Holly Anderson
It’s almost summer, and that means it’s time to get back into shape! Haha, I kid. Who needs to get in shape when there are cards to be made? So maybe it’s time to get your cards in shape, or at least use shapes in your cards!
I love seeing lots of different shapes in Paper Crafts magazines, and my favorites are the simple, timeless shapes that most crafters seem to have on hand like squares and circles. It’s so fun to see shapes put together to make a background design, a focal point, or a simple design element. They never get old, and it seems like the creative possibilities are endless.
For instance, if you already have the May/June 2012 issue, then you’ve likely seen this card by Heidi Van Laar on page 62. She uses star shapes in her design to create movement (and to tie in the sentiment)!
All Star Dad Card by Heidi Van Laar
Our special issue Practical Solutions for Paper Crafters is chock full of innovative and “why didn’t I think of that?” ideas. This card by Teri Anderson on page 54 is one of those. She punched circles out of patterned paper and put them in the bottle caps on her card. And look how cool it turned out!
Bottle Cap Get Well Card by Teri Anderson
Now this might blow your mind a little—use two shapes to create one design element. On page 12 of Card Creations Vol. 10 you’ll find this card by Emily Leiphart. She die-cut circular curved edges onto colored squares and put them together to make her own design element. Pretty cool and different, I’d say.
Hope You're Swell Card by Emily Leiphart
Or you can make your own patterned paper with shapes that can be interlocked! Take this card by Kim Kesti on page 13 of Card Creations Vol. 10 for example. She die-cut many hexagons out of patterned paper and pieced them together to create a background for her cute card.
Patchwork of Love Card by Kim Kesti
With all these ideas, a fun card idea began to take shape in my mind. I decided to do something similar to Kim Kesti’s card and use my Fiskars triangle punch to make a background!
I used the Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6×6 pad to make this card as well as some ribbon and extras from the collection. It was really fun to pick out the patterned paper I wanted to use for this design so I could really make it my own!
How would you like to win a shaped punch? This is the Fiskars window maker starter set, and we’re giving it to one lucky winner!
Comment below telling me your favorite shape to craft with to enter yourself for a chance to win! All comments must be received by Monday, June 11th by 5 pm MDT.
Hope this post shaped up to be inspiring!
I use circles a lot! Thanks for sharing all these wonderful designs with other shapes. The hexagon is definitely big right now in both cards and scrapbooking.
i guess my fav is the rectangle and then of course big circles
My favorite shape is the star! I don’t use it enough ~
My favorite shape is the circle–lots of them!
I like using stars!
I am always using circles, gotta hav’ em!
My answer would have been different only a few weeks ago but I’ve recently fallen in love with hexagons. I’m thrilled that at least two of my favourite companies now make dies! Yeah!
I use circles and scallop circles all the time so that must be my favorite!
Cool punch, I would to win!
Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com
I love to use circles or hexagons!
I would love to win! My favorite shape is a sQuare!
I use a lot of shapes, but probably use circles and rectangles the most. Thanks for the chance to win a great prize.
I love everything Fiskars! They have great products. Thanks for a chance to win.
Welllll, THIS week it’s triangles. °Ü°
~Shari R.
Guess I’d have to say circles because so many images & sentiments just fit and I can easily layer them. Am looking forward to getting into the hexogon shapes to create their own design. This window maker punch looks very interesting though and would love to try it out if I’m the lucky winner. Thanks, PCC & Fiskars, for the chance to win!
Thanks for the run down on these cool ways to use shapes!
My favorite shape is circles. You can piece them together in so many different ways.
My favorite shape to craft with is circles, any size..
I’ve really done lots of banners lately on cards, scrap pages and yes, full size too. So, my fave is triangles.
I love hexagons and octagons.
I love all of these cards! Especially the Hope you’re Swell card, love that design! Favorite shape, probably the triangle and hexagon. Thanks for sharing.
Katie B.
Hmm, I use rectangles and squares and ovals the most. Great cards, thanks for sharing!
I love using all things geometric but my most favorite is the hexagon. It’s great as it is but can also be easily cut into many other shapes–triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and diamonds. The designs you can make with different combinations of these shapes are endless.
Well, my favorite shape isn’t a traditional one. I like to use flowers!
Most of my cards are rectangles but on them I love to use squares!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
P.S love the cards the ladies made!!
I don’t really have a favorite shape since I’m a die cut fool. I love them all!!
Favorite shape – STARS! Use them all the time. Really like the first card too. Thanks for the opportunity.
I am sure I use rectangles the most but I love circles of all sizes. I am trying to be more adventurous – am currently intrigued with hexagons but haven’t yet incorporated them into a project.
Besides the usual circles and squares I love working with hexagons.
I probably use circles and stars the most, but I’d love to get me a hexagon die. Thanks for the chance to win your punch!
I *heart* hearts!!
My favorite shape is the oval. I crop photos into ovals, use them as backgrounds for designs and stamp sentiments inside them.
I love squares and hearts!!
Lovely cards!! thanks for the chance!
Love the cards. Very creative. TFS and for a chance to win the giveaway. God Bless.
i seem to use circles a lot. thanks for the chance to win.
Circles!
I love squares and circles (sorry couldn’t decide!)
Well, another hard debate. I guess I’d have to say circles as I can use them as backgrounds, flowers, buttons, etc.
Love the stars for dad but my favorite is the Patchwork card ~ super cute idea!
I normally love circles and squares, but lately I’ve really liked stars.
I love to make layouts with circles on them!
I’m partial to circles – I especially love to use different sizes on a single card.
circles and triangles!
Ovals and rectangles
Love the circles….I have such trouble with those! This would be awesome to have! Hope I win! Good Luck to All!!!
Fabulous inspiration!
love ovals!