Card sketches are such a lovely way to sit down and create without overthinking every single piece of the card.
For Use It Up Week 12, we have a simple but very effective layout that works beautifully with a combination of Designer Series Paper, plain cardstock, dry embossing, foil accents and a stamped or die-cut focal image.
This sketch is perfect for using what is already on your craft table. You can keep it soft and simple, dress it up with foil and texture, or change the colours completely to suit the supplies you have.
The finished card front measures 10.5cm x 14.5cm, giving you a portrait card with a strong vertical panel, a circle focal backdrop and a sentiment banner across the centre.
Finished Card Size
10.5cm x 14.5cm portrait card
To make the card base:
- Cut cardstock to 29cm x 10.5cm
- Score at 14.5cm
- Fold and burnish well
Sketch Overview
This card sketch has a lovely balanced layout with:
- A narrow accent strip down the left side
- A vertical DSP panel
- A larger right-hand cardstock or embossed panel
- A large circle focal backdrop
- A stamped or die-cut image over the circle
- A sentiment banner across the centre
- Optional foil behind the sentiment
- Inside layers to give the card a polished finish
It is simple enough for beginners, but has enough layers and texture for experienced card makers to have fun too.
Cutting Measurements
Card Front Layers
Card Base / Finished Front
- 10.5cm x 14.5cm
Outer Mat Layer
- 10cm x 14cm
This layer sits on the card front and gives the whole design a neat framed look.
Panel A — Right Panel
- 9.5cm x 9cm
This is the larger right-hand panel. You can use plain cardstock, embossed cardstock, stamped cardstock or subtle Designer Series Paper.
Panel B — Left Vertical DSP Panel
- 4cm x 9cm
This panel is ideal for Designer Series Paper. Choose a pattern that coordinates with your card base and main colour theme.
Narrow Accent Strip — Far Left
- 0.5cm x 9cm
This little strip adds balance and helps frame the left side of the card. It can be cardstock, foil or a narrow DSP scrap.
Large Circle Focal Backdrop
- Approximately 6cm diameter
Use a circle die, punch or traced circle. This piece sits slightly to the right of centre and becomes the anchor for your floral, foliage or feature image.
Sentiment Banner — C
- 8cm x 1.5cm
This banner sits across the centre of the card, over the circle and focal image.
Optional Foil Mat Behind Sentiment
- 8.5cm x 1.8cm
Use gold foil, silver foil or another metallic cardstock to create a small frame behind the sentiment.
Inside Card Layers
Adding inside layers makes your card feel beautifully finished.
Inside Mat Layer
- 14cm x 10cm
Inside Writing Panel
- 13.5cm x 9.5cm
Optional Inside DSP Strip
- 4cm x 9.5cm
Optional Embossed or Plain Panel
- 9cm x 9.5cm
Supplies
You will need:
- Cardstock for the card base
- Coordinating cardstock for mats
- Designer Series Paper
- Basic White or Very Vanilla cardstock
- Gold foil or silver foil
- Circle die or punch, approximately 6cm
- Sentiment stamp
- Floral, foliage or feature stamp or die
- Embossing folder
- Ink pads
- Adhesive
- Dimensionals
- Ribbon, twine or small embellishments if desired
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 — Prepare the Card Base
Cut your cardstock to 29cm x 10.5cm.
Score at 14.5cm, then fold and burnish with a bone folder.
Your finished card front will measure 10.5cm x 14.5cm.
Step 2 — Add the Outer Mat Layer
Cut your outer mat layer to 10cm x 14cm.
Adhere this to the front of the card base, leaving an even border around all four sides.
This layer helps frame the card and gives the sketch a neat, finished look.
Step 3 — Add the Left Accent Strip
Cut a narrow accent strip to 0.5cm x 9cm.
Adhere this down the left side of the main design area.
You can use plain cardstock for a subtle look, or use gold or silver foil if you would like a little sparkle.
This is a wonderful way to use even the tiniest strip of cardstock or Designer Series Paper.
Step 4 — Add the Left DSP Panel
Cut your Designer Series Paper to 4cm x 9cm.
Adhere it next to the narrow accent strip.
This vertical panel adds pattern and colour without using a large piece of DSP, making it perfect for using scraps or favourite leftover pieces.
Choose a design that works well with your main focal image. Florals, checks, subtle prints, Christmas patterns, botanicals and soft textures would all suit this layout beautifully.
Step 5 — Create Panel A
Cut Panel A to 9.5cm x 9cm.
This is the larger panel on the right side of the card.
You can use:
- Plain cardstock
- Dry embossed cardstock
- Lightly stamped cardstock
- Subtle Designer Series Paper
- Ink-blended cardstock
For extra texture, run this panel through an embossing folder before adhering it to the card front.
If your left DSP panel is bold, keep this panel a little quieter so the card does not feel too busy.
Step 6 — Add the Circle Focal Backdrop
Cut or punch a circle approximately 6cm in diameter.
Place the circle slightly to the right of centre, overlapping both the left DSP panel and Panel A.
This circle gives the card a strong focal point and helps bring all the layers together.
You could cut the circle from:
- Cardstock
- Foil cardstock
- Vellum
- Designer Series Paper
- Embossed cardstock
A dark or contrasting circle creates drama, while vellum or soft cardstock gives a gentler look.
Step 7 — Add the Focal Image
Stamp, die-cut or fussy-cut your main image.
A floral or foliage image works beautifully with this sketch, but you could also use:
- A Christmas stocking
- A butterfly
- A bird
- A wreath
- Leaves or greenery
- A stamped bouquet
- A large die-cut flower
- A Christmas tree
- A cluster of stars or snowflakes
Place your image over the circle so it sits vertically and overlaps the sentiment banner area.
You can adhere it flat, or use Dimensionals for extra lift.
Step 8 — Create the Sentiment Banner
Cut your sentiment banner to 8cm x 1.5cm.
If you would like a foil mat behind it, cut gold or silver foil to 8.5cm x 1.8cm.
Stamp your sentiment onto the banner.
Some simple sentiment ideas include:
- Happy Birthday
- Thinking of You
- Thank You
- Just Because
- Merry Christmas
- Warm Wishes
- Hello
- For You
Layer the sentiment banner onto the foil mat, then adhere it across the centre of the card.
You can trim the ends into banner points if you like, or leave them straight for a clean modern look.
Step 9 — Add Texture and Finishing Details
This sketch looks lovely with a little extra texture.
Try adding:
- Dry embossing on Panel A
- A foil sentiment mat
- A twine bow tucked behind the sentiment
- A few pearls or rhinestones
- Ink splatter
- Small die-cut leaves
- A little vellum behind the focal image
- Tone-on-tone stamping on the background panel
Keep the finishing touches balanced. The circle, focal image and sentiment banner are already strong design features, so a few small details are all you need.
Decorating the Inside
To finish the inside of the card, cut an inside mat layer to 14cm x 10cm.
Cut a writing panel to 13.5cm x 9.5cm and adhere it on top.
For a coordinated inside, add a Designer Series Paper strip measuring 4cm x 9.5cm down one side.
You can also add a plain or embossed panel measuring 9cm x 9.5cm beside the DSP strip.
Stamp a small image or sentiment inside if desired. This helps the inside feel connected to the front of the card.
Beginner-Friendly Version
To keep this card very simple:
- Use one cardstock mat
- Add one DSP strip
- Use a plain cardstock right panel
- Add a punched circle
- Stamp one sentiment
- Add one simple focal image
This version is quick, easy and still looks beautifully finished.
Step It Up Version
To add more detail:
- Emboss Panel A
- Use foil for the circle or sentiment mat
- Add Dimensionals behind the focal image
- Layer several die-cuts together
- Add ink splatter
- Add ribbon or twine
- Decorate the inside with matching DSP
- Add small embellishments around the sentiment
This is a great sketch for building layers without making the card complicated.
Make It Your Own
The best thing about a card sketch is that it gives you a place to start, not a set of rules you must follow.
You can change the colours, turn the circle into a square, swap the floral image for a Christmas stocking, use vellum instead of foil, or move the sentiment slightly to suit your stamp.
Use what you have. Try the pieces already sitting on your desk. Pull out those little strips of Designer Series Paper you have been saving because they are too pretty to throw away.
This Use It Up Week 12 Card Sketch is designed to help you create with confidence, whether you are brand new to card making or have been crafting for years.
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