One layout - three different cards

Often, when I need to make several cards, I will develop one basic card layout and use it in multiple ways to create cards with unique messages and feelings. This is one layout that I like to use because it leaves lots of room for creativity and embellishments.

The sketch above shows the general layout and measurements.  Start with a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cardstock base.  Then, cut two mats - one a solid color sized 4" x 5 1/4" and one from patterned paper 3 3/4" x 5".  The focal point of the card consists of a mat 2 3/4" x 3 1/2" cut from the same color as the solid mat of the card and a smaller piece 2 1/2" x 3 1/4" cut from the same cardstock as the card base.

 Using this basic layout I created the birthday card to the left. I wanted the card to be a bit dramatic, so I used white cardstock for the base, black for the mat and a black and white geometric patterned paper for the front. I added a sentiment in the center of the focal piece and a flower embellishment at the top left.  I stamped some flowers at the bottom right using Stampin'Up! ® Petite Petals stamp set  (Item# 133155) with the  Watermelon Wonder (Item# 138323) ink pad.  I splattered some of the Watermelon Wonder ink on the card with the sentiment to add some color.

 For the second birthday card I wanted a more delicate and feminine design so I chose a flowered patterned paper from a retired Stampin'Up! paper stack, added a band of paper from scraps from the dark green mat cardstock around the middle.  I stamped a birthday sentiment in the upper right corner of the card focal point and stamped a flower from Stampin'Up! Nature's Perfection stamp set, added some color to the flowers and embellished with a few pearls to highlight the design.

For the third card I needed a Halloween theme.  I enlarged the focal point panels to accommodate the stamp set.  I sponged the stamped panel with some black ink along the edges to create a little more contrast against the orange mat. The bat theme is continued in the patterned paper that I used for the card front.  I also added a small embellishment " October 31" in the center of the card




Visit my  online store at JeanStampingTreasures.stampinup.net to purchase any of the Stampin' Up! products mentioned above or to find a huge variety of stamps, punches, papers and ink to use in creating your own treasures

New creations

 I have not posted here in a while, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy creating new cards, swapping with friends in my card groups and trying out some new techniques.

 I made this birthday card for a swap for one of the groups I belong to. The theme for the swap was simply "Purple and Yellow" so I had a lot of freedom to create any style card I wanted as long as it was predominantly purple and yellow.  I had just received the most recent issue of Cardmaker Magazine and saw this layout for a card that I adapted to the swap theme.  I used a yellow base A2 card with a lavender background paper.  I created the bottom folded portion from SU Bohemian DSP (this design is a double sided paper that shows through on the folded section), added a birthday sentiment from SU's Petite Pairs stamp set, a  yellow ribbon and bow and a lavender, purple and yellow flower embellishment secured with a brad.

The card to the right was also created with Stampin'Up! Bohemian DSP on Lost Lagoon cardstock.  The flower embellishments were cut from the Bohemian DSP with the Petite Petals stamp.

The sentiment is from the June Paper Pumpkin kit.  I 'really love getting the Paper Pumpkin kit each month.  It's always a surprise to see the great stamps, ink, cards and embellishments that are included each month.  The kit contains everything you need to make several cards and the items can be used in a multitude of ways in other projects.  Paper Pumpkin is even a better deal right now until September 10th.  First time Paper Pumpkin subscribers can get 50% off the first two months!  Click here to go to my Stampin'Up! page  click Specials and sign up for Paper Pumpkin using the promo code "HALFOFF'.

I really enjoyed making the card above with the Rectiform Technique I found on a Splitcoaststampers (www.splitcoasstampers.com/resources/tutorials/rectiform-grid_technique)  The stamps used were Stampin'Up! Papillon Potpourri and World of Dreams stamp sets on natural cardstock with the Blackberry Bliss Classic Ink Pad.

To purchase any of the items I used in creating these cards please visit JeanStampingTreasures.stampinup.net.