ThePowerOfACard: Fragrant Layers

Showing posts with label Fragrant Layers. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Clean and Classic Cards

The term Clean and Simple is often used to describe cards and while I like them, I often think that simple is the incorrect term. They have a lot of "white" space but some of them are far more advanced than what I think card makers are looking for, especially beginners. Instead, I am using the term Clean and Classic and here are the characteristics I have used to make my samples:

Mostly neutral colors
Layers (lots of them!)
Texture
Small pops of color
No patterned paper
Designs that are more simple than complicated.

In the video, I am making a Smoky Slate card and my samples include Basic White, Basic Black, Basic Beige, Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake. You could also use Night of Navy, Secret Sea, Pecan Pie, or really, any solid color you would wear in slacks or a skirt. As I show you the many examples (11 of them!), I give some useful tips along the way. I am also showing many of the new products that were just released on September 1! I think you'll find plenty of inspiration, whether you're a beginner or seasoned card maker.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Smoky Slate 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", 3-3/4" x 5", 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"
Stamp Bundle: Poetic Petals
Stamp: Fragrant Layers
Ink: Memento Black
Embellishment: Natural Matte Dots
Adhesive and Tools

As you can see, this card comes together in a jiffy. I love this new bundle, which has three different floral designs in a square and three squares, each with a different edge stitching. You can pair them to make a framed flower motif, or use them individually. The sentiments from this set are awesome and quite versatile.

From the smallest layer of Smoky Slate, cut out the flower of your choice. I positioned mine near the lower right corner, making sure I had enough space below the die cut flowers for my sentiment. Stamp the sentiment below the cut out portion and add this layer to the larger piece of Smoky Slate with Dimensionals (and Mini Dimensionals behind the flowers). Don't be skimpy with these as you don't want your card to sag in the middle. Add these two layers with even more Dimensionals to your card base, which you've folded in half and creased with a bone folder. Add a few embellishments to the flowers. Normally, I add my embellishments in odd numbers, but decided that just the centers of the flowers were perfect. I think the shadows you get from adding dimension between layers make this simple card so very interesting.

To finish the card, I stamped my get well message on the inside with black ink. I also used a flower and leaves from the retiring Fragrant Layers bundle to add a coordinating touch to the inside and to the envelope. If you don't already have this bundle, check out the Last Chance List. It's one of my all time favorites and I am sad to see it retire!

My original card was made using Crumb Cake, which is my second most used neutral color of cardstock. I stamped in Secret Sea and chose the same color for my embellishments. The only difference is the envelope where instead of the flower, I stamped the words "Take Care".

We have a new set of square dies that come in a variety of edges and sizes. They are very similar to the circles in the Spotlight on Nature set. I stamped in Berry Burst using the Radiant Sunflowers stamp set, then added this to another square of white using Dimensionals. Before popping it up on my card base, I tied a knot with the Berry Burst Shiny ribbon around the card base. I finished by adding another butterfly on the inside and along the left edge of the envelope. I really love how you see the shadows from the cutouts on the die.

My next sample was inspired by the August Paper Pumpkin kit. (And if you don't have a subscription to this, I would highly recommend it because everything you need is included and it's like getting a fun card class delivered to your mailbox every month!) The five strips of Very Vanilla (3-7/8" x 7/8") were embossed with the Lazy Daisy 3D embossing folder before being added to the card base with Dimensionals. Then a label was punched from the new Advent Labels punch. This has an optional hole you can add for ribbon. I used Mossy Meadow and Very Vanilla Gingham ribbon, which was then tied with some Vanilla Baker's Twine (from the Essentials pack). I stamped in Mossy Meadow ink with stamps from Scalloped Blooms (another great sentiment collection). I added a strip of embossed cardstock to the in inside and embossed the envelope flap with the same folder.

You may have heard that Stampin' Up! recently released the Stampin' Hot Foil System and we have a great selection of hot foil dies, many of them with coordinating stamps! The Echos of Detail bundle is full of textures that are great for making shabby chic backgrounds. I used one of them to make a border along one edge of my raised white panel. Before adhering it to my card, I added a piece of Black Iridescent Ribbon. The Fern & Flora bundle was used for the label, sentiments and ferns. This makes a fantastic masculine thank you card!

I used a fun technique to make my next card. When you take Two Tone Cardstock, which has a white core, and a sanding block, you can make the paper look like it is linen! Run the sanding block (another new product) back in forth in one direction. Then rotate the paper 90º and repeat. The result is a very cool cloth-like look! I added this layer directly to the card base, but you could certainly raise it up too.

My focal point was made using the Fragrant Layers dies (aren't they gorgeous?). The frame was popped up over the second die cut piece of mostly solid flowers. To get the alignment, I peeled off the backings of the Dimensionals on the left side of the frame and stuck it down. This allowed me to slip the second piece under and get it perfectly in place under the flower outlines. Then I went back and removed the rest of the backings so the frame was attached fully. The sentiment was heat embossed in white and also popped up. I cut out more flowers/leaves in white and attached them to the inside, while I stamped flowers/leaves on the envelope in Crumb Cake ink.

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com Karen Sliwinski Stampin’ Up!®

The Sunflower 3D embossing folder has been around for a while and it's such a lovely pattern with very deep impressions. I added a panel directly to the Basic Beige card base, then added a plain strip with my sentiment stamped in Early Espresso and a sunflower from the Radiant Sunflowers set. Both of these were popped up with Dimensionals. To color the flower, I used the Shimmer Brushes in Golden Glow and a little Crisp Cantaloupe. The final touch on this strip were the Radiant Gems. I left the inside blank, except for a strip of embossed cardstock and the envelope flap was also embossed.

Another favorite embossing folder is Swirls of Magic. After embossing my Basic White panel, I spritzed it with the Hydrangea Hue Shimmer Brush. To do that, simply have the brush tip primed with ink and smack the pen against your bone folder edge. Be careful because the splatter goes where it wants to! Then I cut two circles from the Stylish Shapes dies, stamping my sentiment from the Balloon Festoon set on the smaller one. I adhered the larger circle directly to the embossed panel, then added two strips of Hydrangea Hue Bordered Ribbon around the panel, and finally, popped up the smaller circle. I stamped off the stars on the inside and envelope flap, then stamped Happy Birthday in full strength ink.

My first popped up layer was created by cutting out an arch (Everyday Arches dies) and embossing it with the new Softly Woven 3D embossing folder. I used the Words of Beauty bundle to do my sentiments (layering the because with white as the middle layer) and using black ink. Before adding these with Dimensionals to the arch, I added linen thread. It's helpful to add some Seal under the words - this really holds down the thread. Lastly, I added dots from the Adhesive-Backed Bats Ghosts & Dots embellishments. More embossed strips of Basic Beige were added inside and to the envelope.

To add texture on this next sample, I first scored five parallel lines on the top and bottom of a panel of Crumb Cake cardstock. You can do this with your Paper Trimmer or a score board. Then I used a Blending Brush to add a little color to the outside edges - first with Crumb Cake ink, then to make it a little deeper, just a touch of Pecan Pie. The branch, from Nature's Symphony bundle, was stamped in Versamark ink, cut out, decorated with a little Linen Thread Bow, and popped up on the card front. The sentiments are stamped in Pecan Pie ink and more stamped branches complete the inside and envelope.

The Pretty Poinsettia bundle is one of my favorite new sets for Christmas! By using the Impressions Plate, the petals and leaves of the flower are so striking! I adhered four layers of petals with Mini Glue Dots, plus the center and tucked in a sprig of leaves with glue to my card base. My sentiment was stamped in Cherry Cobbler, then matted with a slightly larger piece of white. Note - each layer is popped up. A stamped poinsettia decorates the inside and envelope. Boy do I love this card!

My last sample features the use of die cut pieces to add texture to a panel. I cut out a full spider web and two partials from the Web of Fun bundle. Before adding them to my popped up panel of Basic Black, I spritzed them with shimmer ink. Several years ago, we had this ink and I still had some of it in a spritz bottle. You could also use Wink of Stella to add shimmer. My letters were cut with the Party Alphabet dies and stamped with Smoky Slate (second generation stamping). I popped them up over the

spider webs, then added little bats (more from the Bats Ghosts & Dots embellishments) and a big die cut spider. The inside panel has Happy Halloween - I used the happy from A Family Celebration stamp set. Another spider web adorns the envelope corner.

So now that you've seen so many samples of Clean and Classic cards, are you going to make some yourself? Which one is your favorite? Do you have a go-to neutral that you use? Please let me know in the comments of the video! Happy card making!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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Product List

Poetic Petals Bundle (English)

[168271]

$41.25

Fragrant Layers Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[167150]

$24.00

Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[131202]

$14.00

Natural Matte Dots

[167510]

$8.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Basic White Medium Envelopes

[159236]

$15.00

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Start Simple, Then Step it Up!

I just got my notification from YouTube that I've been making videos for six years!!! It's hard to believe it's been that long, but I started during the pandemic and have made a video every two weeks (and some more in-between) all of that time. Wow! It's not always been easy and it's challenging to predict what gets views, but I have had some wonderful support from subscribers all over the world and that's been pretty cool!

I have been stamping a very long time and I often hear people who are new to stamping say that they could NEVER make cards like me. Well, that's just not true. Everyone starts out without all the stuff and not knowing techniques. So that's why I've made this video. I will make three cards with essentially the same layout. The first one will be simple, the next one will add some things to step it up and the last one will be have even more stuff (both techniques and embellishments). I'll have some tips along the way and my hope is that you will find success in starting out with simple cards and only step it up when and if you want to!

Gather your supplies for Card 1:

Cardstock: Thick Basic White 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" scored at 4-1/4"; Basic White 2-3/4" x 4", 3/4" x 2-1/2"; Strawberry Slush 3" x 4-1/4"
Stamps: Fragrant Layers, Reason to Celebrate
Ink: Memento Black
Adhesive and Tools

My goal for this card is to keep it simple with SIP - Stamps, Ink and Paper. I choose two stamp sets as great starter stamps because they are versatile. The flowers can be simple line images, or filled in with color and between the two sets, you have a good variety of sentiments.

When you start out, it is helpful to make yourself a set of card layers. The typical card front size is 4-1/4" x 5-1/2". I made a series of layers, most of them 1/4" smaller on both dimensions. If you make them in different colors, it's helpful to see how the layers will combine. After mounting the large cluster of flowers, I saw that it would fit very well on a 2-3/4" x 4" piece. Then the next size up becomes 3" x 4-1/4". While you may not always use these sized layers, understanding how to layer is foundational for card making.

This simple card will be black and white with a pop of color, one of my favorite combinations. Fold your card base and half - it's good if you have a bone folder to press the crease. Place your stamp on a block and ink. Because it's a large stamp, I like to turn the block upside down and hold the ink pad with my hand to apply ink. Your goal is to tap, tap, tap and only get ink on the stamp, not the block. That doesn't always happen, but if you do get ink on the block, the ink is likely to get in places you don't want! Stamp the image on the white rectangle, then glue this to the Strawberry Slush rectangle. You don't need a lot of glue - a thin line of it will suffice. You want to avoid having glue ooze out from the edges. I like using glue because it's economical and it allows you to move the pieces a bit before the glue sets. Glue our floral piece to the card front, centering it (but just eyeball it, don't measure).

On the small piece of white, stamp the sentiment. You could just glue this to the card front if you want, but I added a few Dimensionals (double sided foam adhesive hexagons) and positioned it near the bottom of the floral piece. For the inside, stamp Happy Birthday in black. I inked the large floral image again and stamped that in the corner of the envelope to finish the card.

Your goal at this stage of your stamping journey is to hone your stamping skills - no ink on the block, no smearing of the ink when you stamp, full ink coverage and no glue oozing from your layers. If you want, practice on scrap paper until you feel confident in the inking/stamping process. Make your own set of layering guides to assist you.

Gather your supplies for Card 2:

Cardstock: Thick Basic White 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" scored at 4-1/4"; Basic White 2-3/4" x 4", 3/4" x 2-1/2"; Basic Black 2-7/8" x 4-1/8", 7/8" x 2-5/8"; Strawberry Slush 3-1/8" x 4-3/8"
Stamps: Fragrant Layers, Reason to Celebrate
Inks: Memento Black, Strawberry Slush, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight
Adhesive and Tools

We start out the same by folding the card base and stamping the large floral image on the white rectangle. Then use the stamps to fill in the flowers in Strawberry Slush, leaves in Granny Apple Green and flower centers with Daffodil Delight. These filler stamps provide a watercolor look to our focal point. Instead of one layer, this panel will have two. The first one is black, which is only 1/8" larger than the white. Glue these together, then add the Strawberry Slush layer. Before adding this to the card front, add Dimensionals so this entire element is popped up.

For the sentiments, both on the front and inside, stamp in Strawberry Slush. Mat the outside sentiment with the black and pop it up by adding one Dimensional in the lower right corner and glue where it overlaps the flower piece. For the envelope, stamp the flowers in Strawberry Slush.

This stepped up approach uses more ink colors, layers and dimension. You can introduce Designer Series Paper (DSP) instead of cardstock. Patterned paper is lots of fun and adds a lot more interest. A good way to expand your ink colors is by getting a collection of Stampin' Spots which are mini ink pads. They come in several sets, but are also part of Paper Pumpkin and other Kits. I like building in color families (Brights, Subtles, Regals, Neutrals or In Colors) - you can get an assortment of cardstock in each of the families, and all of colors are coordinated across the product lines.

Gather your supplies for Card 3:

Cardstock: Strawberry Slush 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" scored at 4-1/4"; Basic White 2-3/4" x 4", 3/4" x 2-1/2", 4" x 5-1/4"; Daffodil Delight 2-7/8" x 4-1/8"; Basic Black 3-1/8" x 4-3/8", 7/8" x 2-5/8"
Stamps: Fragrant Layers, Reason to Celebrate
Ink: Memento Black, Strawberry Slush, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight
Ribbon: Strawberry Slush Faux Linen
Embellishment: 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls
Adhesive and Tools

For our last card, we are using several techniques to step it up. The first is to use a colored cardstock for our card base and to stamp the large floral image in the upper left and lower right corners with Strawberry Slush ink, adding interest and subtle texture. For the floral element, stamp and color the flowers as we did in card 2, then mat with Daffodil Delight. Before adding the last mat (black), distress the edges as shown in the video with scissors.

Wink of Stella is a glittery pen with a paintbrush tip. It will add just a gentle sparkle to the flower petals (I almost forgot to add it in the video, but it's best to do it at this point in the process). If you have to squeeze the pen to get more glitter into the nib, be careful as it is easy to get a big drip! Before adding the floral element to the card, tie a knot of Strawberry Slush ribbon near the bottom, then add to the card front at an angle with Dimensionals. Add some Strawberry Slush flat pearls around the flowers. I prefer to add gems in odd numbers as this is more pleasing to the eye.

Stamp the sentiment for the card front in Granny Apple Green, mat with the black and add to the front like we did in Card 2. Because our card base is not white, stamp the Happy Birthday onto a panel of Basic White. Ink the Birthday in Strawberry Slush by using the edge of the ink pad to only ink part of our sentiment. Stamp on the white panel, then clean the stamp well before the next step. Ink Happy in Black and stamp above Birthday. Glue this panel to the inside of the card. Stamp the flowers on the envelope corner as we did before.

Obviously, we have done more techniques with this card (Wink of Stella, distressing paper edges, tone on tone stamping, and stamping a sentiment in multiple colors) and have added embellishments (ribbon and pearls). Changing the positioning of the focal point is another way we have stepped up this card. Even with all of those things, we still haven't branched out into other tools or techniques that require more equipment. If you want to do dry embossing or die cutting, you will need a Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine. Once you get that, your possibilities for stepping up your card design really kick it up a notch. You can also invest in other coloring techniques (Stampin' Blends, Watercolor Pencils, or Ink Refills to do watercoloring). And then there is heat embossing, which is magical!

The possibilities are nearly endless and oh, so much fun! I hope this basic tutorial has helped you in your stamping efforts, or given you some tools to help introduce stamping to a family member or friend. I'm here to help you along the journey, whether you prefer simple stamping, or want to step up your skills!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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Product List

Fragrant Layers Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[167150]

$24.00

Reason To Celebrate Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[166905]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[159229]

$17.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Strawberry Slush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165625]

$14.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

$14.00

Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119683]

$14.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$8.00

Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad

[165286]

$9.00

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad

[147095]

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

[147094]

$9.00

Strawberry Slush 3/8" (1 Cm) Faux Linen Ribbon

[165274]

$8.00

2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls

[165192]

$8.50

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

$10.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Basic White Medium Envelopes

[159236]

$11.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Fun With Vellum

When I was thinking of a title for this video, I thought of Big Bang Theory and Amy and Sheldon's Fun With Flags. While I probably won't make you laugh as much as they did, I do hope you will learn some fun ways to incorporate vellum into your card making repertoire. I will be showing you seven different ways to use vellum, plus a bunch of tips and techniques along the way.

I've been a fan of vellum for a long time and was disappointed when it was discontinued by Stampin' Up!. When it returned (👏🏻 and jump for joy!), it was now in a 12" x 12" size. I love how thick it is - sturdy enough for all of the ways I'm going to show you how to use it. I know my video is a bit longer than normal, but I do hope you'll watch all of it and learn some fun ways you can use vellum in your cards too.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Melon Mambo 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" scored at 4-1/4" and a scrap strip; Vellum Specialty Paper 3" x 5-3/4" (cut into 3" x 4-1/4" and 3" x 1-1/2"); Basic White (2) 4" x 5-1/4", 3" x 4-1/4" and a scrap strip, Granny Apple Green 2-15/16" x 4-3/16", Adhesive Sheet 3" x 4-1/4"
Stamps: Fragrant Layers and Paradise Garden
Inks: Memento Black, Melon Mambo, Granny Apple Green
Embossing Folder: Paradise Garden Hybrid
Watercolor Pencils: Assortment 1 and 2
Other: Basics Embossing Powder and Embossing Buddy
Adhesive and Tools, including the Blender Pens and Heat Tool

1. Stained Glass

I have two different ways to do stained glass, and two different ways to attach this to your card. Let's start out by folding your card base and creasing the fold with a Bone Folder. Emboss one of the large white rectangles with the embossing folder and attach to the front of the card with glue.

Use the Embossing Buddy on the large piece of vellum to remove any static, then stamp the large floral image with Memento Black ink. Since the ink stays wet longer on vellum, you can sprinkle it with the clear embossing powder and it will stick just as if you had used Versamark! Use the Heat Tool to melt the powder and when done, you'll see it looks like a medium gray color rather than black. I love that you can get this softer look by using Memento Black ink! Of course, if you want black, just use the Black embossing powder.

For this first sample, I decided to use Watercolor Pencils. These are so versatile because there are lots of colors and they can be blended together to get even more colors. When you use them, make sure you have a good point and color on the back side (non-embossed side) of the vellum. You don't have to be perfect, or even fill in the petals or leaves completely. Next, use the Blender Pen to blend the pencil marks and smooth out the color. Make sure to make marks on a scrap paper to remove the color from the pen tip before switching to the next color.

There are several ways I like to adhere my vellum. The first way is to use Adhesive Sheets. Use a piece the same size as the vellum. I peel off part of the backing and adhere it a bit at a time. Then peel off another section of the backing and press it down. This way, it's a little easier to manage than having a large sticky piece to add! Next peel off the rest of the backing and add this to the white rectangle of the same size. I wasn't thinking right when I was filming and did my trimming too early!). After the vellum is adhered, trim this down to be 2-3/4" x 4". Glue this to the Granny Apple Green piece and add Dimensionals to the back. Then add it the card front at an angle.

Stamp the small sentiment in Granny Apple Green on the small strip of white and trim as desired. Mat this with the Melon Mambo strip and trim. Add this with a Mini Dimensional and glue as shown. Stamp the large sentiment in Melon Mambo on the remaining piece of white and add to the inside. For the small flower and leaves, I colored them and fussy cut them out. To add them to the inside panel, I used my fine tip glue bottle to add a little glue and then spread it around with the tip. You could also use my trick of a silicon mat and trimmed pastry brush to apply uniform glue. To finish the envelope, stamp another flower/leaves and color with the pencils.

My second card utilized Stampin' Blends to color the flowers. I started with the Flowers Flair background stamp set and embossed the vellum with black embossing powder. After coloring the flowers, you will see they are more vibrant than the pencils, and that the brush strokes show up a bit more. I used an adhesive sheet to add the vellum to the white panel, then tied some Strawberry Slush Faux Linen Ribbon around it before adding it to my Blueberry Bushel cardstock with Dimensionals. The sentiment is from Beautiful Motifs. I used the background stamp to add a light Smoky Slate design on the inside and envelope too. As a tip, the Stampin' Positioner (available to order in May) makes using a large background stamp super easy!

2. Dry Embossing

When you dry emboss vellum, you get white edges so it looks two tone. For this sample, I used the Lazy Daisy 3D embossing folder. With the texture, I just used Seal to attach it to the Daffodil Delight base and you can't even see it. The labels are from the Nested Essentials dies and the sentiments are from Nature's Symphony stamp set. The Misty Moonlight Checkered Trim adds the final touch.

3. Card Base

Trim the vellum to be 4-1/4" x 11" and score at 5-1/2". I then cut out a large rectangle from the Product of the Month Painted Illusions Designer Series Paper (DSP) with the Perennial Postage dies and added it to the card front with a little bit of Seal in the corners. Depending on the pattern on the reverse side, or if you see the adhesive too much, you could add another piece of white the same size to cover it on the inside flap. I used a smaller die to cut out white postage label, then added a rectangle of white that I colored with blending brushes to coordinate with the DSP. The sentiment is from the Greenery Lane stamp set and the ribbon is Darling Duckling Faux Linen.

4. Alcohol Backgrounds Using Blends

I must forewarn you - this can get addicting! For the first sample, I added swipes of color diagonally down the vellum. Then I spritzed it with 91% rubbing alcohol to activate the ink. I blew on it to move the colors around. You will get different looks each time you try this technique as the alcohol spritzing is unpredictable! I used glue to adhere the vellum and spread it around with the trimmed silicon pastry brush. The sentiment is from Paradise Garden (fussy cut) and the gems are the 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls.

The second sample used Secret Sea and Cloud Cover Stampin' Blends where I covered the entire piece of vellum. Then I used a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol and dabbed it on the colored vellum to activate the ink. My Happy Birthday is from a retired set of dies (Cloud Cover and Secret Sea cardstock) and the inside sentiment is from The Right Words. I love how this masculine card turned out! I mentioned this video which shows a lot more of the process of using Blends and alcohol to make backgrounds - it's an old one but I think you'll find it helpful.

5. Soften a Busy Background

I love showcasing our DSP, but sometimes, you just need a little buffer between the paper and your sentiment or design element. In this card, I used the Florals in Bloom DSP. The outside sentiment is from the Thoughtful Moments Hybrid embossing folder. The layer of vellum between the "love you" and the paper is just enough to set off the words. The lovely ribbon is Berry Burst Shiny Ribbon (my new fav!) and the card base is Secret Sea. My inside sentiment is from the Paradise Garden set. I added a few Natural Matte Dots for the finishing touch.

6. Floral or Greenery Elements

When you are making floral or botanical cards, you don't always want to have them in the color they are in nature. Vellum is the perfect solution! My first sample features paper from the Splash of Sparkles Specialty DPS pack in Timid Tiger and Bubble Bath. I used the Springtime Scenes bundle and making the leaves out of vellum kept the color scheme while adding texture and interest around my cluster of flowers.

For the second card, I used vellum for parts of the flowers and the leaves (Petals of Beauty bundle). My card base is Petal Pink and the Poppy Parade Two Tone cardstock, folded over on the corner, makes the perfect backdrop for those pretty flowers (base is from the Garden Poetry DSP). The centers are the Moody Palette Glossy Dots. The sentiment is embossed in white and comes from the 2026 Virtual Cardmaking Retreat stamp set. I also used the Paradise Garden stamp set for my interior sentiment.

7. Embossed Sentiments

Lastly is this sample where I embossed my sentiment (Paradise Garden again 😉) with white on a strip of vellum. I wrapped a strip of Strawberry Slush Faux Linen ribbon around a rectangle of Mixed Up Patterns DSP, then wrapped the vellum just a little below it and adhered it to the back side. Even though there isn't any adhesive holding the sentiment down on the front, it is secure enough to stay in place due to being held down on the back. After adding this panel to a piece of white, I popped it up on the card base. The vellum leaf is from Nature's Symphony dies and I adhered it with rolled up Mini Glue Dots.

Whew! That was a lot of ways to use vellum! Were any of these new to you? If so, which one will you try? And which card was your favorite? I love so many of them - thanks for watching!

Karen

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