Create a Whimsical Birthday Card Using Pixi Dust Designs Dies and Pattern Paper

Every now and then, a card comes together that just makes me smile—and this happy little owl birthday card definitely did just that. I’ve always loved creating scene cards with character dies, especially when they have a ton of personality like this sweet owl from the Owl Music Box Add-On Die Set by Pixi Dust Designs. She’s got charm, whimsy, and that cheerful look that makes this design perfect for birthdays of all ages. If you've ever stared at your patterned paper stash wondering how to use it in a way that feels fresh and fun, this project might give you a spark. I found a way to mix bold patterns, layered die cuts, and a big sentiment in a way that doesn’t feel too busy—and I’m excited to share how it came together.

Create a Whimsical Birthday Card Using Pixi Dust Designs Dies and Pattern Paper

Bringing the Owl to Life with Layers and Color

When I started planning this card, I knew I wanted to keep the color palette playful but still cohesive. I cut all the owl pieces using neutral cardstock from the Neutrals Smooth 6 x 8 Cardstock Pad (from SBC), and then added pops of color for her eyes, bow, feet, and heart-shaped balloons using vibrant papers from the Candy 6 x 8 Cardstock Pad. I love how these bright shades give the character more energy—especially when paired with the bold shapes in the design.

One tip I’ve picked up over time when working with character dies: layering makes all the difference. I always like to build the character first, adjusting details like the tilt of the bow or how the wings lay, before working on the background. It helps guide the rest of the design and gives me a clearer picture of where everything will go. I also used black gloss cardstock from the Classic Black & White Gloss Cardstock Paper Pad for the balloon strings—it adds just a hint of shine that looks polished and intentional.

Mixing Patterned Paper Without Overwhelming the Design

Pattern paper can be tricky when you’re also using detailed die cuts, but it can work beautifully if you treat it like part of the scene. For the grassy ground, I used the green-and-white polka dot paper from the Happy Easter 6 x 6 Paper Pad and cut it with one of the stitched grass dies from the Clouds & Grass Slimline Die Set. The dot pattern is playful, and the green feels like a perfect “ground” to anchor the owl.

For the sky, I reached for the soft blue polka dot sheet from the Puppy Love 6 x 6 Paper Pad. The white dots echo the clouds and make everything feel light and airy.

Pro tip: patterns with a subtle motif like dots or stripes often work better as backgrounds when you have bold focal images—it keeps the eye moving without being distracting.

The Clouds, the Colors, and a Bit of Ink Blending

One of my favorite little tricks for adding interest without adding bulk is ink blending onto die cuts. I used Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock to cut two cloud borders using the stitched cloud dies from the same Clouds & Grass Slimline Die Set, then blended a little Tumbled Glass Distress Ink along the bottom edge. That tiny bit of color gives just enough contrast so they don’t disappear into the background.

I love using dies like this because they’re versatile—you can stretch them across your card base like I did here by cutting once, flipping the die, and cutting again to create custom-sized cloud edges. I trimmed everything that hung over the edge once the scene was assembled to keep the finish clean.

A Bold Birthday Sentiment to Tie It All Together

For the sentiment, I wanted something that could stand out without competing with the owl. The Birthday Sentiments Die Set has this great layered “Happy Birthday” die that worked perfectly. I cut the shadow layer from black gloss cardstock and the sentiment from white gloss, both from the Classic Black & White Gloss Cardstock Paper Pad. It has a nice shine and really pops against the softer background layers.

I attached the sentiment with foam squares, just like I did with the owl and the balloons, for added dimension. Speaking of the balloons—I positioned two in the sky and made sure to “tie” the third one to the owl’s wing so it looks like she’s holding it. It’s those little interactive touches that make a scene card feel alive.

Final Details and Finishing Touches

Once everything was in place, I mounted the finished panel to a top-folding A2 card base made from Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock (cut at 4 ¼" x 11", scored at 5 ½"). Then I added just a few white gel pen highlights to the owl and balloons to bring in some extra whimsy and shine.

One of the things I love most about this card is that while it’s full of details, it still feels clean and cheerful. You could easily swap out the colors or even the sentiment to turn this into a congratulations or encouragement card. And the owl? She’s ready to party no matter the occasion.

I hope this project inspires you to pull out your character dies and pattern paper and start mixing them in fresh new ways. Sometimes the best designs come from just playing and letting the paper guide you. If you give this idea a try, I’d love to see what you create. And don’t forget to check out the video tutorial for the full breakdown.

Create a Whimsical Birthday Card Using Pixi Dust Designs Dies and Pattern Paper Video Tutorial:

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(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 Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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