FREE TUTORIAL! A Birthday Card with Gears & Textures


Hello Reader,

If you love a clean design with strong texture, this one checks all the boxes. Today’s card pairs crisp layers with subtle embossing and bold die-cut details for a look that feels both modern and timeless.

I love how the Gears & Textures Dies create a bold focal point while still keeping everything crisp and simple. By layering the gears in Basic White over a subtly embossed background, the texture does all the work—no extra color needed.

The banner from the Banner Sayings Bundle tucks in perfectly, adding a soft sentiment that complements the clean look. A few enamel dots finish it off with just a touch of dimension and balance.

This is a great example of how a sketch can guide your layout while still leaving plenty of room to play with texture, layers, and tone-on-tone design. It’s especially perfect for masculine cards or when you want something modern and understated.

product spotlight:

  • Gears & Textures Bundle - 166584
  • Banner Sayings Bundle - 167051
  • Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder - 164049

measure & cut (from bottom to top):

card base:

  • Basic Beige Cardstock: 4 1/4 x 11, scored at 5 1/2

layers (before die-cutting):

  • Basic White Cardstock: 3 5/8 x 4 7/8
  • Basic Beige Cardstock: 3 1/4 x 4 1/4
  • Basic White Cardstock: 4 x 5 (die-cuts)
  • Basic Beige Cardstock: 3 x 1

stamp (clear blocks or stamp positioning tool):

  • Stamp the sentiment (Banner Sayings) in Basic Beige onto the Basic Beige sentiment layer.

crop, cut, assemble, adhere & embellish:

  • Burnish the fold of the card base with a Bone Folder.
  • Tuck the 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 piece of cardstock inside the Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder and zip through a Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (Standard).
  • Adhere to the Basic White layer with Multipurpose Liquid Glue and to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.
  • Use a Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (Standard) to crop all gear die-cuts from the Basic White layer.
  • Adhere the die-cuts to the card as shown with Multipurpose Liquid Glue and Mini Stampin' Dimensionals.
  • Crop the sentiment with the Three Banner Punch. Adhere with Mini Stampin' Dimensionals.
  • Embellish with White Natural Matte Dots.


The April Product of the Month is the Eyelet Blooms die! You can add this product to your order for just $5 with a $75 purchase (before tax & shipping). It’s only available while supplies last, so if it’s on your wish list, NOW is the time to grab it!

TIP: The $5 product of the month can only be redeemed once per product. However, you CAN take advantage of previous $5 products of the month if still available (and you haven’t purchased them before).


The 2024–2026 In Colors are officially heading toward retirement, which means it’s time to grab your favorites before they disappear. Peach Pie, Petunia Pop, Shy Shamrock, Pretty in Pink and Summer Splash have been such a fun, fresh palette for card making—and once retiring items start selling down, they’re gone for good. Some products in these colors are already showing low inventory or SOLD OUT, so if you’ve been meaning to add refills, cardstock, Designer Series Paper or embellishments to your stash, now is the time to shop before they sell out.

Retiring soon = time to revisit your favorites. Check out past projects featuring the 2024–2026 In Colors and grab your must-haves before they sell out.

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Stampin' Pretty, LLC 3425 Valley Creek Circle, Middleton, WI 53562

Stampin' Pretty, LLC

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