to fit your image, these cutting dimensions will result in wobbly spring device that measures about 3/4” square)

* Beading wire -2mm -about 3 1/2”

* Something to wrap wire around to form spring - I use a plastic size G crochet hook. I have also used a round chop stick, the handle of a watercolor paint brush, and a small screwdriver.

* Piercing Tool

* Tear & Tape (or other two sided tape)

CARDS ASSEMBLED IN VIDEO

The measurements and most supplies for these cards are the same as for their matching cards above. Below each of these cards I have listed the cardstock colors, the DSP used, and any changes in ink.

JUST ADD DIMENSIONALS VERSION 2

CARD BASE -  - Crushed Curry; DSP - Tea Boutique

ADD A FUSSY CUT IMAGE ON DIMENSIONAL 2

 

CARD BASE - Crushed Curry;  DSP - Butterfly Kisses; Ink - Crushed Curry

WOBBLY SPRING CARD 2

CARD BASE - Sweet Sorbet; DSP - 2022-2024 In Color 6” x6” DSP - Sweet Sorbet; Ink - Sweet Sorbet

There you have it, a few easy ways to add a bit of dimension to your cards! I am so happy you stopped by today. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990 - 2022 Stampin’ Up!®️