If you need a pretty card idea that comes together quickly, you’re going to love today’s project. This design uses a simple 4-rectangle Designer Series Paper layout that looks polished, uses up your patterned paper, and is easy to mass-produce for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or “just because” cards.

I made this card in my Friday Live on January 2, 2026, and you can watch the full tutorial below. (I also share a couple quick stamping tips along the way, including what to do if ink ends up where it shouldn’t.)

Two quick tips from the video

• If ink gets on your ink pad by accident: wipe it with a baby wipe right away so it doesn’t sink in.
• Die cutting small shapes: a little removable tape helps keep tiny dies from shifting. It saves a lot of frustration.  Check out the tape I recommend HERE.

I used the Hope, Love & Joy Bundle (Mini Catalogue) for this project.
This is one of those stamp sets that works for so many occasions. Yes, it has a holiday feel with “joy” (and it’s perfect for Christmas), but the “hope” and “love” options make it equally great for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, encouragement cards, and support cards.

One detail I really love is the way you can customize the letters by swapping in the little icons. There’s a heart, flowers, stars, and even an awareness ribbon. You can change the ribbon colour to suit the cause or message you’re sending, which is such a thoughtful touch.  See the complete list of supplies I used on this card below.

The paper on this card is the Made With Love Designer Series Paper (Mini Catalogue)
This paper pack is basically Valentine’s Day in a stack, but what makes it extra useful is that several patterns work beyond Valentine’s. Think hearts that read as “everyday”, dots, stripes, and subtle designs you can keep using all year.

The 4-rectangle layout is the star of this card. You cut four small rectangles, mix patterns, and instantly get a bold background without complicated layers.

Cutting measurements (largest first):
• Bubble Bath card base: 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″, score at 4-1/4″
• Strawberry Slush layer: 5″ x 3-3/4″
• DSP rectangles (cut 4): 2″ x 1-3/4″

Tip: If you want the hearts to look “upright,” keep directional patterns going the same way. If you want an easy mix-and-match look, choose the patterns that are non-directional.

I love the Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems
These gems are one of my favourites because you get three coordinating colours in one pack, and each one has that tiny sparkle of gold that makes a card feel finished without needing much else.

For this card, I used a mix of the lighter and darker gems to tie in the Strawberry Slush layer and the patterns in the DSP.

How to Make This Card (Quick Steps)

1. Cut your layers and DSP rectangles (measurements above).
2. Adhere the four DSP rectangles to the Strawberry Slush layer.
   I used liquid glue here because it gives you a few seconds to nudge things into place.
3. Mount the Strawberry Slush layer onto your card front.
4. Stamp and die cut the sentiment pieces:
   • Stamp the “LV” in Strawberry Slush and the small heart in Tuxedo Black Memento.
   • Colour with Bubble Bath and Strawberry Slush Stampin’ Blends.
   • Die cut using the Hope, Love & Joy dies, then die cut the label using Textured Notes Dies.
5. Pop up the label using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
   Tip: If you are mailing this card, you may want to reduce the layers of dimensionals so it fits through the mailbox slot more easily.
6. Add the ribbon bow (Bubble Bath 1/8″ Faux Linen Ribbon) with Mini Glue Dots.
7. Finish with gems. A few gems in mixed sizes makes everything look intentional.

Product List