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Just last week, I first heard about slimline cards. After watching some Youtube videos on them, and learning what all the're about, I ordered my first slimline dies, stamps and templates. I have not made a slimline card yet. But plan to, soon.
I just wanted to get opinions on your experience with making slimline cards. If you like making them, and just general feedback. I love the fact these cards fit in a #10 envelope and don't cost any extra postage (unless there are some embellishments).
Please forigve me for using the standard font size. I completely forgot how to make the font bigger, which I always use. I can read it much better, when the font is big. They may have done away with that option though.
I have not really jumped on this trend, I prefer A2, 5x7 and 6"square cards. I used to make one a month for my landlords to enclose the rent check for handy mailing. (She has saved them all!)
My tips:
1. Check all around the internet, it is very popular and you can get lots of ideas beyond a basic card.
2. Write down all the measurements you need for cutting the card base and any layers on top. You won't have to reinvent the wheel every time you make one.
Mary Beth
The following 2 users liked this post by lutheran:
I make slimline cards and usually do not use dies. I own a lot of dies as I jumped on the bandwagon when I first knew about them. Basically I take a piece of cardstock, 8 1/2 X 11 inch size, place it in my trimmer and trim off 4 inches. That leaves a 7 inch by 8 1/2 inch piece of paper. I score it at 3 1/2 inches and that is my base. Then I make layers, often using that 4 inch piece I just cut away for my focal images. I found Jenny Card Designs to be helpful. She has templates, which I do not purchase, but watch her and write down her measurements or slow her down and create with her. I learned how to make my own envelope with her video. Now I have several colored envelopes in the #10 size.
I like the mini size that Adrianne is referring to. It is easy for using regular sized envelopes also. I know there are many cards in the gallery in both sizes for inspiration. If you need more, Crafty Al has many videos and templates using this size.
When I make slimline cards, I mostly make the mini size. I have made some full-size slimlines too, though. They are a fun alternative to the standard A2 size that I usually make, although I can get two A2 cards from one piece of cardstock. With slimlines, I can only get two out of one sheet if I use extra-long cardstock (yes, of course I bought that, lol).
Love love love Slimline. Here's my latest fancy fold ones I put on my blog.
I also do the smaller slimline ones that are 3 x 6 and use those standard envelopes you can get at the dollar store. I just jazz those up a bit and they work great.
I started making slimline cards about a year and a half ago. I usually only use them for family/friends' birthdays but also made one for a swap for one of the online groups I belong to. I really enjoy making them and usually use them to display a collection of images that the recipient would like. I like using this video from Gerry's Craft Room for different folds to use on slimline cards: Gerry (I believe she's based in The Netherlands) uses metric measurements in her instructions, but I converted them to Imperial without much difficulty.
The following 2 users liked this post by Bravesfan Linda:
I love to make slimline cards. I have about 3 sizes I make, but they all fit in standard size envelopes as I don't like to make envelopes. I didn't see the need to buy special dies. I have a heavy cardstock pattern of all the card sizes I make that I use as a template when planning my card. I lay it on my surface and either lay stamps on top to judge the look, or draw around it on the stack of old computer paper I work on, and sketch out my layout. The template have the size the cardstock needs to be cut written on them, so when I get to cutting the base, I simply use my paper cutter and score board. By the way, I have made a template for every size card I make for the same reason. They are always handy in a basket on my work table.
Slimline is a current trend but it’s not new at all. I’ve been making them for many years. Companies are just now offering specific dies, stencils, stamps and embossing folders for them. So it seems new, especially to newer crafters.
I don’t tend to sit down intending to make a slimline card. Usually the paper or stamps I want to use don’t fit well/look right on a more traditional size. I’ve also make random sized cards if that’s what suits my layout. I have a few slimline specific products but they were a part of kits for a class or from a giveaway. I don’t intend to buy any unless I ADORE them and they aren’t available in A2 size.
The following 2 users liked this post by Rebecca Ednie:
I love to make slimline cards. I have about 3 sizes I make, but they all fit in standard size envelopes as I don't like to make envelopes. I didn't see the need to buy special dies. I have a heavy cardstock pattern of all the card sizes I make that I use as a template when planning my card. I lay it on my surface and either lay stamps on top to judge the look, or draw around it on the stack of old computer paper I work on, and sketch out my layout. The template have the size the cardstock needs to be cut written on them, so when I get to cutting the base, I simply use my paper cutter and score board. By the way, I have made a template for every size card I make for the same reason. They are always handy in a basket on my work table.
Would you be willing to share your templates with us so we don't have to "reinvent the wheel"?
__________________ Sylvia D.
Melodious Mingler Grandma My Gallery
Would you be willing to share your templates with us so we don't have to "reinvent the wheel"?
Sure, but they are nothing more than the measurements of the cards I make. I cut them out of heavy cardstock and labeled the sizes. Here goes:
A-2: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4
A-6: 4 1/2 x 6 1/4
A-7: 5 x 7
Square: 5 1/2 x 5 1/2
Half Sheet: 5 1/2 x 8 `1/2
Small Business 3 1/2 x 6 1/2
Med. Slim: 8 1/2 x 3 5/8 (or 3 1/2)
sorry I don't know the names/numbers of all of these, but there are standard envelopes available for all of them. When cutting your cardstock, you will have to double one side (usually, but not always the smaller measurement), so you can fold it in half.
Sometimes I lay my stamps out on my template. Other times I draw around it on my pad so I can sketch out my drawing t see if it will fit or if I need to try a different size. HTH
Sure, but they are nothing more than the measurements of the cards I make. I cut them out of heavy cardstock and labeled the sizes. Here goes:
A-2: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4
A-6: 4 1/2 x 6 1/4
A-7: 5 x 7
Square: 5 1/2 x 5 1/2
Half Sheet: 5 1/2 x 8 `1/2
Small Business 3 1/2 x 6 1/2
Med. Slim: 8 1/2 x 3 5/8 (or 3 1/2)
sorry I don't know the names/numbers of all of these, but there are standard envelopes available for all of them. When cutting your cardstock, you will have to double one side (usually, but not always the smaller measurement), so you can fold it in half.
Sometimes I lay my stamps out on my template. Other times I draw around it on my pad so I can sketch out my drawing t see if it will fit or if I need to try a different size. HTH
Thanks. I'm going to try some of these hopefully today.
Love these comments! I'm seeing so many different ways that slimline cards can be made. I guess I've been under a rock the last couple of years. LOL I may be late to this party, but I'm so glad I found it. I think it'll be fun to make one of these cards, and I love the fact that they can fit in a #10 envelope. <3
Yes. When I cut a piece of 12 x 12 cardstock to 8 1/2 x 11 it leaves a piece 3 1/2 x 12. This is the perfect mini slimline. So I get three cards out of a 12 x 12 sheet...2 size A2 and 1 mini slimeline.
Win Win
The following 3 users liked this post by ondinesgirl:
I started making slimline cards about a year and a half ago. I usually only use them for family/friends' birthdays but also made one for a swap for one of the online groups I belong to. I really enjoy making them and usually use them to display a collection of images that the recipient would like. I like using this video from Gerry's Craft Room for different folds to use on slimline cards: Gerry (I believe she's based in The Netherlands) uses metric measurements in her instructions, but I converted them to Imperial without much difficulty.
Thank you for sharing the video! The fun folds are great and I have printed her diagrams and at some point will work on translating them to the mini slimline size which I prefer.
__________________ "When I do good I feel good, when I do bad I feel bad, and that is my religion."
--Abraham Lincoln
I did slimline cards back in the late 70's (we made them because they fit in the business size envelopes). I have made a couple, but don't really care for them. Spellbinders SDM club had one or rwo dies for slim line,and since I was a member, I did accept the order. Maybe I'm not into them because they were 'old school' and out of necessity because of the envelopes - 90% of my cards for my card ministry are A2 - only a few become A7 if the 'design' calls for more space.
When my dad passed away 5 years ago and we cleared out his apartment, he had an almost brand new box of #6 envelopes (3-5/8 by 6-1/2 ") that he used for mailing cheques. I kept them and that got me making mini slimlines. I seem to have plenty of stamps and a few dies that really suit that size and it makes a great change to the A2 or square cards that I made all the time.
__________________ Susan
My SCS gallery is here should you care to look! Or please visit my blog, Cardmaker's Garret.
For mini slimline cards, there is not a standard measurement among companies, like there is for A2 or A7 cards. One company may use 3.5' X 6"; another may use 3.5" x 6.5". I ran into this problem because I use the first size, and ordered a die from a company who uses the second size. I didn't realize until I got the die.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
For mini slimline cards, there is not a standard measurement among companies, like there is for A2 or A7 cards. One company may use 3.5' X 6"; another may use 3.5" x 6.5". I ran into this problem because I use the first size, and ordered a die from a company who uses the second size. I didn't realize until I got the die.
Yes, I've run into the same problem. It's quite annoying!
__________________ Susan
My SCS gallery is here should you care to look! Or please visit my blog, Cardmaker's Garret.
For mini slimline cards, there is not a standard measurement among companies, like there is for A2 or A7 cards. One company may use 3.5' X 6"; another may use 3.5" x 6.5". I ran into this problem because I use the first size, and ordered a die from a company who uses the second size. I didn't realize until I got the die.
Maddening. Especially since that size was based on an envelope size, like all other card sizes. Not sure why people decided to ad lib LOL
Slimline cards. Have you made any?
