How to Step Up a Simple Card | Easy Cardmaking Tutorial (Video)

Sometimes the best ideas come from crafty friends. This week’s project is inspired by a swap I received from my friend and fellow demonstrator, Sandy Carlson. I loved her clean and simple design — it makes such smart use of patterned paper strips and is perfect for stepping up in different ways.

In today’s tutorial, I’m sharing 3 variations of this card design featuring the gorgeous Gathering Together Suite. You’ll see how a few small changes — like adding a die-cut label, popping up layers, or tucking in extra details — can turn a simple card into a stunning stepped-up version.

Project Versions

Clean + Simple:
3 strips of paper placed vertically with a horizontal strip layered over the top. Sentiment stamped directly on the paper strip.

Stepped-Up:
Same design, but sentiment is stamped on a die-cut label popped up on the card front + a few embellishments for shine.

Wow Factor:
Adds even more dimension by popping up one of the vertical and horizontal strips, tucking in a die-cut leaf with faux embossed stitching and a linen thread bow behind the label.

✨ All three versions are finished inside with a coordinating strip of patterned paper for a polished look.

Why You’ll Love This Design

• Great way to use up patterned paper scraps
• Easy to adapt for any occasion
• Shows how small tweaks create big impact
• Simple enough to mass produce, but also flexible enough to step up when you want more detail

A Note About Swapping

One of my favorite parts of being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is participating in card swaps with other demonstrators. It’s such a fun way to share ideas and spark creativity — and Sandy’s design inspired this whole post!

If you’ve ever thought about joining, now is a perfect time. With the current Join Offer, you’ll get to experience swaps, community, and discounts while filling your craft room with the supplies you love. Become a Diemond HERE.

Bonus! Online Workshop This Week

Don’t miss my FREE Online Workshop this Friday at 11:30 AM ET in my private Facebook group. I’ll be sharing 3 quick + cute Halloween cards, and you’ll see how I step up simple projects there too.

Join the fun here

Project Layers (Imperial):

• 4-1/4” x 11” Cajun Craze CS
• (2) 4” x 5-1/4” Basic White CS
• (2) ½” x 5-1/4” DSP
• ½” x 5-1/4” Foil
• 1-1/4” x 5-1/4” DSP
• 4” x 1-1/2” DSP
• 3” x 1-1/2” Basic Beige CS- optional label
• 4-1/4” x 4” Cajun Craze CS- optional leaf

Let’s Create Together

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 for creating your own beautiful stack of cards 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 super easy? Did this spark new ideas for your next project? Tell me in the comments below the post: Do you prefer simple, mass-producible cards, or do you love making one-of-a-kind detailed designs?

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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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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Want to join us for the next team swap? Do you have a big wish list? Maybe you love to be the first to get your hands on brand new products!  If you love Stampin’ Up! products and would enjoy getting a minimum 20% discount every time you purchase…then purchasing the Starter Kit is just what you need! This is by far the BEST DEAL EVER! Enjoy all the benefits risk FREE (no penalty to drop) when you purchase the ultimate Stampin’ Up! bundle ($99 Starter Kit) HERE!

What are you waiting for?

Not interested in selling? No worries…There are no requirements to sell to others, hold events, create a blog, etc… and no penalty when you drop. You can simply make your purchases and enjoy the product discount as long as you like.

Does the quarterly $300 minimum to remain active concern you? No worries…let’s break this down a bit:

• You can do this all at once to take advantage of the Host Rewards or in multiple orders (there is no limit). It is approx. $3.41 a day when you break it down.
• Your personal orders count towards your quarter sales (I am my best customer!-he he)
• For your first quarter you have from the time you sign up until the end of the first full Stampin’ Up! quarter to meet the min. sales requirement.

Worried about project inspiration? No worries…I am here to help you! I share everything with my team for FREE– yes the Exclusive Project Tutorials, the All Star Video Class Tutorials, the Cultivated Creativity Tutorials, the FMN Club Tutorials, Class Tutorials, Paper Pumpkin BONUS tutorials and MORE!

I welcome hobby stampers to my team! When you purchase the kit and join thru me you will instantly become a Diemond and earn access to all the benefits.

Why not give it a try? Do it for YOU! Need more info… CLICK HERE for more details on joining my team.

Questions? Contact me today at wendy@creativeleeyours.com

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12 EXCLUSIVE tutorials each month for FREE!

I am offering the monthly Exclusive Project Tutorials FREE to my email subscribers. Yes! The Exclusive Projects team is comprised of a talented group of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators sharing great ideas. There will be a wide variety of projects featuring multiple stamp sets each month that you will get for FREE…if you are a subscriber to my newsletter… Whoo Hoo!

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What others’ are saying about the Exclusive Tutorial Bundles:

Thank you! Each and every one of your cards are wonderful! I love having the tutorials printed out. I flip through the pages and always find something that would be fun to make! Thanks again!

-Mary D

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“Thank you so much – I always enjoy the fresh design options – you make card making fun again.”

-Kathleen L

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“I LOVE and appreciate this special offer you give to your email subscribers. I always find lots of inspiration from the demonstrators and enjoy replicating their beautiful designs.”

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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!
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