Shadow Blocking – An Easy Technique

Have you tried Shadow Blocking? It’s a simple technique that creates a really eye-catching effect using small pieces of Designer Series Paper and cardstock.

For this card, I used the Beautiful Ordinary Life Designer Series Paper. There are six sheets in the package, and because I used both sides of each sheet, I was able to create a variety of patterns and colours while keeping everything coordinated.

I cut the DSP into 1″ squares and then mounted each piece onto a 1″ square of Basic Black cardstock, offsetting each piece slightly so the black cardstock peeks out along two sides and creates that shadow effect. Because the DSP and black cardstock are the same size, the black cardstock acts as a shadow, giving each little piece of DSP a defined edge and helping the individual patterns stand out.

I arranged the shadow-blocked squares on a Pool Party cardstock layer, which was then mounted onto a Basic Black card base. The sentiment is from the retired Notes of Spring, stamped in Memento Black.

I really like how the black shadow adds definition to the DSP without requiring a lot of extra embellishment. And because you’re using both sides of the Designer Series Paper, you get lots of different patterns while still having a beautifully coordinated card.

I also wanted to show another way you can use this technique. For the second card, I used the Valley in Bloom Designer Series Paper.

Instead of using multiple sheets of DSP, I started with a 3″ x 4″ piece of DSP and cut it into twelve 1″ squares. Make sure you keep the squares organized in proper order. Each square was then mounted onto a 1″ square of Pretty Peacock cardstock to create the shadow effect. Squares were mounted onto Basic White and I used a base card of Pretty Peacock. Sentiment is from the retired Notes of Spring, stamped in Pretty Peacock.

This is a great option when you have a particular piece of DSP that you really love. Cutting it into squares and adding darker coloured cardstock creates a completely different look while still allowing the beautiful design of the paper to shine.

And I think that’s one of the things I love about this technique – the same basic idea can give you two very different-looking cards depending on the DSP you choose.

I hope you enjoyed my cards for today and will give the shadow blocking technique a try! For more detailed info on my card, please watch my video below.