Sometimes, a stamp set and a background stamp meet and you just know they were made for each other. That’s exactly how I felt when the Painted Stripes background stamp crossed paths with the Delightful Wishes bundle. Add a few blending brushes, some ink in bold happy colors, and a little creative playtime, and suddenly I had three cards that make my heart happy.
These cards all started with the same basic supplies, but each one has its own personality.
Setting the Stage: Supplies and Prep
Before diving into the card-by-card details, here’s what I used for the three cards.
Main products:
- Painted Stripes background stamp
- Delightful Wishes bundle (stamps + coordinating dies)
- Berry Burst Stampin’ Blend for coloring the Antique Pearls
- Cardstock and ink in Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist, and Bubble Bath
- Basic White cardstock
Pro tip: When working with a large background stamp like Painted Stripes, lay the stamp face up and press the cardstock down onto it. It give a more even impression.
Card 1: Berry Burst Blossom Branch
For the first card, I stamped the Painted Stripes background in Bubble Bath ink for a subtle, little less structured option.
The real star here is the branch of blossoms, die-cut from the Delightful Wishes bundle. The branch itself is in Early Espresso, and the flowers are stamped in Berry Burst and Bubble Bath, with small Lemon Lime Twist leaves for contrast.
I placed the “wishing” die-cut sentiment across the bottom, layered in Berry Burst and Bubble Bath, and added the “You a Happy Birthday” greeting. Three custom-colored pearls, colored with the Berry Burst Dark Blends marker, balance the design and draw the eye toward the sentiment.
Small detail, big impact: Using an darker color like Early Espresso for the branch grounds the design and makes the flowers pop.
Card 2: Bold in Lemon Lime
The second card is all about letting one color take the spotlight. Lemon Lime Twist is the star here, paired with crisp Basic White and just a pop of Berry Burst.
I started with the Painted Stripes background stamp again, this time keeping it monochromatic. On the right-hand side of the Basic White panel, I stamped the smaller floral outline from Delightful Wishes in Lemon Lime Twist for a subtle tone-on-tone pattern.
The “wishing” sentiment was die-cut in Bubble Bath and layered over Lemon Lime Twist, giving it a bold shadow effect. “You a Happy Birthday” was stamped in Berry Burst on a narrow die-cut label.
To finish, I added two stamped and die-cut flowers in Berry Burst and Bubble Bath, accented with those same custom-colored pearls.
Tip to steal: I used adhesive sheets on the back of my cardstock before die cutting the “wishing” sentimentd. This turns the die cut into a peel-and-stick sticker, making it so much easier to attach those delicate letters without glue mess or shifting.
Card 3: All the Colors Blended
For this card, I started by inking the Painted Stripes background stamp in Bubble Bath. I used a blending brush to add Berry Burst and Lemon Lime inks to highlight the colors on the square.
Once my striped background was ready, I layered it on Berry Burst cardstock for a bold frame, then added a smaller Basic White panel matted with Lemon Lime Twist.
The flowers were die-cut from the Delightful Wishes bundle. The bottom piece is colored cardstock and the top piece is Basic White colored with ink and Blending Brushes. I love that you can create depth just by blending in shades of the pink and berry. The leafy accents are Lemon Lime Twist — also cardstock and ink layers – bright and cheerful against the pinks.
I finished with the large “wishing” die cut, layered for extra dimension, and the sentiment “You All the Best” stamped in Berry Burst. A few antique pearls, colored with my Berry Burst Stampin’ Blend, tied everything together.
Tip to steal: Coloring pearls with your Stampin’ Blends gives you custom embellishments in any color you need.
Why Painted Stripes and Delightful Wishes Play So Well Together
The Painted Stripes background stamp gives you an instant base for your design. You can make it bold, soft, or multicolored, and it’s always going to add visual interest without overwhelming your focal point. The Delightful Wishes bundle brings in the detail — layered die cuts, mix-and-match florals, and sentiments that work for birthdays, celebrations, and just-because cards.
Together, they’re a match made in crafting heaven. You can easily batch-make a set of cards using this pairing, just by switching up colors and flower arrangements.
Try It Yourself
If you’ve been looking for a way to stretch your background stamps beyond a single look, grab a blending brush and play with layered inking. Pair it with a versatile bundle like Delightful Wishes, and you can create a whole range of cards in one sitting.
Now it’s your turn. Which of these three cards is your favorite? Would you go bold and bright, soft and pretty, or stick with a monochrome look?
Leave me a comment below to share your pick, and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more card ideas, tips, and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.
