Hi friends! Rick here on the blog today, and I’ve got a playful little project to share that’s full of personality, layering tricks, and one of my favorite stamp sets for building sweet, whimsical scenes. If you’ve ever been curious about making a clear card base but weren’t sure how to tackle adhesive or layering, I’ve got some fun tips that will help you get started—along with a peek at the cutest llamas you’ve ever seen.
Why a Clear Card Base?
I love switching things up in my cardmaking, and lately I’ve been reaching for formats that add just a little something extra. A clear card base is one of those design choices that always grabs attention but also comes with a few clever construction needs. The key is layering from both the front and back to hide adhesive and create a seamless look—and it’s so satisfying once it all comes together.
This card started with that idea in mind: building a peek-through window that reveals a stamped background scene and adorable characters from the Llama Love Stamp Set by Miss Ink Stamps. What I love most about this set—aside from how charming the illustrations are—is how easily it pairs with other scene-building staples from the same company.
Building the Scene with Miss Ink Stamps
To create the setting, I turned to the Forest Path Stamp Set from Miss Ink Stamps. It’s one of those backgrounds that instantly pulls your scene together and works beautifully for grounding your characters. I added a soft blend of sky and grass tones and then enhanced the stamped image with a bit of marker coloring for extra pop and depth.
To frame everything up, I used the Woodgrain Frame Die Set, which brings such a cozy, handmade touch. I cut both the outer frame and the interior panel and used them throughout the card—outside, inside, and even on the back—to keep everything lined up and well-balanced. These kinds of frames are perfect for clear card bases because they give you clean edges to hide adhesive and layer behind.
The llamas, of course, steal the show. I stamped and colored two from the Llama Love Stamp Set, then used the Llama Love Outline Dies to cut them out. To give the card some dimension without adding bulk, I die-cut a few extras from plain cardstock and stacked them behind the colored ones. It’s a little trick I use all the time to keep things sturdy, especially on clear card fronts.
A Few Pro Tips
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Use ultra-thick cardstock for any interior panels or frames—this helps add weight and keeps the card from feeling flimsy.
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Layer strategically by matching shapes on the front and back to hide adhesive. It makes a big difference in creating a polished final card.
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White gel pen highlights add life to stamped images and help define details, especially when coloring over busy backgrounds.
This kind of design might look intricate, but once you try it, you’ll see how easy it is to pull together with the right dies and stamps. Plus, it’s a great way to show off layered scenes in a whole new way.
Thanks so much for joining me here today. I hope this little peek-through project inspires you to reach for your clear cardstock and give it a try.
Video Tutorial:
Happy crafting!
Rick