The Rabbit Hole Designs March 2026 Release: Dog Cards Shaped Card Tutorial and JuJu Clean and Simple Design

There’s something about a new release that instantly gets my creative wheels turning—but what I’ve learned over time is that it’s not about using everything, it’s about finding a few ideas that really spark something and exploring them in different ways. That’s exactly what I did with these three cards. I leaned into a mix of clean and simple designs and one playful shaped card, and honestly, it felt like the perfect balance of creativity and intention.

Letting the Design Do the Work

For two of these cards, I kept things clean and simple—and that was a very intentional choice. When you’re working with cute stamped images (like these adorable dog images and JuJu), simplicity really helps keep the focus where it belongs.

On the JuJu card (using the LuBu Who 2x3 Stamp Set), I used a soft ink blended circle as a backdrop. This is one of my favorite design tricks because it creates a focal point without adding bulk or distraction. The eye naturally goes straight to the center, which lets that small stamped image shine. I kept the embellishments minimal and added just a few enamel dots for balance.

The dog scene card (focuses on the Sweet as an Ollie-Pop 5x6.5 Stamp Set) takes a slightly different approach but still stays within that clean and simple feel. Instead of a single focal point, I created a grounded scene using ink blending. This gives the card a little more life and movement, but because the background is still soft and controlled, it doesn’t overpower the stamped image.

Why These Techniques Work So Well Together

One of the things I love about combining stamping, ink blending, and Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker coloring is how well they complement each other.

• Stamping gives you structure and detail

• Zig markers add vibrancy and depth with very little effort

• Ink blending softens everything and ties it together

If you’ve ever felt like your cards look a little “flat,” this combination is a great solution. The contrast between crisp stamped lines and soft blended backgrounds creates visual interest without making things complicated.

And here’s something to keep in mind—your coloring doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, with images like these, a slightly loose, blended look actually adds to the charm.

Stepping Outside the Rectangle: The Shaped Card

Now let’s talk about that dog house shaped card (using the Dog House Shaped Card Die Set)—because this is where things get really fun.

Shaped cards are one of those techniques that instantly elevate a project. They look impressive, but once you understand the concept, they’re surprisingly approachable. What I love most is how they change the entire feel of the card. It’s no longer just a card—it becomes part of the story.

For this one, I leaned into a soft color palette and added subtle details like white gel pen accents to bring everything together. And instead of stopping at the card itself, I created a coordinating custom envelope (using both the Luxury 5x5 inch Envelopes and the Woof! 6x6 Stencil). That little extra touch makes the whole project feel more complete and thoughtful.

Making It Work with What You Have

If you’re looking at these cards and thinking, “I don’t have those exact supplies,” don’t worry—this is where the real creativity comes in.

• No shaped dies? Try creating a shaped card using basic shapes like circles or ovals.

• No stencil? You can achieve a similar look with simple ink blending and masking.

• Different stamps? Any small focal image will work beautifully with these layouts.

The key idea here isn’t the specific products—it’s the approach. Clean backgrounds, intentional focal points, and a mix of soft and bold elements will work with almost anything in your stash.

A Few Takeaways to Try

If you’re looking to take something away from these projects and apply it to your own cardmaking, here are a few ideas to keep in mind:

• Let one element be the star (and keep everything else simple)

• Use ink blending to guide the eye

• Don’t be afraid to mix clean and detailed techniques

• Try one “extra” element—like a shaped base or custom envelope—to elevate your design

Closing Thoughts

These kinds of projects are such a great reminder that you don’t need complicated techniques to create something special. Sometimes it’s just about making thoughtful choices and trusting your instincts.

Whether you’re in the mood for something quick and clean or you want to try something a little different like a shaped card, there’s so much room to make these ideas your own.

And that’s really what it’s all about—taking inspiration and turning it into something that feels uniquely you.

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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