Despite all the cards I have to hand, occasionally I still have to create one in a hurry. This was one of those times. All I needed was a gender-neutral ‘support’ kind of card but I needed it right away. My fall-back is often Stampin’ Up’s Designer Series Paper (DSP) packs. The DSP is almost always double-sided so I get twice the options. Eventually, with an abstract painted background from the Hues of Happiness pack and a bold sentiment from the Artfully Layered Stamp Set, this card was the result.

PAINTED BACKGROUND

If I decide to use DSP on a project that’s often where I start. The sheet I found in the 12″ x 12″ Hues of Happiness pack is one of several basic ‘paint on canvas’ patterns. The colours on this sheet ranged from blues to purples but I concentrated on the blue end of the sheet. This gave me my colour palette for the project.

First I cut a 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″ piece of the DSP and a 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Basic White Card. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted the DSP onto the card and set it aside.

Next I cut a 2-1/4″ x 6″ piece of DSP and glued that to the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope. Then I trimmed off the excess paper with my Paper Snips using the edge of the flap as a guide.

Finally I cut a 7/8″ x 4″ scrap of the DSP and glued that along the bottom of another 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card. This was to line the card base, which is where I went next…

Taking my cue from the DSP I chose Coastal Cabana Card for the card base. Using my Paper Trimmer I cut and scored the card, then folded it along the scored line. After sharpening the crease with a Bone Folder I added the lining piece to the card base with liquid glue.

ARTFULLY LAYERED

Before adding the main layered piece to the front of the card I wanted to add a little extra detail. So I cut some 3/8″ Denim Ribbon, wrapped it around the layers and secured the ends on the back with Tear & Tape Adhesive.

Now I wanted a large sentiment and I chose “sending all the hugs” from the Artfully Layered Stamp Set. Referring back to the colours on my DSP layer I chose Night of Navy as my ink colour and stamped the sentiment onto some Thick Basic White Card.

I could have simply left the sentiment with straight sides but wanted something a little more interesting. In the end I found the perfect size and shape in the Seasonal Labels Dies and cut it out leaving a little space at the bottom.

With that I decided that all that white needed a little embellishment and so I reached for the Glossy Dots Assortment. Pool Party is another one of the colours used on this paper and so these dots were perfect for my card. First I placed one of the medium-sized dots in the centre below the sentiment. Then I added a small dot on either side and pressed them down firmly.

From there finishing the card was easy using Stampin’ Dimensionals to add the sentiment to the background layer. Then with more Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the background layer I added it to the front of my card base.

I have to say that I’m delighted with how this card turned out. I must also try to remember that the Glossy Dots Assortment was actually designed to coordinate with the Hues of Happiness DSP. Maybe I should write myself a note and stick it to the package…

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Artfully Layered Stamp Set and coordinating Tropical Layers Dies using a single ‘bundle’ item number. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included both options below in case you want to explore this further. In addition… these two products do not appear in the 2022/2023 Annual Catalogue and so are likely to be on the Mini Catalogue Retiring List when its revealed next week.