I started a Monday’s Muse theme for creative inspiration in my private Facebook Group, So Inking Sweet Community Sharing Sweet Creations. I’m using card layouts for our Monday’s Muse for inspiration. By the way, look for my Facebook Group and send me an invite to join! I’d love for you to join my new community of crafters! For Card Sketch #2, I made three different cards: Basic, Stepped Up, & Avid.
Getting Started
Using card layouts, or sketches, can give me a starting point when designing my cards. I pick out one or two things, such as a stamp set and patterned paper to start creating. Grab a solid card base (8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ | scored at 4-1/4″), a patterned paper (Designer Series Paper – DSP), a sentiment stamp, and an ink pad or ink spot. Add some Baker’s Twine or ribbon to give it that extra special little touch, and done! It’s as easy as that! By the way, if you are just starting out and don’t have a lot of crafting supplies; I suggest Memento Tuxedo Black for stamping sentiments/images. It gives a clear, crisp stamped image!
I used the Flowering Zinnias 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper for my cards. This is an Online Exclusive product and has coordinating products! You can purchase the Suite Collection, the bundle (stamp set/dies), or purchase items separately. I’ll be sure to list them ALL in the Product Table below. Daisies are my favorite flowers and then there are Zinnias! Love ’em!! Be sure to view each sheet of pattern paper in this paper stack by clicking the image above or in product table.
Basic Card Layout
Basic layouts are great for beginners but also for those times when “time” is limited. Once I adhered the floral panel onto my Blackberry Bliss card base, I added White Baker’s Twine. TIP: I used tiny drops of TomBow Multipurpose Liquid Glue to make the bow stay in certain places. It dries clear and is my favorite GO TO adhesive!! Using a corner round punch (retired), I rounded the corners of the sentiment label as shown in the sketch. You don’t have to do the same, as the sketch is for inspiration purposes. I used Memento Tuxedo Black to stamp the sentiment, which is from the So Sincere Cling Stamp Set (AC p. 93). I LOVE this stamp set because it’s ALL SENTIMENTS! I popped it up with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Simple as that and done!
Stepped Up Layout
I have two stepped up versions. I added a Basic White mat (3-5/8″ x 4-5/8″) behind the floral panel on the first card with the Mossy Meadow card base. Used the same sentiment as my basic card and popped it up with dimensionals. Added a White Baker’s Twine bow and coordinating sequins, Adhesive-Backed Shiny Sequins, that are Online Exclusive embellishments.
The second card I used VersaMark and inked up the large Zinnia stamp from the Simply Zinnia Cling Stamp Set (Online Exclusive), and stamped around the front edges. Once it dries, it stands out and gives you a patterned background for your card base. It’s a very simple technique to give it a SWEET touch! I added White Baker’s Twine to the floral panel before adhering it to the card base. The sentiment from the Cheerful Daises Photopolymer Stamp Set (AC p. 75) and is stamped in Pumpkin Pie. It’s stamped again using VersaMark so I can add Clear Embossing Powder. I love to Heat Emboss my sentiments when I have time. It adds texture to the sentiment and adds a bit of WOW factor to your card.
TIP: When you don’t have the embossing color you need do the following: Stamp sentiment /image in any colored ink, then stamp it again with VersaMark ink, then use Clear Embossing Powder to give you the same affect as if you had the actual colored embossing powder! I STRONGLY suggest using a stamping tool for repeated stamping!
Avid Layout
Avid layout means there is a lot more layers and such added to the card. The main card base has been dry embossed using the Zinnia 3D Embossing Folder (Online Exclusive), which gives it texture and it’s a coordinating product! I added Basic White matting behind my DSP and adhered to the card base using liquid glue. I heat embossed the sentiment from the Simply Zinnia Cling Stamp Set (Online Exclusive) the same way as the stepped up version and popped it up with dimensionals. Once again, I used the Adhesive-Backed Shiny Sequins and added a White Baker’s Twine bow. Using one sheet of 12″ x 12″ DSP, you can get a total of 9 card front panels using Card Sketch #2.
The second card uses the bottom leftover piece that is 3-1/2″ x 3″. I simply turned the card base to landscape orientation and used the coordinating Simply Zinnia Dies, Online Exclusive product, to die cut the 3 leafs. I set the floral panel off centered just a bit.
Product Table
Note: If you don’t see the Product Table in your email, visit my blog!
Don’t forget . . .
. . . about the September-December 2024 Mini Catalog and the DIGITAL ONLY SCRAPBOOKING BROCHURE ! This is going to be an amazing time because there are coordinating products between these two recent releases! For more information and to get your own digital downloads, click HERE!
. . . to subscribe by the end of September 10 to get the Autumn Abundance Paper Pumpkin Kit! This kit will include a FREE Watercolored Ephemera Pack! Click HERE for more information or to subscribe.
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