Artistic Stenciled Leaf featuring our November 2025 Card Kit!
Hello everyone! Heather Hoffman here today, and I had lots of fun playing with the new November 2025 Card Kit: Give Thanks! Keep reading to learn more about how I created this card:
I started off by doing a bit of a creative stenciling technique with the Red Maple layering stencil set included in the kit, and several of the ink cubes. On a panel of white cardstock, I used 3 of the 4 stencils, skipping the more solid layer. Instead of ink blending with blending brushes, I used the mini ink cubes in Sangria, Honey, and Cabbage directly over the stencil, not worrying about perfect coverage, and just very gently pressing and/or gliding over each stencil layer. Doing this meant the ink didn’t go all the way to the edges, but left these slightly open white areas. I love the finished effect!
Next up, I added some gold splatters using the Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Tarnished Brass paint. I mixed a bit with some water, then flicked it over my panel with a paint brush. I set that aside to dry, and started die cutting my main sentiment. I used the cute Thanks die that was in the kit, cutting the shadow layer from white cardstock, and the detail layer from the included Tim Holtz Idea-logy Gold metallic cardstock, adhering the layers together with liquid glue.
Once that panel dried, I adhered the main sentiment with foam adhesive, then stamped the secondary sentiments from the Small Thanks stamp set directly on the panel. I rounded off one corner, and mounted it with more foam on a card base created with some of the Ivory cardstock in the kit, rounding off the same corner so they matched. I added a few Spellbinders Satin Gold flat sequins, and a tiny bow created with Lawn Fawn white hemp twine!
Have you ever tried using a stencil with an ink cube direct to paper? It’s such a fun technique, with unique results! Let me know if you give it a try!
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Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you have a wonderful day!
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Brand NEW October 2025 Gina K Designs Collection!
Hey crafty friends! It’s a happy day—the brand-new Gina K Designs October 2025 Collection has arrived!
Click or tap here to see all the fresh, fabulous finds!
Need a little creative spark? Scroll on—new inspiration waiting for you!
Elegant Thank You Card Idea with Minimal Coloring with NEW Exclusive Graceful Swans: Yippee for Yana
Hi friends! Please join me in welcoming back the oh-so-talented and amazing Yana Smakula! (Please note: our dear friend Yana is Ukrainian. To show support to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, please see Yana’s post HERE.)
Hello, friends! Yana Smakula here, and I’m excited to share a new project for the Yippee For Yana series — an elegant “Thank You” card created with the beautiful Graceful Swans stamp set from Simon Says Stamp.
This design combines timeless elegance with soft, classic tones for a card that’s simple in color yet rich in detail — perfect for expressing heartfelt gratitude in style.
Creating the Scene
I started with Sage cardstock and placed it in my MISTI stamping tool. Using Versafine Clair Ink in Nocturne, I first stamped the sentiment in the center and masked it. Next, I stamped the graceful swans, a charming arched bridge, and soft floral details to build a serene lakeside scene.
To add soft highlights and dimension, I used a white Polychromos pencil from Faber-Castell. This simple touch of white pencil over the black ink brings the scene to life — especially the swans, water, and floral accents.
I recommend stamping your images twice: once for placement and coloring, and a second time afterward to restore crisp detail. It’s an easy trick that ensures those delicate black lines stay sharp after layering pencil work
Framing the Sentiment
The sentiment, “Thank you for all that you do,” is at the heart of the design. I framed it using the A7 Frames Wafer Dies, cutting several layers — three from kraft cardstock and one from mirror gold. Layering them adds a sturdy dimension and that perfect, luxe finishing touch.
To ground the scene, I softly ink-blended the edges with Pawsitively Saturated Ink in Sage and a large blending brush. This step gives the card depth.
Once the inking was complete, I adhered my finished panel to a top-folding A2 card base. The result is a refined, timeless “thank you” card — minimal in design yet full of elegance and intention.
You could easily adapt this layout for other occasions by swapping out the sentiment — the Graceful Swans set includes lovely messages for birthdays and peaceful greetings, too.
I hope this project inspires you to create something elegant and heartfelt — whether it’s a thank you card, a peaceful scene, or just a moment to enjoy creative calm.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
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Ways to support Ukraine:
If you are looking for ways to support Ukraine, we encourage you to visit this page on Yana’s blog:
A big thank you to YOU, our reader — and to Yana for being our guest!
