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 |
Yana – You are amazing and I loved seeing this post and seeing into your creative process!! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful card!!
Beautiful card I love it the coloring is fabulous. Thanks for a chance to win a the Mini Misti
My simple formula is to stamp my focal point to the left of the card, my sentiment on the upper or lower left hand side, and add some sparkle always in odd numbers. Thanks for sharing your formula.
I don’t really have a formula, I try different techniques and sometimes get inspiration from others. Your cards are beautiful!
Great formula. I’ve struggled with what to use some intricate circle dies I’ve been given…now I know what to do! Thanks!.
i usually browse pinterest or files or magazines for some quick inspiration and then start playing!
My stamping formula is usually to pick a stamp as a focal point and build around that! I would love a misti to help me with my stamping
You did a beautiful job on this card. I love watching your videos.
Oh, and I don’t really have a formula as such but like the front of my cards to look balanced.
No formula. ! I just “fly by the seat of my pants”
I love all of the different ways of using the stamps and dies.n
Nice layers on that card!
I have no specific formula, I like my cards simple but with a pop of something, but basically I create whatever makes me feel happy at the moment.
Thanks for the giveaway
I’m fairly new so I don’t have a cardmaking formula, but I try to do sketch challenges to come up with ideas.
What a gorgeous card.
I don’t have a formula for my card making – I usually just play around until I’m happy! Maybe I should have a go to layout. Thanks for the idea and the chance to win a misti 🙂
I love your card making and watch your YouTube videos all the time!!! I don’t have a “formula”, but for me, when it doubt, I use pattern paper, a big die cut greeting or embossed greeting and sequins. It does the job when I’m in a creative block.
I don’t have a specific formula but I’ve noticed that when in doubt, I go for patterned paper, big die cut sentiment and sequins.
I just love your cards. I really like the colours blends you have done.
Thank you for the chance of winning a misti.
Since my craft time is limited my formula is to make more than one card at a time.
Love all of your cards! I’m not very creative, so I just follow a formula from a crd I like and swap out products I have on hand
your card is absolutely stunning, perfect stamping, wow, wow …
uf, my cardmaking formula – I pick a sketch and the make a card, sometimes I make few similar cards at once :).
I always enjoy your posts and videos…I don’t think about my style being a formula…I start with my focal point and then just go for balance that is pleasing to the eye…
Love love your cards they are always so pretty and I have yet to see a card by you that isn’t just gorgeous and inspiring.
i’m just getting started with card-making. At this point, i am simply eye-balling things and hoping for the best. That’s why i would LOVE to win a MINI-MISTI!!!!
Thanks for joining the giveaway. I’m so glad I discovered your site because of it! <3
I will say that my formula would be have fun and enjoy the process of creating.
Thank you so much for sharing your formula with us and all of the gorgeous examples for frames Yana! Your cards are always Gorgeous and inspiring! 😀
Oh and my formula?? well…I don’t have one really except to work with things you love and have fun and when you have fun…I find those are the most well received cards from the comments I receive on them> 😀
I have no formula, but I learn a lot from talented crafter like you, thank you for sharing your formula and I certainly learn a lot from your videos. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity to participate
The flowers on your card are very beautiful and came out nice.
no formula. just pick out a stamp or die and go for it
Beautiful card! Usually start with a stamp or sketch and go from there.
Another beautiful card! I don’t really have a formula, but maybe if I did I’d get cards done faster. Sometimes it takes me days to finish a card! I do tend to like them simple though with color & humor. Thanks for another wonderful card & a chance to win a misti.
Hello and Thank you for your wonderfully instructive video! I do not have a go to formula for my cards or pages….you idea is fantastic!
Beautiful cards and I love the idea of having a formula. I’ve never used a formula before and now want to try it.
You video on a formula is fantastic! I do not have a formula for my cards or pages….just pick a stamp set, and get to it! LOL Guess if I was more organized, could get more accomplished! Thanks for the chance to win a MISTI
That is a beautiful card! Love the layering. Thanks for the chance to win.
Gorgeous card, I don’t have a particular formula when creating cards. I do however enjoy watching videos and learning new ways to create cards.
Fantastic layout!! I love the touch of gold. I really don’t have formulas for making cards, but you have me thinking and now I am going to work on having “formulas” for my cards!! I love CAS cards and using dies to enhance my cards. Thanks for the inspiration.
What a beautiful card. Thank you for the video
I don’t have a formula – I just wing it ….. love creating something special for each recipient.
That is the prettiest card that I have EVER seen! It looks like something that should be in a fancy boutique! 🙂
Thank you for the formula and inspiration. I would love to win a MISTI.
Very pretty cards i like how you use the frames, thanks for sharing.
Absolutely beautiful cards! Thank you for sharing your formulas and techniques.:)
I am fairly new to card making so I don’t have a formula yet but I do love trolling Pinterest, blogs, and YouTube for inspiration and techniques.
Beautiful cards Yana, your cardmaking style is awesome. I don’t have a formula I just like to make pretty things 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win x x
I am so new at this that I don´t have any good formula yet. I am watching Youtubes, read a lot and tries to put it all together to something that is “me”.
Thank you for the chance to win!
Absolutely beautiful cards! . I don’t have a formula I just like to make cards and I love colors! Thanks for a chance to win a the Mini Misti
Beautiful Cards! My formula is to start with the largest element I am using on the card and build from there. I tend to move the elements around until I find what is most balanced and pleasing to the eye.
Hmmm…. No, I don’t really have a card making formula, but maybe I should go through my stash of cards and come up with one. Thanks for sharing!
No, I don’t have any particular card formula, but I really like your idea! Gorgeous cards! Your formula certainly works for you!
I don’t have a formula yet. Yours is a great help. Love your videos