Mardi Gras MAGIC with Southern Charm Stamp Set

Bringing Mardi Gras to Your Cards

Mardi Gras is all about fun, but when it comes to card making, working with bold colors and patterns can sometimes feel overwhelming. The key is balance. You want your focal point—the adorable stamped images—to stand out while still embracing all the lively patterns and textures that make the design special.

For these cards, I started by stamping two of the little girls from the Southern Charm Stamp Set onto white cardstock using an alcohol marker-friendly black ink. I also stamped the sentiments right below them, keeping the design clean and simple.

When it came to coloring, I knew I wanted to fully embrace the Mardi Gras palette. I reached for my alcohol markers and selected blending combos for deep purples, rich greens, and shimmering golds. These colors have such a regal feel, and when used together, they instantly set the tone for the theme.

Pro Tip: When working with bold color schemes, try to keep a balance between light, medium, and dark shades. This helps create depth and keeps the colors from competing with each other. If a shade feels too intense, adding a touch of a neutral color like gray or cream can soften the look while maintaining contrast.

Layering Pattern Papers for a Cohesive Design

One of the biggest challenges when working with patterned paper is making sure everything works together without looking too busy. I like to think of it as building a puzzle—each piece should complement the others while still allowing the focal point to shine.

For these cards, I started with a purple cardstock mat layer cut to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" as my base. Then, I added a larger piece of Mardi Gras-themed pattern paper at the bottom, cut to 2 1/4" x 4". This set the stage for my background. To bring in even more interest, I cut three additional pattern paper strips to 1" x 4" and layered them above the larger piece. This created a fun, quilt-like effect that added dimension and movement to the design.

To frame my stamped images, I matted them onto a piece of purple cardstock cut 1/4" larger than my white cardstock panel. This simple step made such a difference—it gave the images a clean, polished look and helped them stand out from the busy background.

Pro Tip: When layering multiple patterns, make sure to include a mix of large, medium, and small-scale designs. Too many large patterns can overwhelm the card, while a combination of different sizes creates contrast and visual interest.

Finishing Touches That Make a Difference

A card never feels quite complete without a little extra something, right? For these, I wanted to add just the right amount of sparkle without overpowering the design. I reached for my gem embellishments in purple, green, and gold and placed them strategically around the focal point. A little sparkle goes a long way in making the design feel festive and polished.

To add even more depth, I used a white gel pen to highlight certain areas of my colored images. This is one of my favorite tricks for bringing illustrations to life—it adds just enough contrast to make the details pop without requiring extra layers.

Pro Tip: When using a white gel pen, less is more! Start with small highlights on the tops of folds, cheeks, or accessories, and step back to see if more is needed. Overdoing it can sometimes take away from the natural shading of your coloring.

Final Thoughts

I had so much fun creating these Mardi Gras-inspired cards with the Southern Charm Stamp Set, and I hope this post inspires you to play with bold colors and patterns in your own designs. Don’t be afraid to mix and match papers, experiment with color combos, and add those little finishing details that make a card truly special.

If you give this idea a try, I’d love to see what you create! Be sure to share your projects and tag C. C. Designs so we can admire your work.