4x6 Basic Designs - 4 card swatch #2

These card ideas are for beginner card makers, though we all need some basic designs to have at our finger tips.  Here are 4 basic card designs each made with a 4x6" piece of DSP, Designer Series Paper.  You can keep them simple - they'll be easy to assemble, letting the paper do the work.  OR you can step up each design and add layers and embellish. The four designs use an A2 card base, 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" and one 4x6" piece of DSP, which is trimmed to 4 x 5 1/4 or 5" - save the strip you cut off. Use this strip on the inside, on the envelopes, or save 4 or 5 to use as a front layer.

The first design is called Cathedral window.   

                                                

Trim a 4x6 piece of Designer Series Paper - or any double sided print paper - to a 3 1/2" x 5" piece, then cut it into rectangles as shown.  The reason you cut it smaller first, is so that you'll be able to see the space in between the rectangles. You can decide if you want to layer another color besides the base color card. If so you'll have to trim even more off the size, like 3 1/4 x 4 3/4".  Looking at both sides of the paper, which piece goes where.

You can add a die cut like shown above - here the flowers pull it all together, then there's still room for a sentiment tag or you could decide to put a large sentiment tag instead of the flowers and a few jewel embellishments.   

This next photo is the same design, one I recently received.  I love the coordinating of colors and designs.  

                                                

In the next 4 card swatch #2  is a portrait style card, where the fold is on the left.

                                                

   This card shows off both sides of your DSP - Designer Series Papers.  Sometimes you love them both and can't decide which to use.  And like all of these cards, you can choose to add a stamped image, a die cut or punch art piece and a sentiment tag or not.   For this card design, you cut the front of the base card to within 1" of the fold, and set aside that cardstock piece for another project or your sentiment tag. Choose your DSP, cut it to 5 1/2" x 3" and glue it under the 1 inch tab of the base card.  Take a 3/4" x 5 1/2" strip of the same DSP, flip it over to the other side and glue it onto the 1" front piece of the base card.   

Card design #3, shown below, is a horizonal card. Use the same size base in each card, 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  Choose a 4x6 piece where the pattern is horizontal.

                                            

With the fold of your A2 card along the top, cut on both sides, 1 1/4" inch up to the fold.  That leaves a 3" piece in the middle.  

                                        

 Glue down both of the 1 1/4" side pieces to the card.   Add 1" of DSP to each of the side pieces, and a 2 3/4" piece to the front.  

                                              

Depending on the reverse print of your DSP, choose the reverse side to glue to the center or sides.   The alternative way to make this card is to glue only the left side down and then only the bottom and edge of the right piece, so that it makes a small slot for you to slide in a gift card or money.   

                                                  

Card design #4 is also a horizontal card.  It is called a Book Binding card and is quite popular.

                                                

  The card base is cut the long or tall way of the 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock. Cut it on the 8 1/2" side at 4 1/4".  Score it in half at 5 1/2" and again on one side only, at 4 1/4".  The space between the 4 1/4" and the 5 1/2" is what makes the card appear to be bound like a book.  

Glue that 1 1/4" part down, so that the main part of your card is a 4 x 4 1/4 inch section.   Add a 1" strip of DSP to the book binding part. Add the same print or reverse of the DSP, but at 3 3/4 x 4" to make the top front layer.  If you wish, add a stamped image, die cut or sentiment tag on the front.  Use the 1/2" strip you cut off the length on the inside as shown for an accent piece or save it to use with others for the front of another card.

                                        

Keep any of these cards simple by "letting the paper do the work" or step them up by adding stamped images, die cuts or embellishment jewels or ribbon, and a sentiment tag.   

Keep these ideas close at hand and when you need a quick card, grab a card base, a 4 x 6" piece of DSP with a coordinating reverse side, and assemble it.

Getting the most out of your 12x12 papers is the focus of the Card Swatch designs. Just as in 4 Card Swatch #1 patterns, these ideas in 4 Card Swatch #2 demonstrate how to cut your Designer papers in 4x6" pieces so that you can get SIX out of one 12x12, so that's 6 pieces x 12 pages = 96 cards.  

Try making several cards and setting them aside without a sentiment. Then when you need a card, stamp your sentiment tag, attach it to the front and your card will be ready in a few minutes.

I hope you try some of these.   The Designer papers I used on this 4 card swatch #2 cards are in the Annual Catalog till April of 2023.   Check out the current catalogs here at my online shop and look at other projects, the latest catalog, or sales while you're there. www.susanboback.stampinup.net 

I offer classes - one-on-one or small group; 3D or cards by order; or will donate cards to your non-profit to help you make a difference in the world, one card at a time.  I love to get artsy then turn my cards and projects into ways to bring joy to others.

Want to get a great deal on products? If you're looking at the Mini Cut & Emboss machine, this is the deal for you!  JAN - FEB of 2023 choose $175 worth of your favorite tools, products and more and pay only $99 with free shipping. Then: save 20% on every order and make no commitment.   I'd love to have you be part of my team - card connoisseurs!

Thanks for stopping by - have a blessed day! sb