3 Cards using the Simply Leaves Bundle

Today I’m sharing 3 Cards using the Simply Leaves Bundle by Stampin’ Up!®, and this is exactly why I love Step It Up Stamping. You don’t have to start with a complicated card. Start simple, then decide how much more you want to add!

Sometimes we see a beautiful card and think, “I could never come up with that.” But most stepped-up cards aren’t really one complicated idea. They’re a simple idea with a few more things added along the way. That’s exactly what we’re doing with these three cards.

The Simply Leaves Bundle works especially well for this because the leaf images can do so much of the work for you. You can stamp just a couple of leaves and have a perfectly lovely card. Or you can add more leaves, mix the different patterns, layer them together, and add texture behind them when you’re in the mood to play.

I especially like that these aren’t fussy leaves. The different patterns give them personality, but the images are simple enough that they work for thank you cards, thinking of you cards, fall cards, or just about any occasion.

Crisp Cantaloupe, Pecan Pie, and Early Espresso make such a warm, pretty combination. Crisp Cantaloupe keeps the cards soft and fresh, while Pecan Pie brings in an earthy warmth that works beautifully with the leaves. Early Espresso gives everything that deeper contrast and keeps all those softer colors from blending together.

I also love how easily this combination can move from one season to another. It has enough warmth for fall, but it doesn’t scream pumpkins and Thanksgiving. That makes it much more useful for everyday cardmaking.

In additio

n to color, one of the easiest ways to make a simple card feel more finished is to add texture. An embossed background instantly adds interest without making the design feel busy. Add a little ribbon or a few embellishments, and you’ve stepped things up again without having to completely rethink your card.

That’s a trick worth remembering when you look at a card and think, “It needs something, but I don’t know what.” Before you add more stuff, try adding texture.

Here’s something else I hope you take away from these cards: you do NOT need to invent a brand-new card every time you sit down to stamp. If you make a simple card you like, use it again!

Add another layer. Change the background. Try an embossing folder. Use more of the stamped images. Change the colors. Add ribbon. You’re not cheating. You’re getting more mileage out of an idea that already works. And I am a BIG fan of making our craft supplies earn their keep.

So whether you keep your card quick and simple or decide to pull out all the goodies and step it up, I hope these cards give you an idea you can use with supplies you already have.

Supplies You’ll Need

These are the basic supplies you’ll need for each of the 3 cards. You can find the complete detailed supply list at the bottom of this post.

COMPLETE SUPPLY LIST: