Sometimes the Designer Series Paper really can do most of the work for you, and this Sunflower Fields card is a perfect example.

I created this card during my Facebook Live using products from the Sunflower Fields Suite Collection by Stampin’ Up! Rather than starting with a finished card design in mind, I pulled out my card templates and played around with the paper until I found a layout that worked.

That’s one of my favourite ways to create because it takes away that feeling of, “Where do I even start?”

Let the Sunflower Fields paper be the feature

The beautiful floral Designer Series Paper was always going to be the star of this card. I especially wanted to keep that large sunflower visible, so I used my card templates to audition different sizes and positions before making any cuts.

This is such a handy trick when you’re working with patterned paper. Instead of chopping first and hoping you like what you end up with, you can move the templates around the sheet and see exactly which section of the design will appear on your card.

Once I was happy with the floral piece, I layered it onto Early Espresso and added the coordinating checked paper behind it. The darker layers help frame those lovely warm colours and really make the floral design stand out.

Don’t just buy your beautiful paper — use it!

If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ve probably heard me say this before: don’t just buy it, USE IT!

I completely understand how easy it is to look at a beautiful sheet of Designer Series Paper and think it’s too nice to cut. But keeping it tucked away in the packet means we don’t get the enjoyment of actually creating with it.

This is one of the reasons I love my card templates and my Love It Chop It approach. Having a plan for your paper makes that first cut much easier.

You also don’t need a huge piece of your favourite design to make an impact. On this card, the floral paper becomes the focal point while the coordinating pattern creates the larger background. It’s a simple way to showcase the part of the paper you really love without covering it up.

Simple finishing touches

With so much colour and detail already happening in the paper, I didn’t want to add too much more.

I used the “Wishing you so much happiness” sentiment and kept it nice and bold against the floral background. A few Radiant Gems added that little bit of sparkle to finish everything off.

And that was it. The paper does the hard work, the layers give it structure, and a few carefully chosen details bring the whole card together.

Use one card layout again and again

One of the things I really want to encourage you to do is look beyond the exact supplies used on a card.

Instead of thinking, “I need those papers to make that card,” look at the layout itself.

Could you use the same idea with Designer Series Paper you already own? Could you change the sentiment, colours or embellishments? Could you turn the layout around or choose a completely different section of patterned paper?

That’s where card templates become so useful. They give you a starting point without telling you exactly what your finished card has to look like.

For me, that’s the fun part of papercrafting. Take the idea, pull out those supplies you’ve been saving, and see what you can create with them.

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Shop the Stampin' Up! products used in this project.

Sunflower Fields 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper	Radiant Sunflowers Bundle (English)	Radiant Gems	Early Espresso A4 Cardstock
Stampin'' Dimensionals	Multipurpose Liquid Glue