Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Do you use colored or primarily white & off white card stock?
This question is stemming from the realization that I have a problem. I am making a card for my brother who lives in a nursing home..(irrelevant info, but there it is, lol). I swear it took me at least 1 1/2 hours IF NOT 2 hours to decide on papers for his card.
After beating myself up for wasting so much time, I have come to the realization it is due to my not having enough paper.. even though my bf says 'I own every kind of cards stock there is'... :rolleyes: I do have a fair amount of paper, but most of my paper is scrapbook paper that I use to layer with. I don't have hardly any paper that is suitable for a masculine card. Most of my paper is pretty, pastel, floral, girly, butterfly-y.... well, you get the picture. xD
I had mentioned the card stock I have in another post. I looked closer tonight.. it is 80 lb, Darice Premium Textured Cardstock. I know this is not that great of a paper, but I really, really like it. I love the texture. Not so much for stamping on, but to create layers. My stack is 8.5 x 11 and there are only 2 pieces of each color... so I kind of use it sparingly... which is dumb... it's paper. lol
So, to my main question. What is your go to paper for colored card stock, or do you even use it? Do you use scrapbook paper to layer?
I need more designs and colors, and stuff that will go together.. I like to use a couple patterns and a couple solids... on the same card. But I'm having a hard time finding papers that will go well together.. at least out of my stash.
What do you suggest? Please keep in mind I am just getting back into this, but I am jumping in with both feet, so I am probably looking at a bit of cost in my near future...(meaning I can't afford a bunch of SU or expensive designer papers). I am definitely looking into more of that Darice textured paper... I just can't it enough.. I love it.
I think you mentioned the SU! in colors in another post. Those multipacks are 4 of each of the 5 in colors so might be a good option. Several of them would make good guy card colors. My other go to for guy colors is Stampin' Up!'s regals, but that multipack is 2 each of the 10 colors. But, really, almost any color can be made into a guy card.
I do use lots of white CS and certainly layers of lighter designer papers. With the white CS, you can always color the edges of the paper with a sponge.
If you are going to get some Stampin' Up cardstock the Neutrals collection is nice too.......lots of options for guy cards and some good layering pieces. A combo pack is a great way to start.
If I were to start over, I would purchase an assorted pack of each of the Stampin Up color families, white cardstock, very vanilla cardstock and crumb cake cardstock. An investment, I know. Then I would make my cards, using whatever colors movitated me. When I ran out of one color, I would put it on my SU shopping list a pack of that used up color. Why SU? I am not a current demonstrator. The quality of the paper and inks, the ability to match and coordinate paper make beautiful cards for even a simple stamper like me.
I would also branch out with a few SU designer papers in the colors I use most as my crafting budget allows. Making cards is way cheaper than therapy and it makes me happier! Have lots of fun! You do have the most interesting posts.
I use mostly white bases, occasionally kraft or black.If I want any other colour, I usually just sponge the edges of a white card-front with ink in the colour I want. For my most-used colours I bought I couple of distress stains.
Scrapbook paper - you're talking about the 12x12 and 6x6 pads of patterned paper? The sketch challenge is your friend there! Typically I don't use a lot of DP, but when I do want to, a sketch is usually my starting point. Check out the gallery for all the sketches from the SCS sketch challenge HERE: scsketches - Homemade Cards, Rubber Stamp Art, & Paper Crafts - Splitcoaststampers.com, this shows you the basic layout to follow.
As for masculine papers - can you stamp your own with whatever stamps you have on hand. Faux denim or faux wood direct-to-paper techniques are good for this type of card. Even a simple sentiment stamped multiple times can make an effective background layer.
The first part of this tutorial shows how do do a faux wood: Faux Wood Grain Finish Tutorial & Technique for Cardstock by Kim Teasdale, change the browns for blues and you've got denim.
I always use white cardstock to make the base for my cards, and then make "card fronts" to attach to them, completely covering the white base.
That way, I can make the outer layer of my card in any color of cardstock I want, and then proceed from there, with more color layers, or patterned paper.
For guy cards, I sometimes can find an appropriate pattern in my stash of paper. If not, I usually pick a masculine solid color, shades of blue, darker green, maroon, etc. and use one of my embossing folders. I have several embossing folders that I think work for guy cards, like a wood grain, diamond grid, or other geometric pattern.
I also like white bases so that the sentiment inside will show up, which is sometimes problematic if you use a color for your card base.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Last edited by buggainok; 09-03-2016 at 05:00 PM..
I love the Hobby Lobby Heavyweight for bases. You can get packages of 50 for $4.50 when it's on sale. They have many different packages with different color combos in the heavyweight too. So for me it's easy to use colored bases. I generally cut 3 or 4 packages for bases and fold them at a time.
Amber, do you know if the Hobby Lobby Heavyweight is 110 lb.?
~ Rita
__________________ Rita
God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ... being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:8 & 9
I'm pretty sure it is. It's a very nice heavy base weight. I'm laying down (back issues) so I can't go look. I like it a lot.
Amber, sorry to know you're having back issues ..... hope you'll be feeling better soon. I was thinking I might try the Hobby Lobby heavyweight card stock as a replacement for Michael's 110 since they have replaced their heavy weight with a card stock of poorer quality.
~ Rita
__________________ Rita
God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ... being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:8 & 9
Maybe try buying multipack samplers from different companies and then buying only the colors you love in single packages? I bought sampler multipacks from Papertrey Ink back in the day and from those I decided on which colors I wanted to have more of, and bought several packages of different colors, such as a large package of kraft, and reds, blues, etc. My Favorite Things has those sampler multipacks as well, and I just bought one to check them out. I also have Stampin Up! assorted packs from really old color families, and I wouldn't trade those for the world. You have no idea how many times I've wanted to match a color from patterned paper to card stock and I ended up using one of those Stampin Up! ones. I have a really old package of SU! Whisper White that I use as cards themselves, and I use a lot of the colored card stock for layering and as a card front, which I then adhere to the white card itself.
I don't know if SU! still has it, but I have some of their old colors in textured card stock, and it's pretty awesome. I hadn't used textured in a while, and it ended up being the perfect card base to complement a really busy-looking shaker panel, so I understand why you're reluctant to stop using the good textured one you've found.
I think you will be happy with it. Is it on sale this week? I was just there and didn't look! Boogers.
Amber, I was just thinking ahead a couple of weeks when I will be able to shop at my nearest Hobby Lobby which is an hour and a half away. I hope their card stock will be on sale at that time .... or I will be able to use a coupon.
__________________ Rita
God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ... being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:8 & 9
Ut oh...we broke Amber asking her to check how much paper she has! (hugs)-I know from back pain. I hope it passes soon!
I have 3 colors for base-white, cream and black. Like others I will just layer on color if I want it or ink it.
I might suggest you think about background stamps...like the 6 x 6 out of Impression Obsession (IO) not cheap, but you can make your own DP and match any color you want! I have been collecting slowly when they are on sale. They have some nice masculine themes you could start with...like woods or brick.
Or you could consider masculine embossing folders and cut that to size. On sale they can be as low as 2 dollars each.
Not only do I not have the room but I really dont have the desire to have a full rainbow in card bases and then another one in layer weights....not in addition to specialty like mirrorcard, glossy, glitter, foil etc. And then we have to talk about paper for alcohol inks and watercolor and then DP too...not for me. Keep in mind how much space you have and what you want to give priority to.
My best advice to you about DP buying-if you get 12 x 12 watch the scale. A lot of it is too big for cards. One way is to count the pattern...you want it be at least 12 acroos so it's only 1 inch big and that could be pushing it-if you get what I mean. 6 x 6 is safer and many come in both sizes.
Your 80 lb card stock is fine for a card base. You can try adding and blending inks such as blues and browns onto patterned paper to make it more masculine. Or stamp geometric shapes on top of patterned paper to change it.
You ladies are funny. I have 2 titanium rods running the length of my back with 24 2.25" screws and several metal disks. I generally lay down at 7pm because I can't sit up any more. We got a king sleep number bed which is such a wonderful thing as It will go up and down on both ends. I can always find a comfortable position. Then I spend time on my tablet here, playing words and other stuff. I love buying paper but I'm trying to restrain myself. I have plenty of beautiful stuff to choose from. Thanks ladies, you made me smile.
Well, this has been very enlightening to read! I love everyone's different comments and views. You'll all be happy to learn, I solved my paper problem this past weekend! I had a great time shopping. We went to Pat Catan's, which I was quite disappointed with as far as paper. I did get a couple packs there, but nothing spectacular. I then went to Joann's and if I remember correctly, I didn't buy any packs/stacks, but their loose scrapbook paper was 10 for $2, regular .79 and .99 each. So I bought several of the loose sheets. Being disappointed with my haul so far, I asked my honey if he minded if we went to Hobby Lobby... an hour and a half away. He didn't. THAT'S where I made my major haul. Paper Studio and Stampabilities was 50% off. I got several packs of scrapbook paper along with white, ivory and kraft heavyweight cardstock packs and envelopes. Yay. Along with a few odds and ends of other things.
Now, if I could just get myself to make something. :/
Well, this has been very enlightening to read! I love everyone's different comments and views. You'll all be happy to learn, I solved my paper problem this past weekend! I had a great time shopping. We went to Pat Catan's, which I was quite disappointed with as far as paper. I did get a couple packs there, but nothing spectacular. I then went to Joann's and if I remember correctly, I didn't buy any packs/stacks, but their loose scrapbook paper was 10 for $2, regular .79 and .99 each. So I bought several of the loose sheets. Being disappointed with my haul so far, I asked my honey if he minded if we went to Hobby Lobby... an hour and a half away. He didn't. THAT'S where I made my major haul. Paper Studio and Stampabilities was 50% off. I got several packs of scrapbook paper along with white, ivory and kraft heavyweight cardstock packs and envelopes. Yay. Along with a few odds and ends of other things.
Now, if I could just get myself to make something. :/
You will be inspired by something special, I just know it and then.....off to the races! Have fun!!
Thank you Jeanne!! I hope you are right... I'm in the middle of making my niece a card for her bridal shower... it's not finished.. I feel like it's too plain. We'll see. *sigh*
Thank you Jeanne!! I hope you are right... I'm in the middle of making my niece a card for her bridal shower... it's not finished.. I feel like it's too plain. We'll see. *sigh*
Don't know if it's to your taste or not, but when I look at a card and think "it's too plain", I usually add some bling, or stickles or stick on pearls.
Sometimes even outlining an image with a sparkle pen will jazz up a card.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Thank you Bugga!! I actually have some stick on pearls on it... it's a wedding dress I made with my heart punch, I put pearls on the dress... I also have a strip of burlap ribbon running cattycorner under the dress and another piece of patterned paper... her theme is burlap and lace.. but I have one section of the card that is bare...I'll PM you a pic. ;)
When I started stamping, I realized there were so many choices, being an information junky, I'd get analysis paralysis.
So I started used Jennifer McGuire's "favorite things" videos as a starting point (not an ending point). I still use some of the papers she recommends, including 110 pound Neenah solar white for bases sometimes, and 80 for layering. Sometimes I use off white for bases and sometimes white. And once in a while other colors.
If you scroll beneath the video, you'll see the papers.
As for taking "too long," if you're in design mode (as opposed to adhering or cutting or stamping mode), it can take a looong time. When you see some of the best card makers going lickety split on videos, you don't see their angst as they thought through (fought through?) designs, discarded four, tweaked three.
It takes as long as it takes. My cards can take very a long, because each one is a mini design problem to solve. Using on-line card "sketches" is a wonderful option but sometimes I want to fly solo.
Jennifer did you like the Hobby Lobby Heavyweight?
Well, it's funny you should ask... I'm not sure what happened... but I ended up not getting it apparently. :rolleyes: I could have sworn I got it.. but I must have put it back. So, I have no idea!! lol But thank you for asking!!
Well, it's funny you should ask... I'm not sure what happened... but I ended up not getting it apparently. :rolleyes: I could have sworn I got it.. but I must have put it back. So, I have no idea!! lol But thank you for asking!!
This is what sketches are. And yes, even I who do not typically use sketches ever, have a couple of go-to ones in my repertoire for a quick card. I think I gave you a link to the SCSketches gallery in another thread? They are a great jumping-off point, and some of them, with diagonal panels, give you two for the price of one.
Thank you... Yes, I finally came to understand the whole concept of sketches. But for some reason, I just don't find myself inspired by them. :/ I know, I'm a problem child! lol
I don't feel like I have much of an imagination... I can copy things.. but to make my own, I kind of stink at it. Even with the sketches... nothing usually pops out at me... Perhaps I'm doomed. :/
This is one of my go-to sketches, and it's a classic one I see a lot of people using. You can add as much or as little matting to the panels as you like. You can use matching or contrasting papers, or just textures, for the smaller squares. The main panel can be square or round...and for an A2 card, rectangular or oval.
Sketches are not my instinctive way of card-making, and if there is a big challenge event on and it includes a sketch, that will probably be the last challenge I complete. But, I did learn an awful lot from participating in the sketch challenge here when I had more free time.
Ohhh, that ones cute!!! Maybe I SHOULD try this. xD I've been using A7 cards.. 5 x 7. I just like having more room to do more.. and I think they are more substantial. Do you know if many use that size or not?
Do you use colored or primarily white & off white card stock?
Thank you for the encouragement regarding my cards taking so darn long. I think maybe I'm getting a tiny bit better. I made a card for my bf's grandma last night and today... I uploaded it, but I'm not sure it's on site yet. And I've started another one this evening. 
