learn cardmaking – Creative Juice by Loni

Artists learn formulas and principles that make their designs better, and as a paper crafter, there are skills you can gain, as well! Today’s lesson is a tried-and-true trio that enables you to create a lovely card EVERY. TIME.

Color. Layer. Cluster.

In it’s simplest iteration, this principle begins with a background color on paper, that paper is layered onto a card base, then images and sentiments are clustered together. Watch and learn in today’s video tutorial:

The first simple card uses Lost Lagoon ink added to the top layer with a blending brush. That layer is added to the card base with dimensionals. The vacation vibe is added with Under the Sun Ephemera and a greeting from the Sincerely Noted Ephemera pack.

This second card example shows how blending a bit of color to a black & white design layer (Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper) and clustering a few colored vases from the other side of the paper makes a marvelous mailable masterpiece!

Side note: The Artisan Sketched Garden DSP is DELIGHTFUL to color, and this Saturday, July 11th is a COLORING WORKSHOP featuring this paper at 1 PM or 7 PM in Hurricane, UT…RSVP by Wednesday to ensure you may attend:

The last example of the “Color. Layer. Cluster” principle is demonstrated in a Violet Dreams version, where the “color” part comes from the frame, and the cluster of violets was a pre-printed die cut, making it speedy to craft from start to finish:

While you may not be close enough to attend one of my classes in person, I do have a special offer during JULY 2026: When you order the Violet Dreams Suite Collection from my Stampin’ Store, you’ll get a FREE virtual class, along with the consumable supplies you need to make three projects:

If you are a demonstrator or customer who has purchased this from a different source, OR you only want to order the stamp set and die bundle, you can still register for the virtual class! Learn more HERE.

This formula for designing cards would work with stamped images as well. You may have already created a project following these steps, and didn’t even know it! If the concept is new to you, or clarified, I’d love to hear your thoughts: Does it help to think of creating a card like this?

Thank you for supporting my small business by shopping any of the links ~ Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni

Have you ever used circle punches to make RINGS? Today’s card teaches how to create nesting circles (with a ring around the outside) for a center of attention!

Stampin’ Up!®️ Artisan Sketched Garden Ring Around the Posy Card. Black & White & Crisp Cantaloupe with nesting rings from circle punches.

Black & white plus a POP of color is always a striking palette: The Stampin’ Up!®️ Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper (DSP) is a demonstrator favorite, and I’ve got a class coming in July for you to play with (and color!) these gorgeous patterns. Crisp Cantaloupe was the 2026-2028 returning In Color I paired with the black & white.

To create a “ring” of card stock, start by punching a smaller circle punch from card stock (a 2″ punch in this case) then center a larger punch (2-3/8″) around it to punch out a ring. A black & white polka dot pattern punched from the 1-3/4″ circle punch nests nicely inside the ring, with a little space around it to feel fancy.

For added texture on this card, score the black torn card stock strip every 1/4″ to give it raised stripes and wrap your ribbon around the back of the 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer before adhering it to the card base. You can add a bow with a glue dot as a finishing touch.

I colored an image from another piece of the DSP with the new Shimmer Brushes in Crisp Cantaloupe, Hydrangea Hue and Peaceful Pine (though the shimmer is difficult to catch on camera) and fussy cut it out for the posies. Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals raise the rings and give extra dimension. Add a small sentiment strip to say what you want to say.

As we continue to explore the versatility of circle punches, I’d appreciate hearing if this series is helpful to you and if you are learning anything ~ please leave a comment at the top near the posting date, then return to shop here:

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Savvy stampers know the Starter Kit is the best value and you will save money on the products you already love: There is no obligation, only an opportunity to see if Stampin’ Up!®️ fits your life and helps you toward your goals! Click image to find out,