Lets add some WOW to your clean & simple cards? I have 5 fabulous ideas as well as a BONUS technique to share with you today!

Welcome to my Same But Different Series, with a difference, today I am joining my friend Ardyth and we are sharing multiple ways to Elevate your clean & simple (CAS) Card Designs. So settle in, I have a ton of inspiration to share!

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So, are you ready to see my techniques? I started with a favourite…

Idea #1 – Texture

Clean and simple cards do not have to be boring and one very EASY and fun way to elevate your designs is to add some texture. In my card design I used felt, but you can also use products such as wood veneer, fabric (tulle) and even pom poms.

Did you know that your regular thin wafer dies will cut through felt? Although, not all felts are created equal and it pays to test them first.

PRO TIP: I used liquid glue to adhere my felt layers but if you are a wizz with the glue gun, that would definitely be a faster option.

Idea #2 – Interactive

Let’s add a little action to your card to make it special. Today, I used an ‘Action Wobble‘ but you could also create a shaker or a pop-up card. Be careful to choose an image that will suit the size of your ‘wobble’, as with CAS designs it would be easy to see it if it was too big (though I have been known to cut them down when needed 😉).

Another fun way to elevate a CAS card is to add a punny sentiment and this one was the perfect choice!

Idea #3 – Negative Space

This is one of my favourite ways to add a little bit of fun to a design. Negative space can be achieved with any number of dies, use an image with a coordinating die, even a sentiment can look fantastic. But for today I used nesting dies, though I did use a different shape… yes, it’s time for some clouds!

And I did step it up by adding a striped background for these sweet little mice to dance on.

Idea #4 – Add Sparkle

Sparkle can make a card extra special! And, there are many ways to add sparkle, use sequins, crystals, glitter or mirror cardstock or even gold leaf. Today I decided to be brave and I used ‘loose’ fine prisma glitter (yes, it’s the gift that keeps on giving lol). I used it to add a sprinkling of sparkles over the background, but you could certainly use a lot less than I did.

BONUS IDEA: If you are not a fan of critters you could certainly create a similar design with a floral image.

Idea #5 – Embossing

There are many types of embossing that can be used on CAS card designs. Dry embossing can be achieved with thin wafer dies, stencils or you could even use 3D embossing folders. Today, I chose to use an ‘oldie but a goodie’ and added some gold heat embossing on a flower. This certainly has a ‘striking’ result!

Did you notice that on this card that the ‘white space’ is pink?

PRO TIP: If I want to colour with alcohol markers on a heat-embossed image I stamp it with Contour Ink first, colour the image and then restamp it with Versamark before embossing it.

BONUS IDEA – Design Paper

Most of us have just a little design paper in our stash. Why not use this to create a CAS floral card. I typically choose paper with a heavy pattern or strong colours. You can create a very simple design like mine which uses only one of the layers of a layering die cut flower OR you could create the whole layered flower.

I decided to pop my flower up on the card and used layers of scrap white cardstock beneath to keep the image sturdy through the post. But, this added dimension is optional.

You can see my video here or Watch it in HD on YouTube.

I hope these ideas have given you some inspiration to elevate your CAS cards. And, I’d love you to share them with me on Social Media. Don’t forget to visit my beautiful friend Ardyth and see how she takes her CAS cards to the next level right HERE, and tell her Hi, from me. Crafty Hugs,

Also, just in case you want to do a little shopping I’ve added the links below (some of them are affiliate links which means that I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you). I truly appreciate your support of my card adventures!

Other Supplies: Cardstock – Concord & 9th – Honeysuckle / Ballet Slipper | Kaisercraft – Salmon
Stamps – Ellen Hutson – Peek-A-Boo Party Animals / Hello Sunshine Penny Black – Critter Celebration / Snippets
Artist Markers – Panda – R304 / R302
Copics – Critters – W0,2,4 / RV10,34 / YG03,17 | Flower – R00,02,22 / W7 / YG03,17.
Prismacolor Pencils – Apple Green

Affiliate links are used

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