Welcome back to another week of Easy Card Sketches from The Stamp Camp! Today I’m sharing Card Sketch #57, a fun fold design that is perfect for beginners but has the appearance of a much more advanced card. If you’ve ever wanted to try a step card but felt intimidated by the folds and layers, this is the perfect project to start with.
One of the things I love most about simple card sketches for beginners is that they provide a foundation while still leaving plenty of room for creativity. This week’s sketch is a beautiful Stair Step Card that comes together in just a few easy steps and creates a stunning display when standing upright.
You may have noticed that my Customer Appreciation PDF file this month features a Z-Fold Step Card. That project is incredibly easy to create, and today’s card is a simplified twist on that design. Instead of incorporating five steps, this version uses only three steps, making it even more beginner-friendly while still delivering plenty of visual impact.
The wonderful thing about step cards is their versatility. You can easily adjust the design to create as many steps as you’d like. Over the years I’ve created versions with three, four, and five steps, and each one offers a slightly different look. The choice is completely yours depending on the style and effect you want to achieve.
For today’s cards, I featured the beautiful Waterside Retreat Suite, my current Suite of the Month. The designer series paper in this collection is perfect for creating step cards because it offers a variety of coordinating patterns and scenic designs. You can use several different prints throughout the card to create dimension and interest, or you can showcase a single scenic print as the focal point.
For my Customer Appreciation card, I used one of the scenic prints to create a beautiful layered scene across the steps. This technique allows the artwork in the paper to do most of the work for you while creating a card that looks far more complicated than it actually is. It’s a great example of how a card sketch can help you transform designer paper into a stunning handmade card with very little effort.
You Have Two Ways to Receive the Card Sketch Downloads
Option #1 – Free Download
This is the free option that you can download and print at any time. You’ll find all the free sketches in my Photo Gallery here on my blog. Simply click on the Weekly Card Sketches Album to browse through all of the sketch ideas and inspiration.
Option #2 – Free with Any Size Order
Place any size order of at least $1.00 through my online store and you’ll receive the upgraded version with:
- Measurements
- Step-by-step instructions
- The full month of card sketch downloads
Once your order is placed, I’ll send you an email with the entire month’s worth of Simple Card Sketch Templates. This allows you to see what is coming up for the month or catch up on sketches that have already been featured, depending on when you order.
Some card makers love having all the measurements and instructions included, while others prefer using the sketches simply as inspiration to create something uniquely their own. Either option is a wonderful resource to keep in your craft area.
I always recommend printing your sketches, slipping them into page protectors, and storing them in a 3-ring binder. Before long, you’ll have an entire collection of Simple Card Sketch Templates ready whenever you need card making inspiration.
For Today’s Free Card Sketch to Download and Print Click HERE
To View ALL the Free Sketches and download the PDF files Click HERE or click on the Photo Gallery button at the top of my blog and then click on the Card Sketches Album.
Now let’s take a closer look at each of my samples today:
Card #1 showcases more of the fish-themed prints from the designer series paper pack, while Card #2 features the bicycle pattern. Although both cards were created using the same paper collection, they have completely different looks simply because of the prints selected. That’s what makes the Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper such a versatile choice for card makers—it truly offers something for just about everyone on your card list.
The fish scenes immediately bring thoughts of summer adventures and outdoor fun, making them perfect for summer birthdays, retirement cards, Father’s Day greetings, or thoughtful “just because” cards. The scenic nature of these prints allows them to become the focal point of the project without requiring a lot of additional embellishments or layers.
One of the advantages of using a three-step design rather than a five-step version is that each panel provides more space to showcase the beautiful designer paper. When you’re working with scenic or detailed prints, having larger step sections allows the artwork to shine. This version is especially effective when incorporating three different coordinating patterns, as each step gets its own opportunity to stand out while still creating a cohesive design.
Once your paper choices are in place, all that’s left is adding a simple sentiment and perhaps a touch of embellishment to complete the card. A few gems, sequins, or coordinating accents are often all that’s needed to add the perfect finishing touch without taking away from the beauty of the paper itself.
And don’t forget about the inside of the card! Bringing some of those designer paper images to the interior helps carry the theme throughout the project and gives the card a polished, professional finish. Even a small strip of patterned paper or a hand cut image can tie everything together beautifully and make the recipient feel extra special when they open the card.
Card #2 also captures a wonderful summertime feel with its combination of the blue sky and birds print paired with the bicycle pattern. These cheerful images make this design perfect for summer birthdays, thinking of you cards, get well wishes, or any occasion where you want to send a little sunshine through the mail.
Just like the first card, this project follows the exact same layout and measurements. The only thing that changes is the designer paper selection, proving once again how versatile card sketches can be. By simply swapping out the prints, you can create an entirely different look and feel while using the same sketch.
For this version, I decided to pull more colors directly from the designer series paper and chose a Cajun Craze card base paired with Pool Party mats on the stair steps. These colors coordinate beautifully with the paper and help highlight the warm, outdoor theme of the design. The contrast between the rich Cajun Craze and the softer Pool Party creates a card that feels both vibrant and balanced.
To carry the design through to the inside, I punched a bicycle image directly from the bottom portion of the designer series paper and adhered it to the lower corner of a piece of Basic White cardstock. This simple addition ties the inside to the front design and gives the card a finished, coordinated appearance without adding extra bulk or complexity.
Ready to give these Card Sketches a Try? Here is your shopping list:
Click on any of the supplies you wish to purchase and add them to your shopping cart. I appreciate any and all orders you send my way; much appreciated!
Here is the June Customer Appreciation:
Place a min. $1–$49.99 Order in my Stampin’ Up! Store
You will receive:
- A Download PDF file with Step-by-step video tutorial for a Z-Fold Stair Step Card perfect for any occasion
- Four Card Sketches with Measurements and Step-by-Step Instructions (This month it is Sketches 56-59)
Want More Inspiration and Ideas for the Waterside Retreat Suite:
Place a min. $50+ Order (before shipping & tax)
You will receive:
- The Z-Fold Stair Step Card PDF file and video shown above.
- 4 Sketches with Measurements and Step-by-step instructions
- 4 Beautiful Cards using the Waterside Retreat Suite (one simple card and 3 fun fold cards)
- Step-by-step videos + PDF instructions for all 4 cards
- 8 bonus card PDF tutorials (cards not shown and no video tutorial but step-by-step instructions)
- Total 17 cards
Looking for a 3D Project or a Great One Sheet Wonder Project:
Place a min. $75+ Order (before shipping & tax)
You will receive:
- Everything in the $50 level PLUS
- 3 additional BONUS projects:
- A Double Gatefold Pocket fun fold gift card holder
- A One Sheet Wonder (9 cards) 3 are fun fold cards
- A beautiful Gift /Treat Box with coordinating card
- Total 28 cards plus a 3D box
I hope you enjoyed seeing all the projects I have ready to share using the beautiful Waterside Retreat Suite! I truly had so much fun creating these for you, and I know you’re going to love making them too.
If you’d like to get your hands on these tutorials, now is the perfect time to place your order and take advantage of this month’s Suite of the Month Class offerings.
Simply place your Stampin’ Up! online order with me and you’ll receive all the coordinating projects based on your order level.
You can shop anytime in my online store here:
Have questions? I’m always happy to help—just send me a message!
Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your continued support of my small business. It truly means so much to me.
Happy Stamping!
Place your orders Here: https://stampl.ink/shop