Do you ever need some quick cards using minimal supplies? I have been traveling recently, and as always, I brought along a bunch of crafty projects to work on. Packing supplies for traveling is always a challenge because you know (if you have a craft room) how you need ALL the stuff, right? I carefully chose my most recent Paper Pumpkin Kit, Sweet Sunflowers, and additional colors to use with the amazing sunflower stamp set. Here is the amazing thing that happens when you give yourself some supply parameters – you get creative!!!!!! I will be showing you the cards I’ve made on vacation using minimal supplies and the 4 in 1 Stampin’ Down the Middles Technique. Enjoy!
Download the pdf for directions specific to this project, and watch the quick video to see the process for this 4 in 1 Stampin’ Down the Middles technique.
Supplies
- 1 sheet of 8.5” x 11” Basic White cardstock
- 4 card bases 5 1/2” x 8 1/2” in a coordinating cardstock
- 4 coordinating cardstock layers 4-1/8” x 5-3/8”
- Stamp images of varied sizes that can be stamped collage style.
- 4-5 ink pad colors that coordinate
- 4 punched or die cut shapes for greeting
- Ribbon or embellishments of choice
- Optional: Embossing Folder
Directions
- Trim 0.5” from each edge of the Basic White cardstock
- Very lightly score the cardstock down the middle of each side. Score at 4” on the short edge and 5.25” on the long edge. These score lines serve to guide the stamping placement.
- Starting with the largest of the images (sunflower), choose one of the ink colors and stamp that image along the score lines in both directions making sure some part of the image in each quadrant at least 3 times. Pro Tip: Turn the image a quarter turn each time your re-ink it and stamp.
- Take the next largest image (leaf) and a different ink pad color and repeat step 3. I masked each sunflower before adding the leaves around it.
- Continue this process with all the remaining images and colors being used until the score lines/inside edges of the quadrants are full. Work from largest to smallest image (branch, “thank you”, bees).
- Cut on the score lines to create 4 card fronts.
- OPTIONAL: Use embossing folder on each card front.
- Attach card fronts to cardstock layers and then add to card bases. Use punches or dies to stamp main greeting and pop up onto card front.
- Add ribbon or embellishments.
This simple technique can be used with ANY stamp set and ANY colors! You literally have the supplies in your hands to try this technique and be successful! Make yourself a bunch of cards ASAP and have a ton of fun creating!
