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One Layer Floral Cardmaking Tutorial with Ink Blending and Copic Coloring

Hello Crafty Friends, It’s Rick back with you again today.  Creating a beautiful, encouraging card doesn’t have to involve layers and complex construction. In today’s project, we’re focusing on a one layer floral encouragement card that highlights soft color, simple composition, and thoughtful details. Using the Slow Bloom Society Stamp Set from Unity Stamps, you’ll learn how to combine stamping, ink blending, and coloring techniques to create a polished design that feels both elegant and approachable.

Project Overview

This card features a vertical floral arrangement that naturally draws the eye from bottom to top, creating a sense of movement and balance. The florals are stamped directly onto the card front, keeping everything on a single layer while still delivering plenty of visual interest.

A softly blended background adds warmth without overwhelming the design, while the clean white space around the florals allows the details to shine. The combination of pink blooms, fresh green stems, and a neutral background creates a timeless look that works beautifully for an encouragement card.

Because the design stays contained to one focal area, it’s easy to recreate and ideal for building confidence with color and composition.

Technique Highlights

This project combines several foundational techniques that work together seamlessly:

Stamping for Structure
The stamped floral image acts as the framework for the entire card. A well-placed image like this eliminates the need for layering while still giving you a strong focal point.

Ink Blending for Soft Backgrounds
Adding a light blend of ink behind the florals helps ground the image and prevents it from feeling like it’s “floating” on the card. Keeping the blending soft and slightly uneven creates a natural, artistic feel.

Tip: Start with a light hand and build color gradually. It’s easier to deepen color than to remove it.

Copic Coloring for Depth and Dimension
Layering color within the petals and leaves brings the stamped image to life. Even simple shading—adding slightly darker tones toward the base of petals—can create beautiful dimension.

Tip: Work in small sections and blend while the ink is still wet for smoother transitions.

White Gel Pen Highlights
A few well-placed highlights can make a big impact. Adding small dots or lines to petals and leaves enhances contrast and gives the design a finished, polished look.

Glitter Accents for Subtle Shine
Touches of Stardust Stickles and Gold Glitter Stickles add just enough sparkle to catch the light without overpowering the card. These accents work best when used sparingly to highlight key areas.

Product Education

The Slow Bloom Society Stamp Set is ideal for creating elegant, one layer designs. The floral images are detailed enough to stand on their own, making them perfect for techniques like coloring and ink blending without needing additional layers or elements.

The scale of the florals allows you to easily build a focal point, whether you choose a single image or a small cluster. The coordinating sentiments pair naturally with the artwork, making it simple to create a cohesive and meaningful card.

Because the images are versatile, this set works well for a variety of techniques—from clean and simple designs to more detailed, layered looks—making it a great option for both beginners and more experienced cardmakers.

One layer cards are a wonderful way to focus on technique while keeping the process simple and enjoyable. This design is easy to adapt—try changing the color palette for a different mood, or shift the placement of the florals for a new layout.

Take your time with each step, enjoy the process, and don’t be afraid to experiment. With a few thoughtful techniques and a beautiful stamp set, you can create a card that feels both personal and polished.

Affiliate links may be used in this blog post at no additional cost to you.

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Bee Cool Shaker Card Using the Hip-Hop Honeybee Stamp Set | Spring Card Tutorial

Hello crafty friends it’s Rick back with you again!  Today I am sharing a fun Spring time shaker card idea with you using the Hip-Hop Honeybee Stamp Set (from the March 2026 Kit of the Month) Scallops & Arches Nesting Dies, and a little bit of pattern paper from the Soft Side of the Fence Paper Pack.

I am going to be honest with you.  I didn’t start out today’s card thinking I was going to make a shaker card.  I actually started out with making a clean and simple quick card in mind but as I got started working on my project for you today it changed direction.  And I am super happy with the outcome.  Sometimes a card just comes to life on it’s on.

Getting Started

As I mentioned I didn’t start out to make a shaker card today.  But, as I started working on today’s card it went in a completely different direction than intended.  And that’s okay!  Sometimes our creative process determines what to make.  And I have learned over the years to not fight the process and just go with the flow.  Nine out of ten times I am much happier with the end result.  So, I had stamped out the bee and the sentiments I wanted to use from the Hip-Hop Honeybee Stamp Set onto a piece of smooth white cardstock using an alcohol marker friendly ink.

I started coloring the the cute little bee on the daisy with my copic markers and then as the coloring process evolved I decided that a quick and easy card wasn’t the way to go.  I started thinking I wanted more color than ink blending.  So, I continued the coloring process until I got the bee and the flower all colored up. I started brainstorming what could I do to make this card more spring-ish and fun.

 Then it hit me you could fussy cut the bee and flower out and use it as the focal point on a shaker element of some kind.  But what would be a fun and easy shaker element.  So, I went rummaging through my Unity Stamps supplies and pulled out The Softer Side of the Fence Pattern Paper Pack and the Scallops & Arches Nesting Dies.  That was the key to taking a simple card up a notch.

Shaker Things Up

So I pulled out the flower pattern paper from The Soft Side of the Fence Pattern Paper Pack and took one of the Scallops & Arches Nesting Dies and cut it out.  I then took one of the smaller arches in the set and layered it on the scalloped arch I had cut from the pattern paper and created a frame.  I used the scalloped arch and cut out a piece of acetate for the window.  I layered the two together with a little liquid glue.  I placed foam strips behind the shaker window frame.

I then cut down a piece of the tone on tone green pattern paper to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and attached it to a top folding A2 card base.  But when I laid the design on top there wasn’t enough contrast.  So, I pulled out the woodgrain pattern paper from The Soft Side of the Fence Pattern Paper Pack and cut it down to a little over 2″ x 5 1/4″ and added it to the card front slightly off center.  I placed the pieces back on top to check the process and knew I was headed in the right direction.  So, I added the smaller arch from the floral pattern paper to the card front added some shaker fill and placed the shaker window over top.  I fussy cut out the bee on the daisy and added it to the card front. Then I decided that I didn’t need two sentiments after all and cut out the Bee Cool sentiment using my fussy cutting shears.  I added it to the card front and was like yes this is fab!

Finishing the Card

Now it was time to finish the card design!  So, I pulled in my white gel pen and added some white highlights to the bee and flower and added a few yellow sequins sprinkled around the card front.  I added three in the top right corner and three in the bottom left corner; totally breaking my normal odd numbers only rule. Sometimes you just have to break a rule to get the look you want.

Breaking a rule every now and then is perfectly fine and legal; besides it’s your card right? The card police aren’t going to be pulling up to your door and say “I am sorry but you used six sequins instead of just five.”  But if they do run girl! Just run!  But all joking aside and I am being completely serious with you.  If you sit down to create a project and your creative side wants to take that unexpected u-turn let it!  You maybe completely happy with what comes next. And if it goes completely wrong it’s just paper.  You can always use another sheet I give you permission.

Thanks for dropping by today I hope that this helps inspire you to let your creative side take over every so often while playing with your Unity Stamps products.  You never know what will happen.  I hope you have a creative and wonderful day!

Happy Crafting

Affiliate links may be used in this blog post at no additional cost to you.

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Elegant Handmade Card with the Hand in Hand Stamp Set | Unity Stamps March Kit

Hello crafty friends, it’s Rick back with you again today I am sharing a simple but elegant card design using the Hand In Hand Stamp Set from the March 2026 Kit of the Month.  If you want to create an easy and cute card for a wedding the Hand In Hand Stamp Set if perfect.  It has a super cute little illustration of a bride and groom standing in a field of flowers.  The stamp set also has some great sentiments as well.  But I had to create a quick and easy wedding card with some simple coloring to share with you today.

For today’s card I started out with a piece of smooth white cardstock that is alcohol marker friendly.  I stamped the image from the Hand In Hand Stamp Set just left of center onto the white cardstock and then stamped the sentiment I wanted to use for today’s card to the right of the focal image.  I stamped the image and sentiment in the same alcohol marker friendly ink because I knew I wanted to do some simple coloring using my alcohol markers.

Getting Started

To get started as I mentioned when I pull supplies to make some cards I like to stamped the main image and the sentiment onto a card front panel at one time while I have all the supplies out.  I will store the stamped panels in a container on one of my work stations.  That way when i want to make a quick card I can pull one of the card fronts and be ready to go.  Which is what I did with the Hand In Hand Stamp Set.  I stamped out some just plain images and some card fronts in different orientations.   So they are ready to go.

Keeping It Simple

Usually when I am making a quick card I like to keep the coloring simple as well. I will pull two colors from each color family of the alcohol markers I am using.  Usually a lighter and darker color that will blend easily.  I started coloring this card by coloring the bride first.

Coloring Process

I wanted to have an antique feel for the card; so I colored the wedding dress in a cream color combo. For this card I stayed with more of a pastel color scheme. I then moved on to coloring the groom, both of their hair and the ground and flowers. Since the veal is usually transparent I did add a little of the colors from her hair under the veal and added the cream color over top.  This pushed the hair color behind the veal back and the hair that wasn’t behind the veal stand out.  Once I had the focal image all colored the way I wanted it to be; I added some different size dots of the two light reds that I used on the card to add a little interest. The longer you hold the marker to the paper the bigger the dot you will create.

Finishing Touches

I did make sure to add different size dots to give the card more interest. Next I added a little shimmer to her dress and flicked on some liquid glitter as well.  I also added some small dots of some glitter glue around the couple as well. This helped add a little more elegance to the wedding card.  To add a little more elegance I also added a few pearls close to the sentiment.

Once I had all the elegant touches and coloring completed I cut the card front down to 3 3/4″ x 5″ and flipped it over and added some foam tape to the back of the card front.  I then added the card front onto a standard A2 card base cut from some gray cardstock.  So, that’s how I created this quick elegant wedding card using the Hand In Hand Stamp Set from the March 2026 Kit of the Month.

Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you are inspired to give this technique and this elegant quick card idea a try.  I will see you again soon, remember until next time stay crafty!

 

Affiliate links may be used in this blog post at no additional cost to you.

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Clean and Layered Cardmaking with the Softest Thoughts Stamp Set

Today, Rick is sharing a sweet handmade card project that combines stamping, alcohol marker coloring, and simple pattern paper mixing for a clean and approachable design. This project is perfect for beginner to intermediate cardmakers who want to build confidence with layout, coloring, and paper choices—without feeling overwhelmed. Using Unity Stamp Company’s The Softest Thoughts Stamp Set and Where Little Gardens Grow Paper Pack, this card shows how a few thoughtful design decisions can create a polished, finished look.

Project Overview

This card features a soft, centered layout with a single stamped image as the focal point, supported by layered pattern paper and a gentle color palette. The design works because it keeps the main image front and center while using pattern paper to add interest without competing for attention.

The warm pinks, soft oranges, and light greens create a cohesive look that feels cheerful and calm. By limiting the number of patterns and repeating colors from the background papers into the stamped image, the card stays balanced and easy on the eyes. This kind of layout is ideal when you want your stamped image to shine while still adding texture and personality to your card.

Technique Highlights

Step 1: Stamping the Image

Start by stamping the main image from The Softest Thoughts Stamp Set onto smooth cardstock. Choosing a clean, crisp impression helps make coloring easier and keeps the final card looking polished.

Tip: If you’re newer to stamping, take a moment to ensure your stamp is evenly inked. A solid image makes a big difference when coloring.

Step 2: Alcohol Marker Coloring

The stamped image is colored using alcohol markers with a soft, blended approach. Light layers help keep the image gentle and cohesive, while slightly darker shading adds depth and definition.

Why this works: Alcohol markers blend smoothly and allow you to build color gradually. Keeping contrast subtle helps the image stay friendly and approachable rather than overly bold.

Beginner option: If alcohol markers feel intimidating, focus on simple color placement and minimal shading. Clean coloring is more important than complex blending.

Step 3: Mixing Pattern Paper

Pattern paper from the Where Little Gardens Grow Paper Pack is layered behind the focal image to add interest and warmth. The key here is mixing patterns that share similar colors while varying scale—one softer pattern paired with a slightly bolder one.

Why this works: Repeating colors from the image into the background helps everything feel intentional. Limiting the number of patterns keeps the design clean and prevents visual clutter.

Step 4: Assembly

The stamped image panel is layered over the pattern paper strips, creating gentle separation while keeping the layout simple. Small embellishments are kept minimal so they support the design rather than distract from it.

Product Education

The Softest Thoughts Stamp Set is ideal for clean and simple card designs because the images are expressive and detailed without being overly busy. This makes them easy to color and perfect for a variety of occasions.

The Where Little Gardens Grow Paper Pack offers a mix of soft patterns that work beautifully together. The coordinated color palette makes pattern mixing much less intimidating, especially for cardmakers who are still building confidence with layered designs.

Together, these products make it easy to create cards that feel thoughtful, cohesive, and approachable—whether you’re crafting for everyday encouragement or special occasions.

Closing Thoughts

This project is a great reminder that clean and layered cardmaking doesn’t have to feel plain. By focusing on one strong stamped image, soft coloring, and well-coordinated pattern paper, you can create a card that feels complete and intentional.

Try adapting this design by switching up the stamped image, changing the color palette, or rotating the pattern paper layout. Small adjustments can give you endless variety while using the same core supplies.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your clean cardmaking style, this project is a wonderful way to practice balance, color coordination, and confident design choices.

Supply List

Unity Stamp Company Products:

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. The artist may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Clean and Simple with a Pop

Happy Friday crafty friends! Today I’m stamping with the new “Still Peckin’ Fabulous” set by Unity Stamp Company. This witty stamp set is great for those silly and sassy friends that love a good laugh on their birthday! Let’s get inky and inspired!

Let’s start with a color pallet. I went on Pinterest and looked up birthday color pallet and tada! The Copic markers used to correlate to these colors were: Y02, Y06, Y18, Y19, BG13, BG15, R21, R22, R14, R22… and I used C2, C0 for the feathers and floor and BG11 for the eyes and for the aura around the chickens.

For my first card, lets join these two silly birds. I didn’t mask them… oops! But that’s okay. Just go with the flow and color them. Clean and simple… and then die cut it using the Scallop & Rectangles die. I then Die cut a light teal for the scallop part.

This is clean and simple… but let’s add a little POP for fun! I stamped, colored and fussy cut the balloons from each of the chickens and adhered them using thin foam tape. And just like that, we’ve added subtle dimension to a clean and simple card. Let’s do some more!

For this next one… I stamped this chicken, but I stamped another one and fussy cut the gift out. I used thin foam tape and popped this one on too. Cute right? Let’s do one more!

For this one… let’s cut out the cake! It’s subtle little detail, but a great way to make the card a little extra special for that extra special person.

Products used:

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you’ve found some inspiration. Until next time…

Happy Crafting!

 

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Stacking Stamps

It’s a new month, which means Unity Stamp Company has released their new memberships! I’m kicking off the month with these fun stamps from the April 2025 Kit of the Month: Barnyard Sass & Blooms. This new kit is full of beautiful stamps and these adorably cute farm animals.

To create this funny farm scene, I started with stamping the cow. Then, I used a clear multi-use mat to line up the piggy sitting on the cow. You can also use the clear stamp packaging too as a way of lining up your images.

I then did the same for the chicken. Then I stamped the grass and the little bundle of weeds from the KOM. Next, I stamped the sentiments (also from the KOM) and die cut it out using the dotted die from the Tab Fold Die set.

Once done, I stamped each image on masking paper and fussy cut them out to make masks for the sky background. After creating the cloudy background, I used Distress Ink on the edge of the entire card front; keeping the top edges blue and the bottom green. I then used Copics to color in the animals and the grass.

Last, I trimmed black card stock to create a border and adhered it all to a white card base. This bright and cheery card is sure to bring a smile to whoever you’re saying hi to!

Products Used:

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you found some inspiration.

Until next time… Happy Crafting!

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Lil Jumbo and Lots of Balloons

Happy Friday! What’s better than a cute baby elephant holding a balloon?  How about a bevy of balloons to surround this little elephant! Let’s celebrate with this cutie in the new Lil’ Jumbo stamp set with the Bevy of Balloons Layering Stencil to create these festive cards!

I started with stamping two of the cute elephants: coloring and fussy cutting them both. Next, I cut white card stock and used the layering stencils to make the colorful balloon background. I used two colors for each balloon to provide shading.

I used a sentiment die from a limited release during the Spring Palooza to die cut the balloon background and then die cut the mat layer in white to create uniformity.

I tucked the baby elephant under the sentiment and added some clear enamel dots to finish up the card!  The next card is very similar.

Using the same techniques, this time I stamped one of the sentiments and die cut it using the Scallop & Stitched Banners die.

I found some different enamel dots and added them to this one.

This Lil’ Jumbo is too cute! Make sure to snag him for your next celebration. I can see this for baby showers and birthdays… and even a quick hello note.

Unity products used:

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have a balloon filled day!

Until next time… Happy Crafting!