Creative Distraction: Simple Card Design Formula

This is a pretty and simple card. The best kind, right? And it's a design formula you can use over and over again.

Card design formula:

1. Create a card base with a background paper layer.

2. Add a decorative strip. The decorative strip grounds the focal point so it's not just floating in space and the look is more pleasing to the eye.

3. Layer the focal element on top of the decorative strip.

That's it. Now you can keep it simple or add embellishments to make it extra special.

Specific formula:

Simply cut a background 4" x 5 1/4" to layer on top of your 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card base. In this case I used a Melon Mambo background on a Basic Black base. To add a little interest, the Melon Mambo cardstock was run through the Big Shot in the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder.

The decorative strip is Whisper White cs measuring 1 1/4" x 4". This was repeatedly stamped with the 'love' heart from I {Heart}Hearts stamp set and my favorite ribbon was tied around that. This Organza Ribbon is a must have! It looks good on almost everything and I love it.

The large heart image from the SAB Sprinkled Expressions stamp set (FREE with a $50 product order during SAB 2012) was stamped in Melon Mambo and the expression was stamped in black StazOn ink. This was punched out with the large scallop punch and layered on the black cs punched out with the large circle punch.

All of that would have made a cute card, but adding the little glitter heart just makes it extra special.

Check out the product list below.