Aloha, all!
This is the third in a series about layering techniques. We began with some basic concepts in calculating the size of layers as you build a card (click here). Then last week I offered some hints on getting ideas for layered layouts from both the Internet and the Stampin’ Up! Catalog (click here). Today I’ll go over how to take one layout and rearrange its elements to three different layouts.
The Original Card
This is the card that got me started with this project. There are 5 elements – layers or groups of layers – on this card front. There’s a large rectangle, a medium rectangle, and a small rectangle shape, all of which have a Basic Black Cardstock mat. Then there’s a smaller strip for the sentiment. The final element is the ribbon – Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon – which is finished with a bow.
Magic In This Night Designer Series Paper Set
I created the background and the large rectangle element using designs from the Magic In This Night paper set. Its designs overall are somewhat dark, but I’ve lightened them a bit to look brighter on a computer screen.
The print that I used for the medium rectangle (on the left) has all the main colors that form the basis for the designs in the paper set: Cajun Craze, Blackberry Bliss and Pretty Peacock. I chose to use the Cajun Craze monochrome print as the main background color for the card (the large rectangle). Then I went ahead and carried that color throughout the card by using Cajun Craze Ink and Cajun Craze Cardstock. I used the ink to stamp the witches brooms and the sentiment, both of which are in the Festive Post Stamp Set, and the cardstock forms the card base.
The Layering
As I said, all of the rectangle layers have a Basic Black Cardstock mat. For the large rectangle the mat is 1/8″ all around. For the two smaller rectangles, the mat is 1/16″. I used the Rectangular Postage Stamp Punch to cut the small rectangle. How I sized and cut the mats for this and the other layers is covered in the first post in this series.
As I wanted to have the Cajun Craze Cardstock really show up as the base for this card, I cut the large rectangle element (the paper and its mat together) to create a 1/4″ border of Cajun Craze all around.
And Now The Rest of the Cards
These next two cards have almost exactly the same elements as the original card. I say, “almost,” as I resized the sentiment layers to fit my own personal tastes of how long I wanted them to be in each card. What’s different is the main color.
This card, featuring the Blackberry Bliss color, uses the same print for the medium rectangle as the original card. After that, I chose the Blackberry Bliss monochrome print as the background and then went with the Blackberry Bliss Cardstock and Ink to complete the design. All of the elements are there, including the sentiment, cut a bit wider so that it would overlap the broom-stamped rectangle a bit more. Basically all that I did for this layout was flip the design horizontally and lay the ribbon out vertically.
Yes, It Even Works as a Landscape Card
Again, this card has the very same elements as the first two. This time, though, I turned the card sideways. I could have gone all the way and turned that postage stamp rectangle on its side, too. But I really wanted the same stamp, and the brooms just did not look all that interesting lying on their sides.
The color that I featured in this card is Pretty Peacock, again with the Cardstock and the Ink.
The Bottom Line
Besides the three different colors of cardstock and ink, I used just one stamp set, one set of papers, one accent color and one spool of ribbon to make three different cards. There wasn’t much out on my work table. And I could have kept going. I already have two more layouts sketched with these same elements. I could have done all three cards with just one basic color. So the bottom line is that you don’t have to have a lot of “stuff” to make a good collection of cards. But you do have to have good quality products with great coordination of colors. Stampin’ Up! products really are worth buying.
I’d love to have you be my customer! Just click on any of the icons below to check out the product in my Stampin’ Up! store. You’re not stuck on that one product, either. Stop and look around – it’s an amazing place!
Happy Stamping!
