Simple doesn’t have to mean boring! Today I’m sharing my favorite easy ways to step up clean and simple cards – and yes, they’re totally doable.
Clean and simple cards are some of my favorites to make – they let your design shine without all the fuss. But sometimes, they need just a little something extra to make them stand out.
Today I’m sharing two fun designs that prove you don’t need complicated techniques to step things up. Just a few clever details can take a simple card from nice… to nailed it!
Here’s a peek at both designs side by side.
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Thanks a bunch 🥰!
Clean and Simple Doesn’t Have to Be Boring
Just because a card is clean and simple doesn’t mean it can’t have personality! With a few easy ways to step up clean and simple cards, you can take even the most minimal design and make it shine.
Here are some of my favourite tips (and you’ll spot them in action on today’s cards when you scroll down!).
✨ Easy Ways to Step Up Clean and Simple Cards
- Step it up (literally): Add dimension to give your design extra presence.
- Add details: Try ink shading for depth, a touch of white gel pen for highlights, glitter glue for sparkle, or crystal glaze for that clear, shiny finish.
- Create a focal point: Give your design a “home” with a die-cut frame or an ink-blended background shape.
- Add something unexpected: Think glittery cardstock, googly eyes, clay shapes, or even a tiny pom pom for fun texture.
- Alter your die cuts: Don’t be afraid to tweak or trim! Combine pieces, change their use, or do a little “die cut surgery” to get the perfect look for your project.
Card #1 – Bring on the Icecream! 🍦
There isn’t actually an ice cream in this die set, but that didn’t stop me! I altered the image by using the wafer and the top of the soda glass to create my own sweet treat.
To step up this clean and simple card, I added a few easy details – dimensional shine on the cherry, white gel pen highlights on the chocolate topping, and a sprinkle of glitter over the ice cream (because sparkle makes everything better, right?).
For even more dimension, I softly ink blended the edges of the die cuts and popped the entire image up on the card front for that crisp, layered look.
Card #2 – It’s a Bird-day Party! 🎈
No one enjoys a party quite like a bird – and this one looks more than ready to celebrate!
To step up this clean and simple design, I added ink blending to the die cuts for a soft touch of depth. The glittery cardstock party hat brings the fun, but let’s be honest… it’s the tiny pom pom that steals the show!
The balloon got a subtle white gel pen highlight, and I fussy cut the string so it was easier to adhere to the card front. Finally, our party-loving bird is perched on the sentiment and popped up for that extra bit of dimension.
Clean and simple cards really can have so much personality – it’s all in the little details! From a glossy cherry to an orange pom pom, these easy ways to step up clean and simple cards show that it doesn’t take much to make your designs shine.
I hope these ideas inspire you to have a play with your own dies and find creative ways to stretch your supplies. I’d love to hear how you like to step up your clean and simple card designs – share your ideas or creations in the comments below!
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! 😄
Check your stash for supplies that can easily be substituted – but if you’d like to know exactly what I’ve used (or fancy a little crafty shopping), I’ve included a full supply list for you below.
Other Supplies: SHOP THE SPELLBINDERS OCT RELEASE HERE!
Simon Says Stamp: SHOP SPELLBINDERS HERE
Alcohol Markers: Copic – Y19.
Embellishments – Queen & Co – Pom Poms (orange – ? retired)
Cardstock Scraps – Wheat | Dark Brown | Parsley | Poppy | Ivory | Oyster Grey | Foam Sheets.
*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.
 Linear Touch Rectangles and Tag SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Fountain Wishes SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Fountain Wishes SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Fairy Dust Glitter Cardstock ALT |
 Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS | Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS |  Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS |  Copic Markers SSS |
 Gelly Roll White Pens SSS |  Perfect Picker ALT | SSS |  Tweezers ALT | SSS |  Fine Blade Scissors ALT | SSS |
 9X12 Ultra Sticky Mat: Grid ALT | SSS |  Bone Folder ALT |  Score Board ALT | SSS |  Platinum 6 ALT | SSS | SB UK | SB US |
 BetterPress SB ALT | SSS | SB UK | SB US | 9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer AMZ |  Precision Glue Press AMZ | SSS | Bearly Art Glue AMZ | SSS |
 Glue Tape ALT | SSS |  Foam Tape NEW sizes! ALT | SSS |  Satin Masking Tape ALT |
Love that sweet simple design, so perfect for those cuties!
Thank you so very much Lisa!
Love them both…so pleasing to the eyes Terese.
Thank you Vickie, you are so sweet!
Great ideas, Therese. I love CAS cards will use your hints to step them up.
Me too… but I haven’t been making a lot of real CAS cards recently (don’t know why???). I’m so happy you liked these Bobby!
Two darling CAS cards, Therese! The little bird in the party hat is too sweet!
So glad you enjoyed these designs Lisa!
Love these sweet and clever CAS cards Therese! You remind me I should try to make more.
Yes, it feels like it’s been a while for me too!