You wouldn't think so, but the layout and placement of your card making materials can be one of the most time-consuming parts to card making itself. It is for this reason that so many card makers participate in sketch challenges each week. Pre-made card layouts alleviate hours of frustration for paper crafters working to find the best placement of their card components so they are able to devote all of their creativity to the more important parts of the card.

A card sketch is made up of three very basic components: matting paper, designer paper, and embellishments. Matting paper is typically, but not always, cardstock, and is used to frame the designer paper to make it pop. Designer paper is available in many different brands, colors, and sizes and will be the most crucial part in the design of your card. The rubber stamps, ribbons, buttons, brads, or "embellishments", you choose to use for your card are often based on the theme of your designer paper.

Below are ten of my own favorite card making layouts that I have used in one way, shape or form for dozens of my handmade cards. These sketches do not need to be copied completely, but rather, are used to jump-start your creative process. These free layouts, along with your creativity, are sure to combine into the most perfect handmade cards you can add to your collection.

Comments

Melisa Germain on June 14, 2020:

Thank you for these fun layouts. I have just recently started making cards and I don't like repeating designs.

linda Beairsto on February 12, 2020:

thank you so much for th card lay outs

i struggle with layouts

really appreciate these

Amanda on February 12, 2019:

Hi! I’m new in card-making and these sketches can help me. Thank you for sharing these.

Tashia Wood on August 24, 2018:

Thank you for the pretty card layout

Emma Swartz on July 15, 2018:

Thank you for the layout ideas.

Alissa (author) from Rocky Hill, CT on November 29, 2017:

Sure! Please just link back to my blog: www.StarryNightsStudio.blogspot.com

Thanks!

wlt27 on November 29, 2017:

Can I use your sketches for a little challenge on my crafty Facebook page please

Sherry Venegas from La Verne, CA on February 22, 2015:

I have made about 1000 cards in the last 10 years. I am very excited to find this idea page of yours. I will be able to break out of my box, so to speak, with these layouts. I can add colors in a new way.

Dee on July 20, 2013:

Thanks so much for the use of the sketch - you can check out my card here:

http://deesdesigns.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/fruitc...

dora on December 11, 2011:

Hi thank you for all these fabulous sketches, they are great xx

eudociadavis on March 01, 2011:

Fabulous Hub,thanx for extremely informative layouts,I always love to do creativity and i will try my card sketches using your tecniques.

craftybegonia from Southwestern, United States on February 03, 2011:

Very nice hub, thanks for sharing!

Jill on January 28, 2011:

These are great! Thanks.

Charlene on January 19, 2011:

Thank you so much for the card sketches!

nightingale diaries on December 28, 2010:

Really nice. Thanks for sharing your technique.

snehal welde on October 08, 2010:

Hi I have used one of your sketches( the 5 th one ) to create a card the link is here http://snehalscreations.blogspot.com/

snehal welde on September 08, 2010:

Thanks for sharing these layouts I am a cardmaker and i agree that planning the card is most time consuming and layouts really help the cardmaker concentrate oon other aspects of cardmaking . have bookmarked this hub for future reference.Kindly have a look at my blog here.http://snehalscreations.blogspot.com/

Light of Thought on September 06, 2010:

Pretty good craft you do. Love the layouts. I've made some greeting cards using my computer. Maybe they would look better if I hand made them. Love your hub! You've inspired me to try it another way.

Lela from Somewhere near the heart of Texas on July 04, 2010:

This is a fantastic hub! Thank you for the free layouts, they look very nice. I wish I had found this sooner. I did make some funeral cards for my mom and everyone loved them. I think the ones we make ourselves are better.

Susan Hazelton from Sunny Florida on June 28, 2010:

This is a great hub. The information is extremely useful. It is hard and time-consuming to correctly place and layout your materials for card making. You will be so happy that you decided to learn quilling. It can add such a beautiful demention to your cards. Thanks for a great hub your layout patterns are terrific.

Allison on June 27, 2010:

Hi! I post links to sketches everyday on my blog as a way to spur my creativity and those of my readers! TFL!