Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Super Simple Cards


It seems that life has been busier than ever lately - I think May is just a busy month for most people.  We have had lots of events to attend and more coming up this weekend.  I am a little off my usual schedule for posting - I have had less time to be in my craft room and even less time to get to the computer and write up the projects I have been making.

Since many of us are pressed for time, I wanted to share a super quick way to make a card.  Not a prizewinning, over the top fabulous card, just a simple card to send when your time is limited but you still want to send a card.


If you are like me, you can't resist buying paper, cardstock and more paper.  This 8 x 8 stack was at Marshall's for a few dollars and I liked the look of a lot of the designs - so I bought it.  I don't know how long it has been sitting on my shelf.  I think I have used one or two pieces since I got it.


Flipping through the stack I saw this design and I knew it would convert to a card topper very easily.  I cut it in half through the plain center area to make two pieces that measured four inch by eight inches.  Then I looked at the design and decided where to cut each half to showcase the floral design to suit a card front.  In this case, I thought the section with the larger dark blue flower would be the best so I cut a piece at 5 1/4 inches to make a card topper.


I stamped the sentiment in blue - not quite an exact match, but close enough.


I wasn't quite happy with the stamping, so I used a Sakura Stardust glitter pen to soften the stamped image and add some sparkle (it may be difficult to see in the photo above but when the light hits the card it is really sparkly - see below).


You don't have to be perfect - just trace the letters as best you can and they will shine prettily.


I added ribbon along the shiny pink section of the cardstock and taped it to the back before adhering the topper to the card.  Then I tied a knot with a shorter piece of ribbon near the top of the card.


Whenever I use a darker shade of cardstock for the card base, I add some sort of liner to make it easier to write the message.  You can just add a plain piece of 5 1/4 x 4 inch cardstock but I like to use one of my many border punches to dress it up a little.  It takes just a few seconds but it really makes a difference!


To finish the card, I added pearls in a few sizes to the centers of the flowers.

Quick and simple - but still a nice way to say thank you!

Do you have any favorite shortcuts for making cards?  What is your favorite "go to" style when you have just a short time to make something?

I am planning on starting the scrapbooking challenges soon so think about an event or a set of photos that you have "been meaning to get to."  Then print the photos if they are digital and you want to make traditional pages so you will be ready to go (digital pages are fine too if you prefer them).  If your photos are already printed - great!  The plan is to finish pages in a simple style and to tell the story behind the photos instead of burying them in embellishments.  If you prefer sketches to get you started, I'll be happy to post some - just leave a comment to let me know.


Have a great day!

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11 comments:

  1. Love the card! So pretty! I don't have a go to style for a quick card. I just pull out a bunch of papers and embellishments and start creating.

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  2. This is a great, creative, lots of work card. When I work really hard at making a card, it might come close to this one. You are amazing.
    Looking forward to the simple scrapbook page challenge. I was out of town for a while, so I did not read that post. Will have to go back to see what it entails.

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  3. This is so cute and simple. I have seen this paper somewhere and may have it. I am a paper crazed person and that is my weakness.. I have enough paper that I would never use it the rest of my life. Great Job... I am like you I just need sometime to craft...

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  4. My quick go to style is similar to yours. When I first started cardmaking, I bought some printed card sets. You can add a coordinating printed paper, and a ribbon or tag, and voila' you're done.

    I am so looking forward to the scrapbook challenge. I have ALL my pictures printed. Now just to decide which ones to do first.

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  5. Great idea for a card! I have several of those paper packs that I think I have to have and then rarely use.

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  6. You make "simple" look amazing! Love the puncher you used for the liner and glittering the sentiment in the front.

    I can't wait to check out (and hopefully participate in) the scrapbook challenges. I have been playing with the Storybook Creator and have a few unfinished pages. May need to have Costco print them out soon or sweet talk the hubby into getting me a wide format printer for Mother's Day (I've been researching for the best one around my budget).

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  7. Very nice card, and oh so simple.--Pat N.

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  8. Diane, even your "simple" is stunning! I love this paper pad, knew I should've gotten it when I saw it at JoAnn's lol. I am going to have to look at some of my paper more closely for such inspirations:o) Beautiful job.

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  9. Great idea for a quick card.I need to make a couple of gift sets now. I think I'll take a look through all the papers I have. I'm sure I'll find some that are similar to what you used.
    My go-to quick cards usually have a circle or oval die cut matted on the same shape with scalloped edges, a stamped and embossed sentiment on the die cut and a few small punched and layered flowers and leaves on the edge of the die cut.

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  10. Wow! Two beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing how to scraplift them.

    Best, Mary

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  11. I love the idea of using a border punch on your liner, I will borrow that for my Operation Write Home cards, thanks! Beautiful card.

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