Coffee and a Card with a Birthday Card Sketch

There is something so satisfying about starting with a simple sketch and turning it into a card that looks fun, finished, and ready to send. In today’s Coffee and a Card with a Birthday Card Sketch, we used one of those easy layouts that helps take the guesswork out of designing, especially when you have patterned paper you’ve been wanting to use but aren’t quite sure how to feature.

This is the exact card we made during this week’s Coffee & a Card—our casual midweek craft break on Facebook where we chat, sip on our favorite beverage, and make something wonderful. And this card? It checks all the boxes: playful patterned paper, a simple sketch, easy die-cut shapes, and a design that comes together quickly.

This card was all about using the Turtle-y Cute Designer Series Paper. These little turtles have so much personality, and the paper is filled with bright, cheerful patterns that are perfect for birthday cards. Instead of trying to stamp and build a scene, we let the paper do the work by cutting out small sections and highlighting them.

That’s where the circle shapes come in. Using the Stylish Shapes Dies, we cut out circles to frame each little image. I used the 1-1/4″ circle die, but this is very easy to adapt. If you have a circle punch at home, you can absolutely use that instead, which makes this a very beginner-friendly project.

The layout itself is based on a card sketch from the Stampin’ Up! catalog. Sketches are such a helpful tool, especially when you’re not sure where to start. This one uses a row of circles across the front of the card, which creates a fun, balanced design while letting each little image shine.

We finished the card with a sentiment from the Simply Said Stamp Set. This is one of those sets you will reach for again and again because it has all the basics—birthday, thank you, thinking of you, and more. It’s perfect for pairing with whatever design you’re creating.

The colors in this card are bright, cheerful, and full of personality. The greens from the turtles are paired with pops of red, yellow, and soft blues from the designer paper, which creates a playful and energetic feel.

Because the patterned paper includes so many colors, you don’t have to overthink it. Everything is already coordinated for you, which is one of the best things about Stampin’ Up! designer paper. It takes the pressure off and lets you focus on enjoying the process.

This card is such a good example of how simple designs can still make a big impact. You don’t need layers upon layers or complicated techniques to create something that will make someone smile.

A handmade birthday card like this feels personal, thoughtful, and just a little more special than anything store-bought. It shows that you took the time to make something just for them.

If you like this card, make sure you watch a recap of the live video, as well as the written tutorial, which has all of the measurements and step-by-step instructions. Sending handmade cards is one of the easiest ways to stay connected and celebrate the people you care about.

I appreciate you dropping by! My mission is to inspire you with card tutorials that are as fun to make as they are to give. If you’re curious about the specifics of crafting today’s design, just send me an email.  Want more papercrafting ideas?  Join my Facebook Community today.

Supplies Used On This Project: