Two for One

Today’s post doesn’t contain new cards I’ve made but it does show two of my favorite cards from last year.  They both use the Autumn Harvest stamp set that I still adore.  I’m going to let you look at them before I keep ‘chatting’ about them.

So did you see some similarities?  The obvious one is the stamp set used is the same.  But take another look at the layout.  The layout of the two pumpkins, the leaf, and the gourd are all exactly the same.  The layers are the same: (a) the middle layer has a 1/8" thickness around the main image, (b) the bottom layer has a 1/4" thickness and (c) there is what I term a ‘grounding piece’ on both cards with a simple strip of chocolate chip cs.  They both use sentiments, one off to the corner and the other off to the side.  And they both have something stamped on the background card base.  The main difference is the one embellishment.  The Halloween card has the jack-o-lantern face and the Thanksgiving card has the paper piercing.  And I bet if one was to send both of these cards to a loved one, chances are he/she would be impressed by both and not even realize you’d sent them almost the same card!

The point is, don’t feel like you have to constantly reinvent the wheel.  Take a layout you love and use it and use it and use it and use it!   It doesn’t have to be so similarly matched like these two cards happen to be.  You can choose totally different stamp sets, colors, and embellishments and stick with the same layout over and over again and people will love and appreciate that you’ve taken the time to make them a one of a kind card!

So go grab a card you really like and see if you can’t create another, similar, yet different one and let me know how it goes!!  Feel free to e-mail me pictures and I’ll post them here on my blog!  Happy Stamping everyone.