Did you know that October 3rd is World Card Making Day? Whether you stamp at home or gather with some friends in person or online, World Card Making Day is a great excuse and incentive to take the time to create and send cards.
Who do you know that could use the joy of a handmade card? Everyone needs to hear that they’re important to someone, and sending a card is a simple and powerful way to show the people in your life that they matter to you!
You could make it a day of service by creating cards for a specific charity, create cards to share your gratitude, get a jump on your Christmas cards, or create cards for any occasion.
So what are you waiting for? Make a card, then make some more. You are in great company today!
If you shop with me this month (thank you ever so much!) and spend under $149.99 (before shipping and tax), please use the current host code for October: XMWAGSGY If your order totals over $150.00, do not use the host code above, you will earn Stampin’ Rewards for free products. Check out my blog for the Mainely Stamping Merits Program to earn your way to a free stamp set from me!
P.S. Don’t forget the important step of mailing your cards so the joy you created can shine on those you love!
Have you seen all of the slimline cards popping up everywhere lately? In fact, I tried the slimline card fad during my last “Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be” Series (which you can see here in case you missed it. P.S., adorable zebra alert!).
And I have to admit, it was kind of cool. Different and unique.
Size Matters
You may be wondering “why the sudden demand for an odd size card?”. Card makers typically cut a full sheet of 8-1/2 x 11″ piece of cardstock in half and make two A2 card bases.
The A2 card measures 4-1/4 x 5-1/2″ when folded and closed.
Suddenly, we are cutting our cardstock a little differently. Now, instead of cutting it in half, we are chopping off a 4″ piece from the 11″ length and folding the remaining cardstock in half. This gives us a closed slimline card base measuring 3-1/2 x 8-1/2″.
The slimline card base, taken from an 8-1/2 x 11″ piece of cardstock will leave a remnant of 4 x 8-1/2″.
Weird? Or genus?
The Great Appeal
Perhaps the great appeal over slimline cards is that they are unique. After all, as card makers we are choosing to be different. Before I started making my own cards, giving someone a store bought card that someone else had picked out too made my card seem…very ordinary.
The size of a slimline card is unexpected. The stature is tall, stately and elegant. Because a slimline card is so long, it appears more valuable. And lets face it, because they are relatively new to the card making scene, they are novel as well.
Slimline Challenges
You would think cutting cardstock and decorating it to create a card should be easy, no matter the card base size. Slimline cards come with their own difficulties just the same.
First, you have to get over the fact that one sheet of 8-1/2 x 11″ cardstock will not yield you 2 card bases. And getting value out of Designer Series Paper that comes in sizes 6 x 6″ or 12 x 12″ is hard too. Of course it can be done! But the frugal crafter in me struggles with this a bit.
Then, there is design and spacing to address. With the narrowness of the slimline card, many stamps and dies may not actually fit well.
And when it comes to dry embossing on paper, embossing folders will run short. Most embossing folders are @4 x 6″ or 6 x 6″ in size. The cardstock shown here is 3-1/4 x 8-1/4″, cut to fit as the first layer over the slimline card base.
When has a challenge or two ever stopped a determined card maker? There are ways and work-arounds in the diverse world of crafting! And getting creative is really what it is all about, anyway.
I find the slimline cards perfect for the small to medium size stamps and dies. My first few slimline card attempts all used the same card layout, involving 3 evenly spaced rectangles. By starting with this design, I was able to focus on each section individually. I did not get overwhelmed with the large blank canvas the slimline card provides.
The dimensions, or basic card recipe, for this slimline card is listed here. This card features the Basket Of Blooms Stamp Set.
The Envelope, Please
Is it weird that one of my favorite things about the slimline card style is that it fits into a business size envelope?
The Peel & Seel envelopes do not self-seal in humidity, and don’t require any licking for sticking!
There are so many envelope sizes available, and of course I want one that fits my homemade card well. Not too big that my card is swimming, and not too small that the card barely fits inside.
You may make your own envelopes if you want the perfect size. My personal idea of bliss is opening my office supply drawer and pulling out a business size envelope and calling it a day. These types of envelopes are so easy to come by. I love that.
My Slimline Card Journey Continues
I have just gotten started in my dive into slimline cards. Next, I plan to involve the entire card front in one cohesive design, without breaking up the scheme. And the process of something new and exciting is a pleasing one.
Do slimline cards excite you, too? If you haven’t tried it yet, I encourage you to get crafty. My online store is always open if you need some supplies to help you with your creativity adventure.
Make sure you come back to see me, and find out what I have been up to as I continue to explore slimline cards, and more!
If you are a card maker, you have probably C.A.S.E’d a card or two, maybe without even knowing it! The initials stand for “Copy And Share Everything”. It is the “copy cat” of copying.
All card makers enjoy looking at each other’s work. I have spent many hours on Pinterest myself. If you have a particular stamp set or theme and need ideas on using it, there are plenty out there!
How To C.A.S.E.
C.A.S.E.-ing is simple. First, find a card you love. Next, re-create it, just like it is pictured. I find great card samples in the Stampin’ Up! catalog, on Pinterest or on someone’s FaceBook page or blog.
It is highly encouraged to C.A.S.E.. Many card artists who design cards are flattered when someone “copies” their work. It is a sign of a great card if other card makers want to make it too.
The “Do Not” of C.A.S.E.-Ing
The number one “do not” when C.A.S.E-ing a card is to claim that you are the original designer of the card. While C.A.S.E-ing is encouraged, it is also recommended that you give credit to the person who created it.
Cards and card designs are not copyrighted. It really can be difficult to track down the original source, especially if a particular card has been C.A.S.E’d over and over. If you are not sure where the design originated, give credit from the last known source.
Copy And Slightly Edit
The initials C.A.S.E. can also be construed as “Copy And Slightly Edit” as well. This analogy is also very common. How many times have you looked at a card design and thought to yourself, “I would change this or that”?
When you slightly edit, you are taking the original design and changing a thing or two. Perhaps you are rearranging the lay-out just a bit. Maybe you are adding something extra in. The changes for a slight edit are minimal, and the original design is evident.
Fine Lines
There can be a fine line between slightly editing and making your own design with forethought in mind of a previous card you have seen. It is up to you to decide if you should claim the card as your own design, or say you were “inspired by” the original card creator.
There are a lot of cards out in the world. A lot. And even if you are creating your own designs, chances are that someone, somewhere, has a similar card as well, without any C.A.S.E-ing happening. After all, great minds really do think alike!
Why does someone who has the creativity to design cards C.A.S.E. them? The answer is two-fold:
TIME
It can take a lot of time to come up with an original idea. When I design a card, I can spend hours on just one! I play with parts and pieces and colors, setting aside things that don’t work and trying more ideas. If I am commissioned to make a card for someone, I am typically pressed for a timely delivery.
DESIGNER BLOCK
Ever heard of writer’s block? Card design can get blocked too. Sometimes I need lay-out inspiration, or visuals on how certain stamps were used by others. There are times when I want the quick answer on how intricate parts assemble, without having to figure it out on my own.
Card CASE 1
Julie Makson, The Maine Stamper, Images Stampin’ Up!
This card was cased from Jeanie Stark. I made quite a few changes, but loved her original design.
Jeanie Start, Images Stampin’ Up!
Card CASE 2
Julie Makson, The Maine Stamper, Images Stampin’ Up!.
When looking for inspiration for a 90th birthday card, I found it in Sandy Mathis’ card. Again, I changed many things, but the overall design is similar.
Sandy Mathis, Images Stampin’ Up!.
What Will You C.A.S.E.?
There is no shame is C.A.S.E-ing. Often times, using other card ideas as starting points for creativity is best. Your card may inspire someone else!
Card making and clothes shopping have this in common: You see something on the rack at the store (or a card on Pinterest) and you take it home (or go to your craft room) and add different accessories or clothing pieces (or different embellishments or card making supplies) and create your own look. You may be inspired by what you see, and make it your own!
So, shop and C.A.S.E. away! If you need stamping supplies, my online store is always open, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net/. Be sure to follow my blog for easy Monday card recipes, and sign up for my email to get additional tutorials. I also love to inspire you!
