Rookie Mistake?

[rubycongrl]

Hi,
whenever i make cards i find that they end up being very bulky and heavy. Don't get me wrong, they look great! but i dont think cards should weigh so much! Is there somthing i am doing wrong, or is this normal.

[delacroix3721]

Something I do, especially when scrapbooking, is cut out the middles of pieces/frames that are going to be layered. The middles don't show anyway, I get to use the middle pieces on other projects, and the card/page isn't so heavy.

One thing I learned the hard way though, is don't cut the middle of a layering piece if the top paper is really thin, the cut out part will show through.

[lesleybd]

Hi.

If you use lots of layers and each layer is made from heavy card the weight does build up.

Some manufacturers like Gina K. make their white card in both a heavy base weight and a lighter layering weight.

The other thing you could try is to cut the center out of your layers leaving just a border to show round your next layer. This also saves a bit of card if you are using expensive card like glittered or metallic.

I sometimes edge a layer with a gold pen or rub the edge on a Versamark ink pad, dip in gold embossing powder and heat emboss to give the illusion of another layer.

Ribbon bows can be bulky. I sometimes make them flatter by not tying them with a knot. Instead I cross the loops into a bow shape then tie thread round the middle where the knot would be. The thread can be hidden under a (flat) gem.

Personally I wouldn't worry unless your cards are costing more to post. In the UK we can post quite a heavy card for standard postage as long as it fits in a certain envelope size.

Regards

Lesley

[BathBelle]

When DH was looking at all his unopened birthday cards on the table he picked up my card and said I bet this is from you it feels solid!

[gr8cards]

I don't think you're doing anything wrong....if you love layers and bling, go for it. Sounds like your husband loves your cards!

[cbet]

I'll admit to using kind of flimsy cardstock for my layers - the Recollections brand assortments at Michaels, or the Coredinations assortments at Joann's, for example, for my layers - it doesn't add quite as much weight. I even bought a ream of black text-weight paper on clearance at Office Max once, and I use that for layers because it adds almost no weight or bulk. I just make sure the base of the card is good and sturdy.

Any time you add a layer or embellishment, you're going to add weight, and that's ok. It's a handmade bit of art, you don't want it to feel disposable