Hiya, Stampers! Seems lately I barely go a day without an email asking me to include the card size for my posts. I decided to address this in a post to hopefully answer a few of your questions. I am sorry for not posting the sizes of my card bases and dimensions of the layers. I'm trying to do better, but I know I'll still forget much (or most) of the time. Also, if I focus too much on measuring, I'm afraid this might start to feel like work (shudder). I did manage to remember to include the card size two posts in a row, then promptly forgot on the third one. I'll share a bit of what typically I do on most cards, since I seem to have so much trouble remembering to mention these things on most posts.
*The overwhelming majority of my card bases are A2 size, or 4 1/4 by 5 1/5 inches. (or 5 1/2 by 4 1/4). This size probably accounts for at least 90 - 95% of my cards.
*When I make a square card it is usually 4 1/4 inches square, although occasionally I have done 5 inches square and rarely 5 1/2 inches square.
*I always make top fold cards, for one reason and one reason only - they photograph better. Every time I give a top fold vertical card to a non stamper, they try to open it like a side fold card, but I can rest easy knowing I got a good photo.
*To make my card base, I cut an 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet card stock in half, then score one piece in half. If it is a vertical card, I cut the sheet in half to create two pieces 4 1/4 by 11 inches, then score at 5 1/2 inches. If it is a horizontal card, I cut the sheet in half to create two pieces 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 and score at 4 1/4 inches.
*I always use Pure Luxury card stock and I always use a Scor-Pal or Scor-Buddy to score my card base. Scoring your card base makes it so much easier to fold and the fold looks much crisper and cleaner. I learned from Gina to always run the tool at least two or three times to before folding to get the best score line. If you only score once, the fibers don't always stretch enough and you can get cracking on your fold. Gina did a great demonstration of how to score card bases at the beginning of this video.
When it comes to the size of my layers, things get a bit more complicated. If I am doing a large scene and filling up most of the card, I usually will start with a white layer that is 3 3/4 by 5 inches, or 3 1/2 by 4 3/4 inches. Then to make a framing layer I just place the top layer of the bottom layer and place it in my trimmer and just eyeball it to trim. Other times I just grab a scrap and make it work. I also use my Nestabilities, so those determine the size of my layers. I am probably never going to post all the dimensions on all my cards, but I will make an effort to do it at least once a week.
Well, that was a lot of writing and not a single pretty picture. I'll be back tomorrow with a new card project. Thank you all for your wonderful support, friendship and comments. I so appreciate it and it is what truly inspires me.
Have a wonderful day!
7 comments:
Thanks for the measurements, sounds like what I do to. I'm just glad you share your Copic coloring!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write about your card sizes.
I have enjoyed your posts for a couple of years now and I apologize for not writing more to tell you how awesome your work is. I so enjoy the way you take pictures of each step.
I am like you I just work from what looks good and don't stop to think how I got there. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for taking the time to explain about the card sizes. I do some times have a hard time figuring out what sizes to make everything but usually manage to make it work. If it comes to stating card sizes or not your great tutorials telling us everything else please just do your usual tutorials. They are so helpful and I appreciate all your info. Don't want you not enjoying your posting!
Hi Theresa ~ I have been a fan and subscriber of yours for a long time and I was glad to get this latest info from you. Your cards are always an inspiration and I even tried CASEing one, which I will give you credit for when I post it. Your style is amazing and I DO appreciate your tutorials and your latest about sizing...Thank you SO much for sharing your art work...your inspiration to me and to others is s treasure!!
I'd love it if more people DIDN'T post the measurements. Just seems like blog clutter to me! It's just not that hard to make everything proportionate.
Thanks for all your beautiful work!
Unless it's a 3D item size does not matter to me. As I grow in my own card making, I have to make a size that works best for the purpose of the card. In doing so, I have discovered that it's easier to make a 4 1/2 x 5 1/2", and I make those for gifts, thank yous or get wells. but I'm doing bday cards for DH's work and 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 is dictated by the space needed for all employees to sign them. I do a lot of die cutting and or stamping and the images chosen dictate the fold orientation, but scenery cards seem to be my favourite. I appreciate and enjoy your tutorials So Much. Just enjoyed a tut by your mom on MFP today. Someone else figured out it was your mom. ;)
It is so good of you to share as much as you do share with us. Your work is one of the bests. There have been times I wondered what size you used if it looked larger than usual, but for those who feel the real need for size maybe just give the base size and we can all figure it out from there for the rest. I'm just grateful to see how you make your beautiful cards with the step by step you do give us. Thank you so much for all you do.
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