How did you like card sketch #39? I thought it was another fun sketch to move every which way and just enjoy the creative process. As with any sketch, it's there to help get you going, but you don't have to stick to the sketch exactly, so let's see what I came up with.

My day started with me cutting cardstock for some card kits and as we all know we are always left with these 1/2" strips of cardstock after cutting mats for the insides of the cards. SO...that's were I started with the sketch. I wanted to use some of these strips (instead of throwing them away like I normally do) Both of these cards use the same layout and stamp set/bundle (Holly Jolly #168280), just different color schemes. The first card is Barely Blush, Lost Lagoon and Pool Party while the second card is Garden Green and Real Red.

I kept the stripy theme going on this card, but this time the strips are 1/4" instead of 1/2" like in the cards above. This card uses the beautiful Radiant Sunflower bundle (#168359) to create the flowers and I added a little piece of the Texture & Tone DSP (#168532) I used the die form the same bundle to create the greeting rectangle.

Lastly, I thought I should try to create an easy card where the DSP did all the work for me. Both of these cards use the Beautiful Gallery DSP (#165196) which is on the Last Chance list, to create the focal point of the card. Super easy to create, but look amazing. I added a greeting from the Words & Wishes stamp set (#167889) for the card with the ships, a little Early Espresso flag and a few manly gems. For the floral card, I die cut a label from the Sweet Words & Labels dies (#167627) and stamped it with a greeting from the Phases & Frames stamp set (#167581)

I hope this card sketch inspires you to head into your crafty space and just start playing, you'll be surprised what you can create in not time at all!  

What should we do with those 1/2" strips we create almost every time we create a card... toss or keep?

I'm pretty inclined to toss them (yes, I feel guilty every time!), but if I keep them, they just lie around. I think I'm going to do something with them, but never do!

Today was an out of the ordinary day. I actually did something with them! Lost Lagoon, Pool Party and Barely Blush 1/2" strips were glued every which way, simply across the paper, others started in the center, while other went two different directions. I created three background pieces and then turned them into these three extraordinary cards! 

I used the Holly Jolly Bundle (#167280) to add the the whimsy of the card and the Tile Garden dies (#168573) to add some fun details. 

 

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2026 Card Sketch #38

This multiple layer card sketch is a little more involved to use, but the end results are worth it! To make cutting the DSP a little simpler, I came up with a "cut a stack" way of cutting the DSP. This method allows you to cut the DSP for three cards at the same time! Again you can use any element for the circle. 

 

"Cut a Stack" diagram

Stack three pieces of DSP measuring 3" x 4 3/8" together and cut according to the diagram.

The first card using the Creative Celebrations Celebration DSP (#168499) for both the main paper and the center element. I love the bright colors of this DSP and the cute squirrel! I chose a greeting from the Dreamy Snowflakes stamp set (#168378) to tie greeting to the scarf & mittens on the squirrel. 

This card used the Sunflower Fields (#168351) for the main paper and the center fussy cut flower. I added in a greeting strip just to change things up.

Lastly, I created 18 more cards using the "cut a stack" method of cutting the DSP. It still took me a bit of time to cut all the cardstock, but the end result was a pile of beautiful cards!

 Card Sketch #37

This is super easy sketch that can be made vertical and horizonal. The circle can also be replaced with any element you like. The hardest part of this sketch is the 1/16" cutting measurements, but once you get past that, the cards come together super fast.

For the first card, I use the Autumn Opulence DSP (#168336) for both the main paper and the center element. I fussy cut around the pumpkin pre-cut to reduce the white border a little. The cut apart greeting is from the Painted Pumpkin stamp set (#168431)

Just like the prior card, this beautiful card uses the Violet Dreams DSP (#168186) for both the main paper and the center element. I left the white border around the center flower because I thought it look nice with the white grid behind it. The greeting is from Botanical Expressions (#168150) 

Finally, this bright cheerful Christmas card uses the Creative Celebrations DSP (#168499) for the main paper and the Wreath. I fussy cut around the wreath and then added a Blend colored popped up greeting from Pretty Poinsettia stamp set (#168140) 

                                   2026 Card Sketch #36

This was a fun sketch to play with, in fact I had so much fun that I made 5 card samples all with different DSP! You can change up the sketch by removing the rectangle and add another square. You can always step up the sketch by adding embossing or other die cuts.

 This first card using the Scenic Coast DSP (#197773) and the Sunset Coast Bundle (#167781). I thought it would be fun to cut the paper so that it still retained the scene that was on the DSP. I think it worked pretty well. I did remove the rectangle for this one. 

This card uses the Nature's Walk DSP (#166912), Gear & Textures Bundle (#166854) and the Framed & Fabulous stamp set (#170573) for the greeting. I love the look of this card. All the different textures and colors are just so appealing to my eye. 

Next I pulled out the Velvet Meadow DSP (#167904) to create this beautiful floral card. I used a greeting for the Radiant Sunflower stamp set (#168352) I stamp the greeting and then separated the words.

For this card I used Moonlit Flora DSP (#167737), removed the rectangle, added another square and instead of randomly placing the prints, I put them in a pattern. I created a flower using the Radiant Sunflower (#168352) and the Sending Salutations stamp set (#167857) for the greeting.  

The next two cards use DSP that was in my stash and is retired, but I was having so much fun creating with this sketch that I couldn't help myself! These two papers were two of my favorites and they created super cute cards.

 My three variations of card sketch #35

I created a very simple tutorial with the measurements and products used that doesn't include a step by step instructions, but I think you will be able to figure it out!

Click here for a Printable Tutorial

Card #1: Opens like a regular A2 card

Card #2: Only the center section of the card opens

Card #3: Z fold swing opening in the center of the card