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!

Shopping List 

This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.

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You may also purchase individual tutorials HERE.

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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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More Than a Discount… Join the Diemonds!

Have you ever thought about becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator?

Whether you’re looking to save on the products you already love, be the first to see new releases, or simply become part of a welcoming creative community, becoming a Diemond might be exactly what you’re looking for.

• Shop at a discount
• Early access to new products
• Exclusive demonstrator resources
• A supportive community that encourages you every step of the way

Whether you’re a hobby stamper or dreaming of building a business, there’s a place for you here.

Join the Diemonds and enjoy the benefits of being part of the Stampin’ Up! family. Discover what it’s really like to be part of the Diemonds.

Questions? I’d love to help! 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!

Not yet a subscriber? Sign up HERE

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

*****

“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.”

-TY Barbara D

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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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