Some cards just know how to have more fun, and these absolutely do. I used the brand new Friends with Flair Collection by Hero Arts to create two clean and simple (CAS) designs with retro color, playful details, and ombre sentiments that really bring the whole look to life. They are bright, bold, a little nostalgic, and such a fun reminder that simple cards do not have to feel plain.
Featured Supplies
 Totally Awesome Stamp & Cut HA |
 Suspenders Die Set HA |
 Jean Jacket Bundle HA |
href=”https://amzn.to/36chDJ6″ rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” title=”Amazon”>AMZ
 ColorWheel Cardstock 48 HA | SB | SBC |
Some links include affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for the referral but at no cost to you. I greatly appreciate the support should you choose to shop via my links. Full list of supplies at the bottom of this post.
Radical Denim Dreams
This first card is all about that fabulous jacket. I used the layering stencils from the Jean Jacket Bundle to create the back of the jacket, and that was the whole spark for this one. The fuchsia blending has that washed denim feel I was absolutely after, like those colored jackets from back in the day that felt extra cool the second you put them on. It is bold and playful and just the right kind of retro. I love how all that white space makes all that color pop.
Gina K Ink Colors: Lovely Lavender, Orchid (Light, Medium, and Dark)
The ombre That’s Radical sentiment was the perfect finishing touch here. The lighter color at the top melting into the deeper shade at the bottom feels so good with the jacket and keeps that retro mood going without getting busy. I popped it up and sprinkled in a few tiny star sequins because this card needed a little sparkle. It feels clean and simple, but still full of personality.
Totally Awesome Stripes
This card went straight into 80’s territory the minute those stripes started coming together. I used the Suspenders Die Set in a completely different way here, cutting them into strips and building an ombre band across the card front. The purples shift softly from lighter to deeper shades and instantly reminded me of those striped shirts we all wore back then.
Gina K Ink Colors: Lilac (Light, Medium, and Dark)
The You’re Totally Awesome sentiment is popped up right over the stripes and carries that same soft ombre blend, which ties everything together so nicely. I added the little stars again because they felt just right with the retro mood. What I really love here is how fresh it all still feels. Bold color, fun shapes, lots of white space, and just enough detail to make it feel special.
Creative Tips
- Ombre sentiment stamping: Start with the lighter ink at the top and deepen the color toward the bottom for that soft blended ombre look.
- Blending the colors: Let the ink shades overlap slightly so the transition feels blended instead of striped.
- Use a stamping platform: It makes it easy to restamp the sentiment so the colors get richer and the blend between the inks looks smoother.
- Layered stencil blending: Light pressure helps the stencil details stay crisp while still giving the jacket that washed denim feel.
- Using dies in new ways: The skinny pieces from the Suspenders Die Set make such fun graphic stripes when used in a different way.
- Making white space work: Clean open space around the focal point keeps all that purple and fuchsia feeling fresh instead of crowded.
This pair was such a fun little throwback with the washed denim feel, the purple stripes, and those bold sentiments stealing the whole show. I love that these ombre sentiment cards feel bright and playful but still nice and clean, which is always such a good combo.
Thank you for joining me today. I sincerely hope that today’s project inspires you. If you create something, feel free to tag me, @dahlhousedesigns, on social media. I would be thrilled to see it and leave you some love.
Supplies
Some links include affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for the referral but at no cost to you. I greatly appreciate the support should you choose to shop via my links.
Please Note: Product names with ** are suggested supply substitutions if I use something discontinued or hard to find.
Colorwheel Cardstock: Lavender, Lilac
Totally Awesome Stamp & Cut HA |
Suspenders Die Set HA |
Jean Jacket Bundle HA |
 Hammermill Cardstock AMZ |
ColorWheel Cardstock 48 HA | SB | SBC |
 Lovely Lavender SBC | OTH |
 Lilac Set SBC |
 Orchid Set SBC |
 Gold, Silver Star Sequins AMZ |
Most Used Tools
 1.5″ block SB | OTH |
 Big Shot SB |
 Black Stamping Tool SB |
 Blending Brushes AMZ |
Blending Brushes Large AMZ |
 Blending Brushes Medium AMZ |
 Blending Brushes Mini AMZ |
 Blending Brushes Small AMZ |
 Connect Glue SB |
 Cutter Bee Scissors SB | SSS |
 Die Cut Envelope AMZ |
 Foam Roll – 2 Inch SB |
 Foam Roll Combo Pack SB |
 Grip Mat 4.75×6 AMZ |
 Grip Mat 6.5×8.5 AMZ |
 Grip Mat 6×6 AMZ |
 Media Mat Mini SB | SSS |
 Mini Blending Brushes AMZ |
 Mini Stencil Mat** SB |
 Mini Trimmer SB |
 MISTI – Mini SB | SSS |
 MISTI – Original SB | SSS |
 MISTI – Original – Black SB |
 MISTI Corners SB | AMZ |
 Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive SB |
 Post It Note Tape AMZ |
 Reverse Tweezers SB |
 Sticky Mat SB |
 Triangle Trays AMZ |
 White Gel Pens SB | AMZ |
 White Glass Mat SB | OTH | AMZ |
 Adhesive Roll SBC |
