Happy Tuesday!!! I am sharing another one of Laura’s Quick Tips today!!! It is all about basic card measurements!!! I get asked this question a lot especially at my classes since I have already done all the cutting for everyone. These measurements are stuck in my head as I use them daily. Here and there I modify and go with something different just to mix it up but otherwise 98% of my cards use these measurements!
For a basic card base, all you have to remember is to cut a piece of 8-1/2″ x 11″ in half. It could be in half along the 11″ side, making the cut at 5-1/2″. This will create a 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ card base. This style can open up like a calendar or to the side like a book. If you cut along the 8-1/2″ side at 4-1/4″, this creates a 4-1/4″ x 11″ card. This looks more like an easel card and again it can open up or to the side. In the photo above, I have the Grapefruit Grove card on the far left opening on the left side like a book.
When it comes to layers, I like to work with 1/4″ rather than 1/8″ mostly because I like a bit of a bigger gap to allow more color/pattern to show. Also, I am not a fan of 1/8″ as I tend to get confused and it isn’t as easy to read on my Stampin’ Trimmer! For the Gorgeous Grape card in the center, I went in a 1/4″ making the Whisper White piece 4″ x 5-1/4″. The Balmy Blue card on the far right is a 1/2″ in making it 3-3/4″ x 5″. This all depends on how much of the card base you want to show!
For additional layers on your card, I tend to go in increments that divide by 6″. This is done because Stampin’ Up’s designer paper, glimmer paper, foil paper, etc. is either 6″ x 6″ or 12″ x 12″. I don’t like to waste any of these gorgeous stuff so cutting pieces like 2″ x 4″ or 3″ square or 3″ x 4″ gives me a chance to use it all up with no waste. That is perfect to me!!!
I hope you found this helpful! Let me know in the comments if this was helpful! Also, let me know if you like to work with 1/4″ or 1/8″!
If you would like to see this all in action, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!
Happy Stampin’
~Laura