Sized Differently: Think About Different Card Sizes

As a card maker, I still think of myself as an intermediate maker. I'm still astonished when I see the gorgeous cards at Lawn Fawn, or those who use Distress Inks or Layering techniques that boggle my mind. In truth, learning how to use the Cricut made me feel good, but it wasn't until I branched out and learned how to make cards without the assistance of the big fancy cutter did that my skills develop.

Over the past week, I spent a lot of time making Anna Griffin cards. Anna Griffin's cards are my most premiere cards. Yes, they're time consuming. But they also look better than anything else I produce. They also don't look like anyone else's cards. And there's good reason. The cost of entry for producing cards akin to Anna Griffin is pretty high. 

But recently I purchased the Painted Garden Decoupage Card Kit from her site. I wanted the kit for the assortment of beautiful embellishments, but what I was introduced to was the world of A7 Cards.

This was the first card I produced using the kit.

For those who don't know, most card makers craft in A2 cards. A2 cards measure 4in x 5.5in. There's a reason for that: most cardstock is produced 11in x 8in, which means a single piece of cardstock can produce two A2 cards. And A2 is great. But if you're looking to diversify your portfolio, I want to encourage you to make A7 cards. 

Unfolded, A7 cards measure 10in x 7in. It means they're comparatively massive. More surface area means more playroom to create elaborate designs. Why do I love it so? 

Note the size difference.
Picture c/o of TSI

Early on in my card making career, I purchased a plethora of gorgeous 12in x 12in paper pads from Michael's and similar places. I thought these pads would produce some cool cards. In truth, I rarely used the intricate patterns because the designs seemed too big for A2 cards. I found myself using the paper less and less until the pads became these tomes that took up space in my backroom. I would venture to say that I haven't purchased a 12in x 12in pad for at least two years. 

But the Painted Garden Kit from Anna Griffin got me thinking, if fancy printed paper and embellishments is all I need for A7 cards, why not use all this gorgeous paper that's sitting in my craft room? In short, the world opened up.

Take a look at some of my A7 cards below:

This card came c/o a beautiful 12in x 12in mermaid theme pack.
The wood piece came from Recollections Mixed Media. A little
twine was wrapped around to give a little flourish, and I stamped
the sentiment.

This card came from the same 12in x 12in Mermaid theme. All I did
this time was cut out a saying. Thanks to the bigger surface area, this
became the focal point. Using foam adhesives, I layered it to give it that
pop. I used a candy stripe twine to set this one off. 

I was in love with this fiesta 12in x 12in paper pad, but had little
ways to use it. I used one piece as the background layered it
like the above mermaid image, but in addition, I used two
punchers to create the celebrate. Using foam adhesive, this one
really pops (pun intended).

But going big isn't everything either. You should also consider going smaller. Why smaller? It's the perfect little "thinking of you" - it appears effortless. This also is a great way to make use of all those scraps you're hoarding. My small cards measure a mere 4.5in x 3.5in. This is also a great way to mass-produce cards using the Cricut. I'll be sure to post a tutorial in the coming weeks.

Here are some of the mini-cards I've made in the past week:

These cards are much smaller, but no less striking in their own way.

Stamps and sayings are perfect. These cards are much easier for me to depart with too.

Using Cricut Deesign, you can make a large number of cards in no time at all.

So think about diversifying your sizes. It's time to break the mold and make something new. Let something bigger (or smaller) be your new source for inspiration!