My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

My perfect cardmaking formula is something I use whenever I have a hard time coming up with a good card design. This formula or cardmaking recipe, if you will, has never let me down. It consists of ingredients and I’ll break them down for you in this video.

My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

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VIDEO TUTORIAL

Watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

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There are 5 components to an easy and perfect handmade card. I’m breaking each of them down below.

#1 BACKGROUND

A simple backdrop creates an easy and the most perfect background for a card. Typically I like to use colored cardstock for the background of my cards. It can be either a light or dark color cardstock. I try to stay away from plain white unless I am using some sort of specialty white cardstock.

My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

When you use colored paper you can either use it as is or take it up a notch by using it in conjunction with other products. I do try to keep things minimal and keep my background rather simple. I don’t want the background to take attention away from the rest of the card.

My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

  • You can dry emboss a background using an embossing folder.
  • Another option is to use a background die. It can be a regular or stitching die. If I use a stitching die I keep it unstitched, it looks a lot like die-cut lace this way.
  • One more option for you, if you have the hot foil machine, is to foil a background. Make sure your foiling is subtle, use matte foil or the same color foil as your background for a tone-on-tone look.

#2 FOCAL POINT LABEL

Next, I like to layer a simple, but interesting label over the background. The label will house the focal point for the card. I prefer to use oblong shapes for my labels for the A2 cards so that the label is somewhat proportional to the card. So for example, an oval, a diamond, or a rectangle. I try to stay away from using a circle or a square label on A2 cards.

My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

There are many different products, both dies and glimmer plates, and even stamps to help you create the perfect label to place in the center of your card.

Pick a label shape to place over your background. If I can, I like to add 2 to 3 scrap layers of cardstock underneath my labels to make them sturdier. The foiled labels, for example, were foiled on the Spellbinders Specialty Glimmer cardstock, which is rather thin, it isn’t as thick as I prefer. So I back it up with additional layers to create one sturdy die-cut. I also always use foam adhesive squares to pop the label up on the card.

My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

#3 SENTIMENT

Every card needs one, I don’t think you can have a card without a sentiment. You can create a die-cut sentiment, you can make a stamped sentiment or a foiled sentiment.

My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

The size of the sentiment matters in this formula, I try to keep the sentiment about the size of the label I am using, I try not to go any bigger as if you use a bigger sentient it will grab all of the attention on your card. Which is good in some cases, of course, but not always. I also love to use skinny strip sentiments – these are always the best because they take very little room on a card thus allowing you to add a lot more elements to your projects and they can also work as great sub sentiments to convey an additional message.

The large foiled Birthday Wishes is a sneak peek of a glimmer plate that is coming in my new collection with Spellbinders called Yana’s Blooms, it is scheduled to release in January 2022. So you guys are getting a very early sneak peek of something that’s coming.

#4 FLORALS

You add flowers to any card and the card will pop. The florals can be die-cut, they can be stamped and colored, they can be foiled – again, whatever you have in your stash, whatever type of floral product you have in your stash – use that to add flowers to your card.

My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

The idea here is to use the blooms as pops of color and also as accents on the card. I try to stick to using smaller size flowers, and smaller size leaves, and I alternate between the type of flowers I use.

My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

If you have larger size flowers, it would be best to combine those with skinny stripe sentiments, one large flower would then make a focal point for your card.

#5 EMBELLISHMENTS

And the last ingredient for my perfect cardmaking formula is a small embellishment. It can be gems, jewels, sequins, dots, whatever you prefer to use, whatever you have in your stash – just something small and sparkly to add that last bit of wow to your project.

My Perfect Cardmaking Formula for 2021. Video

So there you have it – 5 simple components to one perfect cardmaking formula. Give it a go and let me know in the comments below if this formula works for you.

SUPPLIES

I’m listing the products I used below. Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Spellbinders Circular Stitch Background Dies
Spellbinders Circular Stitch Background Dies
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SSS | SB
Spellbinders Scallops Embossing Folder
Spellbinders Scallops Embossing Folder
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SSS | SC | SB
Spellbinders Skinny Stripe Background Glimmer
Spellbinders Skinny Stripe Background Glimmer
Shop at:
SSS | SC | SB | AMZ
Spellbinders Essential Duo Lines Glimmer Ovals
Spellbinders Essential Duo Lines Glimmer Ovals
Shop at:
SSS | SC | SB
Spellbinders Essential Ovals Etched Dies
Spellbinders Essential Ovals Etched Dies
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SSS | SC | SB | AMZ
Spellbinders Diamond Floral Frame Glimmer
Spellbinders Diamond Floral Frame Glimmer
Shop at:
SSS | SC | SB
Spellbinders Fluted Classics Ovals Dies
Spellbinders Fluted Classics Ovals Dies
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SC | SB
Spellbinders Mini Blooms and Sprigs
Spellbinders Mini Blooms and Sprigs
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SSS | SC | SB | AMZ
Spellbinders Simply Perfect Layered Blooms
Spellbinders Simply Perfect Layered Blooms
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SSS | SC | SB | AMZ
Spellbinders Yana
Spellbinders Yana’s Special Sentiments Glimmer
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SSS | SC | SB | AMZ
Spellbinders Layered Mix & Match Sentiments
Spellbinders Layered Mix & Match Sentiments
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SSS
Spellbinders Vellum Sheets
Spellbinders Vellum Sheets
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SC | SB
Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine
Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine
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SSS | SC | SB | AMZ
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System
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Glimmer Hot Foil - Matte Gold
Glimmer Hot Foil – Matte Gold
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Glimmer Hot Foil Roll - Opal
Glimmer Hot Foil Roll – Opal
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SC | SB
Spellbinders Tool
Spellbinders Tool ‘n One
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Spellbinders Stylus Tips for Tool N
Spellbinders Stylus Tips for Tool N’ One
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Spellbinders Barely Peach Color Essentials Cardstock
Spellbinders Barely Peach Color Essentials Cardstock
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SB
Hero Arts Hero Hues Premium Cardstock Peony
Hero Arts Hero Hues Premium Cardstock Peony
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SSS | SC | MFT | AMZ
Spellbinders Dahlia Color Essentials Cardstock 8.5" x 11" - 10 Pack
Spellbinders Dahlia Color Essentials Cardstock 8.5″ x 11″ – 10 Pack
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SB
Spellbinders Rainforest Color Essentials Cardstock
Spellbinders Rainforest Color Essentials Cardstock
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SB
Spellbinders A2 White Card Bases - Side Fold - 25 pack
Spellbinders A2 White Card Bases – Side Fold – 25 pack
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SB
Spellbinders Glimmer Specialty Cardstock 10 Sheet Pack
Spellbinders Glimmer Specialty Cardstock 10 Sheet Pack
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Bearly Art Mini Precision Craft Glue
Bearly Art Mini Precision Craft Glue
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SSS | SB | AMZ
Spellbinders Crystal Mix Color Essential Gems
Spellbinders Crystal Mix Color Essential Gems
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SSS | SC | SB

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12 Comments

    1. This was very interesting on how you arrive at your finished projects. Sometimes you wonder where to start. Your cards are always lovely.

    1. This is q wonderful formula to follow. I think I do to a point but especially like the oval idea. have a tendency to use a rectangle most but will try the oval for change.m Thanks a lot Yana

    1. As a former engineer and indecisive in making decisions about what “looks good” in my card designs, I LOVE the idea of a formula to go by. As a previous commenter stated, your cards are always beautiful! Thank you for sharing your go-to process. I have so many wonderful stamps and dies that I get overwhelmed on what to do with them. Your formula focuses the process so the decision-making is much more manageable. Thank you so much for sharing!

    1. Well I worked all day on the small flowers you have been showing. I love them but oh so hard to work with. I think I will have to really love somebody to get the card I made today. I’m going to frame it and friends and family will get a card with maybe 3 or 4 flowers. Thanks for the inspiration. Dolores Good

    1. Starting from scratch as a card maker many years ago, I’ve had to learn the basics from artists like yourself. I’m very grateful you took the time to explain your formula along with your beautiful examples. I’ve book marked it and I’m a huge fan of your work! Thank you Yana for your help and advice for everything from A to Z and then some.

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