Welcome to class 1 of our Card Making 201 series! In this series, we’ll explore easy techniques to elevate your card making skills. If you’re new to card making and looking to learn the basics, we recommend starting with our Card Making 101 series, where we introduce the fundamentals in a simple and approachable way. For those ready to advance, this class is all about using Designer Series Paper (DSP) to enhance your designs. We’ll focus on creating cards that feature DSP as the focal point, paired with a stamped sentiment to suit any occasion. With five unique layouts, you’ll see how beautifully printed papers can simplify the design process keeping card making both fun and effortless!
In class 1 of our Card Making 201 series, you’ll learn different ways to design with DSP that include:
- How to cut one 6″ x 6″ piece of DSP to create two cards
- The cut & flip technique
- Cutting out pieces for focal images
- Using DSP to decorate your envelopes
- Letting the beautifully printed papers be the focus of your card
Want to learn more easy techniques to improve your card making? CLICK HERE for our full Card Making 201 series, where we introduce simple techniques and fun new tools to make your handmade cards stand out.
Card Making 201, Class 1
In this video class, I (Jackie, an experienced card maker) teach Jesi (my daughter, a beginner card maker) a few easy card layouts to design with DSP. We’re advancing on her skills learned in Card Making 101 to learn simple ways to step up her handmade cards. We hope that if you’re also a beginner card maker you can learn alongside Jesi and build your knowledge and confidence as she does.
There’s a lot more information shared in the video class than what’s written below. So make sure to give it a watch to learn everything you need to know to design with DSP confidently!
CLICK HERE to browse and shop available Designer Series Paper.
*Reminder: All these cards can be made using any DSP, shop for your favorite!
Design With DSP Card Details & Measurements
Here are the first two cards we made in the video class. These were made by cutting one piece of 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper by following the below cutting diagram. TIP: Cut any 12″ x 12″ DSP in quarters to be 6″ x 6″ DSP! These were made with the Wildly Flowering Designer Series Paper and you can CLICK HERE for the full supply list to make these cards. Make sure to watch the video class for tips on the sentiments.
Card 1 Measurements:
- Crumb Cake Card Base: 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
- Designer Series Paper: 2″ x 5 1/2″
- Basic White: 2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ and scrap for sentiment
- Early Espresso: Scrap for sentiment layer
Card 2 Measurements:
- Crumb Cake Card Base: 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
- Designer Series Paper: 3 3/4″ x 5″
- Basic White: 3 7/8″ x 5 1/8″ and scrap for sentiment
- Early Espresso: Scrap for sentiment layer
This second design with DSP layout uses the cut & flip technique. This layout is actually Template #3 from our Card Making Templates series. TIP: Not every sheet of DSP works great for this technique, check both sides of the paper before trying. This card was made with the To Market Designer Series Paper and you can CLICK HERE for the full supply list. Make sure to watch the video class for bow tying tips!
Card Measurements:
- Crumb Cake Card Base: 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
- Designer Series Paper: 3″ x 3″
- Cut & Flip 1/2″
- Blackberry Bliss: 3 1/8″ x 3 1/8″
- Basic White: Scrap for sentiment
Our third design with DSP layout focused on cutting out images from DSP to be the focal image of your card. So instead of stamping and coloring flowers I fussy cut out the bouquet of flowers. All of these different prints came from the To Market Designer Series Paper. This card has the same supply list as the card above, only addition was using a circle punch for the sentiment! Make sure to watch the video class for how to add the DSP to your envelope!
Card Measurements:
- Basic Beige Card Base: 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
- Designer Series Paper: 4″ x 5 1/4″ and 2 1/4″ x 3 1/2″
- Blackberry Bliss: 2 3/8″ x 3 5/8″
- Basic White: Scrap for sentiment
And for our last Design with DSP layout talked about in this class we have a very simple quick & easy card you can make! There are many beautifully designed papers available, like this one from the Splendid Autumn Designer Series Paper. This pack was designed with hand-painted scenes that you will not want to cut apart. So, we maximized the floral scene to be the focus of the card!
Card Measurements:
- Crumb Cake Card Base: 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
- Designer Series Paper: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ and 3 3/4″ x 5″
- Cajun Craze: 3 7/8″ x 5 1/8″
- Basic White: Scrap for sentiment
More Easy Design With DSP Projects
WOW – that was a lot of cards! But I’m not done sharing. Designer Series Paper cards are some of the quickest and easiest cards you can make, and I make them all the time! And if you’re just starting out making handmade cards, I recommend you give Designer Series Paper a try! CLICK HERE to browse all papers available. And check out some of these past DSP projects I have shared for more inspiration!
Learn More Easy Techniques To Step Up Your Card Making
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Hi Jackie & Jesi,
First off, a very happy New Years to you both. Jackie, I started watching your videos approximately 10 years ago when I first became interested in card making. As I recall, at that time, you were teaching and creating videos on your own. I enjoyed each and every video you posted and in a short period of time, I became addicted to learning the art of crafting cards. I didn’t have much to invest in what I needed, but what I did have was stolen in a robbery. I moved to New York shortly thereafter and am now caring for my 90 year old mother. So having much time available to me now, I googled you through YouTube and was happy you are still doing what you’re so passionate about. And to now see Jesi working next to you has lifted my spirits to start over again. The two of you are not only very funny together, but you compliment the skills of working together as a team and are so helpful in lifting beginners such as me. Thank you 😊 for your clarity and expertise in sharing your skills with others. I admire you both and look forward to watching you on a daily basis. I’m not sure how to order a catalog so I have a reference to ideas and colors to work with, including paper, ink and other options that would help me order and get started once again. If you wouldn’t mind sending me an email on how to order a catalog, I would greatly appreciate your help in obtaining what’s needed to start our mutual craft . Good luck to you both, thank you for the time you both share with others in teaching. Please keep the sense of humor that make others smile 😊. I’m glad I found you again. Can’t wait to start creating again.
Best,
Rhonda Slavin
Hi Rhonda, your message certainly warms my heart and put a smile on my face reading it. I will reach out via email to get your address to send you a catalog. Jackie