Let's Get Sketchy: Card Making Layouts

13 March 2009

Author: Elaine Trout

When you are ready to create a card, sketching a layout before you start is a great way to visualize your ideas. You don’t have to be an artist to do a simple pencil sketch. Card making layouts can save not only time, but materials too, since it allows you to see what shapes you will need and what images and papers might work best with the layout.

The sketch pictured above uses simple geometric shapes and layers and it is a layout that will work well with many different stamps.

This vertical Father’s Day card was created from the layout sketch. The medallion images work well on the circles and the train and greeting stand out on the large rectangle.


By simply turning the layout you can create a horizontal card with a completely different look. The tile letters jump out as the main focus of this card and the round birthday candle image fits perfectly on the circles.


Finally, we went back to the vertical layout for this all-occasion card. The small flower motifs and brads make great accents on the circles and enhance the images on the large rectangle.


As you can see, one simple layout provided inspiration for several styles of cards. You can make subtle changes to a layout to make it suitable for any occasion. Try making your own card from this layout or take out a sheet of paper and sketch card making layouts all your own!