Back to Basics: How to Use Mix & Match Ephemera Packs
This post is all about mixing and matching your favorite ephemera packs for crafting cards that are easy, unique, and really allow your personality and creativity to shine through.
Gather Your Supplies
We’ve put together an easy beginner card-making supplies list to get your project off on the right foot. Before you start, gather your supplies:
- Note Cards & Envelopes – These ready-to-decorate folded card bases and matching envelopes are the foundation that your DIY card is built on. Using precut cards saves time. Every DIY card begins its creative journey here!
- Ephemera Packs – These collections of precut decorative pieces, like labels, frames, sentiments, flowers, or shapes, can add visual interest or focal points. They’re a fast way to make a card look complete and cohesive without a lot of extra work.
- A Great Pen – Fine-tipped pens like the Stampin’ Up! microfine black journaling pens let you add handwritten sentiments, doodles, dates, or custom notes to your card. Pro tip: A journaling pen with a microfine tip is great for crisp writing that won’t smudge, providing a smooth and effortless writing experience.
- Stampin’ Dimensionals – These small foam adhesive pieces have a tiny footprint but pack a big creative punch. They are designed to add dimension to your piece by raising parts of your design off the surface of the card. Dimensionals add depth, while making your card look more professional and appealing.
How-to Make a Handmade Card
If you’ve never crafted before or have limited experience, creating a DIY card can seem intimidating. We’ve got you! Everyone has to start somewhere, and this How-to Guide is short and sweet, yet delivers quality results.
- Gather your supplies (see our list above!)
- Fold your notecard along the score line.
- Open your ephemera pack and pick out the shapes and designs that make you smile, and then start designing! (Some ephemera packs are stickers, but others require adhesive.)
- Pick a sentiment you love and pop it up off the card using a dimensional adhesive.
- Finally, personalize it with a handwritten message inside, using a fine-tipped black pen.
Coordination Made Easy with Ephemera Packs
If you love crafting, but could use a little pre-designed inspiration, Stampin’ Up! Ephemera Packs are a must-have. They make it easy to coordinate ready-to-use pieces so you spend less time prepping and more time creating. If you’re just getting started, need a quick project, or getting back to basics be sure to explore our other Stampin’ Up! Back to Basics craft tutorials for simple tips, supply guides, and more!