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The Tone-on-Tone Technique for Balanced Card Designs | Kathleen Schmelz

The Tone-on-Tone Technique for Balanced Card Designs | Kathleen Schmelz

12 Aug 2026 0 Comments

Hi everyone! It’s Kathleen with you again, and today I’m sharing a card I actually created more than a year ago. Since we recently had the Grateful Greenery suite included in one of our promos and I know many of you took the opportunity to grab it, I thought this would be the perfect time to bring it back and share a little inspiration with you!

On this card I actually used one of my favorite techniques for creating cohesive, balanced scrapbooking layouts. But it works beautifully for cardmaking, too!

*Disclaimer: All products used are linked below as clickable images. If a product isn’t listed, it’s been discontinued.

Let's take a look at how you can recreate this card:

  1. Card Base & Panel:
    1. (1) A2 top or side-folding from white cardstock
    2. (1) panel slightly smaller than A2 from white cardstock; ink blend three sections as shown in the photo with Mint, Turquoise, and Raspberry Bliss
  2. Grateful Greenery: 
    1. Using the Grateful Greenery press plate & hot foil the image three times in silver on white cardstock.
    2. Ink blend them as follows:
      1. Turquoise & Paradise for the leaves; Raspberry Bliss for the berries
      2. Mint & Turquoise for the leaves; Paradise for the berries
      3. Raspberry Bliss for the leaves (let fade out to white); Mint for the berries
    3. Die cut & stack each one with a blank die cut for sturdiness.
    4. Arrange on the ink-blended panel (step 1.2) matching the colors of the twigs to the colors on the background. Adhere with foam adhesive & trim off excess.
    5. Adhere assembled panel centered onto the card base.
  3. Sentiment: Hot foil a sentiment of your choice with silver foil. Die cut & stack it with a blank piece, ink blend to match the background, and adhere to the card front.
  4. Embellish to your liking, e.g. using Jewels, Glitter Drops, or Clear Drops in matching colors. Adhere them in a tone-on-tone fashion to finish off the look.

I hope this card inspires you to give the tone-on-tone technique a try on one of your next projects! It’s such a fun way to create a cohesive, balanced design, and it can be especially helpful when you’re feeling a little stuck with your card.

And as always, we’d love to see what you create—don’t forget to tag us on social media (@pinkfreshstudio and @cardsandconfetti) so we can admire your amazing work.

    Pinkfresh Studio Supplies

  • Grateful Greenery press plate

    Discover the beauty of nature in your card-making and paper-crafting projects with this sophisticated stamp set, featuring exquisite botanical designs and heartfelt sentiments. The centerpiece is a meticulously detailed leafy branch adorned with delicate berries, perfect for adding a touch of elegance and refinement...
    $18.00
    $18.00
  • Grateful Greenery stencil

    Our precision-cut premium mylar stencils perfectly align with the coordinating stamps and press plates. The stencil openings are crisp and clean, with perfect details even in small areas. The product name and registration marks are etched into the stencil for easy identification and alignment....
    $12.00
    $12.00
  • Grateful Greenery die

    With this coordinating die, you can quickly and easily cut out the dainty leaf image and three larger sentiments.  Coordinating products for purchase separately: Grateful Greenery stamp set Grateful Greenery stencil Grateful Greenery press plate Key Features: Effortless Die Cutting: Cut out the floral...
    $18.00
    $18.00
  • 1” blending brushes

    Introducing our sleek & modern 1” Blending Brush set, dubbed by Jennifer McGuire as "The Magic Brushes". The larger brush size easily blends ink on larger surfaces.    Each set includes (3) 1” blending brushes that offer a white lacquer handle with the Pinkfresh...
    $18.50
    $18.50
  • 1/2" Blending Brush set

    Introducing our UPDATED sleek and modern ½” Blending Brush set. The new brushes have shorter bristles for added control and precision.  Each set includes (6) ½” blending brushes with a white lacquer handle, the Pinkfresh Studio website printed in a modern black typeface, a...
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    $16.50
  • EasyBlend Grip Mat 6.5" x 8.5"

    EasyBlend Grip Mat Stick Smarter. Blend Better. Create Freely. The EasyBlend Grip Mat gives you the perfect balance of hold and release. Secure enough to keep cardstock in place, yet gentle enough for clean, damage-free removal. No more tape, no more shifting, no more...
    $28.00
    $28.00
  • EasyBlend Grip Mat 8.5" x 11"

    EasyBlend Grip Mat Stick Smarter. Blend Better. Create Freely. The EasyBlend Grip Mat gives you the perfect balance of hold and release. Secure enough to keep cardstock in place, yet gentle enough for clean, damage-free removal. No more tape, no more shifting, no more...
    $40.00
    $40.00
  • Premium Dye Ink Pad : Mint

    Our USA-made premium dye ink is acid-free, making it perfect for stamping on cards and in scrapbooks. We've included a raised felt pad surface for perfectly crisp coverage on stamped images of any size. This ink is fast-drying and ideal for water-based techniques. USA-made...
    $5.63
    $7.50
    $5.63
  • Premium Dye Ink Pad : Turquoise

    Our USA-made premium dye ink is acid-free, making it perfect for stamping on cards and in scrapbooks. We've included a raised felt pad surface for perfectly crisp coverage on stamped images of any size. This ink is fast-drying and ideal for water-based techniques. USA-made...
    $5.63
    $7.50
    $5.63
  • Premium Dye Ink Pad : Paradise

    Our USA-made premium dye ink is acid-free, making it perfect for stamping on cards and in scrapbooks. We've included a raised felt pad surface for perfectly crisp coverage on stamped images of any size. This ink is fast-drying and ideal for water-based techniques. USA-made...
    $5.63
    $7.50
    $5.63
  • Premium Dye Ink Pad : Raspberry Bliss

    Our USA-made premium dye ink is acid-free, making it perfect for stamping on cards and in scrapbooks. We've included a raised felt pad surface for perfectly crisp coverage on stamped images of any size. This ink is fast-drying and ideal for water-based techniques. USA-made...
    $5.63
    $7.50
    $5.63
  • Glimmer Hot Foil Roll - Matte Silver

      Glimmer Hot Foil Matte Silver comes in a 15 foot roll (five inch width). Glimmer Hot Foil Foils add stunning and eye catching foil designs to any project from paper crafts to mixed media and more! The foils are exclusively designed to be...
    $6.00
    $6.00
  • Dual Tip Embellishment Tool

    Our Dual Tip Embellishment Tool is made of brass that matches our other Studio Essentials products PERFECTLY! Each metal side is sturdy & high quality, and you can really feel that when you pick the tool up. It's not heavy, but it feels just...
    $16.00
    $16.00
  • Triangle Brass Tray

    Sleek and stunning, our brass triangle tray is perfect for showcasing embellishments you want to add to your cards or paper crafting projects! Simply shake a few embellishments into the tray, then use an embellishment wand, tweezers or your fingers to pick out the...
    $10.00
    $10.00
  • Precision Clear Craft Glue .5 oz

    This premium glue is ideal for use in papercrafting. The pen-style applicator features a fine, precision tip, allowing for detailed and accurate application. The glue goes on white, ensuring visibility during use, and dries crystal clear for a professional finish. It’s water-based and acid-free,...
    $5.00
    $5.00
  • Precision Clear Craft Glue 2 oz

    This premium glue is ideal for use in papercrafting. The applicator features a fine, precision tip, allowing for detailed and accurate application. The large 2-oz size offers excellent value. The glue goes on white, ensuring visibility during use, and dries crystal clear for a...
    $10.00
    $10.00
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