Card Sketch Basics: Card Making For Beginners

Whether you are new to card making or your “mojo” took a siesta, we all have moments when we need help with a layout or card design. Well, today, I am going to talk to you about card sketch basics. When I was first starting on my card making journey, I use to ponder for hours on a layout or design for my cards. That was thirty-five years ago and there was very little to reference. Today, there are card sketches, card making magazines, the internet, Pinterest and blog posts. It doesn’t matter if you are new to card making or a veteran, we all have those moments when we are “in a rut” and need some help.

Advantages of Using A Card Sketch

Basically, card sketches are “rough” designs for the layout of your card. They are a great place to start with your creativity. They, typically, consist of card base, layers and embellishments. Some, provide measurements, while others, just the design for placement. It, also, allows you to take the elements and experiment with placement.

Below, is the card sketch that I used for this post. There are basic elements to the design: card base, layers, focal point, greeting and includes measurements. I can add embellishments or not. I love that the design is basic, yet, adaptable to just about any occasion. In many of the cards, below, you will not see a sentiment. I did that for a reason. Since the design of my cards is suitable for any occasion, I chose to wait until the time I send them to add the appropriate greeting.

Multiple Examples of Using a Card Sketch

Below, you will see several examples of cards made with using the sketch. In the two cards below, I stayed with the basic sketch layout. However, I chose to dry emboss two of the layers. The first layer was embossed with the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder. The second layer was embossed using one of the Basics 3D Embossing Folders. For my focal point, I used the Meandering Meadows Designer Series Paper. I, also, made a banner on one edge of the sentiment. The remainder of the cards, I chose to wait to add the sentiments until the time at which they will be sent. This allowed me to have multiple cards on hand for a variety of occasions.

Below, I used the same sketch, but switched the card to landscape. Here, I “popped up” the focal point and sentiment with dimensionals.

Below, I used the Inked & Tiled Stamp Set for my focal point.

For the last card, I used Bright & Beautiful Designer Series Paper for the layer on the left front of the card and the smaller square. I, then, added a die cut from Fluffiest Friends Bundle to the center for the focal point.

In the video below, you will see how to use a sketch to design your card and how to adapt it to another orientation. Further down in the post, you will see several examples of cards made using a single sketch. There is, also, a downloadable PDF with the sketch and a link back to the video and post. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of using a card sketch for card making ideas.

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