Welcome back, cardmakers! Today’s post is all about adding fabric swatches to your greeting cards for quick and simple cards that look elegant, dimensional, and professional.
One day I went shopping/cropping at a quaint scrapbook store called Scrap2It in Ft. Collins, Colorado with a few of my creative friends. I found the cutest little fabric swatches in little bundles of coordinating fabrics! I’m always on the lookout for something fun and different to use on my projects, so when I saw these little swatches, they stole my heart and were very inexpensive. I bought several different bundles of these 2.5″ x 2.5″ squares by Moda (Marmalade, Happy-Go-Lucky, and Aspen Frost). The designs were modern, cute, tactile and colorful… just what I love! I had to figure out a way to use them on my cards.
The cards I created today were very simple to make. No stamping or getting messy… just die cutting, pinning, and stapling. Creating these reminded me of my quilting days and how much I love fabrics – just as much as pretty papers!
For the card base, a Cover Plate: Circles die by Papertrey Ink was used to trim out the circle background with the Cuttlebug machine. Then I backed it with another piece of white cardstock. The white-on-white look adds texture to the background without overpowing the pretty fabric swatch, which will be our focal point.
I found some fabric swatches that coordinated with my background circles die. The half circles in the fabrics replicated the circle theme! A few words were die cut with dies by Papertrey Ink called Wet Paint Cuts and Wet Paint Cuts III. I simply added them to the fabric with a stick pin. I made a point to tuck the sharp end of the pin under the fabric, so it doesn’t poke the recipient. You can trim the sharp end off with wire cutters if you prefer, or you can use a clear earring backing on the end to hide the sharp point. The clear earring backs can be found at any accessory/jewelry store like Claire’s.
That’s it! Just attach the fabric with a quick staple to the top of the card front and attach the finished piece to a card base.
Quick, stylish, and easy! A set of these would make a wonderful gift. Wrap them up in a clear card box, and you have a thoughtful, handmade gift that was created inexpensively. You can see HERE how I’ve used fabric swatches in a mini album, and HERE how I’ve used them on a layout. See you next week!
Danielle
Oh my gosh, how beautiful and colorful these are, Danielle! Hate to add one more thing to my crafty shopping list, but the results are fabulous. TFS!
Thank you, Kathy! I appreciate your note. 😉
Beautiful; really nice way to use fabric scraps. The sentiments could also be secured with brads.
Great idea! 😉
Loving the homespun feel to these! Such a clever way to combine 2 lovely crafts! Thank you, Danielle!
Thank you, Nancy!
Loved your Craftsy card-making class and created several cards (so far) using your techniques! Now I have one more to add to the list!
Thanks, Sheryl! I’m so glad you enjoyed the class!
I have tons of fabric! Great idea. Have to try it soon.
Thank you, Janine!
Oh, Danielle! This is so cool and colorful. …And, it’s another project I can undertake without feeling overwhelmed! As a collector of fabrics (and paper and polymer clay and other colorful things), I can get to work pinking some of those fat quarters from a stalled quilt project laying around taking up space…and make some awesome cards!
Thanks for sharing this. I’m really glad to have found your blog and to have the time to read it this weekend; I’ve been so very inspired by your work!
Blessings!
~avis, 092815
Your fabric swatches are so pretty! I love the all of the colors and patterns you have collected. They look really nice against the white card stock. I’m going to have to find some swatches like these so I can make some cards like yours.