This card is one of the four designs that I created to go in the gift bag that I shared yesterday. For each of the cards I created 2 to go in the bag and several more to send this year. This was the first card that I created to go in the bag. To get my creativity flowing I started with a card design that is my go-to when I need a bit of uncomplicated stamping. This card layout features pretty patterned paper and it is great for 12″ x 12″ sheets because there is only a little left over after making a batch of cards. Add a stamped greeting and some ribbon and you’ve got several pretty hand-stamped cards in no time.

Here are the measurements for the layers so you can recreate this at home for any occasion:

  • Basic White Thick – 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Real Red – 5 1/8″ x 3 7/8″
  • Basic White – 5″ x 3 3/4″
  • Patterned Paper – 3 1/2″ x 3 3/4″
  • Ribbon – 2 pieces, 5″ and 4″

I stamped the greeting using my trusty Stamparatus so that it would be positioned perfectly on all of my cards. For this card I dug through my past Paper Pumpkin stamps and found a greeting that was just the right size. To get the stamp aligned I positioned the patterned paper over the Basic White cardstock (I didn’t glue it down yet) so I could easily stamp it in the available space and not have any of the stamped image cut off. After the ink dried I glued down the patterned paper aligning the edges to the stamped Basic White layer and glued that to the Real Red mat. I wrapped the 5″ piece of ribbon around the card layer and used Scotch tape to adhere the ends to the back. Then I tied the 4″ piece around that ribbon and trimmed the ends. Glue all that to the card base and you have a quick and simple card!

You could easily substitute a thin strip of glimmer paper, foil or cardstock instead of the ribbon to reduce the bulk. Especially with cardstock you can have an element that will coordinate with the card without needing the perfect ribbon on hand. I have a large stash of retired ribbons, and I was happy to pull some out and put it to use. You could also dress up the card by adding some additional bling like rhinestones or pearls to make it a little fancier. I decided to stick with a basic, clean & simple design for this card. All options are great – as long as you are having fun creating.

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