Making Cutout Edge Greeting Cards

Read through the tutorial before starting.

Step 1: Select Colors

This card's major design elements are stamped images and the cutout edge. The cutout edge is backed by a colored strip of cardstock, 1" by 5½″, that is glued to the card's inside right edge. The rubber stamp creates an outline to which you add color after stamping the image.

Select coordinating colors for the stamped images and the cutout edge's cardstock strip. For the sample card, the complementary colors of blue and orange are the card's major colors. The cardstock edge strip is blue, along with the mat for the card's message. To add interest to the stamped image, the flowers are given analogous colors: yellow, yellow-orange, and orange. The greens of stems and leaves are used as accents and in the background.

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. They highly contrast each other and naturally exude high energy.

Analogous colors are near each other on the color wheel, have a cheerful effect, reflect color schemes found in nature, and create color harmonies that are pleasing to the eye.

Step 2: Stamp Images

Stamp three to five images of your rubber stamp on the card's front. One or two of these images will be partially cut out for your cutout edge. For these cutouts, stamp near the right edge, about 1/8" to 1/2" from the edge.

Step 3: Color Stamped Images

Using the colors you selected, color the stamped images with felt-tip markers.

Tip: For added interest, vary the color arrangements in each stamped image.

Step 4: Cut Edge

Using a ruler and pencil, draw a faint vertical line about ¾" from the right edge. The line should intersect one or two of your stamped images, but don't draw through the images.

Cut the edge following the faint pencil line and around the right-side of the stamped images. Leave a tiny margin of white cardstock around the images.

Step 5: Draw Background

Using felt-tip markers, draw vertical or horizontal lines to make a background for your card. For the sample card, the lines are dots and dashes. A ruler was used to draw dots of blue and green—then dashes, mostly green, were drawn freehand.

Get creative: Use any combination of straight lines, dots, dashes, and squiggles to make the lined background. You can also use a ¼" hole punch to make dots to glue on the card. Keep the background simple and light so you don't overpower your stamped images.

Step 6: Assemble Card

Glue the edge's background cardstock strip to the right edge of the card's inside. Stamp a message on a piece of white cardstock and mat it with the same color of cardstock as the edge strip.