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.