Quick Birthday Card Tutorial – Everyday Happiness Designer Series Paper

Ten Minute Quick Birthday Card Tutorial to Try

Fast. Fun. Fabulous — even if you’re short on time.

Have you ever realized you need a birthday card… only to discover the celebration starts in an hour? Whether you’re new to cardmaking or just feeling pressed for time, today’s card tutorial will show you how to whip up something heartfelt in 10 minutes or less — no stress required.

The secret? Everyday Happiness Designer Series Paper (DSP). With its cheerful patterns and fresh color palette, this paper practically designs the card for you. All you need are a few basic tools and Stampin’ Up! tools and adhesives to bring it together.

Why Beginners Love This Card

One of the biggest frustrations I hear from new cardmakers is:

• “My folds never look straight!”
• “My layers turn out lopsided.”
• “My stamped image looks blotchy.”
• “I can’t tie bows without wasting ribbon.”

Sound familiar? Don’t worry — this tutorial not only solves these pain points, it also gives you handy tips along the way. That’s why this design is perfect for a first project or a last-minute save.

✂️ Supplies You’ll Need

• Stamps: Pattern of Friendship
• Paper: Thick Basic White cardstock, Everyday Happiness DSP, Crushed Curry cardstock, Basic White cardstock
• Ink: Lost Lagoon
• Dies: Textured Notes (2nd smallest), Spotlight on Nature (circle)
• Embellishments: Low Profile Dots, ¼” Lost Lagoon bordered ribbon (retired, but you can substitute any narrow ribbon)
• Tools: Paper trimmer, die-cut machine, bone folder, paper snips, Stampin’ Seal, glue dots, grid paper, Dimensionals, clear block, Simply Shammy

📏 Cutting Dimensions

• Thick Basic White: 5 ½” x 8 ½” (score at 4 ¼”)
• DSP: Three strips in different designs → 1” x 4”, 1 ¾” x 4”, 2 ½” x 4”
• DSP: for envelope flap 2 1/4″ x 6″
• Crushed Curry: 2 ¾” square
• Basic White: 1 ¾” x 3”

Step-by-Step Instructions 🪄

Step 1: Prep Your Base

Fold Thick Basic White cardstock in half on the score line for your base.
👉 Troubleshooting Tip: If your fold looks crooked, use a bone folder against grid paper and also align the card’s corners. Stampin’ Up!’s Grid Paper makes straight folds a breeze.

Step 2: Layer Your DSP

Adhere your three DSP strips as shown in photo in size order across the card front. Aim for 1/8″ margins around all sides of the three pieces of DSP.
👉 Beginner Fix: If strips look “off,” line them up against the grid lines before gluing.

Step 3: Add Your Sentiment

Stamp your greeting in Lost Lagoon ink on Basic White, then die-cut with the 2nd smallest Textured Notes die. Next, die cut the Crushed Curry cardstock with the Spotlight on Nature circle die.
👉 Inky Tip: If the ink looks blotchy, stamp off once on scrap paper. Stampin’ Up!’s classic ink pads are designed for smooth coverage when used this way. Also hold your inked stamp to the cardstock for a count of 1, 2, 3 to give the ink a chance to absorb into the cardstock.

Step 4: Build the Focal Point

Layer your sentiment onto the die cut circle and attach to card front with Dimensionals for lift.
👉 Adhesive Secret:

• Stampin’ Seal = smooth flat layers
• Dimensionals = instant depth
• Glue Dots = perfect for ribbon or small embellishments

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Tie a bow in Lost Lagoon ribbon and add with a Glue Dot on the bottom of the die cut circle. Attach 3 Low Profile Dots for sparkle.
👉 Bow Hack: As you tie your bow, try to keep ribbon flat without twisting it while ribbon is still on the spool, then trim ends at a diagonal with scissors. Less waste + prettier bows!

Bonus: Dress Up the Envelope

Adhere a matching strip of DSP for a polished finish.

Try a Different Direction Too!

If you create this portrait card version, the only change that was made was to do the circle die cut in Lost Lagoon cardstock.

💡 Why You’ll Love This Card

• Beginner-friendly: Simple cuts + minimal layers
• Build it either direction: portrait or landscape!
• Quick: Truly a 10-minute project once pieces are prepped
• Versatile: Change the DSP and sentiment to fit any occasion

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.

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229] $17.00	Everyday Happiness 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper & Sticker Sheet (English) [166619] $17.00	Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131199] $14.00	Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133679] $14.00	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [166780] $14.00
Spotlight On Nature Dies [163580] $35.00	Textured Notes Dies [165555] $31.00	Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad [161678] $9.00	Pattern Of Friendship Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [165383] $18.00	Lost Lagoon ¼" (6.4 Mm) Bordered Ribbon [161171] $8.00
Low Profile Dots [164658] $7.50	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
Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.25	Stampin' Seal [152813] $8.00	Mini Glue Dots [103683] $7.25	Paper Snips [103579] $12.00	Take Your Pick [144107] $12.00
Simply Shammy [147042] $9.00	Clear Block D [118485] $9.50	Paper Snips [103579] $12.00

Thanks for stopping by! I encourage you to try this handmade card tutorial!