Have you ever wondered where the best greeting card ideas come from? Sometimes the answer is simpler than you think…

Whether it’s from the world around you or a simple online search, inspiration can be found everywhere, let me show you what I mean!

Let’s get started with a quick peek at where today’s inspiration takes us?

Would you like to see how these techniques come together? Click HERE to watch at YouTube.

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This post is part of my Take 2 Series with Altenew, which means you get double the inspiration, and if you want to see MORE ideas like this, CLICK HERE.

I use affiliate links, which means if you click on a product and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you. This helps support my channel and the shops we love 🥰!

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And a QUICK reminder, have you signed up for the next Card Maker Success Summit, it’s HOLIDAY inspired and with over 40+ FREE Card Making tutorials what’s not to love! You can find out more about this fabulous 4 DAY event right here!

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#FINDINGINSPIRATION

As cardmakers, we all have those moments when we’re staring at a blank sheet of paper, wondering, “Where do I even start?” Inspiration can come from just about anywhere, and today, I’m sharing two ways you can find that creative spark for your next project.

Idea #1: Design-Inspired Card Ideas

Sometimes, inspiration strikes from the everyday designs around us. Whether it’s a pattern on a piece of clothing, a design on a plate, or a unique print on your kitchenware, these subtle designs can offer the perfect jumpstart for your cardmaking.

For my first bird-themed card, I drew inspiration from a beautiful fine bone china plate.

The monochromatic blue-on-white pattern sparked the design for my card, and I loved how it kept things simple yet elegant.

Where Else to Look for Inspiration:

• Pottery & Earthenware: Think about the intricate designs of Chinese pottery – these patterns can provide a wonderful starting point for your card designs.
• Magazines: Advertising in magazines often features striking colour combinations, patterns, and layouts that can be adapted for your cards.
• Clothing: Draw inspiration from the colours and patterns in clothing. A floral dress, a striped shirt, or even the rich designs of a Japanese kimono can give you plenty of creative ideas.
• Linen: Bed linens often feature bold florals or geometric prints, offering a wealth of inspiration for unique card designs.

Pro Tip: When you find a pattern or design you love, take a photo of it! Having a collection of these images can make it easier to come up with fresh ideas when you’re ready to craft.

Idea #2: Online Searches to Spark Card Ideas

Another great way to find inspiration is through the power of the internet. If you have a specific stamp set, die, or image in mind, start with a quick online search. This can lead to fresh colour combinations and design ideas that are easy to adapt to your own cards.

For example, by gathering inspiration from these resources, I was inspired to create a fun, whimsical watercolor bird card with hand-drawn birthday hats. It allowed me to give the card a lively, playful feel, while still keeping it simple and fun!

Where to Search for Card Ideas:

• Online Searches: (Scroll down to find out how!) Start with simple keyword searches like “greeting card, bird, colourful, masculine” to find designs that match your theme. This can lead to a treasure trove of creative ideas and colour combos.
  You can even step up the search a little further by adding a specific technique, such as ‘ink blending, stamping, watercolouring’.
  
• Stamp Set Inspiration: If you have a specific stamp set, like these bird stamps, search for designs created by others using that same set. Many stamp companies host galleries on their websites where you can explore what fellow crafters have created for fresh ideas.
  
• Designer Work: Check out your favorite designers’ work for inspiration. If they’ve used similar products, you may find unique colour schemes, layouts, or design elements that you can adapt for your own cards.

Pro Tip: Don’t feel like you have to reinvent the wheel. Inspiration for specific stamp sets is already out there waiting for you to discover.

Feel free to copy or CASE (Copy and Share Everything) in your own style. Just remember to give credit where it’s due, and if possible, link to the original designer. They’ll love to see how their work inspired your creations!

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Don’t Know HOW to Search?

If you’re new to online searching, don’t worry! It’s easier than it sounds. Here’s a simple guide to get you started:

1. Open Your Internet Browser: This is the program you use to browse the web, such as Google Chrome, Safari, or Microsoft Edge.
2. Type Keywords into the Search Bar: At the top of the page (Google, Safari, etc.), you’ll see a search bar. Click in that bar and type words that describe what you’re looking for. For example, you might type “bird stamp card ideas” or “bird card ideas with watercolor.”
3. Use Quotation Marks for Exact Phrases: If you want to search for a specific phrase, put it in quotation marks. For example, typing “bird stamp set” will search for that exact phrase.
4. Look for Image Results: Once you search, switch to the “Images” tab to see pictures related to your search. This will give you visual ideas, such as different card designs, colours, and layouts.

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Whether you’re looking to designs around you or searching the web for ideas, there’s always a way to get inspired. I hope today’s tips help you find new ways to spark your creativity. I’d love to hear how you find inspiration in your cardmaking – let me know in the comments below!

Happy crafting, and don’t forget to check out the video for more details on these bird-themed cards!

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! 😄

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P.S. Need supplies? Here are the links to the products I used today (some of these are affiliate links, so I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase—thanks for supporting my channel 🥰)!

*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.

Other Supplies:
Altenew Inks: Eastern Sky.
Fine Liner Pens: 02

Affiliate links are used

Chickadee Chirps ALT | SSS	Festive Triangles ALT | SSS	Magnificent Magnolias ALT	Birthday Builder ALT | SSS
Watercolor Paper Set ALT	Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS	Obsidian ALT | SSS	Lapis Lazuli ALT | SSS
Artists Watercolor 24 Pan Set ALT	Fine Watercolor Brushes ALT | SSS	Watercolor Brushes Round ALT | SSS	Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS
Mini Blending Brush Storage ALT	Fine Liner Pen Set ALT | SSS	Pure White Spray ALT	Perfect Picker ALT | SSS
Tweezers ALT | SSS	Mechanical Pencil Papermate HB#2 (0.7) AMZ | OTH	Fine Blade Scissors ALT | SSS	Stampwheel ALT | SSS
Bone Folder ALT	Score Board ALT | SSS	Platinum 6 ALT | SSS | OTH | SB US	BetterPress SB ALT | SSS | SB US
9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer AMZ	Glue Tape ALT | SSS	Foam Tape NEW sizes! ALT | SSS	Bearly Art Glue AMZ | SSS
Satin Masking Tape ALT