Have you ever started a card with one idea in mind, only to have it take on a life of its own? That’s exactly what happened with today’s project. I set out to make a simple ink-blended background for the Queen of Hearts from Miss Ink Stamps, but before I knew it, I was pulling out stencils, texture sprays, and extra layers. And you know what? I love how it turned out!
There’s something special about layering different techniques—stamping, stenciling, ink blending, die-cutting—to create a truly unique design. This card is a mix of everything I love about card making: bold colors, intricate backgrounds, and just the right amount of shimmer. Let’s dive into the details!
You're All Heart Mixed Media Card:
Creating a Rich, Layered Background
For this card, I knew I wanted a bold, textured background that felt like it belonged in Wonderland. To achieve that, I pulled out three pieces of cardstock in different shades—light brown, medium brown, and red—and let the stencils do the heavy lifting.
On the light brown cardstock, I blended three layers of the Alice Background Stencils using Distress Oxide Inks. This stencil set is incredible for creating depth—each layer builds on the last, making the background feel like it has movement.
For the medium brown cardstock, I used the Pick a Card Stencil to add a subtle playing card pattern. The deeper tone of the cardstock helped the design pop, and I love how it complements the Queen’s theme.
Finally, on the red cardstock, I stenciled hearts using the Hand Drawn Hearts Stencil. I kept the ink blending softer here so the hearts looked almost hand-sketched rather than too defined.
Pro Tip: When working with multiple stenciled layers, vary your ink intensity. This creates contrast and keeps the design from feeling too flat.
Adding Texture and Depth
Once the stenciling was complete, it was time to add texture. I wanted this card to have an aged, almost storybook feel, so I stamped the rose from the Queen of Hearts Stamp Set onto the medium brown panel using Picket Fence Distress Ink and Candied Apple Distress Oxide Ink. These subtle stamped images add so much depth without overwhelming the background.
To pull everything together, I added splatters of Yuletide Distress Mica Stain, Tarnished Brass Spray Stain, and Picket Fence Spray Stain. This step is always one of my favorites because it adds just the right amount of randomness. There’s something about splattering ink that feels freeing—you never get the same results twice, and that’s what makes it so fun!
Pro Tip: If you ever feel like your background is missing something, try adding subtle stamping in a similar color to your ink blending. It’s a great way to create depth without overpowering the design.
Bringing the Queen to Life
With the background done, it was time to bring in the star of the show—the Queen of Hearts! I stamped both her and the White Rabbit in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Neenah Solar White 80 lb cardstock, then colored them with Spectrum Noir TriBlend Markers.
There’s something about coloring images that always makes me slow down and enjoy the process. With the Queen, I wanted to keep her traditional red, black, and gold color palette but added extra depth with shading. The White Rabbit, on the other hand, got soft gray tones with hints of warm beige to give him that classic storybook look.
Once they were colored, I cut them out using the Queen of Hearts Outline Dies and started assembling my card.
Layering the Design
To bring everything together, I followed a card sketch, trimming my stenciled panels to different sizes and matting them with light green cardstock for contrast. When layering multiple backgrounds, a bit of matting can help separate each piece, keeping the card from looking too busy.
I adhered the panels onto a top-folding A2 card base, starting with the medium brown, followed by the red, then the light brown. This created a tiered effect that gave the card depth while keeping everything balanced.
For a focal point, I die-cut a heart from red cardstock using the Nested Hearts Dies and placed it at the center. The Queen of Hearts was then adhered over it, creating a dramatic centerpiece.
Finishing Touches That Make a Difference
No card is complete without a few finishing touches. I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap of light green cardstock and trimmed it down before adding it to the front. Then, for a fun surprise, I adhered the White Rabbit inside the card—a little unexpected detail for whoever opens it.
To tie everything together, I die-cut tiny hearts from red cardstock using the Sequin Mix Dies and scattered them around the card front and inside. A few white gel pen highlights and a touch of Stardust Stickles added just the right amount of sparkle.
Pro Tip: If your card feels like it needs a little extra something, try adding small die-cut shapes. They can fill in empty spaces and add visual interest without overwhelming the design.
Final Thoughts
This card was such a fun experiment in layering and texture. Mixing stencils, stamping, and ink blending creates a one-of-a-kind background, and the Queen of Hearts makes for the perfect focal point. If you haven’t tried combining multiple stencils on one project before, I highly recommend it—there’s so much you can do with just a few layers of ink!
I’d love to hear if you’ve tried mixed media elements in your cards. Do you have a favorite way to add texture? Let me know in the comments!
You're All Heart Mixed Media Valentine 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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