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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

One Layer Cards - Simply Lovely!

Hello stampers! Over at the Stamping 411 blog one of my jobs is creating another installment of Clean and Simple Stamping each month. Since my artwork for this feature over there posted today, I thought I'd share it with you all here too! This month, I decided to focus on creating fabulous One-Layer cards and well, I was having so much fun, I got a little carried away!

At first you wouldn't think that a One-Layer card could have much personality - after all, it is just ONE layer - but with a little creative use of your stamps, inks and occasionally markers, you really can make gorgeous FLAT cards!

This first card begins simply with a piece of Naturals Ivory cardstock and a matching Medium Envelope. I cut the cardstock at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and folded it in half to make a standard A2 size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").

Using my French Foliage stamp set and four colors of ink pads - Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake and More Mustard - I inked the stamps and added the impressions collage style to the lower right corner of the folded card. The large leaf was stamped using the Rock-n-Roll technique by first inking it with More Mustard, then rolling the edges in Cajun Craze - I just LOVE that look, especially with these colors. The greeting, from the Because I Care stamp set, was inked with Old Olive and added to the left of the leaf collage.
To add the 'idea' of a layer, without really adding one, I simply took the fine point of my Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker and drew lines freestyle around the edges of the card front.
After adding some leaf images to the envelope and inside of the card it was done and honestly, in less than 5 minutes! Now who doesn't love that?!

So, since I had SO much time left, I decided to pull out my pre-scored Note Cards with Envelopes and make a seasonal set of cards using this same design idea.
These Note Cards are a bit smaller folded (3 1/2" x 5") but make wonderful Thank You's or Gift Enclosures. And yes, you can mail them!
I did the first one using the same fall stamps and colors:

The next is for Winter and uses the Serene Snowflakes stamp set with Bashful Blue, Marina Mist and Night of Navy. This would be lovely with a bit of Vanilla Smooch Spray too!

Then I moved on to Valentine's Day and pulled out the I {heart} Hearts stamp set along with Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink and Rose Red - too cute!

Then I reached for Fifth Avenue Floral and did a Spring/Summer card with Pear Pizazz, Concord Crush and Daffodil Delight. I love how crisp this looks!

Ok, now I've been stamping for about 20 minutes - mainly because I took time to clean and put away my supplies between each card and I thought, well, I have a bit more time here so let's try one more thing - a One-Layer Debossed Panel card.

This was sooo easy I almost feel silly telling you how to do it! First I cut a piece of cardboard backing from a package of Designer paper at 3" x 4 1/2". Then, using a bit of Dotto (removable adhesive) I attached it to the middle of a folded Note Card and flipped it over. I then took my stylus and rubbed all around the cardboard edge on the opposite side of the cardstock, causing a raised frame to appear on the side of the cardstock that the cardboard was adhered to.
Once I finished, I removed the cardboard and removed the Dotto residue with my Adhesive Eraser. Then, I stamped my images - super easy!
Here, take a look:

I couldn't resist adding a little bling to this one so it has some Dazzling Diamonds on the flower and a couple of Rhinestone Jewels accenting the greeting.

So there you have it, something Clean and Simple that's quick and easy but still has impact.
I hope you'll take some time this week to try out a Clean and Simple card - it's very freeing for your creativity and your time limits too!

Have a great Wednesday everyone - see you back here tomorrow!
~~Robin

20 comments:

  1. Robin,
    I absolutely love these cards!!! Thank you so much for sharing!! I am always looking for quick and easy thank-yous for customers and what a great heads up for the upcoming holidays and even better I have the stamps!!

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  2. Absolutely stunning GF! How exciting! Amazing job!

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  3. Man Robin! I needed this today! I think it's easy to get lost in all the "bells and whistles" and forget just how elegant one layer cards can be.

    Thanks for the inspiration. Great job!!

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  4. Robin- you are the woman-these are great- and perfect for Christmas gifts for teachers, babysitters, caregivers,a hostess gift- a wonderful idea for the holidays--thank you---Miss you

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  5. Thank you for sharing! Love these!! Hope it's okay to case?

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  6. Thank you for sharing! Love these!! Hope it's okay to case?

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  7. Hi Robin, I cased you and gave you all the credit. :-)
    http://falalacards.blogspot.com/2010/10/yesterday-i-was-looking-at-blog-of.html

    ~Laura

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  8. Robin, these are gorgeous. I find it so hard to do "clean and simple." For me it just doesn't come easy at all. So guess what? I will be CASEing yours, as they are beautiful!! Thank you.
    Sandi Dailey
    gdailey@concentric.net

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  9. These are gorgeous! Clean & Simple is not one of my easiest to go. I always go overboard but I can do these! Definitely will be casing these since French Foliage is one of my absolute favorite sets! Thanks so much for sharing these with us!

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  10. These are wonderful, Robin. I just ordered the French Foliage stamp set this week, after resisting for way too long. I'm so glad I'll have it so I can case your leaf card! TFS!

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  11. Just too darned stinkin' clever. These are gorgeous!!

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  12. Just too darned stinkin' clever. These are gorgeous!!

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  13. Gorgeous..elegant and simple!! Wonderful for SAS!! or when you need a card in a hurry!! TFS!

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  14. Hi Robin. Thanks for sharing these. I've been so busy I haven't had time to get over to Stampin 411 and I've missed it. Thanks for sharing. I may have to try something similar.

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  15. Lovely cards Robin! I love your choice of layouts and colors. You really have done a great job making these look classy!

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  16. Love all the cards, I need to do some of these little beauties, thanks for the reminder that less is more!!

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  17. These cards are simply elegant and beautifully done, Robin. Great examples of less is more!

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  18. Hi Robin,
    Just want you to know that this card inspired me to order that stamp set. Beautiful cards and technique!! Thanks for sharing!

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