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CLEAN & SIMPLE CARDS
TM
Quick, easy projects that celebrate the basics of design theory
OVER 50
Timeless
Cards in
Minutes
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CLEAN & SIMPLE CARDS
TM
Contents
Color
Birthday Celebration From the Bottom of My Heart
7 16
Believe in Your Dreams Just a Note
8 17
Thinking of You Rhinestone Thanks
9 18
Sending Warm Thoughts Get Well Soon
10 19
With Sympathy Snowflake Trio
11 20
Song in My Heart Hugs
12 21
Miss You It’s Your Day
13 22
Happy Anniversary Happy Birthday to You
14 23
Life in Your Years conGRADulations
15 24
Pattern
Too Much Happy Happy Days
25 34
Hello Lucky Stars
26 35
Deepest Sympathy Hi
27 36
Birthday Wishes For My Friend
28 37
Simple Greetings Feel the Joy
29 38
Pack a Bag Forever Friends
30 39
Life Is a Dream Rainbow Hello
31 40
You Rock! Congratulations
32 41
Fluttery Butterflies
33
Texture & Dimension
A Birthday Note Dig You
42 51
Thank You Always on My Mind
43 52
Welcome Ba-Bee LOVE
44 53
Thanks a Latte Happy Birthday
45 54
Get Well Wishes Thanks
46 55
Hello Sunshine Dream, Create, Inspire
47 56
Thanks So Much Thoughts of You
48 57
So Sweet Birthday Balloons
49 58
Birthday Greetings Most Likely to Succeed
50 59
2 CLEAN & SIMPLE CARDS
Letter to Readers
I have had countless people tell me, “You make ‘clean As you look through this book, I challenge you to
and simple’ look so easy.” While I was sharing some look beyond the cards and the products and see how
cards on my blog, someone once made the comment the design theory and techniques are put to use. In
that my cards are “non-intimidating.” the back of the book, you will learn how to go even
further with the ideas presented by looking at each
From that point on, I knew my goal: to create and
card as a blueprint for design and converting it to
share cards that were not only easy on the budget but
your own unique design.
easy for others to re-create in a short amount of time.
I also want people to realize that “easy” is OK. The fact —Tami
that something is simple in appearance doesn’t mean
that no thought went into its design.
It appears to me that clean and simple card designs
may be among the easiest to create, and at the same
time, the most struggled-with design style of recent
times. While the definition of the style may vary from
person to person, the basic ideas of “less is more” and
“white space is your friend” remain the same. My goal
with Clean & Simple Cards is to show you how easy it
really can be.
I do not want to simply teach you to copy a card step-
by-step or use the latest and greatest products. The
ultimate goal of this book is to equip you with the basic
theories and techniques used in clean and simple card
designs. By looking past the themes and products used
and focusing on the way the cards are designed, you
will gain information that will stand the test of time and
become a go-to reference for years to come.
Designer Bio
Tami Mayberry is a wife and mother of five from the state of Missouri. She has created
hundreds of cards and has written articles for CardMaker since its premier issue in
May 2005.
Tami has created cards, scrapbook pages and altered-art designs for a variety of
Annie’s publications, including three books of her own.
When she is not working on designs and articles for our publications, you can find
Tami creating special projects for various craft-product manufacturers and working
on her graphic design skills as an illustrator for Gina K. Designs.
Visit Tami on her blog at http://tamimayberry.blogspot.com.
Introduction 3
Clean & Simple Basics
The most dominant element in a design is known Another popular version of the Rule of Thirds is
as the focal point. The focal point of any card is the sometimes referred to as the Zone Method.
component that receives the most emphasis, typically
When using the Zone Method, the project is divided
the greeting or main image. The first step in a well-
into three equal sections either horizontally or
designed card is to decide what the focal point will
vertically. Design elements are then situated within
be. This will be the whole of what the card should say
one or two of the divisions with the strongest
to the recipient.
horizontal section being the bottom section (left
Composition, the arrangement of elements, is a key card) and the far right as the most visual of the
factor in effectively spotlighting the focal point of a vertical sections (right card).
card. While the Rule of Thirds is commonly used in
the composition of photography, it is a powerful tool
when designing clean and simple cards as well. The
Rule of Thirds makes use of the theory that the human
eye is easily drawn to certain areas of a design. When
using the Rule of Thirds, imagine the card base being
divided into nine equal sections using two vertical
and two horizontal lines. The four points where these
lines intersect are the strongest focal points. The lines
themselves are the second strongest focal points.
When choosing the location of elements, position the
most important elements, or focal points, along the
lines or near the points at which they intersect. When starting out with the Rule of Thirds, a great tool
to have on hand is a piece of acetate the size of a
common card base, which has been marked with the
grid pattern. This can be placed over the design to aid
in the placement of elements. The easiest way to
create a grid like this is to print out a grid the desired
size and trace it onto the acetate with a permanent
marker. Note: For a free downloadable grid, visit http://
tamimayberry.blogspot.com.
4 CLEAN & SIMPLE CARDS
When deciding the location of the focal point, it is also be created in a variety of ways such as straight, zigzag,
important to consider the use of space. One of the curved, diagonal or circular. The lines can also vary in
most popular elements in clean and simple card thickness and design. The main factor is not the shape
design is the use of white space. While many clean of the line but the fact that it is used to lead the eye to
and simple cards are white, this actually has nothing to the card’s focal image.
do with the term white space. Every design has what is
known as positive space and negative space. Positive
space is that which contains the focal image or other
embellishments. Negative space is everything else, or
white space. This is the area devoid of visual elements,
where the eye can rest. When a card contains a
The circle of gems
considerable amount of white space, it gives a clean
draws the eye
and uncluttered feel, thus the “clean” in the term clean
to the center of
and simple. Learning to make use of this unfilled space
the card and to
and looking at it as part of the actual design is
the greeting.
probably one of the most important—and, many
times, most difficult—concepts to grasp in this type of
card design.
Negative space
Positive space
The red-and-white
twine creates a
vertical line that
leads the eye to
the greeting tag.
After deciding on the location of the card’s focal
point, the next step to consider is the use of lines.
One of the earliest concepts taught in mathematics is
that a line represents the path between two points.
Lines signify motion and direction. When viewing a
The horizontal
card, lines are the natural succession of how the eye
ribbon line
is drawn across the design. The lines are many times
moves the eye
portrayed through the use of embellishments or
across the card
fine details. Lines can be formed through items like
to the brad and
ribbon, scored lines, gems or even arrows. Lines can
sentiment.
Introduction 5
At this point, you want to answer the following
questions about your card:
What do I want the card to “say” to the
recipient?
Where will the focal point be located?
How will the viewer get to that point?
Now that the basic design layout has been
determined, it’s time for the fun part of
adding the details. Obviously, the focal
point will be the highlight of the design and
the one that receives the most emphasis.
There are a variety of ways to create and
emphasize a focal point. Some of the
most popular techniques are use of bright
or contrasting color, pops of color, large or
detailed images or surrounding the focal point with
white space to make it stand out.
When deciding on the details of a card, interest
can also be added through use of repetition, color,
patterns and texture. These elements can be applied
not only to the focal point but many times to the lines
and white space as well.
Repetition of design elements creates interest
through the use of a repeated component. The
most attention-grabbing repetition occurs when
there is variation in the chosen element. This could
mean using a shape such as a circle for multiple
components but varying the size and/or color
throughout the design. It could mean using the same embossing. Embossed patterns are a great way to
stamp image but stamping it in a variety of colors. add both interest and texture. Patterns can also be an
The same greeting in different fonts would also effective way to incorporate the use of lines.
be a good example of using varied repetition. The
Texture encompasses both the look and feel of the
important factor when using repetition to create an
card. Texture adds depth and appeal to a design.
appealing design is to use the chosen feature in a
In addition, it can also be a good way to pull in
variety of ways.
the use of repetition and patterns. Even so-called
Color is an important factor when adding detail to a non-textured designs contain a texture. They are
card design. Like the focal image, the colors chosen smooth, which in reality is a texture. Texture can
are very important in conveying the desired message. be represented through cardstock texture, fibers,
Color can be added through papers, embellishments, 3-D elements, embossing and more. Texture is very
inks, paints, markers and more. A color wheel can be a effective in creating the feel of a card. For example, a
valuable tool when choosing colors. Colors can many smooth or linen texture can be elegant and refined.
times even be chosen based on the patterned paper When striving for a more outdoorsy or masculine feel,
being used. a natural element such as jute or twine might be used.
Patterns can add interest to a design. Pattern can be For more examples of how these design elements
incorporated into a design through the use of things are put to use, be sure and watch for tips throughout
such as printed papers, stamps, embellishments and the book. ●
6 CLEAN & SIMPLE CARDS
Birthday Celebration
Design by Tami Mayberry
Form a 51/2 x 41/4-inch card
Materials 1.
from white cardstock. Round
Core’dinations cardstock:
snowflake, nightfall upper corners.
Core’dinations David Tutera Greetings
Cut a 51/4 x 4-inch piece from Use a cluster of three
Combo white die-cut panel 2.
Want2Scrap self-adhesive rhinestones: black cardstock; round all corners. multicolored gems to add
orange, turquoise, hot pink Center and adhere to card front. a pop of color to a black-
Corner rounder punch
and-white card.
SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L™: adhesive Trim “happy birthday” die-cut
foam squares, adhesive runner 3.
panel to 51/4 x 4 inches; round all
corners. Embellish panel with
rhinestones as shown. Attach
Embellishments in sets of three
panel to card front using foam
are more appealing to the eye.
squares. ●
Multiple colors add to the effect.
Color 7
Believe in Your Dreams
Design by Latisha Yoast
Form a 41/4 x 51/2-inch card from
Materials 1.
cardstock. Round bottom corners.
Gina K. Designs white cardstock
Lawn Fawn Flutter By stamp set
Stamp butterfly and sentiment
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko Memento 2.
onto card front as shown. Color Round corners of base
tuxedo black ink pad
Copic® markers: V06, V09, Y08, YR12 butterfly with markers. to add interest.
Kaisercraft tiny lilac self-
adhesive rhinestones Adhere rhinestones to card
3.
Creative Memories Corner as shown. ●
Maker punch (#610968)
Add depth to a
single-layer card
using markers
to color the
focal image.
88 CLEAN & SIMPLE CARDS
Thinking of You
Design by Michelle Woerner
Add gem accents in a
visual triangle.
Use pen details to pull the
design together and lead
the eye around the card.
Materials Form a 51/2 x 41/4-inch card from Using black ink, stamp
1. 4.
Gina K. Designs cardstock: turquoise cardstock. sentiment onto panel as shown.
white, turquoise sea
Highlight sentiment border using
Unity Stamp Co. stamp sets: The Simple Stamp leaves onto white
2. yellow marker.
Things, Flowers + Friends = Priceless
cardstock as shown using gold,
Ink pads: Clearsnap pigment
dark blue and light blue inks. Adhere stamped panel to card
(sapphire silk, curry, robin’s 5.
egg); Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko front. Embellish card front with
Trim cardstock to 51/4 x 4 inches
Memento (tuxedo black) 3. rhinestones, attaching them with
Copic® marker: YR24 around stamped images as shown.
glue pen. ●
Black fine-tip pen Using fine-tip pen and a ruler,
Pizzazz Aplenty clear
draw border around edges of
rhinestones: 2mm, 3mm
Sakura glue pen cardstock panel.
Tombow liquid glue
Color 9
