This card just feels like a warm hug, doesn’t it? Soft layers, sweet details, and a sentiment you can use for just about anyone. I had so much fun creating this Hello Friend card using the Cute as a Bug Suite Collection and the Sweet Bugs Bundle, and I love how versatile these products are beyond “bug-themed” projects.
Sometimes a card doesn’t need to shout — it just needs to feel thoughtful. That was the goal with this design.
I started with a soft, neutral card base and layered it up with patterned paper from the Cute as a Bug Suite Collection. The subtle foliage pattern adds interest without overpowering the focal point, making it perfect for everyday cards you’ll want to recreate again and again.
The focal panel is lightly ink-blended to create a gentle glow behind the sentiment. That simple touch adds warmth and depth while keeping the overall look clean and calm.
For the stars of the show, I used the Sweet Bugs Bundle dies (and the greenery from Nature’s Symphony Bundle dies) in a completely unexpected way. These pieces are so easy to mix, match, and customize — and I love how they work beautifully even when you’re aiming for a more nature-inspired look. The layered elements add dimension without feeling bulky, which is always a win in my book.
A few finishing touches bring everything together:
- A simple baker’s twine bow for texture
- Enamel dots for a soft pop of color
- Framed layers that guide your eye right to the sentiment
The “Hello Friend” greeting keeps this card incredibly versatile. It works for happy mail, thinking-of-you notes, thank-you cards, or just because.
card tutorial: a fun card with a trio of toadstools
- Begin with a 4 1/4 x 11 piece of Crumb Cake Cardstock. Score and fold at 5 1/2 (portrait style card).
- Adhere a 3 5/8 x 4 7/8 piece of Cute as a bug Designer Series Paper to a 3 3/4 x 5 piece of Cherry Cobbler Two-Tone Cardstock together and to the card base with Multipurpose Liquid Glue.
- Adhere a 3 x 4 1/4 piece of Crumb Cake Two-Tone Cardstock to a 3 1/8 x 4 3/8 piece of Cherry Cobbler Two-Tone Cardstock with Multipurpose Liquid Glue.
- Stamp the sentiment as shown in Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink.
- Use a Blending Brush to ink-blend with Crumb Cake Ink.
- Adhere the panel to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- Use a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine to crop the following:
- Old Olive Two-Tone with Nature’s Symphony greenery die
- Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla Two-Tone Cardstock – 1 large & 2 small toadstool base in each color
- Cherry Cobbler Two-Tone Cardstock – 1 large and 2 small toadstool tops
- Use Sponge Daubers to add Old Olive Ink to the greenery die-cut and Crumb Cake Ink to the toadstool base die-cuts. Adhere to the card as shown with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- Snip the stems off the Very Vanilla toadstool die-cuts. Adhere them to the Crumb Cake toadstool die-cuts with Multipurpose Liquid Glue.
- Adhere the Cherry Cobbler die-cuts to the toadstool tops as shown.
- Glue the stems of the 3 toadstools together with Multipurpose Liquid Glue. Double wrap with Crumb Cake Baker’s Twine, securing with a bow. Adhere to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- Embellish with Old Olive Moody Palette Glossy Dots.
download a free tutorial and make this fun card with a trio of toadstools:
Lovely Arrangements Tutorial Bundle – Available Now!
This newest tutorial bundle from The Papercraft Collective is filled with beautifully coordinated projects that highlight elegant florals, thoughtful details, and layouts you’ll reach for again and again.
- Earn it FREE with a $50 order through me (US only)
- Or purchase for $20 if you’d like the tutorials only
These designs go way beyond a single season—perfect for birthdays, thank-yous, encouragement, and just-because cards all year long.
project supplies for this fun card with a trio of toadstools:
Price: $12.50
Price: $10.00
