Ideas for Using Pre-Printed Paper in Cardmaking

Hello crafters! Karen Brown here and I am delighted to be back on the Spellbinders Blog with some ideas for streamlining your creative cardmaking process. Lately, I have been incorporating a lot of pre-printed elements into my cardmaking and I love how this allows me to focus on the joy of designing.

I have two other recent posts that feature printed paper that you can read HERE and HERE.

Layering with Beautiful Papers

My first card features a simple die-cut element, Skateboarding Terry, and I used Maya’s Garden printed paper for my color inspiration. My background uses two patterns plus I used a third paper for the skateboard. For Terry, I selected teal cardstock to coordinate with the striped paper. I added craft foam between the layers of printed paper and used foam squares to attach Terry to the white panel.

Pro Tip: Use chipboard embellishments to quickly add additional interest to your project. (I used the Hello from Bayfair’s Chipboard Embellishments for card #1)

Creating Quick Cards With Printed Die-Cuts

For my 2nd card, I wanted to continue to layer with printed paper.

• With my Platinum 6, I started by die-cutting a focal point for my background with a Scallop Labels Die.
• Next, I tore three long ovals from three different papers from Maya’s Garden. I glued them to the die-cut background with a brush and matte medium, which gives a nice flat base surface.
• Using two more paper selections, I cut two bands with my paper trimmer and glued them to the bottom of the die-cut background panel.
• For my card base, I used a 6th lovely floral paper.
• For my focal point, I selected 2 blooms and 2 leaves from Maya’s Die Cuts. They coordinate with and work great with the Maya’s Garden paper.
• I finished by adding a chipboard sentiment and 3 hearts from the Serenade of Autumn Chipboard Stickers.
• Using craft foam, I attached the die-cut panel to the floral background.

Layering with Stencils and Die Cut Elements

I love making backgrounds, so I changed things up on cards 3 and 4.

• For the card on the left, I painted bands of color with yellow, blue, and orange liquid watercolor on watercolor paper and then added additional drips from the top.
• For the card on the right, I used the “ink smoosh technique” using 4 different ink colors. If you’d like to know more about the ink smooshing process, you can read my blog post HERE.
• I wanted a mixed-media vibe, so I stenciled a few lines and splotches at the bottom of each panel with my Mark Maker #1 Stencil.
• Next, I die-cut two elements using the Texture 2 Metal Die and glued them to my background with Bearly Glue.
• I finished by adding pre-printed Maya’s Garden die cuts, chipboard embellishments, and taupe gems.

Final Thoughts

Pre-printed paper and embellishments can serve as a versatile foundation for any handmade card. They come in a variety of designs, colors, and themes, so there is something for every project. I also find that printed papers are easy to use, economical, and can inspire the colors and themes for my cards.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Karen

Spellbinders Supplies:

Other Supplies

Hero Arts Liquid Watercolors, Water Color Paper, Tonic Paper Trimmer, Matte Medium