Hello crafty friends!
There’s something so timeless about a softly painted scene, and today’s card captures just that with the Graceful Swans Stamp Set from Simon Says Stamp’s Sugar & Spice Release. This beautiful set inspired a tranquil birthday design that feels elegant, classic, and full of charm — perfect for those who love nature-inspired cards with a painterly touch.
Why you’ll love the Graceful Swans Stamp Set
The Graceful Swans Stamp Set from Simon Says Stamp is a true celebration of elegance and tranquillity. Featuring beautifully illustrated swans, a charming arched bridge, and soft water elements, this set gives you everything you need to build peaceful, painterly scenes that feel straight out of a storybook.
Each image is finely detailed yet easy to work with, whether you’re a beginner exploring soft ink blending or an experienced crafter who loves intricate colouring. The delicate outlines lend themselves perfectly to no-line watercolouring, soft ink washes, or even embossing for an added touch of sophistication.
Card Inspiration – Lovely Birthday
For this project, I wanted to create a calm, watercolour look that feels like a gentle afternoon stroll through a park. The soft greens and blues complement the warm tones of the stamped sentiment, and the swan adds a graceful focal point without overpowering the design.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Start by stamping the swan and bridge image from the Graceful Swans Stamp Set onto watercolour cardstock using a light-coloured ink for a no-line look.
- Lightly paint the scene using soft washes of green, blue, and beige watercolours, allowing the pigments to blend naturally.
- Once dry, stamp the sentiment “Wishing you a lovely Birthday” in a coordinating brown or metallic ink to tie the design together.
- Trim the panel slightly smaller than your card base and wrap twine around the left side, securing it with a simple bow for texture.
- Mount the finished piece onto a kraft card base to enhance the earthy tones and complete the natural aesthetic.
This combination of soft watercolour and minimal embellishments keeps the focus on the tranquil scene, making it ideal for anyone who appreciates understated beauty.
Shop the supplies
If you’d like to recreate this project, you can find all the supplies used in today’s card below. Shopping through these affiliate links helps support my content at no additional cost to you — and I truly appreciate your support!
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