Hi friends! Rick here, and I’m excited to be on the Miss Ink Stamps blog today sharing a fun scene card that’s packed with playful details, rich layers, and a bit of sparkle. If you’ve ever struggled to pull together a cohesive background for your stamped images—or you’re just looking for a new way to stretch your stencils—this one’s for you.
This card was inspired by the Croquet Stamp Set—one of those sets that just begs for a full scene to help the characters shine. I wanted to give the Queen of Hearts a whimsical castle courtyard to reign over, complete with cobblestone walls, a dramatic floor, and plenty of red hearts. And the best part? Every bit of the background was created with ink and stencils. No patterned paper, no fancy die-cut layering—just tools you probably already have in your stash.
Stencils That Do the Heavy Lifting
When it comes to building a strong background, I often turn to stencils to create depth and interest without bulk. For this card, I used several favorites from Miss Ink Stamps:
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Scalloped Arch Stencil: This gave me a beautiful soft frame for the sky and really set the stage for the scene.
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Cobblestone Stencil: I used this to build the castle wall. A little ink blending and some shading go a long way here.
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Perspective Floor Stencil: This one’s perfect when you want to create a sense of space and grounding in your scene.
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Hand Drawn Hearts Stencil: Because what’s a Queen of Hearts without a few hearts scattered around?
Here’s a little pro tip: When using multiple stencils to layer a scene, start with the furthest “background” element first (in this case, the sky), then build forward. It helps create depth and keeps your layers clean.
Details Make the Difference
Once I had the background blended, I brought in the stamped images from the Croquet Stamp Set—all colored up with alcohol markers. I love how the clean lines and playful expressions of these characters bring so much personality to a card. I used the Croquet Outline Dies to cut them out, which saved me a ton of fussy cutting time.
For a pop of texture and a touch of royal flair, I used the Key to My Heart Dies to cut some hearts from glitter cardstock. Placing them around the sentiment helped pull the theme together and gave the design a fun little sparkle.
Scene Building Without the Fuss
I know scene cards can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not sure where to start. But using a few well-placed stencils makes the process simple and enjoyable. They add just the right amount of detail without overwhelming your design—and they’re reusable for dozens of different looks.
If you’re new to scene cardmaking, I encourage you to grab a few background stencils, some Distress Inks, and your favorite stamp set and just play. You don’t need to get it perfect the first time. Every background teaches you something—about color, contrast, and how to bring your story to life on paper.
Thanks so much for stopping by today and letting me share a little creative inspiration with you. I hope this card encourages you to pull out your stencils and create something totally unique.
Happy crafting,
Rick