Hi there
I hope you’re enjoying my series on CASEing (Copy And Share Everything) the catalogue. In this post I’ll be CASEing the Gears & Texture Bundle sample from page 39 of the current catalogue. While I’ve kept the overall layout the same, I’ve changed the colour paletter to give the design a completely different feel.
The original card uses Lost Lagoon, Basic Grey and Peaceful Pine Two-Tone Cardstock, giving it a softer, more muted industrial look. I decided to brighten things up by using Secret Sea, Cloud Cover, Timid Tiger and Darling Duckling Two-Tone Cardstock instead. I love how these colours give the card a much more cheerful, energetic feel while still complementing the mechanical theme of the Gears & Textures Bundle.
The stamped backgrounds are all created using images from the Gears & Textures Stamp Set, stamped tone-on-tone using the matching ink colours. It’s such a simple technique, but it adds plenty of texture and interest without overwhelming the design. Each of the coloured panels measures 2″ x 3″ (5cm x 7.5cm), making this an easy layout to recreate with any colour combination.
Why I Love Two-Tone Cardstock
Stampin’ Up!’s Two-Tone Cardstock is a little different from traditional cardstock. It features the true colour on one side, a lighter shade on the reverse, and a white core. That combination opens up lots of creative possibilities, whether you’re layering, stamping or adding distressed edges. It’s one of those products that is surprisingly versatile once you start using it. Here are a few of the reasons it’s become one of my favourite products to craft with:
- Two shades in one sheet. Having both a lighter and darker shade of the same colour gives you instant contrast without needing to introduce another colour.
- Perfect weight for layering. It’s heavier than Designer Series Paper but lighter than standard cardstock, so even cards with multiple layers don’t become overly bulky or expensive to post.
- Perfect for stamping. The smooth finish gives beautifully crisp stamped images. Stamping tone-on-tone adds subtle texture without competing with the die-cut gears.
- A hidden bonus. The white core means you can sand or distress the edges to reveal the lighter centre, creating even more texture and dimension—perfect for vintage or grunge-style projects.
This card is a great reminder that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time you sit down to craft. Sometimes simply changing the colours is all it takes to make a design your own.
Next time you’re flicking through your catalogue, choose a project that catches your eye and challenge yourself to recreate it using a completely different colour palette. You might be surprised how different the finished card looks.
Project Details
- Bundle: Gears & Textures Bundle
- Cardstock: Basic White, Secret Sea, Cloud Cover, Timid Tiger & Darling Duckling Two-Tone Cardstock
- Ink: Secret Sea, Timid Tiger & Darling Duckling
- Embellishments: Adhesive-Backed Metallic Gems
Until next time …
