What if your cardstock did some of the work for you?
In my last card, I used colored cardstock as the base for stenciling. This time, I’m taking the same idea a little further and sharing two more ways to let colored cardstock do the work.
Would you like to see what I mean?
Psst… before we start: This post is part of a fun Altenew blog hop (with a giveaway – yay!), so be sure to check out the full hop list below and leave a comment for your chance to win.
Also, this post contains affiliate links. If you choose to click and shop, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a lovely way to support both me and the crafty shops we all love. Thanks a bunch 🥰!
Start with Colored Cardstock!
Starting with color gives you a head start, then you can simply build on it with extra detail, shading and contrast. I decided to step up today’s design with tone-on-tone stamping and ink-blended die cuts.
A stamped background is a great way to add detail without adding bulk, and you can create one with a background stamp or even a repeated image, such as a leaf or flower.
PRO TIP: When stamping a tone-on-tone background, choose an ink that is slightly darker than your cardstock. Remember that dye ink will usually dry lighter, so testing it on a scrap first is always a good idea.
The layered die-cut fuchsias already look beautiful cut from colored cardstock, but adding a little ink-blended shading gives them extra depth and dimension without adding much extra work.
Giveaway Prizes
$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by October 15th for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew’s Blog Hop Post on October 17th 2026.
*The winners of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.
Ready for More Inspiration? Let’s Hop
Using colored cardstock as part of the design is such an easy way to add interest while keeping the process simple. Whether you stencil, stamp or add a little ink-blended shading, that first layer of color is already doing some of the work for you.
I hope today’s card inspires you to look at your colored cardstock a little differently!
Happy Papercrafting!
Special thanks to my crafty assistant, Chad (aka ChatGPT), for helping me stay on track with my Gemini brain, grammar, and spelling… well, all the things! 😄
Other Supplies: SHOP THE ALTENEW RELEASE HERE!
Simon Says Stamp: SHOP ALTENEW HERE
Altenew Cardstock: Dew Drops | Sea Glass | Lavender Fields | Soft Lilac.
Altenew Fresh Dye Inks: Frosted Seaglass | Coastal Haze | Misty Harbor | Green Onyx | Wild Orchid | Bramble Berry.
*Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon, this content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 Fuchsia Die Set Shop at: ALT |
 Simply For You Shop at: ALT |
 Versatile Greetings Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Nesting A2 Rectangles Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Altenew Cardstock Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Fresh Dye Inks Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Mini Blending Brush Set Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Stampwheel Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Sticky Grid Mat Ultra Shop at: ALT | SSS | SB US |
 Mini Sticky Mat Shop at: ALT |
 Foam Tape Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Glue Tape Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Satin Masking Tape Shop at: ALT |
There’s, thank you for sharing tone on tone stamping with us, your card is beautiful!
So glad you liked it Kristen
The ink blending on the diecuts adds so much depth and interest. That colour combination is fabulous.
Thank you Christine!
wow beautiful colors awesome I watched great blog hop thank u
Thank you so very much Susan
I really like fuchsias, and the color combo that you chose is beautiful. Love the reminder/tip about doing a tone-on-tone stamped background. It’s so easy to do, and very impactful. Beautiful card, thank you.
So glad you liked it Diana!
Ooooo I LOVE the color combo! Gorgeous flowers and designs!
Thank you so very much Meghan ❤️
There’s that fabulous color combo again and just look at those layers! Another marvelous make, Therese!
Thank you so very much Lisa!
Therese, they could not be any more beautiful than this! I love this color combo you’ve adopted recently – I’m betting you could attract hummingbirds with those gorgeous fuchsias! What… do you have hummingbirds? x
=]
I don’t think we do… insert sad face here
Beautiful! And I appreciate the reminder to use COLORED cardstock…I tend to get stuck in a rut thinking everything has to start with white!
I think I was reminding myself too lol.
Just gorgeous Therese. Love the way you’ve used your coloured cardstock on both these cards.
Thank you so very much ❤️
Both of your cards are beautiful! I love the background stamp you used with the Fuchsia! I just love that little stamp and die cut set!!! The other card was awesome!!! It made me feel like it was a snowy winter day yet the beautiful bloom was alive!!! Great job!!!
Thank you so very much Lisa ❤️
Therese, I always enjoy visiting your blog and seeing your beautiful work because I always learn something! I would not have thought to die cut the center of the tone-on-tone stamped background, but it looks amazing, and I want to give that a try! Thanks for the lovely inspiration!
Hope you have fun creating Carrie, thank you so very much!
Beautiful!! I love tone on tone, and such a great idea to darken the die cuts with a little ink so they stand out more.
So glad you liked it Tracy!
beautiful card!
Thank you Karin
I like how you made the leaves out of the green card stock. I’m going to try that!
Hope you have fun creating!
Gorgeous cards! I love those colors!
Thank you so much!
So beautiful and love your color choices.
Yay! Thank you Amy!
These fuchsias are glorious! LOVE the colors you used!
Thanks so much Donna
I am always impressed with your work. You make it look so easy but this is a work of art.
You are so sweet, thank you Gina
I love tone on tone but rarely do it. I need more colored card stock. Thanks for the tips and the beautiful card. Love that infinity stamp.
So do I (wink)… although I have enough inks to blend to make my own in any color of the rainbow lol.
Gorgeous, Therese! I never think to start with colored cardstock when it comes to stenciling.
So glad you liked it Megan
So beautiful! Love these colors together 🙂
Thank you Terrie
Incredible color combination. Such detail. Really impressive and inspirational.
Thanks so much Jade
Beautiful colors and details! Loving these gorgeous fuchsias and the pretty background design!
You are so sweet, thank you Denise!
Loved the colors you used on these amazing flowers!!!
Thanks so much Donna!
Those 2 color families are just beautiful together. I must put them on my wish list. I love the design of your fuchsia card with the white inside of the frame to highlight the flower. Tone on tone is so pretty. I always forget about that technique
So glad you like it Sandy, I find these colors calming.
Hi, Therese 🙋🏻♀️ Gorgeousness as always 😍 I hope you are well. I had a crazy Summer, but I’m doing okay. Much love to you 💜
Of course your Summer was crazy Mari, you live life to the fullest my friend x
Wow! I love this card! I have been waiting for the Altenew version of fuchsia flowers for a long time. So this set is already at the top of my wish list. I love the unusual colour combo you have used which looks so pretty. And I love the idea of using tone-on-tone stamping on coloured background for a gorgeous background! All I can say is, thanks for the amazing inspiration!
Yes Nandini, I was so excited to see this fuchsia set too, and it’s very easy and non-fiddly to use lol.
Beautiful colour choice! i love the purple and the sage/teal tone! so lovely!
Thanks so much Lynn!
Beautiful colours as always Therese, I must try this idea with coloured cardstock and love the idea of the background stamp.
So glad you like it Louise!
Wow! This is absolutely stunning! Love the colors on both. My favorite is the fuschia.
Thank you so much Berina!
Both are gorgeous! I really need to start stamping out my backgrounds more often!
I am terrible with design paper so I have been using stamps and embossing folders instead… oooh and stencils lol.
So beautiful. Beautiful tone on tone stamping. Love this die set
It’s a versatile set, packs a punch for something so small!
luv these and i learned something new thnx -kathyh
Yay Kathy! So glad you did!
I love the colors you used on these designs! The fuchsias are so beautiful!
Thank you Lauryne!
Such a beautiful card
So glad you like it!
Ooh! These colors are lovely! Such a beautiful card!
Thank you so much Alyssa
Love this card! Would love to find out what color cardstock you used please?
Hi Kristi, I’m so happy you like the color combo here, I have a full list of the colors I used in the supply list at the bottom of the post. Or did you need a specific list for each layer? Thanks Therese