Posted by Yana Smakula
on October 20, 2026
Create a sweet handmade friendship card featuring one of the adorable images from the House Mouse Tangled Collection. In this step-by-step tutorial, you'll learn how to color stamped images with alcohol markers, add subtle background ink blending, create texture with embossing, and assemble a clean and dimensional card design.
This project is perfect for cardmakers who enjoy coloring and want to create an encouraging handmade card without a complicated design. The House Mouse Handmade Greetings Stamp Set provides a large focal image that is easy to showcase with simple layering and texture.
Hi there, this is Annie Williams, and I’m excited to be back on the blog today to create this simple and pretty friendship card step-by-step with you using the new Tangled Collection from House Mouse. The adorable winter and everyday images in this collection are sure to warm any recipient’s heart. Here I’m using the Heartfelt Greetings Stamp Set for this sweet card made to brighten a friend’s day.
Project Snapshot
| Project Details | A clean and colorful friendship card featuring a House Mouse stamped image, alcohol marker coloring, embossed texture, and dimensional layers. |
| Skill Level | Beginner to Intermediate |
| Approximate Time | 45–60 Minutes |
| Project Type | Stamped & Colored Friendship Card |
| Techniques | Stamping, Alcohol Marker Coloring, Ink Blending, Embossing, Dimensional Adhesion |
| Occasion | Friendship, Thinking of You, Encouragement, Everyday Greetings |
| Finished Size | A2 Card (4.25" × 5.5") |
| Featured Products | House Mouse Handmade Greetings Cling Rubber Stamp Set, Perfect Touch Rectangles & Tag Etched Dies, A2 Herringbone Décor 3D Embossing Folder |
What You'll Need
Spellbinders Products
- House Mouse Handmade Greetings Cling Rubber Stamp Set
- Perfect Touch Rectangles & Tag Etched Dies
- A2 Herringbone Décor 3D Embossing Folder
- Lilac ColorWheel Cardstock
- Opal Color Essentials Gems
- White Foam Squares Mix - 1mm
- Reverse Tweezers
- Spellbinders 9" Pro Shears
- 12" x 12" Scoring Board
- Large Blending Brushes
- Handy Craft Tool Set
- Best Ever Craft Tape
Other Supplies
- Hero Arts Intense Black Ink
- Heavyweight White Cardstock
- Tumbled Glass Distress Ink
- Bundled Sage Distress Ink
- OLO Alcohol Markers
How to Make a Friendship Card with House Mouse Stamps
Step 1 – Stamp the Main Image
Start by stamping the main image from the House Mouse Handmade Greetings Stamp Set onto white cardstock using an acrylic block and Hero Arts Intense Black Ink. This ink works particularly well when coloring with alcohol markers.
Step 2 – Color the Mouse
Color the mouse using OLO markers, blending two to three shades for each area to create realistic shadows and highlights.
For the mouse, use O 4.0, O 4.1, O 4.3, and O 4.6. Add rosy accents to the cheeks, ears, and tail using R 0.2.
Step 3 – Finish Coloring the Image
Color the remaining portions of the image using your preferred color palette.
To ground the image, color the area beneath the card and feet with YG 8.5 and YG 8.3. Soften the edges using the Zero blending marker.
Step 4 – Add a Soft Background Glow
Outline the images above the ground area with a B 0.3 marker. This subtle shading creates atmosphere and helps the focal image stand out from the background.
Step 5 – Die-Cut the Image Panel
Die-cut the colored image using Label 4 from the Perfect Touch Rectangles & Tag Etched Dies.
Designer Tip: Use Best Ever Craft Tape to hold your die securely in place while cutting.
Step 6 – Ink Blend the Background
Lightly blend Tumbled Glass and Bundled Sage Distress Ink around the top and bottom portions of the die-cut image using a Large Blending Brush.
This soft ink blending adds color while maintaining a clean and simple design.
Step 7 – Emboss the Background Panel
Trim a piece of Lilac ColorWheel Cardstock to 4" × 5.25" and emboss it using the A2 Herringbone Décor 3D Embossing Folder.
Step 8 – Create the Card Base
Trim a piece of heavyweight white cardstock to 5.5" × 8.5" and score it at 4.25" using the Scoring Board.
Fold along the score line to create an A2 top-folding card base.
Step 9 – Add the Embossed Layer
Adhere the embossed Lilac panel to the front of the card base using White Foam Squares for added dimension.
Step 10 – Add the Focal Image
Center the die-cut image panel on the card front and adhere it using additional foam squares.
Step 11 – Stamp and Trim the Sentiment
Stamp a greeting from the House Mouse Handmade Greetings Stamp Set onto white cardstock using Hero Arts Intense Black Ink.
Trim the sentiment into a small strip using scissors or a paper trimmer.
Step 12 – Add the Sentiment
Adhere the sentiment strip to the card front using small foam squares.
Designer Tip: Reverse Tweezers make placement of small sentiment strips quick and precise.
Step 13 – Embellish the Card
Finish the card by embellishing with Opal Color Essentials Gems.
The Handy Craft Tool precision tool makes gem placement quick and easy.
Tips for Better Alcohol Marker Cards
- Blend two or three marker shades per color family for more realistic depth.
- Add subtle rosy tones to character images to bring them to life.
- Use light background coloring to ground images without overwhelming them.
- Keep backgrounds simple when working with detailed focal images.
- Combine embossing with soft ink blending for texture and interest.
Ways to Customize This Project
- Use a different ColorWheel Cardstock color for the embossed background.
- Create seasonal versions by changing the image coloring.
- Add additional ink blending around the panel edges.
- Swap the sentiment for a birthday, thank-you, or encouragement greeting.
- Use coordinating enamel dots instead of gems.
- Create a larger card format using bigger layering panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What black ink works best with alcohol markers?
A black ink that is compatible with alcohol markers is important to prevent bleeding. Annie used Hero Arts Intense Black Ink for this project.
How do I create realistic shading with alcohol markers?
Use multiple shades of the same color family and blend them together while the ink is still wet.
Why use an embossed background?
Embossing adds texture and visual interest without distracting from the focal image.
Should I use foam adhesive on layered cards?
Foam adhesive helps separate layers visually and adds dimension to otherwise simple card designs.
More Cardmaking Ideas from Spellbinders
- House Mouse Cards Inspiration
- Friendship Card Ideas
- Alcohol Marker Coloring Tutorial
-
Creative Ways to Use Embossing Folders
Conclusion
Friendship cards don't have to be complicated to be beautiful. By combining a charming House Mouse image with simple marker coloring, soft ink blending, embossed texture, and dimensional layers, you can create a heartfelt card that is both easy to make and wonderful to receive.
This versatile design can easily be adapted for many occasions, making it a great addition to your cardmaking inspiration library.
About the Designer
Annie Williams is known for creating colorful cards featuring stamping, die cutting, and creative coloring techniques. Her approachable style makes it easy for cardmakers of all skill levels to create beautiful handmade projects.
For more inspiration, visit AnnieBWills.com and follow Annie on Instagram.
