Creating greeting cards is a rewarding and therapeutic hobby, especially when it comes to making unique designs that stand out. If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to make beautiful cards, angled cards might be just what you need. Not only are they simple to create, but they also offer a visually interesting design that can make any card look special.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the process of making two gorgeous angled cards using basic supplies. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll know how to create two beautiful cards with just a single cut—how amazing is that?
Why Choose Angled Cards?
You might be wondering, why angled cards? Well, angled cards are a simple yet effective way to create a dynamic look without requiring a lot of complex techniques. The angled cut gives your card an immediate visual interest and makes it stand out in a sea of traditional designs.
The best part? You don’t need any fancy tools or precision cuts. Simply cutting at an angle is all it takes to make a design that’s both stylish and fun.
Angled cards can be made in various styles, from minimalist designs to more detailed projects, and they’re especially great for using up your Designer Series Paper (DSP) scraps or showcasing a favorite patterned paper.
So let’s get started and dive into the easy steps for making two angled cards in no time!
Supplies You’ll Need
Before we start creating our angled cards, let’s make sure we have the right materials. Here’s a list of the basic supplies I used:
- Basic White Thick Cardstock (8 ½” x 11”)
- This cardstock will form the base of your cards. You’ll be able to cut it in half to make two card bases.
- Painted Christmas Designer Series Paper (4 ¼” x 4 ¼”)
- I used this beautiful DSP to add a decorative touch to my angled cards. It’s the perfect size to work with and adds a festive feel.
- Evening Evergreen Cardstock (¼” x 11”)
- This will be used for the accent strip on the card. It’s a simple, elegant choice to complement the other colors.
- Stampin’ Up! Ink Pads and Stamps (Optional)
- You can use any stamps and ink you like to add sentiments to your cards. For my design, I used a Christmas stamp set to give it a festive vibe.
- Paper Trimmer
- You’ll need a paper trimmer for cutting and scoring the cardstock.
- Adhesive
- Any strong adhesive (such as Stampin’ Seal or liquid glue) will work to adhere your layers and elements together.
- Bone Folder (Optional)
- This tool helps to create crisp, clean folds in your cardstock.
With these basic supplies in hand, we’re ready to start making the cards!
Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Make 2 Angled Cards
Step 1: Cut and Score Your Cardstock
Start by taking your Basic White Thick Cardstock (8 ½” x 11”). You’re going to cut it into two card bases:
- Cut the cardstock at 5 ½” across the width to make two card bases. This will give you two pieces measuring 5 ½” x 8 ½”.
- Score each piece at 4 ¼” along the length. This will create the fold in the center of each card. Use a bone folder to create a sharp crease along the fold.
Now, you have two blank card bases ready for your angled design!
Step 2: Prepare Your Designer Series Paper
Next, we’ll work with the Painted Christmas Designer Series Paper (4 ¼” x 4 ¼”). This is the square piece of paper that will become the focal point of your card. For this design, I chose a square shape, but you can experiment with different dimensions depending on the look you’re going for.
To add the angled effect, we’re going to cut the DSP at a diagonal:
- Place your DSP on the paper trimmer and line up one corner at the cutting edge.
- Cut at an angle from one corner to the opposite corner. This will give you two triangular pieces of DSP.
Repeat this step for both card bases. You now have two angled pieces of DSP that will perfectly complement your card layout.
Step 3: Assemble Your Cards
Now it’s time to put your cards together! The first step is to attach your angled DSP pieces to the card base.
- Take one of your angled DSP pieces and place it along the bottom edge of your card base. You’ll have one half of your DSP glued to the left side of the card and the other half to the right side, creating a diagonal cut across the card.
- Once you’re happy with the placement, use your adhesive to secure the DSP onto the card base.
Repeat this step for the second card base. Now, you have the basic structure of your cards!
Step 4: Add an Accent Strip
For a touch of elegance and balance, we’ll add an accent strip using Evening Evergreen cardstock (¼” x 11”).
- Cut the Evening Evergreen cardstock to ¼” x 11”.
- Trim the strip to fit across the center of your card, slightly overlapping the angled DSP. The strip will run across the intersection where the two triangles of DSP meet.
- Apply adhesive to the back of the strip and glue it along the center of the card, so it bisects the two angled DSP pieces. This gives the card a clean, modern finish.
Step 5: Add Sentiment and Decorations
At this point, your card is already looking great, but you can add a sentiment and some finishing touches to personalize it.
- Stamp a sentiment on a small piece of cardstock, such as “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Birthday,” depending on the occasion. You can use a Stampin’ Up! stamp set or any other sentiment stamps you prefer.
- Cut out the sentiment and layer it onto a piece of coordinating cardstock, such as Evening Evergreen or Cherry Cobbler.
- Attach the sentiment to the card with foam adhesive to give it some extra dimension.
You can also add some embellishments, like rhinestones, ribbon, or small stamped images. I chose to add a few small holly leaves around the sentiment to give the card a festive touch.
Final Thoughts: A Simple Yet Stunning Design
And there you have it—two beautifully crafted angled cards made in just a few simple steps! The best part about this technique is how easy it is to replicate. Once you get the hang of cutting at an angle and adding a few key layers, you can make multiple cards in no time.
This layout is incredibly versatile and can be adapted for all kinds of occasions. By simply changing the DSP, colors, and sentiment, you can create birthday cards, holiday cards, or even thank you cards. The angled design is modern, fresh, and eye-catching, which makes it perfect for impressing friends and family with your creativity.
Whether you’re using Designer Series Paper or other patterned paper from your stash, the angled card design is sure to make your greeting cards stand out in a unique way.
I hope this tutorial inspired you to try making your own angled cards. It’s a fun, quick, and creative way to add a little flair to your paper crafting. Plus, by making two cards at once with just one cut, you’ll save time and effort—something we all need, especially around the holidays!
Happy crafting, and enjoy making your beautiful angled cards!
