That’s NOT a card template…
If you said “That’s not a CARD template” when you looked at the template I am using for this card, you are 100% CORRECT. WHAT?!?!? She is using a Layout template to make a card?!?!?! YES, I AM! (and I am proud of it too!) Most of the time when you buy all those AWESOME templates you use them only ONCE (if you get to use them) and that is WRONG. Let’s get your money out of your templates!
First, did you know you can rotate your template and/or flip it? It gives you a completely new look for free – since you already have the original template. And to top it all off, I am telling you that you can use them to create card fronts.
My challenge for you is to use one of your LAYOUT templates to create a card. Link me to the template and your card to get a free card template from me.
Guess what? I still have a few more tips and tricks to share with you, but first, let me give you a list of the supplies I used to create these two cards:
Supplies:
- “In Stitches” template set by Kim Wresh
- Quilled: 365 by Viva Artistry
- Let’s Date Stamps Vol.1 & 2 Bundle by Jennifer Fox Designs
- Juicy Spring by Wendy Page Designs
- Get Dotty Alpha by Madame Wing
My List of tips and tricks on how to “make it work”:
What is a “good” layout template to be used for a card? That depends on your likes and dislikes. I love symmetrical cards, but I am also looking for places to put my greetings or main image for my card. Think of the photo areas like placeholders for your images and sayings.Let’s look at Kim‘s “In Stitches” template set. I was immediately drawn to the last template, I can see that template turned into a card EASILY. Can you see it too?
Open the template and save as a new file. Change the IMAGE size to 6×6. This size is the new “IN” size for cards, everyone loves this size (well except when you have to mail them and you have to pay extra postage and you can’t find an envelope to fit your card in… but don’t worry… we will talk about other sizes soon).
I made 2 samples for you, the first one is a 6×6 card. I truly adore this size and I have tons of 6×6 envelopes (I don’t mind the extra 20 cents for postage, I think they are WORTH it). On the sample below, note that the template was preserved almost entirely. I removed the journaling, title, flower and the two little strips of paper one above and one below the focus area.
Did you notice that I kept the stitching? Well, the stitching is super cute and Kim used a super cool shadow on it. Stop re-inventing the wheel, just drive the car! Everything else (digital) used for this card can be found @ The Digichick store.
Remember to be smart about your supplies! See that yellow border around the card? That yellow border is really a brush from Jennifer Fox Designs’” Let’s Date Stamps Vol. 2: Squares” that I “stamped” in a new layer and then erased the “date” part of the brush… cool, huh?
“How about those of us that are not really into 6×6 cards?” Easy peasy too… remember that for the 6×6 card we changed the IMAGE size to 6×6 and presto the card template was done? For a smaller size card (in this case an A2 size card) we will change the CANVAS size.
So let’s start by saving a copy of your template. (I saved a copy of my 6×6 card already finished – what can I say…I really like how it turned out). Modify your CANVAS size to WIDTH: 5.5 inches and HEIGHT: 4.25 (NOTE: if the card was in portrait mode interchange the WIDTH and HEIGHT). Now, do NOT freak out. Yes, it will give you an error that your items do NOT fit in the canvas and that is OK.
Now, select all your layers and either with your mouse or arrow keys start moving them around until you like the position of your items. You may want to reduce the size of the items. I was really lucky and loved the size of everything in here. I changed the center of the squares and voilá! I have a new card, with really not much effort put into it.
Did you noticed the ribbon? With the adorable quilled flowers, the blue strip of paper was really clashing, so I covered it with a piece of ribbon. Do you like my yellow bling? Yellow bling is hard to find so I buy clear and color them in with my BIC markers… remember be smart about your supplies and you will be happier about your outcomes.
Remember use a layout template to create a card. Link me to both the template and your card and you will get a card template created by me just for playing along.
If you have any questions… just ask me in the comment section. Enjoy and happy template search!
Other Articles by Dalis:
- Bow Tutorial - May 31st, 2011
- Gone to the dogs! - March 30th, 2011
- Reward yourself during your diet - February 11th, 2011
- Happy Three Kings Day Goodies - January 8th, 2011
- Last Minute Stocking Stuffers - December 24th, 2010
