Have you ever looked at your craft supplies and wondered what would happen if you mixed elements from different companies? For today’s card, I couldn’t resist combining the playful penguins from the Penguining Stamp Set from the The Rabbit Hole Designs with the charming Marci with a Snowman from La La Land Crafts. The result? A whimsical winter scene that feels like a tiny storybook moment come to life!
Mixing products from different brands is one of my favorite ways to stretch my creativity. It challenges me to see how different styles, themes, and techniques can come together. And let’s be honest—sometimes our craft stash is just begging for a little collaboration!
Mixing Stamp Sets:
The Supplies That Set the Scene
This card features products that were just too good to keep apart. From The Rabbit Hole Designs, I used the Penguining Stamp Set, matching dies, and You’ve Been Framed Dies. From La La Land Crafts, I brought in Marci with a Snowman and a stunning winter cityscape pattern from the Winter Time 6 x 6 Paper Pad.
The magic happens when you add in different coloring mediums. For this project, I paired my Tombow Dual Brush Pens with Ohuhu Honolulu Brush Markers. Choosing the right coloring tools for the job is essential, especially when you’re working with varied paper types.
Telling a Color Story
Color coordination is key when you’re mixing products, especially if they have distinct styles. I started with the winter sunset scene from the Winter Time paper pad and used it as my color inspiration. The soft purples, pinks, and golden hues guided all my choices.
For the penguins, I stamped them on Bristol Smooth Cardstock and used my Tombow Dual Brush Pens to add shading. A Tombow Colorless Blender made blending a breeze, pulling the colors into smooth gradients. Marci, stamped on Neenah Solar White Cardstock, was colored with Ohuhu Markers. Matching the markers to the tones in the patterned paper brought everything together seamlessly.
Pro Tip: When working with multiple coloring mediums, test your colors on scrap paper first. This helps ensure consistency across different cardstocks and prevents surprises during blending.
Crafting a Dimensional Scene
When it came time to build the card, I wanted to create depth and movement. The winter cityscape pattern became my background, trimmed to perfectly fit an A2 card base. From there, I added a brushed gold frame using the largest die in the You’ve Been Framed set. By cutting the frame in half at an angle, I created a dynamic focal point that drew the eye right to the center of the card.
To ground my characters, I hand-cut a snow mound from Neenah Solar White Cardstock, adding soft purple shading at the base to mimic the tones in the sky. This simple element added an extra layer of texture without distracting from the main scene.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have the perfect die for your design, don’t hesitate to sketch and fussy cut your own elements. A pair of sharp scissors and a steady hand can go a long way!
Bringing the Characters to Life
Marci, with her snowman buddy, became the star of the show. I used foam adhesive to give her center stage and tucked one of the penguins slightly behind her. This little detail added a sense of depth and interaction between the characters.
Inside the card, I added the other two penguins to continue the story. Including elements on the inside of your card is a great way to surprise the recipient and make your design feel complete.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix sentiment styles from different sets! For this card, I combined sentiments from the Penguining and Marci with a Snowman sets. I stamped them on pink cardstock to match the palette, cut them into strips, and layered them onto the card front for added interest.
Finishing Touches That Shine
No card is complete without a few thoughtful details. White gel pen highlights gave the characters extra dimension and sparkle, while a scattering of sequins from The Rabbit Hole Designs added a touch of whimsy. These little touches bring the design to life and make it feel polished and professional.
Why You Should Try Mixing Products
This project was such a joy to create, and I hope it inspires you to dive into your own stash and mix things up! Combining stamp sets, dies, and patterned papers from different companies can lead to unique, one-of-a-kind cards that tell their own little stories.
If you’re hesitant, start with products that share a similar theme or color palette. And remember—it’s all about having fun and making something that brings you joy.
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What combinations are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments or share your projects with me—I’d love to see how you bring your favorite supplies together!
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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