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’ve never thought of using a formula, just sort of start creating. I think it sounds like a good idea to have a formula for those times you get stuck. Thanks for sharing.
Beautifully made card and
I try to make all my embellishments
first, then add to the scene as I go.
Carla from Utah
My first thought when starting a card is the recipient and something they like or relates to them, then make it work. Love your sweet card today and sharing your formula ideas, also.
Gorgeous card and design! I love the simple background on your card! The touches of gold just pop, especially the embossed sentiment! Thanks so much for sharing your stamped color layering techniques with the stamp sets. I have picked up so many amazing tips and techniques as I follow along on the MISTI May-nia adventure! I don’t really have one formula for card making, I love to incorporate different embellishments and lots of layers on my cards and it all depends on what occasion the card is being designed for. I will have to think about “my formula” as I create projects, I kind of dig this idea!
Such a beautiful card! I don’t have a card formula but sometimes like using textures like cork, dried leaves, or small findings.
Hi Yana, I was thrilled you made this video after my IG struggle last week, thank you. It has been great to see the range of dies that can be used as a focal element on the card and those Spellbinders dies are truly beautiful. I don’t have a go to formula for a card yet, I don’t even think I have a style I can call my own yet. Still learning! Thanks for the opportunity to win the MISTI and as always, you have created a beautiful card
I don’t really have a formula but I like yours. Beautiful card and great video. Would love to win a MISTI.
Love this card and the ease you created it. Love the Mini MISTI too!
Wow! Those Spellbinder dies are so gorgeous! What a clever idea to use them as your focal point!
You did an awesome job showing how to and what you used!!! I start my card with the main card topper, could be a stamped image or a layered image that I’ve hand cut and glued. I then chose my card base in color to match the topper. Then I find a sentiment and bling! My cards are all like snowflakes not two or alike, lol. Would love to win the MISTI !!!
Yana, I love your color choices for this card, and your style is simple but elegant. My main rule of thumb is the one of thirds for placement and also using odd numbers of elements, sequins, etc. Nothing special and often think maybe I should start sketching my designs but that never happens. Thanks for the chance to win a Mini MISTI!
SO happy to find your blog! I need all the help I can get lol, and the MISTI would send me over the moon!
I really enjoy looking at your work. Your clean lines make your elements pop and look beautiful.
Wow! and Wow! Your card is stunning! I would want to frame it! 🙂 Love that you shared how you made it and all the details on it are really great. The images used are so versatile. I think the Misti Tool looks like a great addition for any stamper. Thanks for sharing your beautiful art, techniques and the opportunity to win a Misti!
Having a hard time commenting here and site is not secure. Makes me nervous. However, your cards are always just stunning and great videos. My style is fairly clean and simple always using the rule of thirds. Perhaps sketching ideas first would be beneficial but who has time for that? Thanks for the chance to win a Mini MISTI!
Your card is beautiful. I don’t have a formula but I do enjoy learning from designers like yourself. Thank you for sharing your talent and for the chance to win a Mini Misti.
This is such a gorgeous card and I’m thankful that you shared your formula with us! I haven’t thought of coming up with a go-to formula when I have trouble with cards, but it really would help me out. Sometimes I feel so stuck and have no idea what to do–it can be quite frustrating! Thanks also for the helpful video and chance to win the MISTI too. I have an Altenew stamp set and it can be tough to line them up just right 🙂
so pretty.. i need to add them to my shopping list.. thank you for chance to win,
Very pretty card love the gold frames. I do not have a formula.
beautiful card, thanks for sharing your great ideas. I don’t have a formula, I just wing it most of the time. would love to win a misti
SQUEAL!! Such a BEAUTIFUL Card!! THANKS SO MUCH for sharing your Card Formula!! I LOVE to make shaker cards or scene cards at the moment so I really don’t have a Formula!! Each one is different!! =) THANKS for sharing and have a FBULOUS WEEK!! =
I love the card, beauty abounds. My card formula is so…random. I look to what feeling I hope to convey first, paper possibilities from within my stash, and stamps convey the moment. Thanks and a misti would be just great!
I love your simple but beautiful card formula! My go to is layers (white and neutral card base) then and embossed layer, then paper pieced item or stamp and sentiment!
Looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
This is a beautiful card! Thanks!
I don’t have a formula….I think I’ll adopt yours. Thanks for the video.
Thank you so much for sharing your formula. Your sample card is beautiful. I don’t have an actual formula yet, as I am relatively new to the card-making world. What I have learned so far, though, is to try to group elements in sets of uneven numbers. I do that with my plants, so why not cards?!! I particularly like designing around “threes”, especially for smaller A2 cards. Thank you for the opportunity to win a Mini MISTI.
Great tips and pretty card. I don’t have a regular formula but I think I should!
I don’t really have a formula, but yours seems spot on! Your card is so beautiful and elegant! I just love those Spellbinders dies.
I really like your “go to” card making formula. Now I need to find that gold card stock at Hobby Lobby and a few fancy circle dies. What a nice card. I sure would love the chance to win a mini misti too!!
Beautiful card! I do not have a formula for my cards. I like to get ideas from people like yourself. Thanks for a chance to win a MISTI.
what a great formula for making CAS cards. I always love the look of a frame with flowers and other unique elements in them.. thanks for the inspiration.
It would be so fun to play and create with this mini misti.. thanks for the chance to win.
You never fail to amaze me. Your creativity is beyond me. I dont have a card formula but if I am stuck I always start with doing a rainbow background using either ink blending or watercoloring and then I go from there.
beautiful card and thanks for the video..
My formula for card making is to take my time…try not to rush
for me rushing is making mistakes…..tfs Yana
Love your “formula” and beautiful card. I don’t really have a formula, but I do like starting with a white base for the card.
Wonderful card and video! Thanks for the opportunity to win a Mini Misti!
Thanks for sharing your “formula”. I struggle with C&S cards but I will give this a try. Lovely cards!
I feel more confident about my card making if I have the color scheme all figured out first. I love your style!! Thank you for the chance to win a mini Misti! I would be in craft Heaven to have one of those!!
I don’t have a cardmaking formula, but I’ve always been entranced by your card designs! Your formula made everything look so easy, and I’ll be sure to use it next time (though adapted to accommodate the little supplies I have…).
This is definitely a technique I am going to try because I struggle to come up with a card idea. Thank you, Yana, for sharing this with us and for the chance to win a mini MISTI. You truly are blessed with amazing talent!
What a gorgeous card and thank you for the tip of using frames, I have always left the centre in. Please enter me for the chance to win a mini misti, what a great tool.
I don’t have a cardmaking formula, but that is such a great idea and your samples are beautiful. I do have Spellbinders dies and Altenew stamps. Thank you for the inspiration. And, thank you for the opportunity to win a MISTI!
Lovely card! Beautiful, subtle colors! Simple but elegant.
I don’t really have a card formula per se. Have learned to to make my card front separate from my card base as too often have had an “oops” on the inside of the card that necessitates re-making or layering the card front. Using the MISTI would hopefully eliminate that problem. Also,often get all my materials ready for the card (if making several) after perfecting my prototype then put the cards together in assembly line fashion. Guess that could be my card making formula!
Thank you for participating in the Mini MISTI give-away and providing an opportunity to win one of these marvelous stamping tools!
Beautiful cards! I don’t have a formula but I see how having one could help tremendously. The Misti looks like a wonderful tool for stamping.
Tolle Karte! Ich liebe diese Layering-Stempel von altenew und hätte gerne das Misti.
My cardmaking style is clean and simple too. I think a large focal point or a large sentiment and some pop of color somewhere is my fav!
Love your suggestion! Why reinvent the wheel every time we sit down to make a card. Your’s are beautiful by the way! Thanks for a chance to win a MISTI!!
Gorgeous card! I don’t have a cardmaking formula, I just make cards based on occasion but I can see how helpful a formula could be. Thanks for the tip and the chance to win a MISTI.
just seen your video and as I have one of Spellbinders circle dies I can give this techique a go as it is quite detailed and would look good especially with some of the floral stamps that I have. love Altenew’s stamps but they are hard to find here in Europe. I always have mirror card to hand so TFS your technique in making simple but stunning cards.
This is a beautiful card. I don’t have any special formula’s to use but I am going to try and come up with one. Thank you for the opportunity to win a misti