Hi friends! Rick here today on the blog, and I’ve got a fun card to share that’s equal parts cheeky, clever, and packed with technique. This project gave me the perfect excuse to revisit one of my favorite tricks in cardmaking—mirror stamping—and I combined it with some fantastic products from Miss Ink Stamps to bring it all together. If you’ve ever wished one of your stamped images faced the opposite direction, or if you’re just looking for a creative way to stretch your supplies, you’ll want to give this one a try.
A Background That Sets the Scene
I started things off with a warm, blended background using the Flame 6x6 Stencil. This stencil has such a bold and fun design, and I love how it can add movement and drama without overpowering the focal point. I blended soft yellows into peachy corals, working section by section and shifting the stencil upward as I went. The result was a flickering effect that really grounded the rest of the scene.
Pro tip: When working with a repeating stencil pattern, take your time and blend in layers—building slowly keeps the transitions smooth and helps avoid harsh lines.
Flipping the Script with Mirror Stamping
The moment that really makes this card special is the mirror-stamped image. I wanted to use the adorable raccoon from the Dumpster Fire Stamp Set, but I needed him to face the opposite direction to appear inside the mirror from the Heart’s Desire Stamp Set.
Using a clear mounting surface and my stamping platform, I created a perfect mirrored version of the raccoon. I know mirror stamping can sound intimidating, but with a little practice, it becomes a go-to trick for creative card layouts. It opens the door to so many design ideas—reflections, facing pairs, even dancing critters.
I also used the coordinating dies from both the Heart's Desire and Dumpster Fire sets to cut the mirror frames and the raccoon. For the mirrored raccoon, I cut only the inside portion of the mirror to frame the flipped image. It was such a neat way to keep everything clean and layered without needing to color two full mirrors.
Finishing the Look with Die Cut Details
To pull the entire layout together, I reached for the EIEIO Frame Die Set for the stitched rectangle and the Oh Happy Day Frame Die Set for that sweet scalloped mat underneath. These two frame styles complement each other beautifully. I added foam tape for dimension and built a stacked focal panel right on a top-folding card base.
I kept the sentiment simple and centered right below the mirror. There’s something about that raccoon looking into his reflection with the phrase “What a Year This Week Has Been” that just sums things up perfectly. It gave the card a bit of humor while still feeling polished.
And for a touch of sparkle, I finished it off with some star accents using the Magic Stars Dies. A little shine goes a long way, especially when it helps lead the eye across your design.
Video Tutorial
A Fun Technique to Try Again and Again
This card reminded me just how much I love mirror stamping—it’s a technique that never gets old and can make a big impact on your design. Whether you want to create a sense of movement, reflection, or just something a little unexpected, it’s a great way to add a storytelling element to your cards.
And the best part? All of the products I used today from Miss Ink Stamps worked so well together to bring this playful scene to life. I hope it inspires you to pull out your stamps and give mirror stamping a try—or maybe revisit a technique you haven’t used in a while.
Thanks for stopping by the blog today!
Rick
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