When I first started making cards, my cards were incredibly basic. Like one layer of card stock folded in half basic.
But as I made more and more cards, I figured out how to add layers and embellishments and make my cards a little bit more impressive.
I rarely spend more than a few minutes making a card, but now I know some quick & easy tricks to step up my cards.
If you’re looking to take your cards from basic to “Wow, you made that?!?” these tips are for you!
Paper Sizes:
Misty Moonlight card base: 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” scored at 4-1/4″
Misty Moonlight Embossed: 2-3/4” x 5-1/4”
Floral paper: 1-1/4″ x 5-1/4″
Circle Size: 2-3/8”
Tip #1: Emboss Your Backgrounds
Embossing folders are an easy way to add texture and design to your cards. The fact that a simple folder can emboss pretty patterns into my card stock in just a few cranks of a handle is like pure MAGIC!
If you have a Big Shot machine, check out my Big Shot Embossing Folder Tutorial.
Tip #2: Add Layers
Oh if only I had learned this little trick earlier. It’s so easy to add a card stock mat behind your main image or greeting and it really makes it pop.
My go-to mat size is 1/4″ larger in both length and width.
Tip #3: Add Embellishments
Ribbons and rhinestones and enamel shapes, oh my! Really the list of available embellishments you can add to your cards is endless. And there are plenty that you can use that won’t add too much bulk to your cards. I like to keep them simple so my cards will easily go through the mail without extra postage.
In this video, I’ll walk you through taking a basic card and stepping it up with the 3 tips I shared above…
Paper Measurements for Panda Card in Video:
Whisper White card base: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
Bermuda Bay: 4″ x 5-1/4″
Whisper White: 2″ x 2-1/2″
Lemon Lime Twist: 2-1/4″ x 2-3/4″
What’s YOUR favorite way to step up your cards? Share in the comments below!
Happy Stamping!
Jessica
Supplies Needed to Make the Floral Birthday Card:
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adorable! going to make this!
Great quickie video! I’ve “grown” too, and do emboss now and then, go for layers, love to daub the edges of pieces so they stand out more, and even use some of the sequins and colored dots. It really does make a big difference in the finished look of the card! Thanks!
Thanks Jessica — Great tips for us all to keep in mind when we’re stumped!
Two things that seem to give a “wow” factor are (1) doing tone-on-tone background stamping with the same feature stamp, either in Versamark or ink the same colour as the cardstock (stamped-off); and (2) heat embossing the saying or other small images like splatters, confetti, etc. These always look fabulous.
Yes! I love the tone on tone look for backgrounds!
Great ideas and video. I love to emboss and then add layers and pop up some of the smaller pieces. keep up the good work!
Thank you Rosemary!
I have been stamping since 2002 and many of my first cards were very similar to yours. Now I like to use layers and embossing to step up the cards. I also like to use a small coordinating stamp or some matching DSP on the envelope.
Yes, decorate those envelopes!
Thanks for all of your tips. My first cards were rather plain, but now I love layering papers and using embellishments.
Lately to step things ups, I add a stripe of ribbon, either across the card or across one of the layers. I also like to tie a knot in the ribbon so it has tails. I have so much ribbon!