Shaped Card Design Using Stamps Dies & Alcohol Marker Coloring

Rick Adkins
12 minutes ago
4 min read

If you’ve ever wanted to try a shaped card but felt a little unsure where to start, today’s project is a great place to begin. Shaped cards are a fun way to move beyond standard rectangle card bases, and with the right dies and coordinated products, they’re much more approachable than they might seem at first glance.

Card with cartoon characters in formal attire on a gray cityscape background. Text reads "In The End, That's All There Is." Knitting decor nearby.

For this card, I used the Abbey Mini Album/Card Die Set from Scrappy Boy Stamps to create a shaped card base that feels elegant and unique while still being easy to assemble. The finished card has a beautiful architectural silhouette, layered details, and soft alcohol marker coloring that really brings the stamped images to life.

A Closer Look at the Shaped Card Design

The star of this project is the shaped card base created with the Abbey Mini Album/Card Die Set. I love this die because it does all the hard work for you—cutting a clean, detailed shape that instantly elevates the card design. Using light blue and grey cardstock keeps the base neutral and lets the stamped images and patterned paper shine.

To add interest and depth, I layered panels cut from the 1920's Elegance 6 x 9 Pattern Paper Pack. This paper adds subtle texture and vintage-inspired detail without overwhelming the design, making it perfect for shaped cards where every layer counts.

Cartoon couple in formal attire on a card against a gray cityscape. Text reads "In The End, That's All There Is." Background: snowy decor.

Stamping and Die Cutting with Coordinated Sets

For the focal images, I stamped characters from the Nobel Traditions Stamp Set and the Legacy of the Manner Stamp Set, then die cut them using the matching Outline Dies. Using coordinating stamp and die sets is one of my favorite ways to keep cardmaking stress-free. Everything lines up beautifully, and the images are ready to pop right onto the card.

This combination works especially well for shaped card designs because you can easily arrange the images to follow the curves and structure of the card base. It’s a simple way to create movement and balance without overthinking the layout.

Cartoon couple in formal attire on a cityscape card with quote "In The End, That's All There Is" by Rick Adkins. Snowy background.

Alcohol Marker Coloring for a Polished Finish

Alcohol marker coloring brings warmth and personality to this card while still keeping the overall design clean and refined. I focused on smooth blends and simple shading, which is ideal if you’re a beginner or intermediate cardmaker looking to build confidence with markers.

The neutral grey background paired with soft blues and rich purples helps the characters stand out while maintaining a cohesive color palette. This is a great example of how alcohol markers can add impact without requiring complex techniques.

Cartoon couple in a cityscape setting. Woman in purple gown, man in blue suit. Text reads "In the End, That's All There Is." Mood is serene.

Why Shaped Cards Are Worth Trying

Shaped cards like this one feel special right from the start. They’re eye-catching, fun to display, and perfect for occasions when you want your handmade card to feel a little extra without being complicated. Using high-quality, coordinating products from Scrappy Boy Stamps makes the process smooth and enjoyable, especially if you’re new to shaped card designs.

If you typically stick to standard card bases, I encourage you to give a shaped card a try. Once you see how easily everything comes together, it opens the door to so many creative possibilities.

Cartoon couple on a card with a cityscape backdrop. The woman wears a purple dress; the man, a blue suit. Text reads, "In The End, That's All There Is."

Supplies Used

Stamps

Nobel Traditions Stamp Set – Scrappy Boy Stamps
Legacy of the Manner Stamp Set – Scrappy Boy Stamps

Dies

The Abbey Mini Album/Card Die Set – Scrappy Boy Stamps
Nobel Traditions Outline Dies – Scrappy Boy Stamps
Legacy of the Manner Outline Dies – Scrappy Boy Stamps

Pattern Paper

1920's Elegance 6 x 9 Pattern Paper Pack – Scrappy Boy Stamps

Cardstock & Basics

Light blue cardstock (from my stash)
Grey cardstock (from my stash)
A6 card base (from my stash)

Coloring Tools

OLO Alcohol markers (Colors used listed in the Supply List below)

Cartoon characters, a woman in a purple dress and a man in a blue suit, stand in front of a gray building cutout with "In the End, That’s All There Is" text. Background has blurred plants.

Video Tutorial:

If you’d like to see this shaped card come together step by step, be sure to watch the coordinating YouTube video where I walk through the design, stamping, die cutting, and coloring process in real time. It’s a great way to see how these products work together and pick up tips you can use on your own cardmaking projects.

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

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