If you’re not sure where to start when making a card, a card sketch is a great place!

A card sketch is a pattern for making a card.

A card sketch is a great place to start because you can use it with ANY card making supplies that you have.

I’ve included measurements on this card sketch to make it even easier for you, but if you don’t like to measure you don’t have to use them!

The sketch is really just a starting point and you can adjust it however you want as you choose your supplies and make your card.

Here are 3 different cards that I made with this card sketch to get your creative juices flowing…

White: 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″
Early Espresso: 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″
Woodgrain paper: 2″ x 5-1/2″
Petal Pink card base: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″

Squirrel Card Tips:

• I found it easier to stamp the inside of the squirrel first and then stamp the detail over top. You could also stamp the detail first and then stamp the bold image inside the lines. Try it both ways and see which is easier for you!
• Add a little pink to the squirrel’s cheek with a blender pen and Petal Pink ink. Squeeze the lid of your ink pad down and a little ink will pool in the lid. Pick that ink up with the blender pen and remember you can always add more color, but you can’t take it away.
• The ground that the squirrel is standing on was made with a Light Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends Marker. Don’t overthink it!! I just did a couple of scribbles and called it done.

Supplies Used for Squirrel Card:

White: 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″
Cajun Craze: 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″
Crushed Curry: 2″ x 5-1/2″
Crumb Cake card base: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″

Thankful for You Card Tips:

• Instead of using a piece of patterned paper across your card like on the squirrel card, try embossing a piece of card stock with an embossing folder. It’s a great way to quickly add texture and extra design to your card.
• Add ribbon or twine. If you don’t want it to show on the inside of your card, add it around your middle paper strip before you tape it down.
• Pop your center square up with dimensionals. It’s amazing how those little foam pieces can add so much depth to your card.

Supplies Used for Thankful for You Card:

It’s amazing how you can use the same card sketch with different supplies for a totally different card!

Ghost paper: 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″
Basic Black: 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″
Boo paper: 2″ x 5-1/2″
Highland Heather card base: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″

Halloween Card Tips:

• I love to use patterned paper when I make cards! It’s quick & easy and the colors are chosen for me so there’s no overthinking. (Yes, I do tend to do that.) The only stamping on this card is the “Happy Halloween” greeting.
• When I cut white paper for the inside of my cards (video here) I’m left with little 1/2″ strips like this that I save to use for banner cut greetings like this one.
• Banner cut one end of your greeting using Paper Snips or one of these ideas.

Supplies Used for Halloween Card:

Your turn! Make a card using this card sketch and supplies that you have.

The great thing about card sketches is that you can use the dimensions and layout exactly or you can use it as a starting point and then add your own extra flair.

Be sure to take a photo of your card so you can share it during our weekly Sunday night Show & Tell on my Facebook page.

Happy Stamping!

Jessica

P.S. There are lots of card sketches out there, but I’ve been sharing some super SIMPLE card sketches here on my blog and I’ve created a printable pdf of my 8 card sketches for you.

Download your FREE Card Sketches Here

And don’t forget to pin this idea for later!