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.