Create beautiful cards with printed papers and the popular Shadow Block Technique. Fabric artists make quilts using this same method—creating a grid where the squares appear to be floating above the background.
The finished size of each card below is 4.25x5.5", unless otherwise noted.
Shadow Block Technique
Tutorial
To get started, gather the following supplies:
- Printed Paper
- Plain Papers for card bases and panels (Black or other dark color for shadow squares)
- ATG Dispenser
- Paper Trimmer*
Trim a print (Boughs of Joy 2025) and Brown plain into twelve 1" squares.
Add a bit of ATG adhesive to one of the Brown squares.
Position of the the print square onto the Brown as shown. Leaving this 1/8" reveal on the bottom right corner of the Brown creates a "drop shadow" effect.
Repeat with the remaining eleven sets of squares.
Trim a 4x5-1/4" card panel (Lt. Blue—Toile 09.25) in a coordinating color. Adhere the squares to the panel to create a grid pattern. Tip: Adhere the squares to the perimeter of the panel first, leaving 1/8" space between them.
Continue adhering square pairs to the Lt. Blue panel.
Center the third set of squares in each row, leaving an 1/8" reveal on all sides.
Once the panel is full, it is time to add embellishments and complete the card.
Embellishments
Stamp a sentiment (Woodland Christmas 2021) on a 1/2" Lt. Blue strip with Earth Ink. Trim each end at an angle as shown. Trim a Brown strip to the exact same measurements using the Lt. Blue strip as a template. Add a small line of Bookbinding Glue dispensed from a Needle-tipped Applicator to the back of the Lt. Blue Strip. Adhere to the Brown strip as shown, mimicking the drop shadow effect created with the squares earlier.
Trim Foam Adhesive Circles in half; apply to the back of the sentiment strip.
Remove the backing and adhere to the card front over loops of Green Jute (Northwoods 01.26). Add Gold Dazzles (Starry Night 12.24) for a bit of sparkle. Center the completed card panel onto a folded Dk. Green card base (Northwoods 01.26).
Completed Card Samples
Boughs of Joy—Julie
Fresh Picked Cards—Lisa
Lisa created her paper quilted card with a Pumpkin Print, cutapart artwork and plains from the Fresh Picked collection. She mixed in Orange Plain squares, altered with an embossing folder to add a bit of interest. She also added a die cut leaf embellishment, a cutapart sentiment and rhinestone gems (Bright Blooms 05.24).
Lisa's second card features the Wags and Whiskers Plaid print along with Fresh Picked cutapart artwork and Yellow Plain squares (enhanced with an embossing folder). Stamp the sentiment (Shades of Winter 12.16) onto a Leaf Tag with Earth Ink. Add a length of Ivory jute to the tag and tie into a bow. Add a hint of sparkle with perfectly placed rhinestones.
Lisa and I both enjoyed experimenting with the Shadow Block Technique. We hope you give this technique a try, too!
We invite you to share your finished artwork on our Facebook Chat Group. Not a member of the group yet? Simply answer a few questions and we'll get your request processed in no time!
Lisa and Julie
Shopping Links
12-inch Paper Trimmer*
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