CardMaker's Sketch Book

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Reported by Julie Campbell

Have you ever needed a last-minute card, but found yourself short on time and even shorter on ideas? I recently came across a fantastic resource that has 'saved me' on several occasions! The Card Maker's Sketch Book is a compilation of 45 card sketch ideas by Tami Mayberry (edited by Tanya Fox). Each sketch is accompanied by four full-colored sample cards created by a variety of well-known designers.

This book is perfect for both the novice card maker and the seasoned crafter. Each sketch can be flipped, rotated, or slightly modified -- allowing for endless design possibilities!

The CardMaker's Sketch Book is divided into chapters based on card size (4" x 9" - 4.5" x 6" - 5" x 5" - & 5.5" x 8"). There is also a section at the back of the book of printable envelope templates to coordinate with each card size.

Each card design is presented in a clean, linear format. The sketch below can be found in the 4.5" x 6" chapter. I typically make a standard-sized card (4.25" x 5.5"), so you can see that it is very easy to adapt a sketch and card size to meet your needs.




I like to think of a sketch as the skeleton of a design. The sketch below was intended to be a 5" x 5" card design. One great thing about this book is that each design can be modified to create something entirely new. By simply building on this skeleton, these layouts can be used to make projects such as scrapbook pages, home decor, or gift packaging. I expanded the dimensions of this sketch to create an 8" x 8" page with a removable recipe card.


Pros:

• Great for all skill levels of card makers.
• Full color photos provide great inspiration.
• Designs are very versatile. Each sketch can be rotated, flipped, or altered to create a completely new layout.
• Sketches will stand the test of time, so the book will always remain a great resource.
• Book is very affordable.

Cons:

• Card designs will eventually become 'out of style' (although the sketches will always remain current).
• There is currently no second addition to this book. (I'd love to see more of Tami's sketches in a publication.)
• There is no section for cards sized 4.25" x 5.5". Although all sketches can be adapted to this size, I'd love to have an envelope template for this type of card too.
• I would love to have an additional section at the end of the book with all of the sketches displayed in a smaller, printable version. This would make layout selections even easier and less time consuming.
  

The Card Maker's Sketch Book can be purchased through Annie's Attic for $14.95 ($17.95 Canadian) and through Amazon.com for $10.17 USD. I think this is a fantastic resource at an incredible price. This is a book that you will want to turn to again and again. Even though card styles will change, a sketch can always be adapted to the current trends in paper crafting. I hope this is just the first book of many in the Card Maker's Sketch Book series!

Please let us know your opinion by leaving a comment here!