You can either use rectangle dies or cut them with your paper trimmer for the rectangle layers.  I used the Stitched Rectangles dies and my Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine.  You could also use the Deckled Rectangles dies.

If you don't have a die cutting machine* you can cut rectangles with your Paper Trimmer.  The sizes of the ones I used for all of the cards below are:  

Larger rectangle (back layer) 3-3/8" x 4-3/4" and smaller rectangle (front layer) 3" x 4-1/4".

I used the circles from the Stylish Shapes dies.  The larger circle (the one I used with the front rectangle layer - see below) has a diameter of 2-1/2".  The other two circles I used have a diameter of 2-1/8" and 1-3/4".  Use any circles (or any other substitute-see below) that you wish/have.

*If you do not have a Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine, but are interested in purchasing one.  Now (August) is the perfect time to buy one.  The machine costs $120, which qualifies you for both Sale-a-bration AND my August Special (plus you'll want to purchase at least one set of dies which will increase your Sale-a-bration earnings).  Information on my August Special is at the end of this email.

I used my favorite Stylish Shapes dies for the circle cut outs, but you can easily use circle punches or other circle dies.  Use a larger circle to cut out the (mostly) circle from the smaller of the two rectangle layers (the one that will be in front) and then use a smaller circle for your popped out sentiment.

I used the He's the Man Designer Series Paper for this card.  Card base is Sahara Sand.  The circle sentiment is one of the die-cut choices you get in the paper pack (two whole sheets of die-cuts).

Similar card to above, but I added a stamped image on the circle from the coordinating He's All That stamp set and embossed the card base with the Gingham Embossing Folder (FREE in August for Sale-a-bration with a $50 order).

I kept the layout exactly the same as the sketch except I added two layered circles for the sentiment rather than just one.  I also stamped the front  layer rather than using patterned paper.  If you don't have a coordinating layer, stamp your own!

Card base is Night of Navy.  Circles are (smaller) Calypso Coral and (larger) Sweet Sorbet.

Stamp Set - A Fish & A Wish.  Fish Colors - Coastal Cabana, Parakeet Party & Mango Melody.  Sentiment embossed with white.

Background layer is from Sun Prints Designer Series Paper.

For this card, I added a little greenery and a bow on top of the rectangle layers and used a smaller circle as the focal point.

Card Base - Pale Papaya.  Circle in Sweet Sorbet & embossed with white powder.

Stamp Set - Limited Edition

Lovely Linen Designer Series Paper

Greenery from Forever Flourishing dies.

Soft Sea Foam Seam Binding Ribbon.

Rather than use a circle for the focal point, I used a tea cup!  no need to stick with circles.

I also embossed the card base with the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder. Tomorrow's Facebook Live will focus on using embossing folders with your card bases (with a few tricks!).  Watch live at 2pm EST or the replay.

Card base - Petal Pink

Stamp & Dies Bundle - Cup of Tea

Tea Boutique Designer Series Paper

The tea cup is usually in the other direction when cut, but to center it in the space, the handle would have been off the card.  So I flipped it, as well as the detailing and then glued the two pieces together.

This last card has a pretty similar format as the above.  My "trick" on this card is with the attachment of the Vellum circle.  I have it raised above the candy cane paper, but you can't see how it's attached.  The left side is glued to the back of the candy cane, which is popped up with dimensionals.  I placed a gem both on top of the Vellum and directly underneath one of the gems (on the backside of the Vellum) and stuck a glue dot between the underneath gem and the candy cane designer paper.  This raises it to match the height of the dimensional on the other side.  If I attached it flush to the candy cane paper, you would not have been able to read the sentiment as clearly (because of the busy candy canes).

Card base - Garden Green, embossed with Whimsical Woodland 3D Folder

Stamp Set - Sweet Gingerbread

Candy Canes Dies

Sweetest Christmas Designer Series Paper

I mentioned above that I would provide you with a link with sales pricing for my Monthly Sketch Program.  Right now, there are over 16 months of sketches & samples in the library with more being added each month.

Link to "Back to School" Special Monthly Pricing

(somewhere on PayPal, it may say Black Friday pricing - it's the same price I offered and can't seem to figure out how to change the code).

https://mailsomethingpretty.com/get-more-with-your-august-orders-my-august-special/