Hello friends! A few days ago I posted a video where I shared my creative process and all the decisions (and indecisions) I make when I design a card. It was heartwarming to read all of your comments and feedback and I’m so happy you have found that video useful.
Today I’d like to share something different, but something that in a way continues the topic of cardmaking – I’d like to share my go-to cardmaking formula, I call it a perfect cardmaking formula (only in a way that it works perfectly for me when I make Clean & Simple cards). I’m also sharing a way to replace one of the elements I use in my formula with something that can be found in pretty much everybody’s stash.
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VIDEO TUTORIAL
I’m sharing a video tutorial, watch it below or on Youtube:
THE FORMULA
So my formula is simple: white card base (usually using specialty cardstock like woodgrain, spicy yogurt or simple colored card) + gold frame or gold die cut (usually using Altenew’s Antique Trims) + a large floral or a floral cluster + sentiment. Simple as that. I use this combo when I have a hard time coming up with a good design idea for a card and it has never let me down. See some ideas below (click the photo to go to that blog post):
One of the elements in this formula, gold die cut, can be created using dies and gold mirror cardstock (or silver if you are a silver kind o girl). I pulled out my Spellbinders’ dies and experimented a bit to see what frames/dies cuts I could make for my cards. I only made 8 examples (I wanted to show them in my video and I didn’t want the video to be very long, showing 7 on photos below as the 8th one is used on a card), but I look forward to making additional examples using dies from Spellbinders and other companies.
I chose Spellbinders to show as an example as they have very fancy and detailed dies and also because I have a lot of their designs (and I truly love their dies). See below the photos of the die cut + the names of the sets I used to create them. I also have all of these sets linked below.
Dies listed: Pierced Delight, Majestic Circles, Standard Circles, Royal Circles, Gold Rounds, Heart & Flutter
Dies listed: Luscious Labels One, Labels One, Fancy Framed Tags Four
CARD DETAILS
The frame I used for my card was created using a different set, Triple Tear. It is simple, yet elegant and I felt it was a perfect match for this project. To stick with my formula I went with white woodgrain cardstock from Simon Says Stamp (Altenew has identical card). For the flowers I used Altenew’s Vintage Flowers and matching dies. I did use a completely new color combo for me and I went with Peach and Yellow colors.
I used my mini MISTI stamping tool to stamp these and if you watch my video you can see how easy and quickly I was able to stamp two sets of flowers and leaves. I don’t use MISTI for all of my stamping, but it does work wonderfully for stamping color layering stamp sets and for stamping on textured paper such as watercolor paper.
For the sentiment I used one of my all time favorite sets, Labels Love, and heat embossed Thank You in gold embossing powder onto white cardstock cut it out and foam mounted over the frame. I couldn’t resist adding several sequins and clear drops to finish this project.
SUPPLIES
I’m listing the products I used below. Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
 Spellbinders Majestic Circles Dies Shop at: SSS | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Standard Circles LG Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Fancy Framed Tags Four Dies Shop at: SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Labels One Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Triple Tear Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinder Hearts and Flutter Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Pierced Delight Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Royal Circle Dies Shop at: SSS | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Gold Rounds One Dies Shop at: SSS | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Luscious Labels One Dies Shop at: SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Pretty Pink Posh 4MM Clear Droplets (small) Shop at: SSS | RAH |
 Pretty Pink Posh 4MM Metallic Gold Sequins Shop at: SSS |
 Mini Misti Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Altenew Label Love Stamp Set Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Vintage Flowers Stamp Set Shop at: SSS | AZ | AN |
 Altenew Vintage Flowers Die Set Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Vintage Flowers Clear Stamp and Die Bundle Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Peach Perfect Dye Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Summer Afternoon Oval Set Dye Ink Pads Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Red Sunset Dye Ink Pad Pack Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Gold Mirror Cardstock Shop at: AN |
 Altenew Woodgrain White Cardstock Shop at: AN |
Simon Says Stamp Woodgrain Cardstock White Shop at: SSS |
 DoCrafts Gold & Silver A4 Mirror Board Pack Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 ScraPerfect Crafting Pouch Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder PW100 Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Versamark Watermark Emboss Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | HA | AZ |
 Ranger .5 Oz. Multi Medium Matte Adhesive Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Scrapbook Adhesives Thin White Foam Squares Shop at: SSS | AZ |
Awesome video! Thanks for sharing! Love your tips and tricks.
Yana, I just find it so refreshing and very helpful to see your card making process. It can be frustrating sometimes to watch the pros “whip” together a card when it takes so much more for me to put one together. Nice to find out I am not alone. Love your work. I will try using your formula. Thanks.
I have a basic sketch that is my go-to when I need something quickly. It’s a matted patterned paper or embossed cardstock panel with a matted strip of coordinating patterned paper across the center. Then I die cut a sentiment, mat it and pop it up over the strip. Depending on the papers I choose, the look changes quite a bit even tho the basic sketch doesn’t. Your card is beautiful. I’m going to have to look for that gold cardstock.
Thanks for sharing your formula, I don’t have any particular formula although I do follow many blogs for inspiration and techniques. Thank you for the opportunity to win a Misti Mini it is such an incredible tool,
Susan
Love your card! No I don’t have a formula but I do have more than enough Spellbinders!! I love them. thanks for sharing and the chance to win.
No particular formula… Love your cards and thanks for the chance to win…!!
Lately I’ve been using the formula – bold B&W background + pretty pink florals + some sort of metallic or glitter gold embellishment!
Gorgeous project!! Thank you for sharing your insight. I do not have a winning design formula that I know works for me….still trying to figure it out. Yours is awesome!!
Thanks for sharing. You do such beautiful work.
Fabulous video! I shall have to try your card formula! I don’t have my own formula, I tend to skip around and try out lots of different styles and techniques:D
I do not have a formula, but I use some card sketches over and over. I love your formula and will be sure to give it a try.
I don’t have a specific formula but I lean towards simple cards — love to use dies and stamps together. I would love to win a MISTI
Wow this is just gorgeous!! I love the gold and thanks for sharing the different spellbinders dies in Gold. So pretty!! 🙂
I follow my muse. I get ideas for cards in my mind, everywhere, especially in the shower. I absolutely love your stamps!
No I do not have a cardmaking formula. Just recently started making them.
Thank you! Your projects are cool! These gold frames are adorable!
If I am creating cards in large production I start an assembly line. I also use sketches sometime… Love your idea..
I like to use 3 colors and at least one spellbinders die. Card sketches are a fast way to go also!
No specific formula.
What a great looking card. Really love the gold on it.
I don’t have an exact formula however I love making interactive cards so usually my formula includes a penny, sequins and lots of foam tape!!!!!
I don’t use a formula usually, but I am finding myself in love with card sketches. I find the stamp I like and then find a sketch with a focal point in that shape. Love your cards.
Gorgeous card! I don’t really have a formula for cardmaking, I just start with a basic idea and it usually evolves from there.
I have some of these beautiful dies but never thought to cut them out of gold CS. Thanks for the tip. Beautiful card.
Not a specific formula, I just do the random try things a see what comes out. I hope with time I can learn to have a go to formula. I really like your formula, plus I adore gold on cards so thank you so very much for the tip. Also thank you for the amazing opportunity to win a MISTI, my fingers and toes are crossed
Thanks for sharing your formula. I really enjoyed your video. I currently don’t have a formula that I use. I just pick out a stamp set or die that I want to use, and see what happens. I am a very unorganized stamper. Iliana is awesome for doing this giveaway, Thanks for the chance to win. I have my fingers crossed.
I don’t know that I have a formula…I’d have to think for awhile on that! lol I do like to have text on the front every time though! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you for this great idea Yana! I now have a “go to formula” posted on my blog (with due credit and a link to you of course) . . . just fabulous! Have a very lovely Day! Hazel xx
My Card Attic
A formula is what I need! I’m so challenged for coming up with a good way to feature my stamping and sentiments on a card. Thanks for the great idea and I love those gold die cuts, gorgeous!
thanks for the tips! I like to always have some text on the front for sure! 😀 Thanks for the chance to win!
Love this beautiful card, and your formula! I don’t have a design formula so I’m really happy you shared yours, it’s awesome.
I love making simple cards by stamping all the images and greetings out in versamark ink on Kraft cardstock and embossing them in white embossing powder. The cards looked simple, elegant and timeless this way…. Love it!!!
My Card making Formula is colored card stock that I run through the big shot with a texture folder. I layer other colored card stock with the top layer being white. I stamp an image and use my copic markers to color. Thank you for hosting this fantastic give away.
I would love to try and use the Misti so winning one would be great.
Yana, I just have to say I have such respect for your creativity! I am fairly new to card making so I’m afraid I’ve never even heard of a card formula before but I can see how helpful this would be especially when I am in a slump and have those days where I just stare at a blank piece of cardstock, biting my fingernails and bumping my head on my desk LOL! Thanks for the tip and these cards are just “gorgeous”!
I don’t have a ‘formula’, but loved yours! Thanks for sharing it, and thank you for the chance to win the mini Misti!
I don’t have a formula that I follow I usually just go with how I am feeling that day.
Clean and simple is my formula. Gorgeous card!!
I haven’t developed a formula yet so I can sometimes really struggle to design a card! I’m so busy trying all the techniques
I don’t have a formula either other than trial and error! I’ll have to try out your method. Great video!
I’m not very creative, I just put everything in place until my “eye” says it works. I just thoroughly enjoy the time stamping, coloring, etc. I call it my therapy! I would love to win a mini misti ! Thank you.
Love this gorgeous card, and thanks for sharing the details of your design formula. I don’t have one, so happy you shared yours! The gold frame details on your cards are so very pretty too!
I don’t know that I have a ‘formula’ to make my cards. I more or less just ‘wing it’ till it all comes together. I would love to win the MISTI
After few years with card making, still don’t have any formula. Wish I had, that will make it so much easier. I will have your formula in mind though. thanks for your ideas!
So interesting to read bout your formula and it’s a great one! I don’t have a formula and my cards usually turn out very different! But I like to get inspired by other cardmakers a lot or by sketch or color challenges. 🙂
Beautiful card! I love your videos. This is a great formula that I will have to try. I don’t really have a formula because I make so few cards and usually it’s to try new stamps or sketches. But I love using embossing powders – they really make a card extra special!
If I’m having trouble, I turn to YouTube for inspiration!
Genius! Love that card (and your formula) and I’m definitely going to try it. I never thought that I had a “formula” but realized I do have one I’ve been falling back on lately to use up some papers. I cut a paper panel 1/4″ smaller all around and adhere to matching cardstock then take one of my large images (generally coloured with my copics) and cut it with a border die and adhere it to one side full height of the paper, place a banner sentiment stamped on vellum across bottom or top and fill one of the corners with a die cut or paper “flags”.
No special formula for me. New to stamping and just creating my own style. I’m thinking my Cricut Fancy Frames should have lots of great choices.
I don’t have any special formula for making cards. I usually think about the colors and embelishments as well as about who is going to get the card and what she/he likes. So far I’ve been working with the white card base as it’s simple and clean and can be used in combination with any color.