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One Stamp Set, Endless Styles: A Pretty Cardmaking Idea

One of the things I love most about designing stamps is seeing how many different directions they can take.

In my launch projects for the Be Not Afraid Collection, I explored pattern building and art journal pages, but for this piece I wanted to try something completely different - a softer, prettier cardmaking style.

Pretty handmade card showing repeated stamping technique featuring Be Not Afrais stamp sets by Lou Sims for Art Inspirations

The same shapes and motifs that build strong graphic patterns can also create delicate decorative designs. It really is a case of you do you - paraphrasing Tim Holtz - when it comes to using them.


A pretty cardmaking idea using the "Be Not Afraid" Collection

Because I'm a visual learner, I had to create a reel! 

If you enjoy seeing how a design evolves, the reel shows the card coming together step by step.


A little bit about my process

This card isn’t built as a traditional repeated pattern like you might see in a mandala design, but repeated stamping can be used in different ways:

  • Background -repeated stamping using a single colour to build gentle texture.
  • Focal point - the same stamps repeated, but with small tweaks in placement so the design feels more organic.
  • Colour - repeating the same colours within the stamped floral elements to create visual harmony.

Close up of the repeated stamping showing how the design is the same but the positions of the flowers change the look

It’s the same stamps - just a different way of thinking about how they sit together.

You do You (as Tim Holtz would say)

That’s one of the things I hoped these designs would do - give people shapes that can move easily between styles.

You can build bold repeating patterns, structured mandalas, loose decorative clusters, messy art journal pages or simple card designs. The stamps don’t dictate the style. You do!

Close up of the sentiment added to the card with background stamped & coloured images

I’ll be sharing more ideas over the coming weeks, exploring different ways the designs can be used. Sometimes structured, sometimes loose, and occasionally… a little bit pretty.

Stamps Used:

Be Not Afraid A5 stamp set

It's A Good Year A5 stamp set


This approach works beautifully for handmade cards, art journal pages, and decorative pattern building, showing just how versatile the stamps can be.

Until next time, take care,

Lou
xxx








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