Scene Card with Attitude! Clean & Simple Design Featuring Scrappy Boy Stamps

Let me tell you—sometimes a single sentiment can spark an entire card idea, and that’s exactly what happened here. I came across the “You Have That Sharp. Useless Look About You.” sentiment from Scrappy Boy Stamps’ Hollywood Vixen Stamp Set and it made me laugh out loud. I knew I had to build a clean and simple scene around it. But instead of going full glam or over-the-top, I decided to let the sentiment do the talking and keep the design crisp, colorful, and just sassy enough.

This card came together with the help of the Rodeo Drive Shops Scene Builder Die Set, and while the scene looks polished and layered, it was surprisingly simple to build. So if you’ve ever felt intimidated by scene cards, this project might just change your mind.

Scene Card with Attitude! Clean & Simple Design Featuring Scrappy Boy Stamps

Keeping Scene Cards Clean and Simple

Scene cards don’t always have to be packed with layers, characters, or detailed storytelling. In fact, I find that some of the most striking scene cards are the ones that hold back just enough to let the main elements shine. That’s the route I took here.

I started by die cutting all the pieces for the shop scene using Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock—a go-to in my craft room when I want dimension without bulk. I love how the thicker cardstock takes ink blending, especially when I want a soft fade that still has some body to it.

For the buildings, I reached for Buttercream and Gravel inks to keep the base colors warm and grounded. The awnings got a cheerful dose of Emerald, Canary, and Ballet—colors that pop just enough without overwhelming the card. It’s a fun color combo if you want something bright without being loud.

Pro Tip: When you’re working with small die cuts like windows and doors, ink them while they’re still attached to the cardstock and then pop them out—this keeps your fingers cleaner and gives you better control over the blend.

Creating Depth with Ink and Foam

Even with a clean design, I still like to play with a little dimension. After inking all the individual elements, I assembled the buildings with a mix of 1mm foam tape and liquid glue. Foam tape gave the windows and doors that slight lift, and the layered rooftops help create just enough contrast to draw your eye from one end of the scene to the other.

One of my favorite details here is the palm tree. I inked the base in Caramel and blended the leaves with Lime, Grass, and a touch of Emerald. Just that tiny touch of deeper green at the edges makes the whole tree feel more dynamic. A small detail, but it adds a lot when you're trying to keep the rest of the card simple.

A Sky That Sets the Stage

Instead of filling the entire background, I blended a soft wash of Lake Ink in the center of a 4" x 5 ¼" panel. This subtle sky grounds the buildings and gives the sentiment a nice focal point without cluttering the design.

I wanted the scene to feel open and fresh—not boxed in—so keeping the blend contained to the center gave it that airy look I was after.

Pro Tip: If you ever feel like your sky blends are too stark, try using a heavier hand in the center and fade it out toward the edges. That vignette effect works beautifully for grounding a scene.

When a Sentiment Says It All

Now let’s talk about that sentiment. The second I saw it in the Hollywood Vixen Stamp Set, I could imagine a whole row of boutique shops and a palm tree—very Rodeo Drive, but make it cheeky. It’s got this dry humor that I just love, and stamping it in the open sky space gave it the perfect stage. It grabs attention without taking over.

Sentiments like this are such a fun way to take a clean design and give it an edge. And if you’re ever unsure about what kind of scene to create, sometimes your sentiment is the best jumping-off point.

A Few Finishing Touches

To wrap things up, I added a few white gel pen highlights to the buildings and the palm tree—just to bring in some light and give those surfaces a little polish. Then came a subtle bit of Star Dust Stickles on the windows and awnings to bring in just the right amount of sparkle. It’s that final little flicker that makes the whole card feel more finished.

And of course, the whole card front was mounted onto an A2 card base, also made from Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock to keep everything sturdy and professional.

Final Thoughts

Scene cards don’t have to be a whole production to be effective. Sometimes, it’s about choosing the right die set, playing with color, and letting your sentiment do the storytelling. The Rodeo Drive Shops Scene Builder Die Set from Scrappy Boy Stamps is such a versatile tool for building scenes with personality, and paired with the Hollywood Vixen Stamp Set, you’ve got endless combinations for cards that make people smile—and maybe laugh a little too.

If you’re curious to see the full process and how everything came together, make sure to check out the video tutorial I’ve linked below. I walk through the design choices and share a few extra tips along the way.

Happy crafting, friends—and don’t be afraid to let your cards show a little attitude.

Scene Card with Attitude! Clean & Simple Design Featuring Scrappy Boy Stamps 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 Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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