I fell in love with the book-themed True Story bundle when I first saw the sneak peeks of it from Concord & 9th. I had a lot of ideas, and here are a couple of them.

Approach:

• I really liked that the books work either stood on end or stacked “flat”. Wouldn’t it be fun to combine both orientations in a card, just as I do on my bookshelves?

• I was going to make a standard side fold card that just had a more narrow front flap, and as it evolved into a rainbow of books I decided a Z fold would show it off much better.

Techniques:

• Starting out with two groupings of books, I chose to do a color family for each so that each group felt like a cohesive unit. I did go beyond a narrow color way, but kept the colors in each grouping analogous (next to each other on a color wheel).

• When I added in the third book grouping (the yellows) in between the other two I selected colors that follow the same color approach as the other two groups, but this time I was careful to select some that would enhance the overall rainbow of color.

• I kept the details and accents on each book mostly part of that same color way, with a few exceptions. Keeping the colors within the same group allows the card to contain a lot of pattern and variation and detail without seeming busy or jumbled. Especially since I was already going to vary the orientation of the books themselves.

• Within each group, I also made sure there was a balance of both stamped detail and die cut layers of detail. Some are very subtle with layers of the same color, but it all creates layers of interest.

• On the inside (panel with the green books) I left some of the left sides open with less detail, so I can write a note there on that side of the books.

Colors:

• cardstock: Concord & 9th Watermelon, Cranberry, Poppy, Sorbet, Clementine, Sunflower, Honeycomb, Eucalyptus, Clover, Evergreen, and Peacock.

• ink: Concord & 9th Watermelon, Poppy, Sorbet, Creamsicle, Sunflower, Eucalyptus, Mushroom, and Dove.

Approach:

• This is actually the first card I made with this set. (Though I did cut MANY pieces for multiple cards before I started assembling.)

• I created this as a thank you card, and chose the stamped greetings that supported that theme.

Techniques:

• This card doesn’t incorporate any special or unusual techniques, but here are the basics:

  • I wanted to create this with a classic style. To support that I chose muted versions of each primary color, and added in the secondary color of green so I would have four. These less bright and intense options felt more like classic literature colors to me. I took care to have a balance of darker and lighter colors within this lineup, with the two darker colors on the sides to frame the card.

  • Each book is done in its own monochromatic color palette, with the addition of some neutral grays for the small secondary words.

  • Intentionally limiting myself to the elements in the bundle is how I often start with a new set. Most bundles have more than you need in them to create many cards, and I find this makes me pay more attention to possibilities.

  • Overall, the books include both die cut and stamped details, which adds a level of detail and interest.

• In order to create this as a top folding card with the uneven top edge of the books, I measured the height of the shortest book and cut my card base to fit just below that. The tops of the books stick out above, and that’s totally fine.

Thank you for visiting! I hope you get some time to create something soon.

Links are below if you’re interested in any of the products I used.

(Listed by company, with links to Simon Says Stamp and others. Simon Says Stamp links are affiliate links*.)

*Affiliate links do not cost you any more when you shop, but it is beneficial to creators when you use them, so thanks in advance!