Creative Twist with Strips

Who’s ready for a dino-mite cardmaking adventure? Today’s card uses one of my current favorites — the Darling Dinos stamp set — and I’ve paired it with a quick and creative technique that you’re going to love. We’re talking colored cardstock strips, playful stamping, and vibrant Stampin’ Blends for a card that comes together fast but looks anything but basic.

Starting with a bold Crushed Curry card base and adding layers of Blackberry Bliss and Very Vanilla for that rich, cozy fall-inspired contrast, the real fun happens with the strips — six pieces of Very Vanilla in different widths and lengths arranged side by side on a Silicone Craft Sheet. This simple layout gives you the freedom to stamp right across the strips without worrying about adhesive messes or crooked placement. I cannot say enough good things about the Silicone Craft Sheet. It’s my daily hero — easy cleanup and no sticky disasters.

A whimsical little scene with the Darling Dinos right on those strips was created using Pecan Pie ink. Then images were colored with Stampin’ Blends in Calypso Coral, Flirty Flamingo, Blackberry Bliss, and Pecan Pie. A little depth was added using Sponge Daubers — Pecan Pie ink sponged below to “ground” the dinos and Crushed Curry daubed all around for warmth and pop. This soft blending pulls the whole look together and gives the scene a subtle glow.

Once the scene was complete, I peeled each strip off the craft sheet and adhered them to the card front — alternating between flat and popped-up with Dimensionals for extra texture. I love how this adds movement and interest to the layout without being fussy. The sentiment “You’re the Best” stamped in Pecan Pie on the top right adds a sweet finishing touch. And because no card is truly complete without a finished inside, I added a panel of Very Vanilla backed with Blackberry Bliss.

I created this card with the AAA Colourful Challenge Colourboard #19 in mind (the Colors) and The Paper Players Challenge #751 (theme of Critters for a CAS card). Whether you’re new to the Darling Dinos set or already obsessed, this technique is one to bookmark. It’s perfect for building a scene without needing a whole lot of extra tools or time.

And the best part? This way to use up strips of scraps is so adaptable. In fact, I’ve got two other variations to share. This first variation was created for The Card Concept #218 Challenge (because the card was kept Clean And Simple with one main image stamped with Layers of Beauty (#163514), limited layers and embellishments – and I loved their colors for this challenge). I used Pecan Pie, Secret Sea, Basic White, and Balmy Blue.

This is also a card for the Inkspirational #348 (CAS Flowers theme).

And the second variation is using a yet-to-be-released stamp set called Autumn Trees (in the new Sept-Dec 2025 mini #165896) in a variety of blue strips – and Basic Beige – paired with Blooming Phrases for the sentiment (#165523). The ink colors are Pretty Peacock and Pecan Pie.

Since there’s a new catalog coming out, if you’re interested in getting one into your hands, you can sign up here and I’ll get it right out to you:

This layout/technique was basically CASEd from Wendy Lee (a fellow Stampin’ Up! demo); and this card (above) is the most like hers. The other cards have the same measurements, but otherwise, mine have different twists – which is what CASEing is all about!

Ready to stamp with me? The video is waiting,

And the PDF is ready to download with all the measurements, supplies, and step-by-step instructions so you can make this card right along with me. Be sure to snag your copy and let me know how your cards turn out!

Your creativity is about to take a prehistoric leap! Hope you get inky today!

Supplies used (also listed in the tutorial):