Welcome! Glad you stopped by. I’ve got a fun group of cards today; all utilizing only cardstock and dies. If you have any paper pads like I do, you will want to read on!
I like using paper pads in cardmaking as the stacks are comprised of complimentary colors and patterns which takes the guess work out of knowing if your papers match up well.
Over the years I have amassed a handful (ok, it’s an armful) of paper pads as I would stock up when good sales were available. I have been wanting to use up some of the great patterns and today was the day!
I started by selecting three patterns from a DCWV 12” x 12” paper pack (The Whimsy Stack), which I then cut in half (my die cutting machine fits papers up to 6” wide).
Using Concord & 9th’s Big Thanks Die, I die cut one ‘Thanks’ from each color of cardstock. I also cut additional sets from Neenah 80lb Classic Crest cardstock. I was careful to keep all negative space sheets, and small bits from inside letters. I then trimmed each negative space sheet (on the vertical) for layering.
I trimmed down the other half of each cardstock sheet to 4 ¼” x 5 ½” panels, the size of an A2 card.
With all my pieces prepared, I was ready to assemble my first three cards. I began by pairing a base, a negative space and a die cut, each cut from a different pattern. I glued each stack down, including the negative space from inside letters. I then adhered each stack to an A2 card base, cut from Neenah 110lb Solar White cardstock.
The result is a mix of color and pattern with a Thanks message that shows through.
For the next three cards, I used cardstock scraps to cut scalloped circles using Honey Bee’s Scallop Circles die set. I played mix and match as I put these cards together. Using one color cardstock as the base, I layered either one or both of the other cardstocks atop.
I had a few die cuts remaining, so I adhered them atop a Neenah 80lb Solar White cardstock panel, leaving me with four circular patterned cards.
Taking the Thanks die cuts from white cardstock, I layered each three high (gluing each layer down) then adhered them to the top of each circular panel. Each stack was adhered to an A2 card base, and these cards were complete.
I love the variation from these cards, even though they all contain the same die cuts and cardstock. The pattern play is interesting and draws the eye in a moment of comprehension as to what the card says. This technique is also great for making bulk cards. Using only three 12” x 12” sheets of cardstock (plus a few extras of white cardstock) yielded seven cards, with not much waste.
What are your favorite techniques for patterned papers? I would love to try out your favorite method!
