Easy Cardmaking Ideas with Patterned Paper – 3 Handmade Cards Using the Exciting Times Bundle

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There’s just something magical about a bold black-and-white paper… and when you start adding color to it? Game. changer.

Tonight’s Catalog Kickoff project is all about taking the Exciting Times bundle from Stampin’ Up!® and pairing it with the Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper – a gorgeous black-and-white paper that lets you get creative with color in the easiest way possible.

We’re making three completely different handmade cards using the same supplies – with blending, coloring, and a few fun tricks that make these cards look way more complicated than they actually are.

If you love card making, paper crafting, and finding new ways to use your patterned paper, you’re going to have fun with this one. Keep reading for all the details and be sure to watch the video tutorial below.

Video Tutorial

​Watch the full tutorial to see the card below come together step-by-step.

Supply List for these Dramatic Cards

Bold Birthday Card with Blended Patterned Paper

This first card is all about contrast – and it is so striking. The combination of Crisp Cantaloupe with black and white makes the floral pattern absolutely pop.

I started with one of the all-over floral patterns from the Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper and used a blending brush to add Crisp Cantaloupe and Calypso Coral across the entire piece. Then for a fun twist, I used a white gel pen to color in the leaves after blending. It’s such an easy trick, but it really makes the leaves stand out and gives the whole card more dimension.
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On the side, I added a strip of black-and-white polka dot paper for contrast, along with some Crisp Cantaloupe ribbon and coordinating embellishments. The sentiment is stamped using the layered frame images from the Exciting Times stamp set – with the outer frame in Basic Black and the inner “sunburst” detail in Crisp Cantaloupe – then punched out using the Rounded Rectangle punch.

Soft Floral Thank You Card with Colored Background

This card has a completely different feel – softer, lighter, and a great example of how versatile this paper really is.

For this one, I took another floral pattern and used a Hydrangea Hue Stampin’ Blends marker to color around the flowers instead of coloring them in. That leaves the flowers white and creates a soft, custom-colored background without needing any coordinating dies or stamps.

I layered that over a black base with a strip of solid Hydrangea Hue at the bottom to ground the design. The stamped frame is colored with Stampin’ Blends and customized using the Rounded Rectangle punch to shape the corners – a fun little trick that gives you more flexibility with your card template.
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The focal point is a cluster of fussy-cut flowers from another sheet of the Designer Series Paper, colored with blends and popped up on dimensionals. Add a few pearls, and you’ve got a polished, elegant handmade card that looks like it took way longer than it did.

Striped Thank You Card with Framed Floral Detail

We’re back to that bold Crisp Cantaloupe and black combo for the final card – but with a totally different layout.

This time, I used a black-and-white striped pattern and blended Crisp Cantaloupe over the background to soften it and tie it into the rest of the card. The layered look with the black strip across the center gives it a strong, clean design.

The real focal point here is the frame. I stamped it in Basic Black, colored it with Crisp Cantaloupe, and then used the Rounded Rectangle punch to cut out the center. Inside that frame, I tucked in fussy-cut flowers from the Designer Series Paper so they look like they’re spilling out of the frame. It’s such a fun effect and adds a lot of movement to the card.
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A simple stamped sentiment and a bow using Crisp Cantaloupe ribbon finish it off perfectly.

Your Turn to Create Something Beautiful

Three cards. One bundle. One pack of patterned paper. So many possibilities.

This is exactly why I love cardmaking – you don’t need a huge pile of supplies to create something beautiful. A great stamp set, a versatile paper pack, and a few simple techniques can take you a long way.

If you’re loving these ideas, you can grab the Exciting Times bundle and Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper in my online store.

And don’t forget – when you place a $50 order, you’ll get my Creativity Made Simple card sketches and tutorial bundle to help you keep the inspiration going. Spend $75 and you’ll also get my bonus video card class, and at $100 you’ll earn the make n’ take kit for next month’s Online Card Class.

Now tell me – which card is your favorite? Card 1, 2, or 3? I’d love to hear in the comments or over on Facebook.
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On Y Go! – you’ve got this.

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