Introduction to Card Making: Adhesive & Layering Tips

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Welcome back to the second installment of my Introduction to Card Making series! This week, we're diving into adhesive and layering techniques to help you create beautifully structured cards. Layering is a fantastic way to add dimension and interest to your handmade cards, and I’m excited to share a printable layering guide with labels so you can easily create your own layering templates just like I demonstrated in my video.

For all three of today’s cards, I used the NEW Tags to Go stamp set along with the On the Go Designer Series Paper to create fun and vibrant designs. Let’s take a look at each project!

Video with Cutting and Layering Tips

If you missed my live video, here's the replay. I shared my layering templates and lots of other tips!

Complete Supply List for these Cards

Mix & Match Patterns for a Perfect Friendship Card

This card lets the patterned paper shine, with a simple sentiment as the focal point. I combined a simple Shy Shamrock print with a busier travel-themed pattern to create contrast and interest. A great tip when mixing patterned papers is to pair different styles together: big patterns with small patterns, straight patterns with curvy ones, and busy prints with simpler designs. This helps create a balanced and visually appealing card.

Measurements:

• Cardstock: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
• Cardstock: 4" x 2 3/4"
• Cardstock: 3 5/8" x 2 3/8"
• Patterned Paper: 5 1/4" x 4"
• Patterned Paper: 3 1/2" x 2 1/4"
• White: 1 3/4" circle

Travel-Inspired Congrats or Bon Voyage Card

Perfect for graduations, new jobs, or travel-themed occasions, this card features a sentiment that reads “You’re Going Places.” I cut a luggage tag from the patterned paper and layered the sentiment over it. To finish it off, I punched a hole at the top and threaded Strawberry Slush Baker’s Twine from the Pack Your Bags Baker’s Twine pack for a fun, travel-inspired touch.

Measurements:

• Cardstock: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
• Cardstock: 3 3/8" x 4 5/8"
• Cardstock: 4" x 1/2"
• Patterned Paper: 3 1/4" x 4 1/2"
• Patterned Paper: (2) 3 3/4" x 1"

Get the FREE Downloadable Tips and Labels for your Layering Templates

Congrats Card with a Puffy Sticker Accents

For this card, I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock, then layered an On the Go Puffy Sticker over it, trimming the edges to match. The base is Pretty in Pink, which coordinates beautifully with the upcoming Strawberry Slush color launching in May.

Measurements:

• Cardstock: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
• Cardstock: 2 1/8" x 5 1/4"
• Patterned Paper: 4" x 5 1/4"
• Patterned Paper: 2" x 5 1/4"

Final Thoughts: Shop & Earn Rewards

I hope this week’s tutorial helps you feel more confident about layering and choosing the right adhesive for your card-making projects. Don't forget to grab the NEW On the Go Suite to recreate these designs! As a reminder, every order earns you Frequent Shopper Points when you use the monthly host code, and when you spend $75+, you'll receive a FREE card kit for next month’s Online Card Class. Happy stamping, and I can’t wait to see what you create!