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.
Like this project? Pin it and save for later!
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 usually use the main elements; one large and two smaller ones as the focal point.
Thanks for sharing your ideas with us. Wonderful cards.
What a beautiful piece of art that you created. Thank you for inspiring me.
Beautiful card! I must try your formula. I would love to win a Mini Misti!!
Your cards are always breathtaking, I love your style! I wish I had a formula to share but I’ll definitely be using your formula from now on. Thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win.
I struggle A GREAT DEAL with the conception of a card. One of my pitfalls is having too many options and getting overwhelmed. What I’ve done to help with this is think deeply about the occasion and recipient, pick a designer paper or color palette to help get the creative juices flowing. If that isn’t working, I look thru my history on you tube and try a new technique that I learned.
What a great formula, I must try this. I often don’t know what or how to set up a simple card. Thank you for the tip. Hugs
Gorgeous cards!
Absolutely beautiful!Awesome technique! TFS!
Love your card! I love CAS cards. I don’t really have a formula sometimes something will just pop in my head and I either go right then and start creating or I will roughly sketch it out on paper. But mostly I just start placings things around until I find something I like. I can see that I really need a Misti. Thank you for the chance to win one.
So pretty! I like the formula that you use, I am going to try that! I don’t really have a formula but I think that is a great idea!
Your cards are always so pretty! I prefer to stamp flower arrangements too and I love the touch of gold you use on your cards. Thanks for the chance to win a Misti!
Your card formula is wonderful, just as your card! I can’t wait to try your system and it would be wonderful to win the Mini Misti so I could hopefully make cards that would be as beautiful as yours. Of course I am not as talented or as creative, so I have a long way to go! Thanks for sharing your techniques and for,the opportunity to win the Mini Misti.
I would like to try your formula for making cards. I usually start with a stamp and then visual a design in my head and then choose colors. Would love to win the MISTI to help me along with my creativity! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Thank you for the video and written details.
I don’t have a card making formula, but will experiment with yours to see if it works for me.
Sadly, I don’t have a formula to make cards by 🙂 I just plough right in and see what comes out at the end.
I usually have a folder with backgrounds that I’ve made, and I pull it out and look at all the pretty colors until I come across one that I can’t resist and make a card from that. Or, I wake up in the middle of the night with a card design. So I either sketch it out so I don’t forget, or I get out of bed and actually go to my craft room and make the card. Love your cards.
I don’t have a formula! Thanks for the chance to win a mini Misti.
Beautiful card. Thanks for sharing your tips with us. And thanks for the chance to win.
Gorgeous card. I like your go to card making formula. I will have to give it a try. When I am in a hurry I just cut patterned paper a little smaller than a card front and then add a framed stamped image on top.
Wow! Your cards are always stunning. I love your “formula”…especially grounding the florals on a gold element. Brilliant! I would love to win a mini MISTI!
Wow, great video and a gorgeous card! I do not have a card making formula but I sure do like yours! Thanks for sharing your tips and for a chance to win the Mini MISTI.
I should try this formula, even though I’m kind of using this, If I can’t think to mix and match and come up with my own design I’ll go with one or two dies sets and layering them, most of the time it looks amazing , if I wanted to finish it up more I add a simple bow or couple of flowers and ofcourse some kind of sentiment.
Love your designs and creativity, I’ve learned a lot from you 🙂
I am in awe of your fancy die cuts using the mirror cardstock. Your’s are so perfect. Mine come out terrible. In fact I have quit using my fancy Spellbinders dies because I just can’t get them to work for me, even trying all the little tricks everyone says to use. I sure do like the look they give though. Very pretty card.
Never had a formula before, but thanks for reminding me it’s not necessary to reinvent the wheel every time I create!
Yana, this card is so beautiful. Thanks for the video, I think it will really help me and reduce stress. LOL. I don’t have any card formula, maybe that is why I stress out so much when I make cards. Looks like the mini Misti makes life a bit easier, too. I would love to win one, or I may just have to go buy myself one for my birthday. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoy making clean and simple cards as well, so I’m always looking for new ideas. I am going to try this frame idea! Thanks for sharing.
I dont have a cardmaking formula, so thanks a lot for inspiration!
Love your “formula” for CAS cards. I don’t have a formula but sure would like to adopt one!! Thanks for the chance to win a mini MISTI!
Lovely cards. Love the dies too
Thanks for the tip and chance to win the MISTI, it looks so awesome
I don’t really have a plan usually so it’s sometimes more miss than hit with a card. Having a formula sounds like a great idea – thanks.
Thank you for your formula information….I never thought of needing one, I’m fairly new to making cards and have just always followed what others have shown me. With this in mind, I can start creating my own design ideas. I like the way you add the gold frames in to the bouquets.
Love your card. Never spent the time to think of a formula. Usually, just stressing out on getting a card done. Thanks for your inspiration and chance to win a misti!
What beautiful cards! It’s nice to have a “formula” for cards – I’ll have to start doing that!
I adore your designs! Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful card!! I don’t know that I have a pat formula that I use with card making–I usually start from scratch! Silly, I know!!
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!!
I just got the Peony Bouquet stamp set and there is a learning curve to using them. Watching you video really helps….a new MISTI would be great also.
Your gold frames are always just a visual treat! Thanks for the great tutorial!
I love the two toned flowers; I would never have figured out how those were made. I don’t have any formulas, but I can see that yours is worth a try.
SUPER LOVELY! Thanks for showing those pretty dies, too! My formula is to look at blogs I like – like this one – and bookmark my favs to CASE. : )
Loved the video and card…
My formula, is to TRY, to keep my desk cleaned before I start a new project. Not always successful
I don’t have a card making formula, but need to develop one! Love your ideas.
I do not have a formula for making cards. However I find myself CASEing other designer’s cards a lot. Thanks for sharing your formula and thanks for the chance to win a MISTI.
my formula when pressed for time: patterned papers, washi tapes, and a sentiment. I’d love to win a mini Misti!
Beautiful card. Thanks for the Misti tips. I don’t have any formulas other than to make duplicates instead of one card at a time.
I must look in my stash to see if I have any dies to make the frames. Beautiful card
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful card. I do not have formula for making cards, but I think I`ll try it soon. Thanks for the chance to win a Misti!! Hugs!
I do have a card making formula, but I’ve never thought of it as one. I like to double mat my card front with 4.0 x 5.25 cardstock and another printed paper or cardstock cut at 3.75 x 5.0 with a larger focal stamped image and a sentiment. Then I find a spot for a bow and a rhinestone addition. When I’m drawing a blank, I routinely fall back on this. Lately, I’ve been going with a large die on top instead of a focal stamped image. I’d love that MISTI!
I love the elegance of your style! I subscribed to your YouTube channel and eagerly watch each of your uploads! Thank you for the inspiration!
I usually have a focal image positioned on the upper or lower third of the card, plus a sentiment. Thanks for sharing your formula.