Merry Christmas Eve! This week’s card features the Petals of Beauty Bundle, part of the Brushed with Beauty Suite from Stampin’ Up! While this bundle includes beautiful two-step floral stamps, what truly stole my heart are the dies—especially the large background elements and leafy dies.

Because many of my classes are online (and often include mailed kits), I love dies that can stand alone without stamping. These dies are perfect for that: elegant, versatile, and ideal for creating layered cards that don’t feel fussy.

One of the highlights of this card is the linen-look background. Instead of using designer paper, I created my own subtle texture using the Lasting Linen background stamp.

For this version, I stamped the light side of two-tone cardstock with Calypso Coral ink so the texture would really show. In a previous version, I used a much lighter tone for a more subtle effect—pretty, but very understated. Seeing both side by side really shows how color choice can change the impact of a design. This technique is a great way to stretch your supplies and add interest without overwhelming the card.

To ground the design, I added strips of Brushed with Beauty Designer Series Paper. The soft florals and neutral tones add warmth and balance while keeping the overall look clean and classic.

If you love designs that feel detailed but still approachable, this combination of stamped texture and patterned paper is one you’ll want to try again.

The focal point of the card features two different leafy dies cut from Mossy Meadow cardstock. I layered them slightly off-center to create movement and depth, using just small dots of adhesive to protect the delicate pieces.

This is one of my favorite design tricks—letting the greenery peek out from behind the sentiment to frame it without stealing the spotlight.

The sentiment was stamped on a Stylish Shapes die and a second one is trimmed so it appears to run behind the banner—an easy illusion that adds interest. I popped the sentiment up with dimensionals to give the card just enough lift.

To finish the card, I added Pearls of Beauty embellishments, placing them in a simple reverse triangle. And yes… you know me—every card needs something, whether it’s gems, ribbon, or both!

In the replay, I walk you through:

• Simple tricks that make handmade cards feel polished
• Creating a stamped background for subtle texture
• Layering patterned paper without overwhelming the design
• Using dies to build a focal point without stamping

For info about my upcoming in-person and virtual classes, check out my class descriptions here and my calendar here. I hope to see you at a class sometime soon, but you can always find ideas here on my blog as well as on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter at the bottom of this page so you don’t miss a thing!

Petals of Beauty Card Measurements

• Calypso Coral card base – 5 ½” x 8 ½”
• Basic White – 4” x 5 ¼”, 2 ½” x 2”
• Petal Pink – 4” x 5 ¼”
• Brushed With Beauty DSP – 2” x 4” (design 1), 4 ¾” x 2” (design 2)
• Mossy Meadow – 2” x 4 ¼” (2)
• Calypso Coral – 1” x 2”

Petals of Beauty Card Supplies