Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Clean and Simple Stamping - Wonderful One Layer Cards

Hello stampers! It's the end of the month and time for another installment of Clean and Simple Stamping. 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, more 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! Please share your creations with us by leaving a link in your comments - we love seeing your artwork!

26 comments:

  1. Awesome cards, I just love clean and simple cards sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love layers and somewhat complicated cards but your cards have really sparked some ideas for really quick, easy yet very lovely cards. The free hand pen outline is wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing you beautiful cards!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Flip. ing. out! I can't tell you how great this is and your timing is AWESOME!!!! I have all of this and wanted to add a Freaking Out stamp opportunity to my customers who have waited till the last minute to do their Christmas cards .... this is it!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. These are fantastic Robin! I love the them! {SMILES}

    ReplyDelete
  5. Incredible! Wish I had time to play today. Love the colors and creativity. Think we will put our groups to it next time we meet. Maybe they can get creative on their own. Thanks - Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks so much for going simple. This is just a beautiful idea.
    I believe I'll try to think up som Christmas cards now.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  7. WOW Robin..... I think you may have inspired a class for me!! They are all gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  8. absolutely LOVE everything about these cards. Thanks for the inspiration ~ I'd better get creating and I totally agree with Lee...I see a clean & simple class coming in the near future ~ :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! These are so simple, yet make such a gorgeous impact!

    ReplyDelete
  10. awesome cards!!!!! Thanks for your tips!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love this!! Thanks so much for a great idea - got some teacher gifts to make and these would work. Love the colors for the Fall Foliage car - so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Holy Moly Lady!!! These are super super Beautiful and just wanted I needed to see since I need to make lots and lots of cards for an upcoming craft fair I am in. Love love love all of them and I hope you don't mind me casing you!!!! Love ya girlfriend!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. These are great cards Robin, Thanks for sharing and for giving all of us great inspiration

    ReplyDelete
  14. These are so gorgeous- thanks for sharing your talent!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I made 2, here http://jesscraft.blogspot.com/2010/10/party-this-way-done-three-ways.html
    Jess

    ReplyDelete
  16. These are beautiful! I'll have to give them a try. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  17. One layer cards always scare me, but I LOVE the look everyone else achieves. Gave it a try myself -thanks for the inspiration!
    Cat’s Creation

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Robin, I love the fall card so much I cased it and we made it at our thursday club meeting. If you have a chance Check out how inspired we were with your CAS design at http://stampinginbedford.blogspot.com/2010/11/thursday-stamping-club-november-meeting.html. Thank you for sharing your CAS ideas.
    Priscilla

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi! I've just posted some of this type of card! thanks for the ideas, keep them coming, I'm completely addicted!! THX

    stampininmandyland.blogspot.com/2011/02/attempts-for-c-christmas-cards.html

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have never seen such like before this one its looking amazing simple designing great color combination....
    Plastic card printing
    Plastic cards

    ReplyDelete