Terrific Template Ideas

Love templates? Want to make the most of these versatile paper-crafting tools? We turned to the pros: designers Paris Dukes, Shauna Berglund-Immel and Susan Cobb, all contributors to the technique book Terrific Template Ideas . We asked them to use three of the newest templates to make three very different projects based on topics our readers (you!) ask for most frequently. Of course they were up to the task. Keep reading to discover just what these talented designers came up with!

Baby Card
By Paris Dukes

Specifically themed cards can be challenging for many paper-crafters, especially those who don’t want to invest in themed rubber stamps. “I want to use the supplies I have for a variety of occasions!” is a frequent comment we hear. Paris understands—and she’s created this sweet, simple baby card to inspire you.

Supplies:

• Diamond Folds #3 template
• patterned Paper Pizazz®: Blue Sponged, Pink Sponged
• vellum Paper Pizazz®: Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #15517
• Paper Pizazz® Baby Embossed Paper Charms Cut-Outs™
• Paper Flair™ White Cards & Envelopes
• 1 3/4" square punch from Marvy Uchida
• brass brads
• 1/4" wide sheer ribbon

Paris used the Diamond Fold #3 template to create the small heart on light blue vellum; she cut the vellum to a 3" square, then glued an embossed paper heart charm in the center for an adorable accent.

Paris covered the card front with pink sponged paper and the inside with blue sponged paper. She punched a square in the lower right hand corner, outlined the edges with gold pen, then glued the vellum piece to the inside with the heart centered in the window. She cut a 4 1/2"x3 1/2" blue sponged rectangle, tore it diagonally in half and glued it to the upper left corner of the card front. She added brads, ribbon and a charm as the finishing touch.

Vacation Page
By Shauna Berglund-Immel

There’s always a need for vacation layouts—we also hear a lot of motorcycling scrappers ask for bike-themed pages. Here’s a terrific combination! Shauna created this fun layout featuring a distressed-look style to perfectly capture the fun and freedom of a cross-country motorcycle road trip.

Supplies:

• Labels
• patterned Paper Pizazz®: Vacation Collage Papers; Road Map, Barnwood
• solid black paper, solid white paper
• Baby Embossed Paper Charms Cut-Outs™
• 5/16" star punch

Shauna tore into her green sheet of collage paper to get this fun effect. She inked along the torn edges then placed the sheet over the road map paper to highlight the travel theme, while allowing for a subtle background on which to place her journaling, photos and “road signs”.

Shauna first computer journaled “Historic”, “66 Route” and “Grand Canyon” on white paper, using a variety of fonts. She used the Labels template to trace the shapes for her journaling road signs, then randomly inked the edges for a shabby chic looks. She punched a star shape into the top of one label, then matted each label onto black. She placed them along a strip of barnwood paper for a clever signpost directing the viewer to some of the Dukes’ favorite stops along the way.

Shauna matted her photos on black and white, then inked the edges to continue the theme from the labels. She used the same method for her journaling. It’s a road map to a perfect page.

Valentine Card
By Susan Cobb

For a pretty card that’s perfect for your Valentine (whether that’s your sweetheart, your mother or your very best friend) take a look at this design by Susan.

Supplies:

• Nested Shapes #2 Template
• collage Paper Pizazz®: Jacie’s Collage
• metallic silver Paper Pizazz®: Metallic Silver Papers; also available by the sheet
• Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #15517 Paper Pizazz®
• Paper Pizazz® Romantic Embossed Paper Charms
• Paper Flair™ 5”x6 1/2” blank white card
• silver thread

Susan cut along the scalloped edge of the lace portion of the collage paper, then folded 1/2" along the straight edge. With the card fold at the top, she glued the bottom lace folded section to the bottom back of the card so the lace wrapped to the front. She glued the checks strip to the flap front bottom edge. Love these projects? Curios about the other techniques you can do with templates? Then check out Terrific Template Ideas , written by Susan, Paris, Shauna and the rest of the HOTP design team.