It’s been two years since my 6×6 paper pad tutorial was posted on Operation Write Home’s Stars & Stamps blog. I thought it would be fun to redo the tutorial with a little bit more detail, since I now have my own blog. Go HERE to see my original 6×6 tutorial.

I absolutely love using 6×6 paper pads to make cards. When I first started using them, I would have lots of little paper scraps from the unfinished pads and couldn’t find a good way to store them. Plus, it just drove me a little crazy to have all those little scraps. So, I decided rather than find a way to store the scraps, I would just use up the entire 6×6 before starting another one. I shared pictures of the entire lot of cards from one 6×6 with other card makers and was soon asked to write a tutorial on my card making method. My overall goal isn’t to make as many cards as possible. I just continue making cards until the paper is gone. I average between 20-30 cards for a 24-sheet 6×6 paper pad.

Kristie Marcotte’s 6×6 paper pad tutorial

I first select a 6×6 paper pad. I’m using Doodlebug Design’s Friendly Forest collection. I prefer paper pads that are double sided since there’s generally more pattern paper variety.

Then, I gather coordinating cardstock. Usually I use one color to do all the matting, and the other colors will be used for some of the background papers.

Next, it’s time to pick a card sketch to use. Sometimes I will make several cards using the same sketch, but not always. The first sketch I chose is My Favorite Things Sketch #193.

I like to pull out the papers so I can see all the different patterns.

Here are the four cards I created using the My Favorite Things sketch #193. Most sketch sites don’t list measurements on their sketches, so I figure them out on my own.

The next sketch I chose to use is OWH sketch #239. Operation Write Home sketches are great because they already have the measurements listed on them.

And here are the four cards I created from OWH sketch #239.

The next sketch I chose is Mojo Monday sketch #353. Again, I just figured out the measurements on my own.

Here are the four cards I made using Mojo Monday sketch #353. I love using a variety of different pattern papers together on a card. This is easy to do when using 6×6’s since the papers generally all coordinate together.

I still had quite a few full sheets left, so I chose to use the Deconstructed sketch #111 next. Although this sketch is a square sketch, I just changed it to work for an A2 card.

Here are the four cards I made using the Deconstructed sketch #111. Since I make most of my cards to donate to Operation Write Home, I don’t use thick embellishments. In fact, most of my embellishments are made from paper using die cuts.

Since now, there are fewer full sheets left, and lots of scraps, I looked for a sketch using some smaller pieces. Here I chose Reverse Confetti sketch #15. Once again, I came up with measurements.

Here are the four cards I made using Reverse Confetti sketch #15. I enjoyed using some of the scraps to paper piece the sweet Lawn Fawn deer and chipmunk.

Next I chose OWH sketch #123. (My absolute favorite sketch.)

Another four cards completed using OWH sketch #123.

With no full sheets left, I looked for a sketch that would be perfect for just smaller scraps. I selected OWH sketch #154 since it uses lots of small squares.

This time I made five cards using OWH sketch #154. Since the background papers were all solid cardstock, I embossed them to add some extra texture.

While I was making the previous square cards, I also made this final square card using Mojo Monday sketch #238. (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the scraps before this card.) This sketch works so well to finish off lots of those small scraps. The final scraps have been donated to my 4-year old daughter since I don’t really like to use any scraps smaller than 1 1/4″.

And here are all of the completed cards. I made a total of 30 cards.

I hope you enjoyed my 6×6 paper pad tutorial and that it inspires you to use those cute 6×6’s you may have been collecting.

Here are closeups of all of the cards and products used for each one. Paper for all cards is Doodlebug’s Friendly Forest 6×6 paper.

Sketch – My Favorite Things #193
Flower dies – Lil Inker Designs
Circle dies – Spellbinders
Sentiment stamp – Reverse Confetti
Twine – Divine Twine
Ink – Memento

Sketch – My Favorite Things #193
Leaf die – Lawn Fawn
Circle dies – Spellbinders
Sentiment stamp – Reverse Confetti
Twine – Divine Twine
Ink – Memento

Sketch – OWH #239
Stamps – Lil Inker Designs
Puzzle dies – Lil Inker Designs
Border die – Paper Smooches
Oval dies – Spellbinders
Brads – from stash
Ink – Memento

Sketch – OWH #239
Sentiment stamp – Paper Smooches
Border punch – EK
Oval dies – Spellbinders
Brads – from stash
Ink – Memento

Sketch – Mojo Monday #353
Stamps – Reverse Confetti
Flower dies – Reverse Confetti
Embossing folder – Cuttlebug
Stitched square die – Lil Inker Designs
Border die – Lawn Fawn
Markers – Copic
Ink – Memento

Sketch – Mojo Monday #353
Sentiment stamp – Avery Elle/Simon Says Stamp
Flower die – Reverse Confetti
Border die – Paper Smooches
Stitched square die cut – Lil Inker Designs
Ink – Versafine

Sketch – Deconstructed #111
Sentiment stamp – Paper Smooches
Circle dies – Spellbinders
Button die – Memory Box
Ink – Memento
Embroidery floss

Sketch – Deconstructed #111
Sentiment stamp – Paper Smooches
Circle dies – Spellbinders
Button die – Memory Box
Ink – Memento
Embroidery floss

Sketch – Reverse Confetti #15
Stamps – Lawn Fawn
Stitched square die – Lil Inker Designs
Border die – My Favorite Things
Embossing folder – Darice
Markers – Copic
Ink – Memento

Sketch – Reverse Confetti #15
Stamps – Lawn Fawn
Stitched square die – Lil Inker Designs
Border die – My Favorite Things
Embossing folder – Darice
Markers – Copic
Ink – Memento

Sketch – Reverse Confetti #15
Stamp – The Stamps of Life
Stitched square die – Lil Inker Designs
Star dies – Lil Inker Designs
Border punch – Martha Stewart
Embossing folder – Lifestyle Crafts
Ink – Memento

Sketch – OWH #123
Sentiment stamp – Avery Elle/Simon Says Stamp
Star die – Lil Inker Designs
Embossing folder – Design Objectives Ltd.
Ink – Tim Holtz distress and Memento

Sketch – OWH #123
Sentiment stamp – Avery Elle/Simon Says Stamp
Star die cut – Lil Inker Designs
Brads – Recollections
Ink – Tim Holtz distress and Memento

Sketch – OWH #123
Sentiment stamp – Mama Elephant
Flower dies – Reverse Confetti
Embossing folder – Cuttlebug
Ink – Versafine

Sketch – OWH #154
Sentiment stamp – Simon Says Stamp
Circle dies – Spellbinders
Embossing folder – Darice
Small circle punch – McGill
Ink – Memento

Sketch – OWH #154
Sentiment stamp – Simon Says Stamp
Circle dies – Spellbinders
Embossing folder – Darice
Small circle punch – McGill
Ink – Memento

Sketch – OWH #154
Sentiment stamp – Simon Says Stamp
Circle die – Spellbinders
Embossing folder – Darice
Ink – Memento

Sketch – OWH #154
Sentiment stamp – Simon Says Stamp
Circle dies – Spellbinders
Embossing folder – Darice
Small circle punch – McGill
Ink – Memento

Sketch – OWH #154
Sentiment stamp – Simon Says Stamp
Circle dies – Spellbinders
Embossing folder – Darice
Small circle punch – McGill
Ink – Memento

Sketch – Mojo Monday #238
Sentiment stamp – Paper Smooches
Circle dies – Spellbinders
Twine – The Twinery
Small circle punch – McGill
Ink – Memento

Check out my 6×6 tutorial video below or clicker HERE to see it on YouTube.

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I appreciate your kindness and support!

56 Replies to “6×6 Paper Pad Tutorial – Revisited”

  • FANTASTIC, Kristie!! I have that paper pack on my must buy list. 🙂 BTW, how do you keep track of all your sketches? Do you have a binder that you flip through, or are they on your computer?

  • Thank you! Even with all of today's technology, I just like to print out the sketches and attach them into a composition notebook. Then I figure out the measurements and write them directly onto the sketch. So easy and it works perfectly for me.

  • oh my gosh…thank you for this!!! I am ready to CASE the entire tutorial…love the papers, the colors, the sketches (with measurements) ALL super great cards.

  • Thank you sooo much for sharing this. I have been following your 6 x 6 paper creations and CASEing many of then. OWH sketch 123 sure is a keeper isn't it? Its great that you shared the measurements for the Mojo Monday 238 sketch. I see you using that sketch over and over and I was struggling to copy it.

  • Kristie, I loved this then and love it now! You should submit this as a magazine article. I would love to attend a class where you lead us through your process–what fun that would be!

  • Kristie, I love your revisit of your signature methodology. I learned so much from your first tutorial and appreciate the update with more detail. They always come out looking very polished and professional.

  • I especially like the fact that your goal wasn't to make fifty or sixty cards from one 6×6 pad. We've all seen tutorials where one card might have just one little square and one little strip of patterned paper. If I had very little paper or was on a strict budget, that kind of tutorial would be for me. But I've already purchased paper to last me a decade or more, so the goal for me is to use as much paper as I can, and your method is perfect. Thanks!

  • Alicia, it took me a few tries to get the measurements correct with Mojo Monday sketch #238. It's a sketch I tend to use to finish off the last of the scraps.

  • You're so sweet, Sherry. I'm not sure what magazine would really be interested in my tutorial. If you're ever in western Washington, come on over and we can make cards together. But really, it's just me making cards. Nothing fancy.

  • Kristie,
    Thanks for sharing your update. I can't believe it's been two years since you first revolutionized 6×6 paper for us! It was fun to scroll through and see the paper pile diminishing as you make cards.

  • This is great. Thanks for sharing. I love how you laid it all out and made the instructions so accessible. I'm definitely going to CASE these too! 6×6 pads, here I come.

  • What an awesome post! Love love love all of your cards! Thanks so much for sharing. I hear a 6×6 paper pad trying to jump out of the drawer! Better run….. 🙂

  • I've used your original tutorial and it's fabulous. I've sat at a crafty retreat and disappeared a 6×6 pack in a day+. I get the 36 sheet pads, so I make a few more cards than you, but it's an awesome way to spend a day!

  • I absolutely loved this tutorial! It is perfect for me. I have one question. What did you use for card bases? Matching Cardstock or just plain white?

  • I bet Kelly Herrold of Scrap & Stamp Arts Magazine would be interested. Email her and ask. Tell her I sent you. scottpublications.com/catalog

  • I always use white card bases for my cards. I use International Paper Accent Opaque Digital 100# cover weight. I buy it by the case from my local paper store and have them cut it in half for card bases.

  • Kristie, you are amazing. Thanks very much for sharing your new template and inspiring collection of cards.

  • A fabulous tutorial! Thanks for explaining it in so much depth for all of us! I agree, OWH sketch #123 is one of my all-time favorites!

  • I just came across this tutorial and am very anxious to try this!!!!! Thanks so much for all of the inspiration!!!!

  • I just stumbled across this tutorial, although I've seen reference to it on the OWH facebook page. This is great! I pinned it for future reference, as well as sending it to a friend that has a bunch of paper. I have more than a decade's worth, I'm sure. HA! Thanks for sharing. From Laura P

  • Beautiful cards and a great way to use a whole pad of paper. Thank you so very much for inspiring me to use the whole paper pad. I just happened to find your other youtube video and it is fantastic, too.

  • I just tried my first 6 x 6 pack, a la your tutorial! (which is totally inspiring, btw). I made 29 cards and have enough paper left for at least 6 more (I think it was a 36 pager). Thanks for the tutorial and the new video, too–it really makes sense to me now. Okay, abut 750 more pads to go… ha ha! Thank you!!

  • Thank you! I'm so glad my tutorial was helpful to you. Sounds like you are doing an awesome job. I may have lots of 6×6's, but definitely no where near 750. Lol! I guess you had better get busy. 🙂

  • Hi Kristie
    I was so inspired by your video. I have a thing about hearts and loved the pink card with the hearts with the I love you. Can you please tell me the name of the heart punch? I am going to have to get out my 6×6 paper pads and get going. Loved all your cards TFS 😉

  • Thank you, Ollie. I'm so glad I could offer you some inspiration. There are no pink cards with hearts in my Revisited Tutorial. Perhaps you are referring to a different blog post. Maybe this one? eponinekc.blogspot.com/2015/08/figuring-out-measurements-for-card.html If so, those hearts are made using a die cut set from Lawn Fawn.

  • I love the 6×6 pads, but I use them much differently than you do. I can also do my way using the 12×12 c/s cut into 4 6×6 pieces. Here is my way. From two sheets of 6×6 I choose which one will be the front of the card. That one is then scored 1" on the left side. This is then bent backwards and this 1" strip is used to put double sided tape onto the piece that would then hold the back 6×6 piece. Line up the back piece to the fold crease and press it to the back piece. This will leave you with 1" sticking out on the right back piece. I simply cut this off using the edge of the front piece as my guide line. Your card size will then be 5×6". Of course I end up with lots and lots of 1×6" pieces that can be used other places on the card or just saved to use on another card. I hope you will try this a couple of times.
    Joyce at oldcardlady28[at]gmail.com

  • Thanks for sharing your process, Joyce. I'm such a huge card sketch fan. So that's generally where I first go for card ideas.

  • HELLO KRISTIE. I REALLY ADMIRE YOUR TALENT. THANKS FOR SHARING IT WITH US. I WISH I COULD HAVE MORE TIME TO PLAY WITH THESE TOYS.

  • Kristie, I have just found your YouTube videos and love them. I've got so many 6×6 pads to have fun with now .. thank you.

    What brand of plain cardstock do you use for your cards?

  • Hello, Cheryl and welcome. I'm so happy you are enjoying my videos. I definitely love using 6×6 paper pads for card making.
    I use a variety of different brands of cardstock. I prefer the Recollections brand for black. As far as the other colors, I use whichever brand I can find coordinating colors. Since most of the local craft stores have closed in my area, I now use either Bazzill or Coredinations from Joanns. I wait for their sales and stock up.

  • This is the greatest blog I have come across in a long time. Thanks for sharing your creativity and skill.

  • Kristie, I just happened to find your tutorial on using 6×6 papers and I'm delighted I did! I wish I had found it sooner,but happy I have it now. I to love using sketches. This system of making cards using the 6×6 pad AND sketches is a creative lifesaver for me. Thank you so much for sharing it!

  • Hello, Bernadette! And thanks for visiting my blog. I really appreciate your kindness. I just love using 6×6 paper pads and card sketches. If you are interested, I also share my 6×6 process on my YouTube channel. I hope you have a wonderful day!

  • I just found this post thru your Queen & Co Shaker Card video. LOVE IT!!! Thanks for doing all this work for a tutorial. I'm going to a Scrapbook Expo soon…I just got my Queen & Co kit in the mail and I'm totally going to do this!!! THANKS AGAIN FOR THE INSPIRATION!! 🙂

  • Hello Cassandra! Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. The Queen & Co. kits are so fun to use. I'm sure you will enjoy using yours. Happy crafting! 🙂

  • I just stumbled on your YouTube about using your 6 x 6 paper Pads up I love it.and I am going to give it a try. One question- what is OWH stand for I’ve never heard of it.
    Oh by the way I’m in Portland Oregon. So we are neighbors kinda.

  • Thank you! I appreciate your kindness! I do hope you give my tutorial a try. It's always fun to turn a lovely paper pad into a set of cards.
    OWH stands for Operation Write Home. It was a non-profit organization that sent handmade cards to deployed service members so they could have cards to mail home to their loved ones. I used to donate and volunteer for the organization until they closed their doors in 2015. They have a wonderful assortment of card sketches available though that I still use.
    We are definitely almost neighbors. I'm in the Seattle/Tacoma area of Washington. 🙂

  • I love these 6X6 videos. You do such a great job of just showing the process even though you're not talking on the video. I like seeing how you use what you have to interpret the sketch. Do you gather the sketches your using before you start or do you pick then as you go along? Thanks so much for doing these videos.

  • Thank you! I appreciate your kindness. Sometimes I'll select a few sketches I want to use when I first start a paper pad, but then I just pick sketches as I go based on what scraps I have leftover. 🙂

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