Make a Stack Notecard Tutorial

Prima Pumpkin Spice Make a Stack Notecard Tutorial Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

Prima Pumpkin Spice Make a Stack Notecard Tutorial for Throwback Thursday

Hello, Friends!  Autumn is in full swing, so I thought it would be fun to share this Prima Pumpkin Spice Make a Stack Notecard Tutorial with you for this week’s Throwback Thursday.  Pumpkin Spice is one of my all time favorite fall collections.  It’s whimsical and vintage with unexpected hues and delightful images.

How to Make a Stack of Cards in 90 minutes

About once a month, I make a stack of sweet little A2 notecards to tuck in as a thank you with my Etsy Shop orders.  I call them “extra helpings”.  The goal is to spend no more than an hour and a half from start to finish when making this stack of 12 cards.  The best approach I’ve found for doing this is what I call an assembly line. Once you get your card elements in place, the process is loads of fun!

  • First, get your 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ card bases all cut, scored and folded.
  • Next, cut (12) 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ backgrounds for your card front.
  • Then select 12 focal images and set them aside in a stack.
  • Now cut a dozen 4 1/4″ wide strips  or 5 1/2″ tall strips of contrasting patterned paper to layer into your card design.
  • Next, place your fussy cut or ephemera images in a little bowl or container for easy access.
  • Then tie 12 bows and look for buttons or flowers that go well with the paper collection.
  • Finally, lay everything out in stacks on your work surface.  Heat up your glue gun and get  your craft on!

K.I.S.S.  Means “Keep it Simple, Sweetie!”

Here’s the real trick to making a stack of cards:  Keep it Simple, Sweetie!  Don’t overthink the process!  Once you have taken the time to prepare all the elements for your card bases, quickly put together little bundles with the background, focal images, fussy cuts and ephemera.  You should spend no more than 1 minute making each bundle.  Trust your eyes, trust your instincts and just GO!

This may feel intimidating at first, but once you stop worrying about everything being “perfect” you can relax and just enjoy putting the pieces together.  You’ll see me do this in the video tutorial below.

Bonus Tutorial: How to Custom Dye Seam Binding Ribbon

What do you do when you don’t  have the right ribbon in your stash?  Well, why not dye your own custom ribbon?  I’ll show you how easy it is to do this with simple seam binding ribbon and Distress Inks.  Yes, it’s a little bit messy.  But the end result is amazing!  And, everything cleans up easily with wet paper towels.  (Although, you might have to wash a sink full of dishes to really get your hands ink-free!)

Prima Pumpkin Spice Make a Stack Notecard Tutorial on YouTube

Would  you like to see how I made this stack of cute notecards so quickly?  Please enjoy this free video tutorial on my YouTube channel.

So what do you think?  Will you try making a stack of cute notecards?  Or do you dare to get inky and create your own custom ribbon?  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

I’ve also added a linked supply list below this post to help you find the supplies I used in this project.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

SUPPLY LIST

**Note: Since Throwback Thursday projects typically use older products, I may not always be able to provide product links.  Thanks for understanding!

13 thoughts on “Make a Stack Notecard Tutorial

  1. Gena Krannig

    Kathy, I love everyone of these! They are all so pretty and look like you spent a LOT of time on each one. I love the idea of dying the ribbon to match color schemes. I am needing something quick these days and the assembly line approach is going to fit the ticket! Thank you so much for sharing! Hugs!

  2. Susan Steele

    Such gorgeous cards Kathy! Just luv them all! And I have this beautiful collection of papers! Just ordered some of that cream seam binding to give that a go. Do not have that kind of ink but I’m gonna give it a try with what I have! Thanks so much for this awesome throwback Thursday stack of cards …which you always make look so easy! Thanks a bunch! Luv how it looks inking those edges! Big hugs, Suzy Q

  3. Kathy Udlinek

    Love the idea of making cards quickly, but I really LOVE the way to color the seam binding!

  4. Joyce Lennard

    As usual I learn something new from you Kathy. Your ribbon dying technique is my takeaway from today. So clever. Thank you Joyce

  5. soozyb2013

    I agree with Sandy P., you call these quick. Love them all and I even have the 6X6 paper pad!! Got it gifted to me when I ordered some dies! So fast to make and it’s nice to have on stash. I have to build up my stash of cards, I am down to one! Yikes!
    Have a great Thursday Kathy and thank you for making it look so easy!!!

  6. Isabel Gonzalez

    Hi Kathy, Your cards look so beautiful, as usual, my friend!!! I was saying the other day that I need to make some note cards, so I will definitely try to keep your set up in mind, and I have dyed ribbon before using your technique. It really helps when you’re in a pinch for a specific color. Blessings and hugs, sweet friend!!!

  7. MaryH

    Thanks for providing such an interesting and entertaining morning. Loved the video and the great ribbon coloring technique. Your videos are always very informative with succinct instructions. I found myself getting into the “how” of the assembly of the cards while bopping my head to the music. (Was that Dale singing too?). Final products were charming. I would love a video on faux cloisonné technique (especially for leaves to use on cards).

  8. Helen

    It is the inking Kathy, on the edges of the papers and especially the ribbon, adding depth and beauty. These techniques complete your cards and takes them all to a higher level. You really do keep keep me motivated!

  9. Candy

    I learn something every time I watch your tutorials. Love the seam binding technique!! This was packed with great ideas. Loved the cards.

  10. Crafts by: Cathy Marie

    Oh Kathy….another beautiful collection of cards!!! The way you effortlessly pull all these colors and patterns together to create these absolutely gorgeous cards is just mind-blowing. BRAVO!!!

  11. Joni E

    Beautiful set of note cards. A great video showing your creativity-love the inking on the seam binding tip. Thank you as always for sharing.

  12. Sandy P.

    …And you think these are “quick” cards?! – they are beautiful cards, even without the “usual” flowers!!! Love them and your tutorials!

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