I’ve been creating handmade cards longer than I’ve been scrapbooking. Not much longer, but that’s where my creative passion started and now 7 years later I still make all my own greeting cards. Whether it’s to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, holidays or just to simply say “Hi”. One thing I learned early on in cardmaking is that it can be quite time consuming (like all hobbies), one way to make this simpler is to use sketches!

Happy Birthday Beginner Project by Di Hickman Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: Step-by-step instructions Mail a link to this project to a friend

Card sketches can be found all over the web, and there have also been several books and magazine sections dedicated to card sketches. There are sketches available in all sizes but really you don’t have to stretch the imagination to make a rectangular sketch fit a square card and vice versa. One thing to remember with sketches is that they are just a starting point. You can use them directly “as is” copying the design exactly or you can use them as a jumping point for your creativity and use them as inspiration. In the example below I took the existing sketch and simply moved the vertical panel and sentiment, this gives a whole new look to the sketch!

Sincere Thank You Beginner Project by Di Hickman Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: Step-by-step instructions Mail a link to this project to a friend

As you can see the sketch takes on whole new look, yet the design elements are completely the same, all that’s different is a slight change in placement. Also remember to rotate and flip to give your sketches more options. An example of this is shown below when I took the ‘new’ sketch and simple rotated the sketch 180 degrees and to balance the card I moved the sentiment placing, though again that placement is just a suggestion.

Thanksgiving Beginner Project by Di Hickman Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: Step-by-step instructions Mail a link to this project to a friend

Sketches really can make card making quick and easy. Especially if you are in a creative rut and need some inspiration! Just do a web search for “card making sketches” and you’ll find lots online! Or check out a book or magazine! There are so many sources for inspiration, so get busy and get creating!

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