Rose Birthday Card Tutorial with Easy Ink-Only Technique

Try This Easy Ink-Only Technique for Stunning Results

Ever wish you could make a birthday card that looks like it came from a boutique shop—but in half the time? This Rose Birthday Card is exactly that. It’s elegant, colorful, and (best of all) beginner-friendly.

I taught this design at a recent card class, and everyone was amazed at how polished it looked while being so simple to create. Let me walk you through it—you’ll love how quickly this card comes together.

Why You’ll Love This Technique

Here’s the clever hack that makes this design unique: instead of masking part of a stamp (which can be messy or require extra supplies), I only inked the section I wanted.

👉 Just tap the part of the stamp you need on your ink pad and let the rest hang off the edge.
👉 No fuss, no wasted time, and you’ll get crisp, clean results every single time.

This is a total game-changer if you’re new to stamping and want your cards to look professional without the extra tools.

Supplies You’ll Need

Cardstock

• Old Olive card base – 5 ½” x 8 ½”, scored at 4 ¼”
• Flirty Flamingo layer for die cut – 4 ¼” x 5 ½”
• Old Olive smaller layer – 2 7/8” x 4 ¼”
• Basic White stamped layer – 2 ¾” x 4 1/8”
• Basic White inside layer with additional stamped images – 4” x 5 ¼”

Stamp Sets: Along These Lines, Spring Corners, Blooming Phrases

Dies: Radiating Stitches – largest die

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Stampin’ Blends: Old Olive, Flirty Flamingo

Embellishments: Pastel Adhesive Backed Sequins

Tools: Paper Trimmer, Bone Folder, Clear Stamp Blocks, Die Cutting Machine, Dimensionals, Simply Shammy, Take Your Pick Tool

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Card Base
Score your Old Olive cardstock and fold to create a strong foundation.

Add Your Layers

• Die cut the Flirty Flamingo layer with the Radiating Stitches die for that textured, sunburst effect.

Stamp the Rose & Sentiments

• Ink only the part of the stamp you want (this keeps your rose and words perfectly clean and separate).
• Stamp the rose image in Memento Tuxedo Black.
• Add your birthday greetings around the edges for a fresh, modern look.
• Adhere the Old Olive layer to the stamped Basic White
• Using Dimensionals raise up the combined smaller layers on the Radiating Stitched die cut.

Add Color & Sparkle

• Color the rose with Flirty Flamingo Stampin’ Blends and the leaves with Old Olive.
• Finish with a few sequins for shimmer and dimension.

Don’t Forget the Inside!

• Stamp a simple heart image in the corner for a sweet surprise when the card is opened.
• Align and stamp the straight line so it reaches across the inner layer lower edge.
• Color the heart with Flirty Flamingo Stampin’ Blends

Don’t Forget the Envelope!

• If you have some extra Old Olive or Flirty Flamingo patterned Designer Series Paper you could cover the envelope flap. Piece size 2 1/4″ x 6″ using a Medium Basic White Envelope.
• Or you can stamp the rose image on the lower left front corner of the envelope front and color it in with the Stampin’ Blends.
• Or you could repeat the heart and line going up the left side of the envelope front like you did on the inner layer.

A Card That Feels Extra Special

This card is proof that you don’t need a ton of supplies—or hours of time—to create something memorable. The layered design, the pop of color, and the “ink-only” hack combine for a project that feels heartfelt and handmade.

Whether you’re new to stamping or looking for a new trick to add to your crafting toolbox, this technique will help you create cards that wow your friends and family.

Ready to Try It?

✨ I’d love to see your version of this Rose Birthday Card! If you give this technique a try, share a photo in the comments or tag me on social media—I adore celebrating your creativity. And if you’re ready for even more easy and beautiful cardmaking ideas, be sure to explore my other tutorials here on The Kind Card Maker.

Easy Shopping Links

PLEASE NOTE: As much as I try for accuracy in the shopping of products information, things are constantly changing regarding supply and demand, current products, retired or discontinued products, so if you happen to get a 404 error code on a shopping link below, my advice would be to explore Ebay or Etsy to see if the item could be procured that way. Thanks for your understanding.

Two ways to shop: You can click this link or click on the images below to purchase items to have on hand when you need your next quick birthday card.

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702] $14.00	Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141416] $14.00	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [166780] $14.00	Along These Lines Photopolymer Stamp Set [165352] $20.00	Blooming Phrases Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [165523] $20.00
Spring Corners Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [164738] $20.00	Radiating Stitches Dies [161595] $30.00	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892] $11.00	Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154884] $11.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $8.00
Pastel Adhesive Backed Sequins [160387] $8.00	Basic White Medium Envelopes [159236] $11.00	Paper Trimmer [152392] $28.00	Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine Stylish Shapes Collection [160881] $93.00	Bone Folder [102300] $8.00
Grid Paper [130148] $13.00	Clear Block D [118485] $9.50	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.25	Stampin' Seal [152813] $8.00	Paper Snips [103579] $12.00
Take Your Pick [144107] $12.00	Simply Shammy [147042] $9.00

Happy crafting,