The Lovely & Beautiful simple to stepped up cards I shared in my Facebook and YouTube Live on 19th February are a great reminder that crafting doesn’t have to be complicated to be beautiful.
Sometimes we just need to let the paper do the work. Other times, it’s fun to add a few extra layers and really step things up. In this live, I showed you how to start with Designer Series Paper and a paper trimmer, then gradually build up to something a little more detailed using punches and dies.
If you’ve ever wondered how to get more from one suite, this is for you.
Lovely & Beautiful Simple to Stepped Up Cards – Start with the Paper
The Lovely & Beautiful Designer Series Paper really is the star of the show.
With the soft florals, touches of gold, and beautiful colour combinations like Fresh Freesia, Calypso Coral, Old Olive and Darling Duckling, you honestly don’t need much else.
For the first cards, I kept things very simple:
- Basic White or coloured card base
- Layer of DSP
- A sentiment trimmed or cut into a strip
- A little ribbon and embellishment
That’s it. No embossing machine. No dies. Just paper, trimmer and a few finishing touches.
Here is a card with Fresh Freesia accent:
He is one with Calypso Coral:
These are the kinds of cards you can make when time is limited but you still want something that looks polished and coordinated. Perfect for birthdays, thank you cards or even wedding wishes.
Stepping It Up with a Punch
The next version added just one extra tool — a 2″ Circle punch.
Instead of trimming the sentiment into a strip, I stamped and punched it out, then added a little sponging around the edge for definition. It’s a small change, but it instantly gives the card more dimension.
This Calypso Coral card has a punched circle added to it:
And here is the same style of card in Fresh Freesia:
If you enjoy a bit of extra detail without too much fuss, this is such an easy way to elevate your design.
I’ve been reaching for my punches more often lately. They’re quick, reliable and don’t require the full die-cutting setup.
Stepped Up Lovely & Beautiful Cards with Dies
Finally, we moved into the stepped up version using the coordinating dies.
- Layered florals
- Die-cut leaves
- Shaped die-cut background piece
- Extra dimension
This is where you can really play.
By cutting the flower in layers, the card becomes more of a feature piece. It still uses the same Designer Series Paper in the background, but now the die-cut pieces create depth and texture.
If you enjoy layering and building your card front, this version is for you.
And the lovely thing is, it’s all from the same suite.
Which leaves do you prefer?
I wasn’t sure which way to do the leaves, so I tried it both ways. You can help me deicde. Which do you prefer?
Here are the leaves with an Old Olive base and added texture with Mossy Meadow:
Here is the opposite: Mossy Meadow base with Old Olive added for texture:
Simple or Stepped Up – Which Do You Prefer?
This is what I love about working from one collection.
You can:
- Make something quick and simple.
- Add a punch for a small upgrade.
- Or go all in with dies and layers.
There’s no right or wrong. It depends on your time, your mood, and who the card is for.
Recording of the Live
In the Live, I shared both Fresh Freesia and Calypso Coral versions so you could see how changing the base colour shifts the overall feel. It’s amazing how much difference that makes.
If you’d like to see these cards come together step by step, you can watch the replay here:
I’d love to know — are you more of a simple card maker, or do you enjoy stepping it up?
Using Lovely & Beautiful DSP with Card Sketches
The other week I shared some patterned paper cards using simple sketches, and as I was working with the Lovely & Beautiful Designer Series Paper, I kept thinking how beautifully it would suit those same layouts. The large florals would make stunning feature panels, and even the softer reverse patterns would work perfectly in the layered sketch designs. If you’d like to see those sketches and try them with this paper, you can take a look at that post here.
Whether you prefer to keep things quick and simple or enjoy layering dies and building dimension, the Lovely & Beautiful Suite gives you plenty of options. You can let the Designer Series Paper shine on its own, add a punched sentiment for a little extra detail, or step it up with layered florals and leaves.
That’s what I love about working this way. One collection, multiple levels, and cards that still feel coordinated and polished.
If you haven’t watched the replay yet, I’d encourage you to take a look and see the Lovely & Beautiful simple to stepped up cards come together. And if you give one of the designs a try, I’d truly love to see what you create.
Happy crafting.