Hi friends! Rick here today on the blog, and I’m sharing a fun little creative challenge I gave myself in the craft room recently. I wanted to see if I could make a truly eye-catching card using just three tools—and spoiler alert, not only did it work, but it reminded me why I love die cutting and stencils so much. With just a few key products from Miss Ink Stamps, I was able to put together a warm, layered card that feels full of texture and dimension without needing a bunch of extra supplies.
Keeping It Simple, But Thoughtful
Sometimes when I’m surrounded by all my craft goodies, it’s easy to fall into that “more is more” trap. So this time, I decided to go the other direction. I chose three essentials from Miss Ink Stamps—the Magnolia Frame Die Set, the Oh Happy Day Frame Die Set, and the Leafy Swirls Stencil—and let those do the heavy lifting. Limiting myself like this actually helped me focus more on color, layering, and small details. It turned into one of those projects where everything just came together without fuss.
Layers and Texture Make the Difference
To keep the look soft and elegant, I started with a warm cream cardstock and blended Sage Ink through the Leafy Swirls Stencil for the background. The pattern is subtle but adds such a nice flow behind the die cuts. I framed everything with a mix of golden and pumpkin cardstock using the Oh Happy Day Frame Die Set—a combo that gives cozy fall vibes without needing a full autumn palette.
The real showstopper is that magnolia. I used the Magnolia Frame Die Set to cut all the floral layers from cream cardstock and added just a hint of leftover Dried Marigold ink from my blending brush. It’s a trick I use often—there’s always a little ink left after blending a background, and brushing it onto die cuts keeps everything cohesive.
Pro tip: If you want soft, natural coloring without pulling out all your markers or ink pads, use the ink already on your brushes. It adds subtle color and saves time, especially when you’re working within a limited palette.
Video Tutorial
Finishing Touches Without the Clutter
To bring it all together, I added a few small flowers and the “Oh Happy Day” sentiment—both from the Oh Happy Day Frame Die Set—and finished things off with a bit of sparkle using Stardust Stickles. A few white gel pen highlights on the florals gave it that final polished look, and I didn’t feel like I needed anything more. This card came together with just a handful of supplies, but it still feels rich and full of life.
Final Thoughts
What started as a simple challenge turned into a great reminder that you don’t need a table full of tools to make something beautiful. If you ever feel stuck or overwhelmed, try choosing just a few products from your stash and letting them guide your design. Sometimes that creative boundary gives you the freedom to make something really special.
Thanks so much for stopping by the Miss Ink Stamps blog today—I hope this inspires you to pull out a few favorites and see what magic you can create.
Happy Crafting
Rick