Tags Card Layout

One of the first things I do while dreaming up a card is look for layout ideas. I search magazines and websites for a layout I like, to avoid constantly using the same default ones I naturally lean towards.

I hope to play around more with layout ideas and build upon the inspiration I find in published works.
Paper Crafts Magazine has a great section in each issue where they offer a layout design (such as the one below) and several cards based on the layout. These help me a lot! So, I hope to create some of my own.

The following is one I used just this week for a Mother's Day card. I was inspired by something I saw in a magazine...somewhere...if only I remembered where at this point, I'd tell you. However, the following graphic was constructed by myself, thank-you-very-much.

This card is created by attaching tags (either store-bought or done on the die cutting machine) to a wire/string/ribbon. On my first card of this design I used wire, attached by two brads. I tried to twist the wire around itself because it was fairly thin, but you could use ribbon, string, even yarn depending on your design.

The possibilities for what to do on the tags and embellishment area are huge. You could put your sentiment anywhere really, or use the tags for decorating with stamps/stickers/hiding messages under them. The embellishment area could either be blank, decorated with a strip of paper or ribbon, stamped, etc...

I think some variation in the tag size and or shape is nice, depending on the look of your card.

Here is the card I created following this design base:

As I continue to work with tags, I'll have some more layouts similar to this for you.

Feliz Cumpleanos Card

A little girl I know is about to turn FIVE! She likes things proper and fancy, so I made her a more grown-up style card this year.

I don't know about anybody else who is into paper crafts, but I usually start my projects by going through either websites or magazines to get a layout in mind, and then go through my paper options to decide a color scheme or find some inspiration.

For this, I found these muted colors.

I cut my main card down to size to fit into the envelope I had. I find this easier than trying to make/find an envelope that fits after the fact.

To create the stripe the same width I cut it with the card along side for comparison.

I used the computer to type up Feliz Cumpleanos. I might be in trouble if I get started using the computer to make my cards. The possibilities are now endless. Man am I looking forward to summer time!!

Then I cut that down to size.

Perhaps I cut a little too small, so I found a corresponding color to shadow it with. Here they're thrown together for an idea:

I gave it some scalloped edging and used some 3-D stickers to make it stand up.

I had some pretty  white flowers and pink brads to accent the card.

These flowers are cool because you can layer as many as you like and create the look you want.

And here is the finished product:

Not the prettiest card I've ever made, but it'll do.

Baby Cards

I Found this post in my drafts from a few months ago and decided to finally get it published. 

 I only had the photos saved here and planned on giving lengthy descriptions later, but I'm really here for another purpose tonight, so I'll add details when wanted and leave the rest to the photographs.

These two smaller cards were actually made from left over material from the larger card below. I challenged myself to use the extra materials to make more cards. I'm very glad I did. Not only do I have less left behind but I also have two more cards for future uses.

The one above was very basic, but I just wanted something quick. I could have done more with it, with more time and thought.

The main card is below: I forget how I cut out the rounded edge, but I know it involved free-handing it with a tool/scissors.

All shapes are from the Stretch your Imagination cartridge on the Cricut.

I made this textured paper with the Martha Stewart scoring tool. I simply laid the paper on the scorer and scored every 1/4 inch. Easy way to brighten up the paper.

Then I folded it over to see how it would look cropped...

Trimmed it....

And used 3D stickers to raise it above the background. Done.

Hoping to get back to posting soon! I've been busy with school lately and by the time I get to baking/crafting/etc I don't think to get the camera and go through this blogging process.

Thanksgiving Closing

Well, I got caught up in "relaxing" over break and didn't get on here to post my Thanksgiving cards. I did take photos, though. So here's some brainstorming ideas for next year or other cards. Too bad it doesn't feel like I relaxed much, but returning to school was tough today.

I'm always looking for new folds for my cards, and I found a couple of interesting ones for Thanksgiving. Originally I was going to do them both the same, but as you'll see Aidan didn't agree with that concept...

That's the basic shape of the card. It makes it look like it spins when you open it. It's actually very easy to do but looks intricate. There's a good tutorial for this design here at splitcoaststampers' website.

I started by cutting my basic rectangle out of the cardstock, 5 1/2 inches by 6 3/4 inches.

Then I scored a line from 0 to 1 1/4 that was 2 3/4 inches from the edge.

And repeated this on all four corners of the paper (different dimensions are given in the tutorial above--check out their site, they have some great ideas), and then I cut from 4 1/4 inches into the paper a line that went from 1 1/4 to 2 3/4. This creates the top of the box that "swings". Once that's one on four sides, the four cuts are connected by the two perpendicular cuts.

Fold the front face back like this...

and the back face the opposite way, like this...

I always hesitate before using my paper. I know deep down I could potentially have a problem with hoarding...but I also like organization and cleanliness and I think that's the balance that keeps me sane. I got over it and thought "what else do I buy this for?" and sacrificed a few turkeys to make the background...

I cut it to fit the same size as my original square (5 1/2 by 6 3/4), then I used the x-acto knife to cut out matching lines to fit the box and removed the whole rectangle from the center. This particular card pattern is probably best done with the background you'd like originally, rather than the way I'm doing it here.

My first piece was sacrificed. Aidan got a hold of it and, well, it made for good scraps for the other card.

When I needed drafting tape for one of my classes this semester, I never imagined I'd be using it to make cards...but it's great. It helped me hold down the paper to fold it evenly and line things up right. It's not masking tape, it is less sticky so it won't take up your designs on the sheet. It can rip though, so be careful removing it when you work with drafting tape.

Things weren't really going as planned...they didn't line up right, and this is where I learned it's probably best to start with your background sheet rather than add it to a body. The edging scissors came in handy here...problem solved.

I used a coordinating paper to make the inside of the card. It's somewhat plain so we could write on it.

I used the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge for the Cricut and added some embellishments to the front of the card. Overall, this is not one of my favorite cards I've made...but it fits the bill.

I used one of those punchers to cut in the corners of a rectangle and then cut it to points to spruce up the front. I don't really like it, but something had to be done.

There it is standing. A four year old will probably be excited to open it, see who it's from, and then go back to playing anyway. It's the thought that counts.


This next one is much more appealing to me. I used splitcoaststampers again for an idea. This is a "gate fold".

I. love. paper. Heck, I love crafts in general. JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels shopping with me is not a quick errand.

I need to clean my blogging camera's lens. It's also the "diaper bag camera". I wouldn't dare let my one year old touch my Nikon, but my $100 Lumix is a little more kid-friendly...hence the fingerprints smudging the images. Oops.

I'm getting ideas together here...

Again, I used the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge for this one. It's very versitile. There are shapes for all seasons and occasions (for the most part) in the same cartridge. If you're beginning your collection, I'd suggest starting with this one in the first few you buy.

Hence the "stretch"...that's the same turkey as the first one, but the stretch button was on. They also have cards pre-cut for all seasons too, all you have to do is choose your size and press a few buttons and voila, you have a card. Great in a pinch.

I tried a recipe from Katie Lee (no longer Katie Lee Joel, news to me since her book I have was published before their divorce) found in Cosmopolitan magazine. No offense to Cosmo or any of their readers, but if it's in Cosmo it can't be too complicated (as opposed to say, Martha Stewart Living, or Food (also by Martha--or it was once)) and this is not. It only looks complicated.

I can't find an online recipe for it at the moment, but it was titled "Sexy Surprise Him Dinner" in one of the last two months' issues. In searching, however, I found Katie's site. So far, I've loved....(thinking)......yep. everything. I've tried of hers. Here's Katie's website.