6 x 6 step by step with variations

 This is how I usually cut my 6x6 squares of DSP.  Very little waste and many ways to vary the card. This is s good way for beginners to learn cardmaking.

 Cut at 3 3/4 first.  Then cut the larger rectangle to 5 inches.  Reserve that strip of 3 3/4 x 1 inch - you can use those for another layout.

Here are the cut pieces.  

Cut a piece of card stock in half at 5 1/2 alone the 11 inch edge. 

Fold in half and adhere the DSP to the card front.

Stamp your image and trim it down. Measure the sides and cut another card stock mat 1/4 inch larger.  In this case, the image was 2 3/4 x 3 so I cut the mat 3 x 3 1/4. 

Position the image on the card front. 

You can use the 2 1/4 x 6 piece to decorate the envelope flap. Add adhesive to the flap as close as possible to the fold and edges.  Place the DSP on the adhesive 

Turn the envelope over and trim off the excess DSP. 

A beautiful combo. 

Check out the variations below.

On this one I cut the DSP at 3 inches.  I flipped one over then attached them to the card front. 

You can also cut the rectangle on a diagonal and use one triangle on the card front 

To cut the diagonal, place the corners in the cutting track. 

If you cut opposite diagonals on 2 pieces of card stock you can flip one and use 2 triangles on the add front. 

An interesting twist

For this one I cut a 7/8 inch strip off the DSP.  I scored the card front 1 inch from the fold 

then glued that 1 inch section to the back of the card.  I added the images and it’s done. 

Here are my 5 basic cards. Still some more ideas to share. 

 M

Now those 1 inch scraps of DSP. I added those to a card stock mat. I place the first strip I’m the corner with a border of card stock.  Then place the second next 2 it, watch the edges that they line up evenly. Then add the third strip.  Trim down any excess card stock. 

Another technique I like to use is paper piecing. I stamp the image on a scrap of DSP and cut out the portion I want to use.  Glue the portion over that area of the blank stamped image.  

Adding some enamel dots and tilting the image gives it a unique look 

For this one I did a little different fold of the card base. Use the 8 x 5 1/2 card stock and score 2 1/4 from each of the short sides. Fold the ends together meeting in the middle but not overlapping.

 Cut the 3 3/4 x 5 piece of DSP in half lengthwise ( 1 7/8 ).  Adhere to each side of card front.  

Add adhesive to only one half of the image. 

And if you don’t want to decorate the envelope,  trim that piece to 5 inches. 

Mount the DSP to the card front off to one side and add the image.

Or mount the DSP to a piece of card stock 5 1/4 x 2 1/2. 

What other ideas do you have for using the 6 x 6 DSP. 

6 x 6 waste not, want not

I’ve seen several demonstrators share ideas for get the most out of the 6x6 DSP, so thought I would share my idea.  

This is the template I use.  I cut it at 3 3/4 and then cut that piece at 5.  That gives me a piece that layers nicely on a card front.  I use the 2 1/4 x 6 strip to cover the envelope flap and combine several of the 3 3/4 x 1 inch strips on a card 

 Here is a piece of DSP cut using the template. You have to be conscious of directional designs.  Since the 5 x 3 3/4 could be either landscape or portrait on the card front, I make the first cut so the envelope flap looks right and then adjust the card front. 

Here is the finished card and envelope. 

Here are several made using the template.  

And here are some cards made using the 3 3/4 x 1 inch scraps 

You can mix or match them. 

The only waste is the tiny bit of excess I had to cut 

around the envelope flap. 

Pocket Cards Tutorial

These cards are an outer pocket of DSP with a piece of card stock inside.  I have done these in a couple sizes. The tutorial is for 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 so they fit in a medium envelope.

Cut a piece of DSP to 6 x 9 1/4.  Card stock for the insert should be 5 1/2 x 4.  

Score the DSP along the long edge at 2 3/4 and 7.  

 Scoring at 7 inches

Along the short edge at the bottom of the pocket (be sure to check that you are placing this score at the bottom if there is an up and down to the design.  

Here you can see the scoring.  Fold all in the same direction. 

Cut away the small rectangles on the left and right, leaving the center piece.  I angle the but a little to make it lay flatter.  

Test the folds by closing the rectangles on the left and right.  Lift the bottom flap up and make sure it lays flat.  If not, trim off a little bit more on the left and right side. 

Place adhesive on the right said on one edge and the wrong side on the opposite edge.   I like to use tear and stick

Stacked Strips DSP card

An easy but cute way to use up DSP scraps. 

 Here is the finished card.  I will post some others at the end of the instructions just to see how different DSP strips can give it a different look.

You will need a card base and 5 strips of DSP.   I prefer the 4 1/4 x 11 strip as the base for this card.  The DSP strips should be at least 1 inch wide although you could use 3/4 or 1/2 inch for one depending on how you arrange them.  Notice the blue strip is short, it is not even 4 1/4 to span the card front.  By placing it as the top strip I can use it.

Place the first strip at least halfway up the card front. Angle it being sure the right hand edge extends past the card stock edge - don't worry if the left hand side is too short.

I lay out the strips without any adhesive first to get an idea how I want to arrange them.  Place the second strip.  Be sure to cover the upper left corner of the first strip and that both ends extend past the card stock edges.

Lay third strip,  Again you want to be sure it extends on both sides of the card stock base.   Visualize where the edges are and how much of the strips will be exposed. 

 Continue with the 4th and 5th strip.  Strip #5 will lay even with the bottom of the card stock.
Look over the strips and be sure they are arranged in the order you want and that you like them all together- if not, try some other colors or patterns.  I try to use a variety of patterns/designs as well as make sure the same colors are not next to each other.  For this card, 2 of the strips are primarily blue so I made sure there were not side by side. 
Now that you are settled on the strips and arrangement, remove them and repeat the layering using adhesive to secure the strips. 

 Once you have all 5 strips adhered, turn the card over to expose the excess DSP on the sides.  Using the card stock as a guide for the scissor blade, trim off the DSP. 

 Your card front is done.  Add a sentiment, ribbon, embellishments, or whatever you want to make it your own unique design. 

 I used a script sentiment and a couple buttons.   Each card is different and special.

Here are a group I made.  I love seeing how the different papers look together.  Some are patterns I would never think to put together but when all put together I really liked them.

This is a slight variation.  I layered the strips of DSP on a separate piece of DSP cut to 5 1/4 x 4 inches.  Then I adhered the larger piece of DSP to the card front. 

Hope you like this design.  Let me know if you try it.