Sketch-Inspired Birthday Cards

Are you participating in the current Stay Crafty with Hero sketch challenge?

Sometimes my inspiration for a card starts with a new stamp or a new die, but other times, I love starting with a card sketch. I enjoy the challenge of recreating the layout with my existing supplies and I love exploring different ways to interpret the design. Today I’m sharing a pair of birthday cards that I made using the challenge sketch.

For my first card, rather than layering a paper strip onto the background, I decided to create a colorful strip on a piece of Dove White cardstock by masking a vertical stripe, the same width and position as in the sketch, and then applying vibrant ink colors to the area. I applied Taffy, Creamsicle, Lemon Drop and Green Apple Reactive inks and then splattered the ink with water to resemble confetti. Once dry, I secured the panel to a Meadow card base, leaving a narrow border as suggested in the sketch.

The card sketch also includes a rectangle panel behind a die cut shape near the center of the card. Since this panel is positioned partially over the background strip, I decided to use a vellum panel so that I wouldn’t fully obstruct the background color. I used the Nesting Rectangle Infinity Die closest in size to the sketch to cut the vellum.

In lieu of the single die cut shape suggested in the sketch, I stamped and die cut a few images. I used Intens-ified Black ink to stamp a dachshund and a balloon from the Birthday Paw-ty set and a gift box from the From the Vault Birthday set. I used the matching Frame Cuts and small scissors to quickly cut around the images. After coloring the shapes with markers, I secured them to the vellum panel with adhesive.

Next, using Embossing & Watermark ink and white embossing powder, I embossed a sentiment from the From the Vault Birthday set, onto a small panel of Pitch Black cardstock that I positioned on the vellum panel, using the sketch as a placement guide. I also stamped a trio of colored stars from the Surprise Gift set and cut around them with the coordinating die. I added a pair of green enamel dots before securing the panel to the card with foam tape.

Using many of the same supplies, I made a second sketch-inspired card. To create the background, I stamped the large Wish Big Peek-A-Boo Parts stamp with Moss ink onto a trimmed strip of Meadow cardstock. Then, I secured this strip between panels of Dove White and Kiwi cardstock on a card base, creating a tricolored background.

For the rectangle element of the sketch, I applied Taffy and Creamsicle ink onto a piece of white cardstock, splattered it with water, and then used one of the Tag Infinity Dies to cut a tag. I tied a small bow through the hole and secured the tag to the card with foam tape. Similar to my first card, I stamped, die cut and colored a collection of birthday images and a punny, embossed sentiment from the Birthday Paw-ty set.

I had so much fun making these cards, I hope that you’re inspired to use this sketch to create a card or two. We’d love to see the creative ways that you’ve used the layout as a starting point for your card designs. There’s still time to join the current challenge. Entries can be submitted until Thursday, June 11 at 5:00 pm PT to be eligible for the $35 gift certificate giveaway.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Wishing you a wonderful, crafty day!

Click on products to shop:
CM439 Birthday Paw-ty - Hero Arts
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DI743 Birthday Paw-ty Frame Cuts (C)...
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CM360 From the Vault Birthday - Hero...
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CM435 Surprise Gift - Hero Arts
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DI744 Surprise Gift Frame Cuts (B) -...
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CM418 Wish Big Peek-A-Boo Parts -...
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DI198 Nesting Rectangle Infinity Dies...
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DI197 Tag Infinity Dies (H) - Hero Arts
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AF420 Taffy Reactive Ink - Hero Arts
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AF422 Creamsicle Reactive Ink - Hero...
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AF423 Lemon Drop Reactive Ink - Hero...
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AF425 Green Apple Reactive Ink - Hero...
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AF343 Moss Bold Ink - Hero Arts
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AF435 Intens-ified Black Ink Pad -...
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AF419 Clear Embossing & Watermark Ink...
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PW110 White Embossing Powder - Hero Arts
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PS325 Hero Hues Dove white - Hero Arts
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PS328 Hero Hues Premium Cardstock...
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PS308 Hero Hues Premium Cardstock...
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PS323 Hero Hues Premium Cardstock...
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PS772 Classic Vellum Layering Paper...
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CH323 Greens Hero Hues Enamel Dots -...
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  • Michele W

    Love the way you interpreted the sketch when making these cards. You even kept the layers to a minimum as well for the first card. I’m not usually a fan of splattering water on shaded backgrounds but love the use here as it really does give the impression of confetti. The use of vellum on the first card was a nice touch, too. Both cards are fun and colorful. Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Carol Wortman

    These cards are adorable and beautiful! Each one has such a sweet personality! I really Love the movement you added to them! Need a couple cards soon, thanks for doing all my thinking!! ❤❤❤🐕

  • Karen F.

    These are just so cute and I love the colors! Great example of how these stamps and dies mix and match so well. A former co-worker has a dachshund and always made the most amazing cupcakes for Team meetings, so I cannot wait to use these as inspiration In a few months for her birthday card.

  • Linda W. (ScrappinBari)

    Darling doggie cards, Jayne! Just love all your layers & how you colored the pups!

  • Henriëtte

    Gorgeous cards Jayne, the dogs are so cute, I love them.
    Thank you so much for sharing, stay safe and have a wonderful day.