Craft

My Favorite Card Layout

I try to always keep a variety of cards on hand for all occasions. But sometimes I run out of thank you cards before I get a chance to make more. Or someone suddenly gets engaged and I want to congratulate them. As much as I try to plan ahead, occasionally I need a card quick. This is my go to card layout for these times, as it has enough flexibility to work for all occasions!

Even when I’m not in a pinch, it does reoccur as my default framework to work within. Even though I make a lot of cards using this as a guideline, switching up colors, prints, and stamps can help keep cards from looking the same.

If you use 12″x 12″ paper you can get two cards (bases and rectangles) out of one sheet of colored paper. An 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper will will get you two bases. Another sheet will get you 6 rectangles. For white card backgrounds, either initial size of paper works well. Don’t forget to use a piece the same size as the background on the front to line the inside.

After each card style I’ve included the details of the materials I used.


Keeping it Simple

These two cards follow the template above perfectly, using a 2″ circle on each.

  • card base & rectangle: neutral cardstock, similar colors
  • flower & “hello, you”: SU Regarding Dahlias set
  • “thinking of you”: SU Occasions 4 You set
  • stamp ink: Blackberry Bliss
  • card background & circle: white cardstock
  • shapes: 2″ circles
  • banner: yellow w/ white dots

I made a pair of these Christmas cards, but I liked them so much I kept them the same so there’s only one picture.

  • card base & rectangle: green cardstock
  • “merry Christmas”: SU Petite Pairs set
  • ornament stripes: SU Mosaic Madness set
  • tree: SU Peaceful Pines set
  • stamp ink: Real Red & Silvery Shimmer
  • card background & ornament: white cardstock
  • ornament shape: SU Holiday Ornament framelits
  • banner: red with white dots

Changing It Up A Bit

For these bold birthday cards, I switched up the shapes a bit and stamped top left instead.

  • card base & rectangle: green cardstock
  • all stamps: SU Confetti Celebration set
  • stamp ink: SU Cucumber Crush
  • card background & shapes: white cardstock
  • shapes: 2″ circles & label thinlit
  • banner: pink with multicolor dots

These bright beauties have matted banners for their sentiments instead of circles.

  • card base & rectangle: blue cardstock
  • candle stamp: SU Big News set
  • “It’s YOUR day!”: SU Confetti Celebrations set
  • circles stamp: I think I fished it out of a Michael’s clearance bin?
  • “Best Wishes”: SU Petite Pairs set
  • stamp ink: Bermuda Bay
  • card background & smaller banners: white cardstock
  • larger banner: scrap paper
  • banner shapes: SU banners framelits
  • banner: dot stripes I found at the Target dollar spot

Layout? What Card Layout?

For these cards I skipped some stamping and embossed instead. And who says that you can’t matte your rectangle askew? The next time I do a light card base like these I would do a thin dark matte between the card base and the background to make it pop more.


Bold red pairs to easily with black and white.

  • card base & rectangle: red cardstock
  • cake & “hip hip hooray” stamps: SU Endless Birthday Wishes set
  • star sparkle stamp: SU Peaceful Pines set
  • “Sending Many Thanks”: SU Petite Pairs set
  • border stamp: SU Mosaic Madness set
  • stamp ink: Tuxedo Black
  • card background & shapes: white cardstock
  • shapes: circle & tag
  • banners: black & white patterned paper

I hope I’ve inspired you to take a simple layout and run with it!


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *