Mix It Up! How to Create Stunning Color Combos with the 60-30-10 Rule

 Ever feel stuck trying to choose the perfect color palette for your cards or scrapbook layouts? You’re not alone! Color can make or break a project—but the good news is, you don’t have to be a color theory expert to get it right. Let’s talk about one of my favorite go-to formulas: the 60-30-10 rule.

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🎨 What is the 60-30-10 Rule?

This classic design principle is all about balance. It breaks your color scheme into three parts:

• 60% Dominant Color – your background or base layer

• 30% Secondary Color – your layering or focal element

• 10% Accent Color – your wow factor!

It’s often used in interior design, but it works like a charm in paper crafting too.

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🖌 How to Use It in Card Making

Let’s say you’re working with Petunia Pop, Lemon Lolly, and Pretty Peacock.

• Use Petunia Pop for 60% of your design—like your card base and some DSP.

• Add Lemon Lolly as your 30%—think sentiment layers or stamped florals.

• Finish with Pretty Peacock accents—maybe enamel dots, ribbon, or a bold die-cut word.

The result? A balanced, eye-pleasing card that pops without overwhelming.

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📚 Scrapbooking with the 60-30-10 Rule

Scrapbook pages need a little more space and layering, which makes this rule even more useful!

• Choose a dominant color that coordinates with your photo(s) and make that your background and large mats (60%).

• Select a secondary color for photo borders, journaling boxes, and layered embellishments (30%).

• Sprinkle in a bright or metallic accent color with stickers, titles, or stamped shapes (10%).

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💡 Bonus Tips

• Try using a color wheel or the Stampin’ Up! color coach to help build your palette.

• Don’t be afraid to pull in a neutral (like Basic Beige or Gray Granite) as part of your dominant or secondary colors.

• Switch the ratios for dramatic effects—a card that’s 60% black with 10% gold can be stunning and bold.

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Next time you sit down to create, give the 60-30-10 rule a try. It’s a simple formula that takes the guesswork out of color pairing and helps your handmade creations look polished and intentional.

What’s your favorite go-to color combo? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to try it!

Happy crafting,
Katrina 💌
Katrina’s Kreative Heart

Bring Your Craft & Your Chat: Join Our August Craft n Chat!

 If you’ve been looking for a reason to dust off that half-finished project, pour yourself a cozy drink, and connect with crafty friends, this is it! 💛

This Friday, August 15 at 7 PM ET, we’re gathering for another Craft n Chat — a relaxed, come-as-you-are evening where you can bring any creative project you love. Knit, crochet, scrapbook, sew, make cards, paint… if it makes your heart happy, it’s welcome at the table.

The best part? We meet on Butter — a super easy, no-download platform where you can chat, laugh, and share your progress in real time. You don’t have to be “finished” or even “organized” — just bring what you’ve got and come hang out.

What to expect:

• A couple of hours to focus on your craft (without laundry calling your name)

• New friends who “get” your creative side

• Inspiration from seeing what others are working on

• Lots of laughs and encouragement along the way

When: Friday, August 15, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Where: Join on Butter – Click Here

So, grab your project, your favorite drink, and let’s make something beautiful together.
See you Friday! 💕

Sweet Jar Bundle: 3 Adorable Cards for Every Occasion

 If you love versatile stamp sets that can carry you through multiple seasons and occasions, the Stampin’ Up! Sweet Jar Bundle is going to steal your crafty heart! This week in my Sunday live, we created three sweet and simple cards that are beginner-friendly but still “wow” enough for experienced stampers.

A Jar Full of Love 

Our first card features a thick Basic White card base with a strip of Floral Impressions DSP along the side. We stamped the sentiment “Sending a little love your way” in Memento Black and Flirty Flamingo for a fun two-tone look. Inside the jar? A bouquet of stamped hearts, topped with a brushed gold metallic lid and a bit of Flirty Flamingo baker’s twine. Perfect for Valentine’s, anniversaries, or just to make someone smile any day of the year.

Birthday Wishes in a Jar

The second design is a cheerful birthday card with the jar filled to the brim with colorful candles. Using Stampin’ Write markers in Petunia Pop, Lemon Lime Twist, Bubble Bath, and Darling Duckling, we created a rainbow of birthday cheer. A simple Garden Green “Happy Birthday” sentiment ties it all together, while Lemon Lolly adhesive dots add that final pop.

A Jar of Sweetness

Our last card is peachy perfection! A Peach Pie card base layered with embossed cardstock from the Exposed Brick 3D embossing folder creates a warm background. The jar is filled with chocolate chip cookies—created by stamping cookie shapes in Crumb Cake, then adding “chips” with Early Espresso ink. The sentiment “Sending a little sweetness your way” is stamped in Early Espresso and Timid Tiger for contrast. A few peachy adhesive-backed dots finish it off beautifully.

Why You’ll Love This Set

The Sweet Jar Bundle works year-round—hearts for Valentine’s or anytime love notes, candles for birthdays, cookies for “just because,” and even more possibilities when paired with the coordinating Jar of Joy holiday set. Think ornaments, gingerbread cookies, snowmen, and more festive fun!

Whether you’re a beginner looking for quick wins or an avid stamper ready to layer on the details, this bundle will quickly become a go-to in your collection.

Product List

Sweet Jar Bundle (English) [165507] $41.25	Sweet Jar Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [165501] $20.00	Sweet Jar Builder Punch [165506] $26.00	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229] $17.00	Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416] $14.00
Floral Impressions 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [165603] $12.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $8.00	Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [147052] $9.00	Brushed Silver And Gold Foil 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [164861] $10.00	Baker's Twine Three Color Pack [162759] $8.00
Rainbow Adhesive Backed Dots [162758] $9.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.25	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] $4.25	Mini Glue Dots [103683] $7.25

Add All to Cart

Quick, Cute & Grateful: 3 Easy Cards with the Label Me Grateful Bundle

 If there’s one thing I love about Sunday nights, it’s crafting with you! This week, we kept things simple but impactful with three cards featuring the Label Me Grateful bundle. It’s a sentiment-only set, but don’t be fooled—it packs a creative punch when paired with its coordinating dies and the bold Florals in Bloom Designer Series Paper.

Let’s take a peek at what we created:

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💚 Card 1: "You Are So Appreciated" (Double Fold Fun Fold)

We started with a Granny Apple Green card base and Garden Green accents, layered with a single panel of DSP and a subtle peek of a Garden Green banner. A pink daisy die-cut and In Color flat pearls added just the right pop. The inside sentiment? "So grateful for that heart of yours." 🥹

This double fold fun fold is such a great way to showcase your favorite Designer Series Paper, and it still fits in a standard envelope. Win-win!

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🧡 Card 2: "A Little Kindness Makes a Big Difference"

Next up, we played with Timid Tiger (yes, I called it Tempting Tiger at first—I need a nap!) and created a super simple layout. The DSP was cut into three equal panels and layered puzzle-style onto the card front. Add a sentiment label and a die-cut bubble bath flower with Darling Duckling center, and you’ve got a warm, cheerful card ready to go.

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💙 Card 3: "Thank You" (Double Fold, Cloud Cover Edition)

Our final project was another double fold fun fold, this time using the neutral and dreamy Cloud Cover cardstock. With two coordinating sides of DSP and a pop of Berry Burst ink for the sentiment, this card has subtle elegance written all over it. A Garden Green leafy die-cut and Secret Sea flat pearls added the finishing touches. 

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💡 Tip of the Week

Don’t be afraid to revisit your old card designs! I shared how one of these cards was inspired by a layout I made months ago. By swapping colors, papers, and embellishments, I gave it a whole new life—proof that sometimes, your past work is the perfect blueprint for fresh inspiration!

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🛍️ Don’t forget:

• You can still subscribe to the August Paper Pumpkin kit (Farmhouse Florals) until August 10th.

• The kit includes 9 whimsical cards, Secret Sea ink spot, linen thread, and a FREE bonus stamp set!

• It coordinates with the Circle of Seasons dies (subscriber exclusive).

🎉 And for my friends in Florida, Massachusetts, and Texas—tax holidays on crafting supplies (like adhesives and markers!) are still in effect until August 11th. Time to stock up!

Until next week, happy crafting!

– Katrina 🌸

Ink Matters: Choosing the Right Ink for Stamping Success

 

If you’ve ever stamped an image and thought, “Why does this look smudgy?” or “Why won’t my ink dry on this paper?”—you’re not alone! Picking the right ink for the job can make all the difference in your finished project. Let’s break down the basics of ink types so you can choose confidently every time you stamp.

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🖤 Dye Inks: Quick-Drying & Crisp

Best For: Everyday stamping, quick projects, and layering colors.
Dry Time: Fast.
Examples: Stampin’ Up! Classic Stampin’ Pads.

Dye inks are water-based and absorb into the paper quickly. That makes them perfect for crisp images and no-fuss cleanup. They're ideal for sentiments, background stamping, and when you need to move fast—like mass-producing cards.

Tip: Because they dry so quickly, they’re not the best for heat embossing unless you stamp super fast.

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✨ Pigment Inks: Rich & Slow-Drying

Best For: Heat embossing, stamping on darker cardstock, and juicy color.
Dry Time: Slow (can smudge if not heat-set).
Examples: White Craft Ink, VersaMark.

Pigment inks sit on the surface of the paper, giving a more opaque and vibrant look. They’re especially great for heat embossing since they stay wet long enough for you to add powder. Use them when you want bold looks or to stamp on vellum or dark cardstocks.

Tip: Heat-set for faster drying, or give ample time before handling.

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🎨 Solvent Inks: For Special Surfaces

Best For: Stamping on slick surfaces like acetate, window sheets, or metal.
Dry Time: Moderate.
Examples: StazOn.

Solvent inks are made to stick to non-porous surfaces. They’re your go-to when stamping on glassy, glossy, or plastic-like materials. Cleanup requires a special StazOn cleaner—regular stamp cleaner won’t do the trick.

Tip: Only use these on red rubber stamps—not photopolymer—as they can cause damage over time.

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🌊 Hybrid & Specialty Inks

Hybrid inks (like Memento) offer the best of both worlds—they dry quickly but stay crisp, making them great for coloring with alcohol markers like Stampin’ Blends.

Tip: Always test your ink with your coloring medium to prevent smearing or bleeding.

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Final Thoughts

Whether you’re layering colors, embossing sentiments, or stamping on acetate, the right ink choice can turn a frustrating project into a flawless one. Keep a small reference chart of your inks and what they work best for, and you’ll always be ready to create with confidence.

What’s your most-used ink pad? And which one are you curious to try more? Share your faves below—I’d love to know what’s in your ink stash!

Happy stamping,
Katrina 💖
Katrina’s Kreative Heart

🌈 3 Bold Boho Vibes Cards + August’s Farmhouse Florals Kit

 

Hello, crafty friends!

What a fun live we had this week! In case you missed it (or you just want to revisit all the details), here’s everything we covered—plus measurements and tips so you can recreate these projects at home.

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💌 Paper Pumpkin Update – Farmhouse Florals

We’re now in the August subscription period and the kit is Farmhouse Florals! You’ll make nine whimsical cards—three each of three designs.

✔️ Pre‑cut paper pieces and linen thread
✔️ Sentiments for inside and out
✔️ Coordinating colors: Calypso Coral, Darling Duckling, Gray Granite, Lost Lagoon, Pecan Pie, and Secret Sea
✔️ Ink spot: Secret Sea
✔️ Bonus stamp set included

✨ Pro Tip: Add on the Circle of Seasons dies (for subscribers only) to coordinate with this quarter’s kits—July, August, and September.

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✨ Online Exclusives & Tax‑Free Days

During the live I shared a quick QR code so you can shop Stampin’ Up!’s Online Exclusives with ease.

👉 Many states are also offering back‑to‑school sales tax holidays—perfect for stocking up on adhesives, markers, and blends!

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🌈 Boho Vibes Suite – 3 Bold Cards

We played with the Sunshine Vibes Bundle (part of the Boho Vibes Suite) to make three bright and simple cards. Here’s the recap:

1️⃣ Sending Good Vibes

• Base: Cloud Cover cardstock 8½" x 5½", scored at 4¼"

• Layer: Basic White 5" x 3¾", embossed with Pressed Flowers

• Accents: Three 1" DSP squares popped up with mini dimensionals

• Rainbow: Die‑cut arches from Secret Sea, Petal Pink & Cloud Cover, glued with tiny dots of liquid adhesive

• Finish: Cloud Cover ribbon and a sprinkle of coordinating dots

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2️⃣ Thanks

• Base: Thick Basic White 8½" x 5½", scored at 4¼"

• Layers: DSP 4" x 5¼" and 3" x 4"

• Die‑cut Panel: Basic White 3" x 3¾" using rainbow‑arch cutout die (save the extra arches for future cards!)

• Sentiment: “Thanks” in Secret Sea, die‑cut with smallest rectangle from Textured Notes Dies

• Finish: Dimensionals and a few Boho Vibes dots

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3️⃣ Hello

• Base: Secret Sea cardstock 8½" x 5½", scored at 4¼", with a 5¼" x 4" Basic White panel inside

• Layers: Basic White 3¼" x 4¼" layered with Cloud Cover 3" x 4"

• Rainbow: Die‑cut arches from Cloud Cover, Darling Duckling, Cherry Cobbler, Mossy Meadow & Secret Sea

• Sunburst: Stamped in Cloud Cover ink (available as an ink spot!)

• Sentiment: “Hello” in Secret Sea, popped up with dimensionals

• Bonus Tip: Save extra arches to mix and match for future rainbow cards.

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🧽 Quick Tip: Keep alcohol pads in your craft space—they’re fantastic for cleaning blocks and removing stray adhesive.

Thank you for hanging out with me during the live or catching the replay. I hope these projects spark your creativity! If you’d like the full PDF with step‑by‑step photos, just leave a comment or send me a message—I’d love to share it with you.

Until next time, happy crafting and sending you good vibes! 💛

The Power of Paper: Choosing the Right Cardstock for Every Project

 

When we talk about crafting supplies, cardstock might not sound glamorous—but it’s the foundation of almost every card, scrapbook layout, and 3D project. Just like you wouldn’t build a house without a solid frame, you can’t create a beautiful, lasting card without the right paper. Let’s break down why cardstock matters, and how to pick the best type for your next masterpiece.

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🏗️ Card Base Basics: Go Heavy

Start strong! Your card base should be a heavier weight cardstock—typically 100 lb or 110 lb (270–300 gsm). This thicker paper holds its shape, stands tall when folded, and won’t buckle under layers, glue, or embellishments.

Stampin’ Up! Thick Basic White and Thick Very Vanilla are two fantastic go-to options. They score cleanly, hold layers beautifully, and provide a crisp, professional finish.

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🎨 Color Matters: Match or Contrast? 

Color plays a big role in the mood of your project. Think about whether you want your cardstock to:

• Blend in: Match your focal point for a cohesive look.

• Pop out: Choose a bold contrast to make your layers or stamped image stand out.

When in doubt, pull colors directly from your Designer Series Paper or use the color coordination charts in the Stampin’ Up! catalog—they take all the guesswork out!

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🧵 Layer Like a Pro

When layering cardstock (for mats or die cuts), medium weight cardstock—around 80 lb—is perfect. It adds dimension without bulk and cuts cleanly with dies and trimmers.

Pro tip: Use foam adhesive between layers to add depth and shadow—it creates a wow-factor without any fancy tools.

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✂️ Specialty Cardstock Tips

Sometimes, you need a little extra sparkle or texture:

• Vellum: Great for soft overlays or die-cut accents.

• Foil and Glimmer Paper: Adds shine, but be sure to use a strong adhesive and burnish it well.

• Watercolor Paper: Ideal for ink smooshing, blending, or painting—prevents warping and holds pigment beautifully.

Each type serves a purpose, and experimenting with layers and texture can really elevate your designs.

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♻️ Scraps Are Gold

Don’t toss those leftovers! Use small cardstock scraps for punch shapes, sentiments, tags, or even layered embellishments. Keep a clear container near your workspace and reach for it first before cutting into a fresh sheet.

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Final Thoughts

Cardstock might not be flashy, but it’s one of the most powerful tools in your paper crafting toolbox. With the right weight, color, and texture, it sets the stage for every gorgeous project you create.

What’s your go-to cardstock color or weight? Share in the comments or tag me in your next creation—I love seeing how you layer up your paper magic!

Craft on,
Katrina 💖
Katrina’s Kreative Heart

Bold Sentiments, Pretty Papers: 3 Quick Cards in 30 Minutes

 Happy Sunday evening, friends! 💜 Thank you so much for hanging out with me live. We laughed, we layered, and we whipped up three beautiful cards in just over half an hour. Here’s the full recap so you can recreate them at home—and catch all the fun updates I shared along the way!

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✨ Paper Pumpkin August Kit – Farmhouse Florals

The August Paper Pumpkin window is open, and this kit is so good! You’ll make nine whimsical cards (three each of three designs) with pre‑cut pieces, linen thread, and stamps for both inside and out.
Coordinating colors: Calypso Coral, Darling Duckling, Gray Granite, Lost Lagoon, Pecan Pie, and Secret Sea.
🎁 Bonus: An extra stamp set is included this month!
👉 Be sure to subscribe by August 10th to get yours.

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💸 Don’t Miss Your Tax Holiday

If you live in one of the lucky states (or Puerto Rico!) with a summer tax holiday, you can stock up on adhesives, Stampin’ Blends, markers, watercolor pencils, and more—tax free on certain dates. Check my Facebook page for the full list, and grab the downloadable chart here.

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🖋️ Featuring the Layered Thoughts Stamp Set

This stamp set is all about bold sentiments that make your card come together quickly. Pair it with your favorite Designer Series Paper, and you’ve got instant eye‑catching cards.

💌 Card 1: Love You

• Crumb Cake base (4¼" x 11", scored at 5½")

• Blackberry Bliss layer & Perennial Lavender DSP

• Big bold “Love You” stamped in Blackberry Bliss

• Finished with a few brass butterflies—because why not?

💜 Card 2: Thank You

• Blackberry Bliss base (5½" x 8½", scored at 4¼")

• DSP cut into three 1¾" strips; flip the center strip for contrast

• Fresh Freesia “Thank” layered with Blackberry Bliss “You”

• Die‑cut using Textured Note dies, popped up with dimensionals, and more brass butterflies!

🎉 Card 3: Happy Birthday to You

• Highland Heather base (4¼" x 11", scored at 5½")

• DSP cut into two diagonal panels from a 6" x 6" sheet

• Sentiment stamped on a 2½" wide strip, trimmed on a fun angle

• Adhered and accented with—you guessed it—brass butterflies!

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🌟 Coming Soon: Fun Folds Class

Cyndy and I are teaming up again for a Fun Folds Class featuring this stamp set. Registration goes live in August, so hop on my email list to be the first to know. You won’t want to miss these layouts!

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In just over 30 minutes, we finished three cards that are perfect for beginners or anyone who loves quick crafting. Bold sentiments, beautiful papers, and just a few embellishments do all the work for you. Try these layouts with any Designer Series Paper and stamp set you love—you’ll be amazed at the results!

Thank you again for spending your Sunday evening with me. Wishing you a beautiful week ahead—see you next time with more crafty inspiration!

💜 Katrina

Creative Confidence: How to Choose the Right Sentiment for Your Handmade Cards

One of the most meaningful parts of handmade cardmaking is choosing the sentiment. It's the heart of your design—the reason your card exists. But if you’ve ever stared at your stamp sets wondering whether to go with “Thinking of You,” “You’ve Got This,” or “Just Because,” you’re not alone.

Let’s talk about how to pick the perfect message to match your handmade masterpiece.

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💌 Start With the Occasion

Before you stamp anything, ask: What is this card for?

• Birthday? You’ll want something festive or heartfelt like “Wishing You the Best Day Ever.”

• Sympathy? Keep it gentle and comforting—“With Heartfelt Sympathy” or “Thinking of You” are timeless.

• Just Because? Go playful or thoughtful with “You Make Me Smile” or “Hello, Friend.”

Choosing a sentiment based on the emotional tone you want to convey will guide your style and embellishments too.

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✍️ Match the Mood of the Card

Take a cue from your design! If your card is:

• Bold and bright: Try a fun sentiment like “Yay, You!” or “Let’s Celebrate!”

• Elegant and soft: Consider “Grateful for You” or “Sending Love.”

• Whimsical or funny: Don’t be afraid to use a pun or quirky phrase. (“You’re a-MAIZE-ing,” anyone?)

Your sentiment should feel like it belongs with the color palette, paper, and layout you’ve chosen.

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🖋️ Placement Matters

Where you put your sentiment can make a big difference:

• Centered sentiments draw attention—perfect for impactful messages.

• Side or corner placement lets your design shine and the sentiment support it.

• Tag or label sentiments add dimension and are easy to swap if you change your mind.

Stamp it directly on the card base or pop it up with foam adhesive for extra depth.

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💡 Bonus Tip: Keep a Sentiment Scrap Stash

Sometimes you stamp an extra sentiment or try one and change your mind—that’s okay! Keep those extras in a little organizer or envelope. They’ll be a time-saver the next time you need a quick finish.

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Final Thoughts

Choosing the right sentiment doesn’t have to be stressful—it should feel like adding the finishing touch to your creative story. Trust your instincts, match the mood, and don’t overthink it.

What’s your favorite all-purpose sentiment? Let me know in the comments or tag me when you share your next project!

Craft with heart,
Katrina 💖

Katrina’s Kreative Heart 

Coneflower Celebration: Simple Cards with Summery Charm

 

We might be melting up here, but the creativity is in full bloom! This week’s Sunday Live was all about the gorgeous Coneflower Celebration bundle—available now as part of the Online Exclusives—and I’m smitten. Coneflowers are some of my favorite real-life blooms, and these stamps and dies captured that sunny, rustic charm beautifully.

🌼 Card 1: “You Made My Day”

We started with a cheerful card using Darling Duckling cardstock and Calypso Coral Designer Series Paper. The star of the show? That big, beautiful coneflower, colored with a mix of:

• Light & Dark Calypso Coral

• Light Darling Duckling

• Deep 200 (for the cone)

• Light Old Olive (for the leaves and stem)

We added linen thread, dimensionals, and a few rhinestones to bring it to life. Simple, quick, and oh-so-happy.

🎉 Card 2: A Belated Birthday Fun Fold

Next up was a layered coneflower card using Timid Tiger and Darling Duckling with a vertical fun fold. The flower features stamped petals layered over the large cone die, and I used the same Blends as before to keep things cohesive.

We stamped the sentiment “Happy Belated Birthday” on the base and added subtle depth by doubling up on the flower center. It's the perfect mix of sweet and sassy!

🦋 Card 3: Embossed Elegance + Butterfly

Finally, we played with a brand-new favorite: the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder (part of the July Online Exclusives). I embossed a piece of Peach Pie Two-Toned Paper, then gave it a light sanding with a sanding block for a distressed, vintage vibe.

We wrapped linen thread, added the heartfelt sentiment “I love that I’ve known you for so many birthdays,” and finished with a fussy-cut butterfly, colored with Light Calypso Coral and Light Darling Duckling.

💌 Want to Recreate These?

Download the FREE project sheets here — each card includes measurements, supplies, and step-by-step instructions.

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🛎️ Don’t Miss:

• August Paper Pumpkin: Farmhouse Florals → Subscribe by August 10

• Circle of Seasons Add-On Dies → Exclusive to Paper Pumpkin subscribers

• Virtual Album Retreat → July 16–18 (hosted by Stampin’ Up!)

• Sunrise Sailing Card Class → Registration closes July 15!

Thanks again for crafting with me, friends. I love sharing these Sundays with you—and I can’t wait to see what you create next.

Until then, happy stamping!
💛 Katrina

Elevate Your Cards with Simple Texture Techniques

 

If you’ve ever looked at a handmade card and thought, “Why does this look so polished?”, chances are the answer is texture. Adding texture is one of the simplest ways to take your cardmaking from flat to fabulous—and you don’t need fancy tools to do it. Here are some easy techniques that add tactile interest and depth to your projects.

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💨 1. Embossing Folders: Instant Dimension

Embossing folders are one of the fastest ways to create an eye-catching background. Whether it’s bricks, florals, or subtle polka dots, that raised texture brings your cardstock to life. For extra drama, lightly sponge ink over the raised areas to make them pop.

Tip: White-on-white embossed panels add elegant, understated texture perfect for wedding or sympathy cards.

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✂️ 2. Layered Die Cuts

Using multiple layers of die cuts (especially with sentiments or shapes) adds both visual interest and a subtle 3D effect. Simply stack two or three die cuts together with liquid glue.

Bonus: Try one layer in vellum or foil for added contrast!

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🎨 3. Ink Blending & Splattering

Blend ink on your card base using blending brushes or sponges to create a smooth gradient. Add splatters with water or diluted ink to give your background more texture without adding bulk.

Pro Tip: Metallic watercolor splatters are gorgeous for holiday cards or evening-themed designs.

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💌 4. Tearing & Crumpling

Sometimes, imperfection adds charm. Try tearing the edge of your patterned paper or gently crumpling a paper layer, then smoothing it out for a vintage, distressed look.

Great for: Junk journal-inspired layouts or shabby chic designs.

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🎀 5. Ribbon, Twine, and Embellishments

Even a simple strand of twine or a stitched ribbon can elevate a design. These tactile elements give your cards warmth and character—and they’re a great way to use up those little leftovers in your stash.

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Final Thoughts

Adding texture doesn’t have to mean adding bulk—or stress. Start with one technique, experiment with combinations, and watch your cards come to life in a whole new way.

What’s your favorite way to add texture to a card? I’d love to hear it—drop a comment or tag me in your next post!

Happy crafting,
Katrina 💖
Katrina’s Kreative Heart