Loveliest Tree – 3 Cards One Design

Learn how to step up your cards to get the most out of your favorite design! The cards feature the Loveliest Tree stamp set from Stampin’ Up as well as some simple blending techniques. However, you can use any supplies you have on hand with these card designs.

Loveliest Tree Basic Design

First let’s talk about the basic design which is what prompts the creation of the other two cards. I like to start with something simple, just a few layers. Start by stamping the tree image on a 5 x 3-3/4 inch piece of white cardstock using Early Espresso ink.

You can use any coloring tools you have on hand to add color to the tree image. Watercolor pencils and a blender pen were used to create this card. Start by coloring the entire upper part of the tree with an Old Olive watercolor pencil. Next, take a Garden Green watercolor pencil and randomly add the color across to the tree over the top of the Old Olive. You can easily blend the two colors together using a blender pen.

Color the branches and trunk of the tree with an Early Espresso watercolor pencil and blend. Matte out the white cardstock on a 4 x 5-1/4 inch piece of Old Olive cardstock and adhere to an Early Espresso card base. Add little 1/2 and 1/4 wide strips of cardstock to the left side of the card and embellish as desired.

Stepped Up Designs

Now that we have the basic design, let’s step it up a bit to create two more cards. The basic concept behind stepping up your cards is to start with a simple design (which we have above). Now let’s use the same basic layout to create 2 more cards. And with each card, we will step it up by adding different textures, embellishments, or layers. 

The easiest way to step up your design is simply to add some texture and embellishments. The design of this first card is identical to the basic design. However, once you stamp and color the image, run the cardstock through your embossing machine to give it texture. This image is embossed with the Timber 3D embossing folder. The last bit of stepping up involves adding some linen thread tied into a bow.

The third card idea is a combination of the first two cards. However, this time I cut down the cardstock pieces to create a very simple fun fold card. You can get all the measurements in the printable tutorial below.

Tutorial & Supplies

Now you have some fun and simple ways you can step up some of your favorite designs to create additional cards! For a complete list of supplies and the instructions for creating these cards, feel free to download the printable tutorial.

I hope you enjoyed these cards ideas and are inspired to step up some of your designs. Be sure to watch the video to see the process in action. Have a fun and creative day! ~ Lynn