How to Add Elegant Texture to Simple Cards | Easy Cardmaking Tutorial (Video)

Do you ever want your handmade cards to feel a little more polished — without taking hours? ✨
In this week’s tutorial, I’m sharing an elegant textured card idea that’s simple enough for mass production but beautiful enough to gift or mail for any heartfelt occasion.

We’re featuring the Peace On Earth Bundle and Peaceful Garden Designer Series Paper — both perfect for year-round “sending prayers” or thoughtful friendship cards. You’ll also see how to customize your label shape with one quick die-cutting trick you’ll want to use on every project!

Why You’ll Love This Design:

• Adds instant dimension with embossed texture
• Works for any patterned paper or color palette
• Features a clever label-cutting tip for flexibility
• Perfect for creating thoughtful cards in batches

Whether you’re sending encouragement or just a little peace and comfort, this layout will help your handmade cards look professional and heartfelt — without extra stress.

Cardmaking Tutorial Highlights:

For this design, we’re starting with a Thick Basic White card base and layering “cheater strips” of Peaceful Garden Designer Series Paper to add color and pattern without using a full sheet. Then, we emboss coordinating cardstock with the Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder for instant texture.

Next, we cut the embossed panel into three strips and layer it onto Secret Sea cardstock to create dimension and visual balance.

The custom label trick is one of my favorite time-savers! Simply run a narrower cardstock strip through the die for a tailored label that perfectly fits your sentiment.

The “Sending Prayers” greeting is stamped in two shades of blue for a soft, layered look, then accented with a Secret Sea ribbon, die-cut foliage, and a flower embellishment.

Inside, a coordinating white panel layered on Secret Sea carries the sentiment and a simple paper accent for a polished finish.

This project is actually a BONUS project I am including with my November Cultivated Creativity kits!

Join the Cultivated Creativity Waitlist — November kits feature this same beautiful Peace On Earth Bundle! Waitlist members will get first access when I open a few new spots next month.

👉 join the waitlist here.

Project Layers (Imperial):

• 11″ x 4-1/4″ Thick Basic White CS
• (2) 3-1/2″ x 4-7/8″ Secret Sea CS
• 3-1/4″ x 4-3/4″ Cloud Cover CS
• 3-3/4″ x 1″ Basic White CS- die cut
• 3-3/8″ x 4-3/4″ Basic White CS
• 1-1/4″ x 3-5/8″ Smoky Slate CS- die cut
• (2) 3/4′ x 4″ DSP
• Approx. 4″ Ribbon

Whether you’re crafting for comfort, celebration, or the holidays ahead, this design brings elegance and meaning together beautifully.

I can’t wait to see your version — tag me @suwendylee or share it in our CreativeLee Yours Studio Facebook Group so we can cheer you on!

I have created a printable recipe with the complete supply list and cut dimensions for you. Simply click the button below to access the printable file.

Ready to get started? Check out the full video tutorial below to see each step in action. I’ll walk you through all my tips and tricks in my Tuesday YouTube PREMIER. Watch the video replay below and be sure to leave me a comment.

Don’t forget to share the video with your crafty friends! While you are watching, I would appreciate you subscribing to my YouTube channel.

(note if viewing this post via email subscription, you may need to click the post name to display the video)

Wasn’t that beautifully simple? I love how a few embossed layers can make a clean design feel extra special.
Tell me below: when you’re making cards, do you prefer to create one simple layout you can repeat — or do you like to switch things up for each recipient?

Don’t forget to join me for some LIVE papercrafting every Tuesday at 12:30PM ET on my YouTube Channel where we will play with some new goodies from the current Catalogs! Jump on over and follow me now. Looking forward to seeing you and your crafty friends for our next LIVE papercrafting class!

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PROMOTION DATES: October 1–31, 2025

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I’m sure you agree…papercrafting can bring so much joy. Whether you use it for stress relief, to share your creativity, or have meaningful cards and gifts always at your fingertips, papercrafting has value that goes far beyond the projects.

There’s so much we can give our attention to and spend our time doing today, but what if you had something at your fingertips that allows you to create memories and express yourself instead of watching Netflix? That’s where our paper crafting kits come in!

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Tired of the holiday card hustle?
Let us be your Holiday Helpers! With our Christmas Craft-A-Stack To Go, you’ll create 10 stunning handmade cards and 12 festive tags, and 2 adorable bags to hold them— all from the comfort of your home, at your own pace.
Featuring the Christmas Tags & More Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ Up!, this festive non-stamping kit makes it easy to craft heartfelt holiday projects with style & joy.

See full details and register HERE

Registration Ends Saturday November 1, 2025 (or while supplies last).

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It’s time for my 12 weeks of Holidays project ideas! I am excited to share Halloween, Fall, Birthday, Christmas, Winter and Valentine sets of projects with you each Thursday for 12 weeks that I hope will inspire you to create! These ideas are Exclusive to my email subscribers, so if you want to see them all, be sure to subscribe to my list HERE.

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CreativeLee Yours,

OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION:

• Join my Stampin’ Up!® Diemonds team and get the awesome customizable starter kit HERE. It’s the best bundle ever!
• Ready for a fun, monthly craft kit delivered directly to you, so you get all the joy of creating without having to do all the research, design and prep? Cultivated Creativity is for you! Click HERE to get started.
• Join my Online Forget Me Not (FMN) Card Club and elevate your hand made cards HERE.
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• Join Paper Pumpkin and get FREE PDF Tutorials with alternate projects each month.
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• Earn Exclusive BONUS tutorials with my rewards program. CLICK HERE for details.