welcome to a muse u! class is in session...
today's topic: creating cards of non-traditional size and shape
when i sit down to stamp, i often play it easy and reach for a 4 bar base card to begin. i do love easy. after all, "think simple. think a muse." is what led me here! i'm happy to report that the a muse u challenge to create non-traditioinal size and shape cards was just what i needed to take a break from my 4 bar habit! in addition to the motto, one of the things i love about a muse is the relatively small size of the images. they're great for scene building, stamping multiples, and adding small focal images to sentiments. and they're perfect for mini cards. although it's been a while, i make mini cards for gifts quite a bit, so that's where i decided to start.
in addition to the collection of images above, i chose a variety of a muse papers. the new and growing 8.5 x 11 collection is perfect for making your own cards of any shape and size. since i was focusing on minis for two of my cards, i also pulled out my scrap box. i try hard not to keep every scrap, but i do keep those that are still a good size for stamping on and layering. i work hard to limit myself to only the one box!
my first card is a mini fold over gift enclosure, measuring 2 x 3.5, traditional calling card or business card size. since i had my 10 year old's upcoming birthday in mind, i decided to make it a happy birthday gift card, using her favorite color as the backdrop. oddly enough, i reached for stamps that are a little bigger than the norm in a muse world, but i love how they fill the space. cupcake builder has great open spaces for paper piecing and a muse has the perfect colors and patterns to make it look yummy!
if i'm thinking of non-traditional shapes, my mind quickly goes to the square. while it's not really a non-traditional shape, it's popularity comes and goes, especially as a full size card, since postal machines don't realize that it's hip to be square. if you're worried about extra postage, how about making mini squares to put on gifts? no postage necessary! this gift card measures 3 x 3, cut from a full sheet of card stock, and fits perfectly in a muse's new square mini envelopes. a muse has definitely supported my square habit over the years and i'm excited about this new addition to product line up!
finally, i can't create cards of varying shapes and sizes without cutting a shape card with my nestabilities! i've made many scallop circles and squares, but this time i was drawn (ha! ha!) to the bracket look of labels one. it made the perfect frame for my notebook sketches, pencils at the ready to color them in. i have to say this was the first time i saw this pencil as a colored pencil--until now, it's always been a yellow #2! when cutting a card with nestabilities or any other die, you have to be sure to place your die off the folded edge, leaving the fold in tact...
so are you ready to cut into those papers and stamp something new? be sure to check out julie's and krystie's blogs for more class notes first. i always love to see how my fellow design team members tackle the same task in different ways--in fact, i know we'll learn something amazing from those two. hopefully, we've inspired you to break out of your rectangular 4 bar box and let your cards take shape in different sizes...
happy stamping!
:) lexi
