There’s something about the vibrant energy of Mardi Gras that makes it a perfect inspiration for card making. The rich purples, bold greens, and shimmering golds create such a festive palette, and today, I’m channeling that into two fun and colorful cards featuring the Southern Charm Stamp Set from C. C. Designs.
I love using patterned paper to build a dynamic background, and for these cards, I pulled out some Mardi Gras-themed papers from my stash. The best part? This layout is incredibly versatile—you can swap out the colors and theme to create cards for just about any occasion. Plus, if you're like me and have a collection of patterned paper that you swear you'll use someday, this is a great way to put it to good use!
In today’s post, I’ll walk you through my design choices, share a few pro tips, and of course, there’s a video tutorial so you can see everything come together.
Two Mardi Gras Cards:
Building a Bold Background with Patterned Paper
One of my favorite ways to create a striking background is by layering patterned paper. It adds instant interest without the need for complicated techniques, and it's a fantastic way to stretch your supplies. For these cards, I cut four different pieces of patterned paper, each in Mardi Gras colors, and arranged them into a clean yet playful layout.
Here's the breakdown of the paper sizes I used:
Three strips at 1" x 4"
One larger piece at 2 1/4" x 4"
Extra strips at 1" x 4" for the inside of the card
By layering these onto a Sugarplum Cardstock mat layer, it creates a beautiful contrast that really makes the colors pop. If you ever feel like your background papers aren’t standing out enough, try matting them with a coordinating solid cardstock—it adds definition and makes everything look more polished.
Pro Tip: When working with multiple patterned papers, stick to a cohesive color palette (like the traditional Mardi Gras trio I used here). This keeps the design balanced and prevents it from looking too busy.
Coloring the Focal Images
For the focal points, I used two of the adorable character stamps from the Southern Charm Stamp Set. These images have so much personality, and they fit the Mardi Gras theme perfectly. I stamped them onto Hammermill Smooth Cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, which is my go-to combination for Copic coloring.
I kept my color palette simple:
Purple combo for a regal touch
Green combo to bring in the fresh, lively tone
Gold combo for a hint of elegance
Besides skin tones and browns for their hair, these were the only colors I used—this helps keep the design cohesive and makes the images feel like part of the overall card rather than competing with the background.
Pro Tip: Limiting your color choices can actually make your cards look more professional. Too many colors can sometimes overwhelm a design, so picking a few and sticking to them creates a more unified look
.
Once the images were colored, I matted them onto Sugarplum Cardstock cut slightly larger than the focal panels. This extra layer helps frame the image and gives the card more dimension.
Assembling the Cards & Adding Finishing Touches
After adhering the patterned paper to my card base, I used foam tape to pop up the focal panels. This little bit of dimension makes a huge difference in the overall look of the card—it gives depth and draws the eye right to the main image.
For a little extra detail, I added highlights with a white gel pen, placed a few Rainbow Splash Gems around the sentiment for some sparkle, and finished off the card with a touch of Stardust Stickles on key areas of the focal panel. That final bit of shimmer really ties everything together, making the cards feel extra festive.
Pro Tip: When adding embellishments like gems or sequins, try placing them around the sentiment or focal point in a triangle formation. This helps guide the eye naturally around the design and keeps the elements looking intentional rather than random.
Finally, I adhered the last of the 1" x 4" patterned paper strips to the inside of each card. This is such an easy way to carry the design throughout the card while adding a polished touch.
Final Thoughts
I love how these Mardi Gras-inspired cards turned out! The combination of bold colors, fun patterned paper, and the charming images from C. C. Designs really make these cards feel like a celebration.
This layout is a great one to keep in your creative toolbox—it works for any theme, any season, and can be easily adapted with different papers and stamped images. If you give it a try, I’d love to see what you create!
Be sure to check out the video tutorial to watch these cards come together, and let me know in the comments how you like to use patterned paper in your cardmaking.
Magical Mardi Gras Card Video Tutorial:
If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!
(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!
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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