HB2U Card: Henry & Twila Birthday | C. C. Designs | Sneak Peek Day 3

Hello friends, and welcome to Day 3 of Sneak Peek Week over at C.C. Designs!

I’m so excited to share today’s birthday card featuring the brand-new Henry & Twila Birthday Stamp Set. If you’ve ever looked at a character stamp and thought, “How do I make this into a full card without needing a ton of scene-building elements?” — this one’s for you. I’m walking through a fun and unique layout that gives your focal image plenty of personality while keeping the rest of the design clean and simple.

Sometimes, less really is more — especially when you want the coloring to shine.

HB2U Card:

One Character, One Statement, One Fabulous Card

I chose Twila and her little balloon for this project because I loved how joyful and playful she looked. There’s something about the simple gesture of holding a balloon that instantly sets the tone for a celebration. I stamped her in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb Cardstock—my go-to for alcohol markers—and reached for my Ohuhu Honolulu Brush Marker Sets to bring her to life.

I’ve been leaning on these markers more and more lately, especially for bright and whimsical characters like this. The 48-color set has a great mix of primaries, and I keep the 36 Skin Tone set close by because the range makes it easy to give each character personality.

Pro Tip: If you’re just getting started with alcohol markers or looking for something budget-friendly that still blends beautifully, the Ohuhu Honolulu brush sets are a great option. You don’t need a massive collection to get beautiful results—just a few go-to blends and some practice.

A Simple Ink Blended Background with a Twist

Now, I knew I didn’t want to go full scene with this card. Instead, I created a diagonal ink blended background using Tumbled Glass and Shabby Shutters Distress Inks to suggest sky and ground. Starting from opposite corners and letting the colors fade into white in the middle helped keep things light and airy—almost like Twila was floating.

I love this technique when I want the focus to stay on my stamped image, but I still want the background to feel intentional. That little sweep of color adds just enough to anchor the design without competing for attention.

Pro Tip: If you ever feel like your background is fighting your focal image, try fading your ink blend into white. It helps the eye rest, gives your coloring room to breathe, and makes the card feel more polished.

Layers That Add Depth Without the Bulk

To help my card front pop, I trimmed the inked panel and layered it on Black Cardstock from my stash. Then I added a thin white border layer using more Neenah Cardstock. That bit of black gives contrast and polish, while the second white layer softens everything out. I also added two pieces of scrap cardstock behind the panel before adhering it to my top-folding A2 base—just enough lift to make it feel dimensional without needing foam tape.

This layering combo is one of my favorites because it creates that clean, graphic look I love but still adds depth and presence when you hold the card in your hand.

Die Cut Balloons for a Pop of Primary

To reinforce the birthday theme, I die cut a few balloons in red, yellow, and blue from scraps of colored cardstock I had on hand. I also die cut balloon strings from black cardstock to tie them all together (literally and visually). Then I ran the balloons through an embossing folder to add texture. It’s a small touch, but it really makes a difference—especially when you’re keeping the rest of the card simple.

I placed the yellow and blue balloons on the card front and tucked the red one inside the card for a little surprise when you open it. I love doing this—it’s an easy way to carry your design from the outside to the inside without having to fully decorate both.

Details That Finish It Off

A little white gel pen on the balloons added highlights, and then I finished things off with a few iridescent rhinestones—two on each balloon and three near the sentiment to lead the eye across the design.

That sentiment, by the way? It’s the bold “HB2U” stamp from the set. I stamped it in Versafine Onyx Black Ink right onto the background. That ink never lets me down when I need a crisp, solid impression—especially over an ink blend.

Final Thoughts

This card is a great reminder that you don’t always need a full cast of characters or a complex scene to create something special. Twila is the star here, and by giving her space, soft color, and just a few simple supporting elements, she gets to really shine.

If you’re looking for a way to use character stamps in a more graphic, modern layout—or if you’re tight on time and don’t want to build an elaborate scene—this style is worth trying. Clean backgrounds, layered mats, and a few well-placed embellishments can go a long way.

Thanks for stopping by for Day 3 of the sneak peeks! I hope this inspires you to try something fun and simple with your character stamps.

And don’t forget—the full Henry & Twila Birthday Stamp Set will be available soon at C.C. Designs. I can’t wait to see what you create with it!

Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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