Robo Buddies Valentine Card Tutorial Using Simon Says Stamp Products

Every once in a while, I like to challenge myself to keep the layout simple while letting the surface do more of the work. That was the mindset behind this Valentine card. I wanted something playful and fun, but still polished—and I also wanted to push a few techniques that many cardmakers tend to shy away from, especially when black cardstock is involved.

Using Contrast to Create Visual Impact

This card uses the Robo Buddies Stamp Set from the Simon Says Stamp Heart to Heart New Release, and the entire design really revolves around contrast. Instead of starting with the images, I began with the background and let that guide the rest of my decisions.

Dry Embossing on Black Cardstock

The black cardstock background was dry embossed with a stencil to add subtle texture without introducing another color. Dry embossing on dark cardstock is one of those techniques that doesn’t look like much at first—but once light hits it, the pattern comes alive.

Making Embossed Details Pop with Acrylic Paint Markers

To make the hearts stand out even more, I went back in with acrylic paint markers and colored just the raised heart areas. This is one of my favorite ways to add bold pops of color on black cardstock because acrylic paint markers are opaque and easy to control. No complicated blending, no streaky results—just clean, vibrant color exactly where you want it.

Keeping Focal Images Clean and Readable

With a background that bold, I knew the focal images needed to stay clean and readable. The Robo Buddies were stamped on Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 80 lb Cardstock and colored with OLO markers before being fussy cutting them out. Coloring on white cardstock keeps the images bright and smooth, which helps them stand out against a darker, more textured background.

Adding Movement Without Overcomplicating the Design

Ink splatter was added sparingly to bring movement to the background and help tie the images and hearts together visually. It’s a small detail, but it keeps the background from feeling flat or overly structured. I also kept the sentiment strips simple and direct, which reinforces the clean and simple layout.

Finishing the Project with a Coordinated Envelope

One detail I always encourage cardmakers not to skip—when possible—is a matching envelope. For this card, stamping the envelope with coordinating Robo Buddies pulls the whole project together. It doesn’t take long, but it makes the card feel intentional and complete before it’s even opened.

Easy Ways to Adapt This Idea with Your Own Supplies

If you want to adapt this idea using what you already have, the concept is very flexible. Any stencil with open shapes will work for this background technique, and you can swap acrylic paint markers for gel pens, paint pens, or even colored pencils if you prefer a softer look.

Clean and Simple Doesn’t Have to Mean Plain

This card is a great reminder that clean and simple doesn’t have to mean plain. By letting texture and contrast do the heavy lifting, you can create a card that feels detailed and special without adding layers or complexity.

If you’ve been hesitant to work on black cardstock, this is a gentle way to ease into it—and you might be surprised how quickly it becomes a favorite. I hope this project encourages you to experiment, adapt, and create with confidence using the supplies you already love.

Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.

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

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