Clean & Simple Winter Card Featuring the Henry & Twila Cocoa Stamp Set

Today I’m sharing a clean and simple winter card that features the adorable Henry & Twila Cocoa Stamp Set from C.C. Designs. I’ve always loved finding ways to keep a design simple while still packing in plenty of visual interest, and this little cocoa-themed cutie gave me the perfect excuse to play with masking, ink blending, and a fun repetitive sentiment background. If you’ve ever wanted to make a clean and simple card that still feels polished and intentional, this is a great technique to try. It’s the kind of design that looks like you spent a long time on it, even though most of the magic comes from just a few thoughtful choices.

Clean & Simple Winter Card Featuring the Henry & Twila Cocoa Stamp Set

Creating the Background with Masking and Ink Blending

One of my favorite tricks for clean and simple cards is using masking to create areas of interest without adding extra layers. For this card, I started by masking off the top and bottom of a panel of Neenah Desert Storm cardstock using Mint Tape. Leaving the center open gave me a great place to build a repetitive sentiment strip, while still giving the card the smooth, modern look of a single-layer design.

I blended Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint, and Forest Moss Distress Inks across the exposed kraft cardstock. These greens create a warm winter tone that pairs beautifully with cozy images like the Twila character in this set. I’ve always loved how kraft paper softens strong colors, and it definitely helped this background feel earthy and inviting rather than too bold. After removing the tape, I masked the freshly inked areas to protect them while I worked on the middle strip. Little things like this make a big difference when you want crisp, clean transition lines.

Building the Repetitive Sentiment Strip

The Henry & Twila Cocoa Stamp Set comes with a sweet sentiment that fit perfectly for a repetitive background. I stamped it across the center strip using Princess and Emerald inks, rotating the colors to add a little movement without overwhelming the design. Repetitive stamping is such an easy way to add personality and texture, and it works whether you’re going for playful, elegant, or bold.

I left a small space in the center for the main sentiment and stamped it in Versafine Clair Nocturne ink so it would stand out against the color variation. The contrast between the soft inks and crisp black helps anchor the whole card. If you’ve ever struggled with sentiment placement, creating a mini spotlight area like this is a great way to make sure your main message doesn’t get lost.

A quick detail that adds so much charm is faux stitching. I used a white Posca paint pen to draw simple stitch lines along the top and bottom edges of the sentiment band. I love adding this little detail when a card needs a touch of definition but doesn’t call for extra layers.

Coloring Twila for a Cozy Winter Look

I stamped the Twila image from the Henry & Twila Cocoa set onto Canson XL watercolor paper using the same Nocturne ink. Watercoloring with Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Pencils is something I reach for often when I want soft blends without a lot of fuss. They layer beautifully, and you can keep the colors light and cozy, which works so well for winter scenes.

As I colored, Twila reminded me of the way I used to sit on the couch as a kid with a mug of hot cocoa that was mostly marshmallows. There’s just something timeless about those quiet winter moments, and it’s that feeling I wanted to capture in this image. Once she was colored, I fussy cut her and added foam tape to pop her up on the card. Lifting the focal image just slightly is a simple way to create depth without breaking the clean and simple aesthetic.

For a final touch, I added a few Gingerbread Gem Stickers. They’re small enough that they don’t steal attention from the image but sparkly enough to give the card a finished look.

Bringing the Card Together

I trimmed down the card front and layered it onto a top-folding A2 card base made from Neenah Ultra Thick cardstock. The sturdiness of that base makes such a difference when you’re working with a single-layer design. With the repetitive stamping, masked ink blending, and that sweet dimensional focal point, the card feels balanced, cozy, and polished.

Clean and simple cards can sometimes feel tricky because you want them to be uncluttered but not boring. Masking, repetitive stamping, and thoughtful pops of color are some of my favorite ways to solve that challenge, and this design is a great example of how those techniques work together effortlessly.

If you’d like to see this card come together and get a closer look at each element, be sure to check out the video linked at the end of this post.

Clean & Simple Winter Cocoa Card with C.C. Designs Henry & Twila Video Tutorial:

If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking Here!

(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Crafting,

Rick Adkins

Affiliate Disclaimer:

Just a friendly reminder, as part of my commitment to transparency, please note that some of the links provided maybe affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is truly appreciated!

Additionally, I kindly ask that you always accept the tracking cookie for the affiliate websites. Rest assured, this will not in any way expose your computer to viruses or compromise your information. It's simply necessary for the company to attribute the sale to the affiliate, ensuring creators like myself receive their rightful commissions.

Your trust and support enable me to continue sharing creativity through my email lists, blog, and YouTube channel. Thank you for being a valued part of our crafting community!