2 Easy Ways to Elevate Your Design by Adding a Simple Geometric Element!

Hello friends! Hannelie here with two examples of how I used a simple geometric element, the circle to elevate my card designs!

For today’s cards I used the Archways Die set. I love the modern style of the die set which feature 3 dies. The largest die cuts 7 arched lines giving you the option to use both the positive and negative pieces. For one of my cards, I used the positive pieces and for the second card I used the smaller archway with 7 wavy lines. As a focal point, the set also includes the silhouette of a money tree

Simple geometric elements can be a powerful design tool in cardmaking. They add structure, balance, and a modern aesthetic. For both designs, I divided a large circle in two parts to highlight the focal point and draw the eye to the sentiment.

Let’s get started with our cards!

To make today’s cards you will need:

1. Archways Die Set
2. Circle die (6.5 cm)
3. White cardstock (for card base & die cuts)
4. Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock (10 sheets/set)
5. Crafty Necessities: Morning Frost Cardstock (10 sheets/set) (for circle die-cut)
6. Crafty Necessities: Bamboo Cardstock (10 sheets/set) (for Moneytree die-cut)
7. Bold Sentiments Stamp Set
8. Die-cutting machine
9. Adhesive of choice (glue pen, glue tape, or liquid adhesive)
10. Craft knife & steel ruler (or paper trimmer)
11. Stampwheel & Obsidian Pigment Ink
12. Instant Dimension Foam Tape
13. Whispering Woodlands Enamel Dots

Step-by-Step instructions to make the “Just for You” card:

1. Create the Card Base: Trim and fold a piece of white cardstock to create an A2-sized card (4.25” x 5.5”).
2. Trim a piece of Jet Black cardstock to fully cover the card front and adhere it using your preferred adhesive. (Alternatively, you can use a black card base.)
3. Die-Cut the Elements: Cut the large Archway from white cardstock, die-cut a circle (6.5 cm in diameter) from Morning Frost cardstock, and die-cut the Moneytree from Bamboo cardstock.
4. Assemble the Background: Adhere the white Archway die-cuts to the black card base. A glue pen works best for precise placement without mess! ** TIP** For added visual interest, group the arches toward the left side of the card.
5. Use a craft knife and steel ruler (or a paper trimmer) to cut the circle in two pieces, one slightly larger than the other.
6. Adhere both halves of the circle to the card using Instant Dimension Foam Tape for added depth. (Refer to the picture for placement.)
7. Stamp the Sentiment: Use the Stampwheel and Obsidian Pigment ink to stamp your sentiment. Trim the sentiment.
8. Finishing Touches: Adhere the sentiment to the card using Instant Dimension Foam Tape.
9. Embellish with enamel dots.

Step-by-Step instructions to make the “Thinking of You” card:

1. Create the Card Base: Trim and fold a piece of white cardstock to create an A2-sized card (4.25” x 5.5”).
2. Die-Cut the Elements: Cut the smaller Archway from Jet Black cardstock, die-cut a circle (6.5 cm in diameter) from Morning Frost cardstock, and cut the Moneytree from Bamboo cardstock.
3. Use a craft knife and steel ruler (or a paper trimmer) to cut the circle in two pieces, one slightly larger than the other.
4. Assemble the Background: Adhere the two half circles to the back of the Black Archway die-cut. (Refer to the picture for placement.) Adhere the layered die cut to the white card base, again using a glue pen.
5. Use Instant Dimension foam tape to adhere the Moneytree to the card base.
6. Stamp the Sentiment: Use the Stampwheel and Obsidian Black ink to stamp your sentiment. Trim the sentiment.
7. Finishing Touches: Adhere the sentiment to the card using Instant Dimension Foam Tape.
8. Embellish with enamel dots.

And you're done! Two modern, sophisticated cards with layered die-cuts and a striking focal point.

Let's take a final look at the elevating effect of adding a simple geometric element:

For both designs you will notice that by adding a simple geometric element, half-circles, we created a visual triangle between the two half circles and the focal point. This imaginary triangle subtly leads the viewer’s eye through the card, creating a sense of harmony and flow. We also repeated the visual triangle in the placement of the enamel dots.

I love playing around with simple geometric elements in my designs. Circles are my favorite… what is your favorite? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy crafting!

Supply List:

Archways Die Set [ ALTN ] Crafty Necessities: Jet Black… [ ALTN ] Crafty Necessities: Bamboo Cardstock… [ ALTN ] Crafty Necessities: Morning Frost… [ ALTN ] Stampwheel [ ALTN ] Obsidian Pigment Ink [ ALTN ] Bold Sentiments Stamp Set [ ALTN ] Instant Dimension Foam Tape [ ALTN ] Whispering Woodland Enamel Dots [ ALTN ]