Sweet & Very Simple

Here's a quick solution for a card using the library card image. Foam squares elevate the stamped image from the card base, giving it dimension. The ribbon scrap and paper clip are inexpensive embellishments for this card.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: image (CTMH), sentiment (PTI)

Paper: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)

Inks: CTMH Seafoam, Versafine Onyx

Accessories: ribbon (stash), paper clip (stash)

Play Your Cards Right

In this case, in addition to using contrasting colours to separate the sentiment from the busy patterned paper, I used a somewhat simple element (the library card) to make the word stand out.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: image (CTMH), teapot (Basic Grey)

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), pink cardstock (Bazzill Orange Peel Cotton Candy), patterned (BG Sultry)

Inks: Versafine Onyx, Colorbox Pink Pastel

Accessories: twill (Martha Stewart), rhinestones (Kaiser), border punch (EK Success)

A Million Little Things

It is a challenge to have a card design which includes many elements to have those elements be recognized. Keep contrasting colours close to make individual elements "pop". White alpha letters with a black background make the sentiment easily identifiable.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamp: CTMH

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), patterned (BG)

Ink: Versafine Onyx

Accessories: doily (stash), buttons & embroidery thread (stash), tiny alpha stickers (MLS), floral sticker (Mrs. Grossman's), ribbon (Fabricland)

Rounded Corners

I don't know why I don't think of it more often, but rounding the corners of a square or rectangular element within a card design also adds interest.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: doily (Magenta), sentiment (Verve)

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), patterned papers (BG Perhaps)

Inks: Memories Crimson, Versafine Onyx, Colorbox Antique Pewter

Accesssories: fabric brad (Sandylion), paper flowers (Prima), pewter brad and velvet brad (MM)

Just for a Change

In addition to varying your card design, it's fun to make a card of a different size, just to mix things up and make things interesting. The CTMH adhesive border strips take ink wonderfully, making it easy to have them coordinate with your card elements.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: doily (Magenta), bird (Technique Tuesday), siwrl (Autumn Leaves)

Papers: cardstocks (Bazzill)

Inks: Colorbox Lettuce & Dark Brown

Accessories: adhesive border strip (CTMH)

Non-Traditional Christmas

Using non-traditional Christmas colours to make a Christmas card is always a nice surprise for the recipient. A little bit of glitter always brings snowflakes to life.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: doily (Magenta), snowman (Inkadinkado), sentiment (Gina K)

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), blue cardstock (Bazzill Stonewash)

Ink: Colorbox Smoke Blue

Accessories: Spellbinder Squares & Labels 16, PSX Diamond Sparkles Glitter Glue

Ribbons in the Wind

Attaching the ribbon to the metal embellishment creates some movement on this card front. Once again, the red ink colour was chosen to match the cardstock.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: image (Stampin' Up), sentiment (PTI)

Papers: Bazzill cardstocks

Ink: Distress Aged Mahogany

Accessories: ribbon (Fabricland), metal embellishment (WeR)