From Simple to Stepped Up!

Today’s blog post is a lesson in easy ways to take your cards from simple to stepped up!

While they’re is certainly nothing wrong with simple cards – those using just Stamps, Ink, and Paper – many of you are looking for easy ways to take your handmade cards to the next level.

Here are some ways to do that!

I started by creating a set of simple, flat cards using only Note Cards, the Grow With Love Stamp Set, and Crumb Cake and Old Olive ink pads. As you can see, the4 note cards with an herb theme are about as simple as simple can get. Nothing extra – nice but not fancy! Wrapped in a cello bag and tied with a pretty bow, they will make a nice little gift for someone.

BUT what if we used the coordinating dies from the Grow With Love Bundle? Dies (or punches) are products that make stepping up your cards fast and easy! Take a look at the 3 Grow With Love cards below.

Card #1 on the left was taken from the original set of SIP (Stamps, Ink, and Paper) cards I made.

For Card #2 in the middle, I stamped the outline and herb on a separate piece of card stock, then die cut it with the coordinating rectangular die and adhere it to my Note Card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

For Card #3 on the right, I again stamped the outline and herb, die cut it with the coordinating rectangular die and adhered it to my Note Card with Stampin’ Dimensionals just like I did for Card #2. I then stamped the herb again on separate piece of card stock, die cut it with the coordinating Grow With Love Die, and adhered it to the previous die cut on the Note Card.

Now let’s take these cards a step further by adding a back ground layer of card stock or Designer Series Paper as I did for the cards below.

And finally, how about stepping up these cards with an embellishment or ribbon or trim? Yeah, I know lots of you like a little bling or bow on your handmade cards! I added bows made from Linen Thread and Adhesive-Backed Textured Dots to embellish my cards below.