Happy weekend cardmaking friends! Today’s card builds on the color combo I shared earlier this week, showing how adding just one more color can completely transform your design. By introducing a deep navy, this soft palette becomes bold and dramatic while still using the same core colors.
I’m also revisiting a layout I created about a month ago and giving it a fresh twist with different dies and a strong color foundation–proof that you can reuse a design and get a completely new look (yes…I’m casing myself, haha!). I’m also using a few older floral dies from Simon Says Stamp that I purchased last year and haven’t used yet — it’s time to give them some love.
In today’s post, you’ll see how to turn a soft cardmaking color combo into a bold, high-contrast design, how a diagonal layout helps balance your composition while letting it breathe, and how an oversized sentiment creates a strong focal point.
Products Used for Today’s Card:
- Simon Says Stamp Sunrise Stem
- Simon Says Stamp Delicate Wildflowers
- Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Labels 2.0
- Simon Says Stamp Just Saying sentiment die
- Clear Pawsitively Dazzling Gems
Bold Cardmaking Color Combo Idea | Adding Navy for Dramatic Contrast
Why this Cardmaking Color Combo Navy Works:
This soft pink and green palette starts out light and fresh, but adding a Cosmic Sky background completely transforms it. The darker value creates strong contrast, making the florals stand out while shifting the overall look from subtle to bold.
It’s the same color combo I used on a card earlier this month–but by simply changing how the colors are used, you get a completely different result. A perfect reminder that you don’t always need new colors–just a new approach!
I’m also reusing a previous layout with different dies–yes, I’m officially casing myself, LOL.
Here is the card I cased, you can find the instructions and a video in THIS POST:
Why this Diagonal Layout Works:
By placing all the design elements in one lower triangle, the card feels grounded while the open space keeps it light. This balance is especially important with bold colors like navy, helping the design feel clean instead of heavy.
Design Tips for This Card:
- Add a dark background to increase contrast instantly
- Keep embellishments minimal on bold designs
- Use a large sentiment to anchor the layout
- Let white space (in this case navy space), balance strong colors.
How to Create this Card:
Create the Card Base:
Use the Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Labels 2.0 second largest die to cut five strips from Cosmic Sky cardstock. Attach them to the front of a top-folding A2-sized white card base.
Create the Florals:
Using the Sunrise Stem and Delicate Wildflowers die sets from Simon Says Stamp, cut the flowers from Tutu and Dahlia cardstock and the leaves from Rainforest cardstock. The flower centers are Cosmic Sky, same as the background.
Die cut the Sentiment:
Die cut the Just Saying sentiment from Simon Says stamp from Cosmic Sky and Dahlia cardstock. Layer them and attach to the bottom left corner of the card using foam squares to add depth.
Assemble the card:
Arrange the flowers in the lower diagonal area around the sentiment and adhere with foam squares.
Embellish:
Sprinkle the card with a few Clear Pawsitively Dazzling Gems
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Cardmaking Supplies Used:
Here are the supplies I used to create today’s cardmaking color combo Navy card.
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All products were personally purchased unless otherwise noted. Simon Says Stamp In My Heart products were provided by the company for design purposes.
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