Today’s card is an absolute delight because the layout is incredibly versatile and wonderfully adaptable to whatever supplies you have on hand. Once you see how easy it is to bring together coordinating strips of Designer Series Paper (DSP), you’ll be reaching for this design all year long.
I began with three different strips of DSP from the Traditions of Christmas pack: a cheery plaid, a Secret Sea geometric pattern, and a Real Red dotted design. Layered on a panel of two-toned Secret Sea cardstock’s lighter tone, these patterns come alive with texture and contrast.
The strips are arranged left to right—plaid, geometric, and dots—each slightly narrower than the last for a pleasing visual balance. After attaching the panel to a Secret Sea card base with dimensionals, I added a lovely sentiment of “Sending Love & Joy” from the Traditional Labels stamp set and die cut with the coordinating die.
For embellishment, I used the Christmas Greenery dies—cutting delicate pine boughs of Granny Apple Green accented with ink using a Sponge Dauber and leaves from both shades of the Secret Sea two-tone cardstock.
These accents were grouped together with Tear & Tape, and a shimmer of Real Red Shiny Ribbon was added for that perfect touch of sparkle. The sentiment was then layered over the die-cut cluster, giving a beautiful dimensional effect. Inside, a Basic White panel framed in the lighter tone of Secret Sea cardstock ties everything together perfectly.
The same clean and simple layout takes on a completely new personality in the next two cards. The second card features Elegant Pine Snowflakes DSP matted on Shaded Spruce, with a Cherry Cobbler base.
The “Merry Christmas” sentiment from the Greetings for All Mix & Match Ephemera set pops in bold contrast, while holly leaves and red berries add festive cheer. Inside, a Basic White panel framed in Cherry Cobbler keeps it crisp and coordinated.
The third card shows just how easily this design can shift seasons or moods. Using Brushed With Beauty DSP on an Early Espresso mat and a Darling Duckling card base, this version feels soft, fresh, and uplifting. The sentiment, “I Think You’re Amazing,” from the Words of Beauty stamp set, is stamped in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla and die cut with the coordinating die.
A lovely Petal Pink and Coral Calypso flower from the Petals of Beauty dies steals the show, accented with Old Olive and Mossy Meadow leaves. A few Darling Duckling In Color Flat Pearls scattered around add gentle shimmer and polish off the design.
Each card showcases the same foundation—three DSP strips and a matted layer—but the look changes dramatically with different colors, themes, and embellishments. This layout lets you easily add whatever sentiment/accents you want! Whether your paper stash leans toward holidays, florals, or abstract designs, this layout is ready to make them shine.
I’ve shared a video of the first card being created, along with a look at the other two, so you can see how flexible this design truly is.
You can grab your free PDF tutorial below to create your own versions of these cards.
Ready to give it a try? Watch the video, download your tutorial, and see how one easy layout can spark endless creative possibilities!
Supplies used (also listed in the Tutorial):