Designing Cards: A Journey Through Minimalism vs. Layering Techniques

Hello There Minimal and Layered Cards

Why do I like to design minimal and layered cards? I like a variety of cards because they bring back memories, allow for personalization, provide creative choices, and show that I care enough to make you a card. My story of my journey starts below. 

Take care,

Linda Ann

My Journey with Card Making

Memories. For years, Mom and I planned an annual shopping trip to buy cards. She would have a list of upcoming birthdays and anniversaries. Then there were the holiday, thank you, and, hopefully, not-needed sympathy cards. Mom never missed a chance to send cards to friends and family, especially from "Great Grandma" cards. I miss our special card purchasing days when we would say, "Did you see this card?" Mom passed away in 2020 from a stroke, and I know many people miss her greetings - not to mention the cinnamon rolls and pies. Hugs.

Serene Colors in the Sky Card

Personalization. During those shopping trips, Mom and I went to stores that specialized in cards. Sometimes, I couldn't find anything I liked because the cards needed embellishments or wording I desired. I wanted something different. My Mom liked hobbies, which influenced me. I started crafting personalized cards to send, and it wasn't long before I became a Stampin' Up! hobbyist and then a demonstrator. My second reason for creating cards was personalization. 

Crafting With Your Easel Card

Choices: Oh, my goodness! Cardmakers have choices of colors, themes, stamps, paper, cardstock, embellishments, inks, and more. Creative choice is my third reason for wanting to make cards. My card design might be minimal, showcasing one designer series paper and adding a sentiment, or my layout might include layers with coloring and folding techniques. 

Framed Zinnia Card

The minimal design on the "Hello There" card is a quick but colorful use of paper, punch, and ink. Removing the mats and ribbon could scale this card down even further. Inking the sentiment on rectangle cardstock is another way to reduce supplies. Dimensionals pop up the sentiment, which allows the punched leaves to be easily placed underneath. A minimal card is popular with beginners or papercrafters with limited time since a minimal card only needs a few supplies and is quick to make. 

Hello There Minimal Card

A layered card takes more time to complete - the word "putzing" comes to mind. This version of "Hello There" focuses on techniques. There are many creative choices: embossed Vellum, torn designer series paper, use of matting, layers of punched or die-cut images, accents with ribbon, and popped-up embellishments. Many times, coloring and folding techniques are included in a layered card. 

Hello There Layered Card

Care: My final reason for cardmaking is to show friends and family that I care. I might select Highland Heather cardstock because purple is their favorite color. If a friend is a gardener, I like to include flowers. Hummingbirds are a fan favorite; I have a stamp for that person. The wealth of stamp sayings gives a person the freedom to select a sentiment that fits the occasion. 

Sometimes There Are No Words Cards

The Main Reason I Design Cards

Discovering homemade cards saved in drawers at my Mom and Mother-in-law's homes was heartwarming. Whether a card is minimal or layered doesn't matter, but sending a homemade card is treasured. 

Mom and Mother-in-law

Click on the red maple leaf for a list of Quick Links.

Quick links are helpful in finding indexed resources for card making and scrapbooking on the Tranquillity Cottage Blogspot. 

If you have any further questions, please email me at tranquillitycottage@gmail.com.

Exploring Cardmaking Techniques: CASE

Softly Sophisticated Sympathy Thoughts Card

Have you ever liked a card so much that you had to make a copy? It happened to me! One of Sheryl Diemer's cards designed and crafted for a demonstrator's swap, caught my attention. Her technique of using the Basic Border dies inspired me to CASE the sympathy card. 

Whenever I CASE a card, I often use the acronym to mean "copy and slightly edit," the paper crafter's design. Today, I wanted to make the exact card to learn Sheryl's process; therefore, here is my "copy and share everything card." After following her instructions, my brain was spinning with ideas on how to "tweak" the recipe with new products in the 2024-2025 Annual Catalog. Watch for my future creations. 

Take care,

Linda Ann

The Softly Sophisticated Embossing Folder and stamp are retired. Many stamped florals could be substituted for the card front. 

Any all-over pattern could be substituted for the embossed image. Some examples of embossing folders in the 2024-2025 Annual Catalog are:

• Cane Weave
• Eyelet
• Metal Plate
• Distressed Tile
• Exposed Brick

Stamps	Sale-a-bration Softly Sophisticated So Sincere
Dies	Basic Border
Embossing	Sale-a-bration Softly Sophisticated
Cardstock (height x width)	Smoky Slate – 5.5” x 8.5” scored and folded at 4.25” (card base), 5.25” x 3.25” (mat) Blackberry Bliss – 5.25” x 2.5” (embossed layer) Basic White – 5.25” x 3” (sentiment top layer), 5.25” x 4” (inside)
Ink and Blends	Blackberry Bliss Old Olive
Embellishments	Brushed Brass Butterflies
Ribbon	Linen Thread

So Sincere Cling Stamp Set (English) [162283]	Softly Sophisticated Bundle (English) [162947]	Basic Borders Dies [155558]
Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131202]	Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133675]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad [147092]	Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [133648]	Blackberry Bliss Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154877]
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090]	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [100531]	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892]
Brushed Brass Butterflies [158136]	Linen Thread [104199]	Cane Weave 3 D Embossing Folder [160580]
Hammered Metal 3D Embossing Folder [150646]	Distressed Tile 3 D Embossing Folder [162189]	Exposed Brick 3 D Embossing Folder [161600]

Click on the red maple leaf for a list of Quick Links.

Quick links are helpful in finding indexed resources for card making and scrapbooking on the Tranquillity Cottage Blogspot. 

If you have any further questions, please email me at tranquillitycottage@gmail.com.

Exploring Card Making Techniques in Stampin' Up! Catalogs

Thoughtful Expressions No Words Card

Are you looking for creative and unique cardmaking ideas? Look no further than Stampin' Up! Catalogs and Online Exclusives. With a variety of designs and techniques, you can easily create beautiful and personalized homemade cards for any occasion.

Did you know that Stampin' Up! provides detailed recipes for their card designs? One example is the exquisite Thoughtful Expressions No Words Card on page 60 of the January-April 2024 Mini Catalog. 

I have provided links at the end of the post to current and retired catalogs. Enjoy! 

As this and the annual catalog are set to retire at the end of April, now is the perfect time to explore the beauty of designs like the one showcased here. Utilizing the stunning Poetic Expressions Floral DSP as a backdrop, create your masterpiece with floral designs and elegantly crafted sentiments. 

Take care,

Linda Ann

Stamp and Die	Thoughtful Expressions
Cardstock (height x width)	Very Vanilla Thick – 5.5” x 8.5 scored and folded at 4.25” (card base)   Pebbled Path – 5.875” x 4.125” (mat), 3.5” square (die cut mat)   Very Vanilla – 5.25” x 4” (inside). 3” x 2.25” (die cut floral), 3.25” square (die cut sentiment)   Wild Wheat – 3” Square (die cut embellishments)   Mossy Meadow – 2.5” x 1.5” (die cut leaf)
DSP (height x width)	Poetic Expressions Floral – 5.25” x 4” (layer), .75” x 4” (inside border)
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black
Blends	Wild Wheat Boho Blue Pretty Peacock Bubble Bath Mossy Meadow Moody Mauve
Embellishments	2023-2025 In Color Dots
Ribbon	Center Stripe Ribbon Pecan Pie – 8”

Images Stampin’ Up!®​

Inspiration: Stampin’ Up! Mini Catalog, January – April 2024, Page 60.

Click on each catalog for a PDF of cardmaking recipes. 

Note: Some of the products are retiring on April 30, 2024. 

See the Last Chance clearance by clicking HERE.

Thank you for shopping!

Thoughtful Expressions Cling Stamp Set (English) [162815]	Thoughtful Expressions Dies [162821]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [144237]
Pebbled Path 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [161722]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101650]	Wild Wheat 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [161725]
Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133676]	Poetic Expressions 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [162814]	Poetic Expressions Suite Collection (English) [162826]
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Refill [133456]	Wild Wheat Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [161661]
Boho Blue Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [161659]	Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [161676]	Bubble Bath Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [161675]
Mossy Meadow Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154890]	Moody Mauve Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [161660]	2023–2025 In Color™ Dots [161620]
Pecan Pie 3/8" (1 Cm) Center Stripe Ribbon [162744]	Tear & Tape Adhesive [154031]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]
Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [150673]	Cutting Plates [150815]	Mini Cutting Plates [151004]
Specialty Plate [154711]	Simply Scored [122334]	Paper Trimmer [152392]
Cutting Blades Multipack [152391]	Simply Shammy [147042]	Clear-Mount Stamp Cases [119105]
Grid Paper [130148]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]	Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755]
Stampin' Seal [152813]	Stampin' Seal Refill [152814]	Ink Pad & Marker Storage Trays [149168]
Storage Lid [149167]	Paper Snips [103579]	Bone Folder [102300]
Clear Block Bundle [118491]	Stampin' Scrub [126200]	Stampin' Mist [153648]
Take Your Pick [144107]	Take Your Pick Die Brush Tip [149655]	Take Your Pick Putty Refill [150006]
Take Your Pick Crafter Tips [161602]	Basic White Medium Envelopes [159236]

Click on the red maple leaf for a list of Quick Links.

Quick links are helpful in finding indexed resources for card making and scrapbooking on the Tranquillity Cottage Blogspot. 

If you have any further questions, please email me at tranquillitycottage@gmail.com.