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 |
I really don’t have a formula for card making. Sometimes I am inspired by others cards and use that as a guide but tend to be drawn to simple designs with a white backround building form that base. Also, thanks for a chance to win the Misti.
Love your card and your video. I have been stamping for 15 years and I am always looking to learn from others. My style is clean and simple, love water coloring.
Beautiful card with those elements on top, the sequins and the flower colors are great,
Thanks for sharing your card formula and thank you for the opportunity to win a mini. MISTI!
Beautiful card with those elements on top, the sequins and the flower colors are great.
great video and such a pretty card.
I’m just getting started in card making so I haven’t yet developed a solid formula for designing cards. However, videos and blogs like yours are really helping me become inspired to try different techniques
Great card!
My card making formula is sketching out my design and checking out Pinterest for inspiration. Thank you for the chance to win!
I love your card and your formula. I really do not know if I have a formula, but will sure give your formula a try. I would love to win the Misti. I like how you show how quickly it works for the stamp layering stamps. I have a couple of those kinds of stamps and it might make them really stamp well.
Thank you for sharing your perfect card making formula. I have lots of Spellbinders dies, but haven’t thought of using them like this. They look so effective! I have a regular sized MISTI, which I love, but I’d be thriled to win a mini version as it would be perfect for smaller projects like stamping my Altenew layered flowers.
Hi im really loving your frame dies. They are beautiful. I like how you put your card formula together. I tend to just go with the supplies im using. So if i want to make a background i will use my embossing folders then add die cuts gems and flowers to embellish. I dont really stick to one formula. My cards tend to be all different and i enjoy using different techniques and exploring new ideas and supplies to make unique cards. I love your video and pretty nails too. Thanks for the chance of winning a mini misti you are really kind
Thanks for sharing your card making formula, it’s so inspiring. I really don’t have a formula but am just inspired by designs from other talented and creative designers like you!!!
What a beautiful floral card. Thank you for the chance to win the mini misty. Ann
You have a great formula.Your cards are always stunning.Thanks for the inspiration.
I usually use more than one layer. If I have a small image I layer it on top of one or two more layers to make it appear larger and give it more substance. I always try to have one embellishment. I save my favorite cards I’ve made to a spinner that I can look at and repeat using other stamp sets and colors. I adore your pretty card! I’m inspired to pull out my shiny gold today and make something!
Lovely card and thank you for sharing your process. I don’t have a go-to formula, but I need to develop one as I don’t send out as many cards as I’d like. Thank you for the chance to win.
GLORIOUS golden frames and FABULOUS formula Yana!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your BEAUTIFUL card and CREATIVE “secret” with us!!!
I don’t use a formula … at the moment am inspired by products and projects I see in my cyber travels and I try to push my limits by entering challenges, as sketches, colour combos or required “elements” often lead me in new directions. I look forward to trying your formula real soon.
THANK YOU for giving us the chance to win too, it sure is an EXCITING prize 🙂
I love the flowers with the spellbinder dies. Thank you Ann
I don’t use a formula. Just inspired by other crafters.
Love your card and formula. I don’t have formula but I love yours for clean and simple cards. They are so dramatic not to mention beautiful. Thanks for sharing!!!
I don’t really have a card making formula. Guess it depends who I am making the card for and what I want to try at that time. Your video is great and I do have a lot of Spellbinder dies, so now I will go through them thinking about what you demonstrated in you video. Would love to win a mini Misti to try some of these techniques, thanks for the opportunity.
I love your formula & will have to give it a go this weekend!! Thank you for sharing!
I don’t use a formula. Loved your video and sweet card. Such beautiful dies. Love your watercoloring. Thank you so much for a fantastic giveaway. I so would love to win something this great.
I don’t have a card making formula, but I do like to follow a sketch when designing a card. Thank you for participating in the Mini MISTI giveaway. I love seeing how easy it is to do multi step stamping with the MISTI.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing.
Such great tips! thanks for sharing.
I’ve never developed a formula but this one I’ll keep around and try – the results are stunning
Love your videos! Your cards are always gorgeous!
How easy you make this look with the MISTI. Love that you get the layers of colors with stamping rather than actually coloring. No special formula for me.
What a lovely card!! I don’t really have a formula. I usually go with the flow and whatever happens happens! LOL Sometimes it can take me hours to make a card or other days I can pop out quite a few in a short period of time. Would LOVE a MISTI so that I can stamp straight sentiments and do some layer stamping! Thank YOU and Iliana for the chance to! It would be a dream come true!
No formula for me. I do love square cards, though, and layers. I love how you put all sorts of elements on your cards. Lovely!
Love your elegant cards! My formula is big handmade flowers, die-cuts, custom background with various textures and small accents like enamel dots. Thank you for the chance to win, I am dreaming of Misti for a long time
What lovely cards, Yana … great to see your formula in action! My formula is more of a go to layout for my cards for when Monsieur Mojo has gone awol … it usually sparks some creativity! Thanks for taking part in Iliana’s fabulous giveaway!
Great video, as they all are. So glad you included all of the frame info, I’ve been so influenced by your cards with the beautiful gold frames, going through all my dies to see what I can make. My formula for card making is pretty much the same, just gather your pieces and play around till you feel it’s perfect. Happy for a chance at a misti.
I don’t yet have a formula, but after reading this post it was like a light bulb turned on. What a great way to avoid papercrafter’s block! And, such a beautiful card!
I love the Gold Mirrow Cardstock , thanks for the tips. I am just developing my process as all this is new for me, videos like yours are to helpful !!!
I would say that I do not have a card making formula, per say, but do have an idea in my head before I start. it doesn’t always come out the way I planned, but I have a plan to start. Thank you SO MUCH for your wonderful tips on the die cuts, I am saving this video to a special place so I can access it again! And thanks for the chance to win a Mini!!!
I really don’t have a Cardmaking formula. Because I have way too much craft stuff (and always buying more) I just grab a pile of supplies and force myself to be creative with that. It usually gets my mojo going and then creating seems easy. Love these diecuts in the shiny gold.
I always love your cards . . . so elegant and clean (and not to hard to make)! My “go to” formula is a vertical card with a wide center panel (with floral) and vertical sentiment on vellum. Thank you for taking the time to make a video for us!
Wow!!!! Love your card and video!!! I don’t have yet a formula! I still learning to be more confident to make a card. For this reason, I watch a lot of video to try inspiration! Thank you for sharing!
Those cards are just stunning! Love the different elements, especially the gold frames. Thanks for the chance to win the Misti!
I do have a card layout I love and use frequently. Thanks for the chance to win a Mini Misti!
You make it look so easy. I love your formula and will be using it soon. Thanks for sharing!
Great card and video!!! I like to make several cards at a time to add to my stash:)
Your card is gorgeous! I dont have a formula that I use…. I usually just grab some supplies and try to create something…. I usually know what dies or stamps I want to use – the hard part is putting it all together. I like your formula – and the gold die cuts – love those!!!!
I have no specific formula to make a card. I like to get inspiration from lots of places, get a rough idea in my head of what I would like to make and then sit down and create.
Beautiful cards! I’m in the learning process. No set formula yet. I like your idea though.
Gorgeous card! Thank you for sharing your formula. I can’t say that I have one…..never really thought about it, but now….you bet I will think of something ♥
I like to bring out my inks, then decide what I’m going to stamp. Stamp, bring in a colorful background and then add some clear wink of stella to make the focal point pop.