Creating colorful birthday cards doesn’t need to be difficult! Today’s tutorial will show you how to create colorful birthday cards with a palette of only three colors!
Supplies
Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb cardstock for card base and die cutting, 80lb cardstock for stamping
Gina K Cardstock in Key Lime, Plum Punch and Tranquil Teal
Gina K Inks in Key Lime, Plum Punch and Tranquil Teal
My Favorite Things Happy Birthday background stamp
Misti Stamping Tool
My Favorite Things Happy Birthday Script die
Avery Elle Reverse Pinked Die
Dura-Lar .003 Clear Film
Tombow Mono Liquid Glue
Elmer’s Spray Adhesive
Ranger Glossy Accents
Nuvo Crystal Drops in Violet Galaxy and Caribbean Ocean
Stamping
The trick to creating today’s colorful birthday cards is in the background stamp. Using three colors and repeated overlap stamping yields over five colors on your card panel. This is how you do it.
First, mount background stamp onto Misti lid and lightly adhere card panel inside. Taking lightest ink (Key Lime), ink approximately 1/3 of the stamp. Refrain from creating a harsh line by pouncing ink back and forth as you move ink across stamp. Close lid of Misti, then re-ink with same color and stamp a second time.
Second, clean stamp and repeat above steps with next color (Tranquil Teal), inking across 2/3 of stamp. Again ink image in a loose line, stamping twice before moving onto next step. Where the ink overlaps a new color will be created.
Lastly, clean stamp and repeat above steps with last color (Plum Punch). Though only three colors of ink were used, your card panel will have five showcase five colors. Such a great way to expend the reach of your supplies!
This technique works great with multitudes of color options and color quantities. It also works great horizontal, vertical, diagonal, even in a random pattern!
Card 1
For card option 1, trim a card panel (Plum Punch) to 4 1/4” x 5 1/2”. Taking a large rectangle frame die (Reverse Pinked Die), die cut a frame in a second complimentary color (Tranquil Teal). Cut a panel of clear film just smaller than die cut (approx 4” x 5 1/8)”. Cut an additional four frames from Neenah 110lb cardstock. Using a third complimentary colored cardstock (Key Lime), die cut a sentiment (Happy Birthday).
Using liquid glue, or spray adhesive, adhere the four white frames together. This will create the walls of a shaker component. Adhere clear film to back of frame cut from colored cardstock, then glue sentiment to top of clear film (within the teal frame).
Adhere white frame stack (centered) to plum cardstock, then fill center with shaker component.
For sample card, I filled with hole punches created when organizing my cardstock stash. Sequins will also work great here. Top with teal frame and clear film, using liquid adhesive.
Adhere entire stack to an A2 card base and this card is finished!
Card 2
For a simpler colorful birthday card, simply mat stamped image on a complimentary colored card panel (Tranquil Teal). Cut sentiment for a second color (Plum Punch). Enhance the sentiment by backing with additional die cuts trimmed from white cardstock.
Embellish by coating sentiment with Glossy Accents and Nuvo drops across card panel. A quick and simple finish to a fantastic colorful birthday card!
I just adore how today’s cards came out. So much fun, and a much needed pop of color I’ve been wanting to see!
Don’t be surprised if you see much more color appearing on the site in the near future. Colorful birthday cards is just a start! I’m geared up and ready to go into full spring mode and am feeling everything rainbows!
For more inspiration on colorful birthday cards, check out my post on Fall Happy Birthday Shaker Card.
