Shaped Cards with a Retro Window Scene Twist

Need some inspiration for creating shaped cards that feel a little more unique? Today, I’m sharing two different arched window scene cards created with similar products.

From a side-fold arched card with a bold retro sunset background to a cleaner top-fold version with a masked rainbow scene, these paper crafting ideas are a fun way to stretch your nesting dies, window dies, and stencils. They can completely change the way you build a card design and help you look at your supplies in a whole new shape.

Hi there, it's Therese, and I'm back with another edition of Take 2 with Therese!

Shaped cards are a fun way to make a familiar design feel a little more unique, and they are a great way to stretch the dies you already have.

In these featured handmade cards, I focused on mastering these essential paper crafting techniques:

• Creating arched shaped cards using a nesting die.
• Trying both side-fold and top-fold shaped card bases.
• Building retro sunset backgrounds with ink blending and masking.
• Creating window scenes with layered die-cut frames and silhouette details.
• Stretching your supplies by using window dies, stencils, and shape dies in creative ways.

Shop the supplies used to make this card:

• Craft Your Life: Windows to Stillness
• Nesting Circles Die Set
• Jet Black Cardstock
• Tea Party Fresh Dye Inks
• Aqua Island Fresh Dye Inks
• Sun-Kissed Delights Fresh Dye Inks
• Obsidian Pigment Ink
• Scoring Board

For my first card, I created a side-fold arched shaped card with a bold retro sunset scene.

I started by creating the shaped card base with the largest Nesting Arches die, then blended the background from dark teal through to light teal, orange, and red. This gave the window a warm sunset look while still keeping those fun retro colors.

Next, I added the Windows to Stillness, black arched window frame, shutters, and detailed arch pieces over the top. I love how the Jet Black die cuts create such a strong silhouette against the colorful background.

To finish the card, I kept the sentiment simple and added it to the lower right side of the window. It says, “Let the Day be Gentle.”

Shop the supplies used to make this card:

• Craft Your Life: Windows to Stillness
• Nesting Circles Die Set
• Jet Black Cardstock
• Tea Party Fresh Dye Inks
• Aqua Island Fresh Dye Inks
• Sun-Kissed Delights Fresh Dye Inks
• Obsidian Pigment Ink
• Scoring Board

For my second card, I created a top-fold arched shaped card with a cleaner retro window scene.

I started by creating a masked retro rainbow sunset, working from dark teal at the top through to light teal, orange, and red at the base. Then I added three small Obsidian inked silhouette birds to give the scene a calm, open feel.

Nesxt, I made the shaped card base with the largest Nesting Arches die, then added a slightly smaller arched striped die cut window to the front. This time, I kept the window frame simple and used just one layer of the black frame.

To finish, I stamped the sentiment directly beneath the window. It says, “Sending you a breath of calm.”

If you'd like to watch the instructions for this shaped card project in-depth, take a look at the video on YouTube. 

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