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Combining Techniques for Maximum Impact | Kathleen Schmelz

Combining Techniques for Maximum Impact | Kathleen Schmelz

24 Jun 2026 0 Comments

Hi everyone! Kathleen here, and today I’m sharing a card I recently created during a YouTube Live on the Pinkfresh channel.

This design is filled with a few of my favorite tips and techniques for adding interest and getting more from your supplies. I used non-traditional colors for the florals and leaves to give them a fresh look, added texture by dry embossing with press plates, repurposed leftover foil with the Solid Hot Foil Plate, and created dimension by layering simple shapes and tucking die cuts throughout the design. Let’s take a closer look at how it all came together!

If you’re not familiar, we go live on our YouTube channel every Tuesday at noon CT for a fun, 60-minute cardmaking session—complete with amazing inspiration, lively chat, and of course, giveaways! So don't miss out!

If you missed the Live session, you can watch the replay below (or click to watch full screen):

*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 it:

  1. Card Base: 
    1. (1) A2 top or side-folding from white cardstock
    2. Dry emboss the right side with the Floral Daydream press plate.
    3. Ink blend the front lightly with Ballet Slipper, starting at the top & fading it out to white toward the bottom.
  2. Floral Daydream + Sentiment: 
    1. Hot foil the Floral Daydream image press plate + one sentiment on white cardstock using Prism foil.
    2. Hot foil the leftover foil with the Solid Hot Foil Plate on white cardstock & set aside.
    3. Ink blend the hot foiled outlines with the coordinating stencils:
      1. Stencil 1: Slumber (leaves; fade out toward the tip); Peach Fuzz (flower centers)
      2. Stencil 2: Sapphire (leaves); Peach Fuzz (flower centers)
      3. Stencil 3: Stargazer (leaves); Ballet Slipper (square petal area)
      4. Stencils 4+5: Soft Lilac (heavier in the center, fade out to white toward the outside)
      5. Stencil 6: Candy Violet (heavier in the center, fade out to white toward the outside)
    4. Die cut the ink-blended & solid foiled florals and the sentiment with the coordinating die.
    5. Stack the sentiment with one blank piece. Then die cut another blank from Silver Glitter Cardstock & adhere it slightly offset to the back of the hot-foiled sentiment. Set aside.
  3. Single-Stitch Rectangles:
    1. Die cut the 4th and 5th-largest Single Stitch Rectangles dies from white cardstock.
    2. Adhere the larger piece centered onto the card front with regular adhesive. Tip: Apply adhesive only to the center area so you can tuck flowers underneath the edges later.
    3. Adhere the smaller rectangle centered on top using foam adhesive.
  4. Assembly:
    1. Add a mix of ink-blended and solid hot-foiled florals to the card, tucking some of the pieces behind the rectangles for added dimension.
      Tip: Trim away portions of larger floral pieces that will be hidden, then reuse those cutoffs elsewhere on the card to fill small gaps and add fullness.
    2. Adhere the stacked sentiment onto the lower half of the small rectangle.
  5. Embellish to your liking, e.g. using Clear Drops.

Make sure to watch the YouTube Live replay where I shared more ideas for creating backgrounds using the Fragrance Notes set (but of course you can use these ideas with pretty much any product suite in your stash)!

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.

Thanks so much for stopping by today & I hope you feel inspired to try these ideas!

    Pinkfresh Studio Supplies

  • Floral Daydream press plate

    Experience the elegance and sophistication of letterpress stationery with this gorgeous press plate, designed by Inna Moreva. Created to work seamlessly with the BetterPress Letterpress System from Spellbinders, this innovative press plate offers the elegant look of letterpress without the mess. You can also...
    $21.00
    $21.00
  • Floral Daydream stencil

    These coordinating stencils will make you feel like an artist, allowing you to quickly and easily color in the images. The layered design makes it simple to add beautiful depth and dimension to the Floral Daydream florals using your favorite Pinkfresh Studio inks. Coordinating...
    $19.00
    $19.00
  • Floral Daydream die

    Use our innovative, one-piece die to cut every design in one pass, giving you more time to focus on creating. This die set features a hidden magnet in the packaging that keeps the multiple die pieces securely in place. Coordinating products for purchase separately:Floral...
    $19.00
    $19.00
  • Floral Daydream stamp

    Add a touch of soft botanical beauty to your handmade cards with the Floral Daydream stamp set, designed by Inna Moreva. This elegant design features two graceful blooms with flowing leaves. The open areas make ink blending the ideal coloring method. The gorgeous blooms...
    $16.00
    $16.00
  • Essentials: Single Stitch Rectangle die

    Create polished cards with this die set featuring rectangles with a single line of stitches around the outer edges. The nested sizes allow for endless combinations. Details: 7 pieces, approximate measurements: largest 4.25” X 5.5” Made of high-quality steel Packaging includes a full-color example...
    $19.00
    $19.00
  • Solid Hot Foil Plate

    Versatile solid hot foil plate for foiling the negative spaced of leftover foil from previous projects, adding the hot foil to die cut pieces, or creating your own custom hot foil card stock. It measures 4.5” x 5.75” to accommodate hot foil plates that...
    $24.00
    $24.00
  • Premium Dye Ink Pad : Peach Fuzz

    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 : Ballet Slipper

    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 : Soft Lilac

    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 : Candy Violet

    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 Cube Pack : Soul of Provence

    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 even and crisp coverage on stamp images of any size. This ink is fast-drying and perfect for water-based techniques....
    $10.50
    $14.00
    $10.50
  • Premium Dye Ink Pad : Slumber

    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 : Sapphire

    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 : Stargazer

    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 Cube Pack : Starry Night

    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 even and crisp coverage on stamp images of any size. This ink is fast-drying and perfect for water-based techniques....
    $10.50
    $14.00
    $10.50
  • 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...
    $16.50
    $16.50
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Clear Drops: Ice

    1 pack of clear embellishment drops in mixed sizes (3mm/4mm/5mm/6mm). Each Clear Drop is flat backed, and can be easily adhered to a papercrafting project using liquid glue and a jewel pick or tweezers.
    $5.00
    $5.00
  • Essentials Glitter Cardstock: Silver

    Your paper crafting creations will sparkle & shine with our Silver glitter cardstock pack! Our high quality 8.5” x 11” glitter cardstock is 250 gsm, non-shedding and easy to diecut. For more intricate dies, you may need to use a metal shim or the...
    $7.50
    $7.50
  • NEW & IMPROVED GLIMMER HOT FOIL SYSTEM

    The New & Improved Glimmer Hot Foil System now includes silver trim detailing to coordinate with the the Spellbinders® Platinum™ and Platinum 6™ Die Cutting Machines, as well a Magnetic Pick-up Tool for enhanced ease of use. With the Glimmer Hot Foil System you...
    $140.00
    $150.00
    $140.00
  • Glimmer Hot Foil Roll - Prism

    Glimmer Hot Foil Roll Prism 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 used with...
    $6.00
    $6.00
  • 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
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