Your Sparkle Shines Bright with Shelly Kurth

Today we’re rolling out the red carpet for Shelly Kurth and this soft, sweet unicorn card featuring our September 2026 Crafty Crew Kit and Unicorn Slumber Party 4x6 Stamp Set. We love how Shelly created a clean and delicate design that lets the unicorn, pillow, cloud, and sentiment shine with gentle sparkle. This project is such a lovely example of how a simple layout, soft color, and sweet stamped images can come together to create a handmade card full of magic and charm. Here’s what Shelly had to say about the project.

---

Today, is a fun and exciting day as I'm sharing a card using the new September Crafty Crew Kit from Crafty Stamp Co. and it's officially my first Crafty Crew DT post for Crafty Stamp Co.!! Yay!! Thank you again, Cristena, Meadow, and everyone for having me!! 

Sooo sweet, right?!...My word, when I saw what was coming! Absolutely the cutest and does not disappoint! You'll want to be sure to get things...just saying. (lol) ;) 

If you know me, you know I like things clean and simple. And that's just what I did for my card! I also went with a one-layer card, which makes things super easy to mail out to someone! 

*I should also note that sometimes thinking of a layout for a card can be hard. So I used Crafty Stamp Co.'s 'Inspired by the Sketch' book to help me out some. While there may be 'layers' shown on the sketches. I also wanted to show that you can change things up a bit and totally do things in one layer while still capturing the sketch layout. ;) 

Let's get crafty and make this card!

Supplies needed: Crafty Stamp Co. September Crafty Crew Kit, White cardstock/paper (marker-friendly), Copic markers, Black ink, Light pink ink, blending brush, Black paint pen, White gel pen, Post-it notes, Adhesive.

Step 1: Start with an A2-size white cardstock/paper that is marker friendly.

**TIP: To get an idea of where you'll want things at, arrange the stamps on the cardstock to get an idea. 

Step 2: Stamp on the pillow image using black ink. Then set aside. *note: you want to angle the pillow and stamp it towards the bottom right of the cardstock/paper.

Step 3: Make a 'mask' for the pillow using a post-it note (or a piece of paper). (To make a mask simply stamp the image onto the post-it note or paper then cut it out.)

Step 4: Going back to the stamped pillow on the A2 size cardstock/paper, apply the mask over the stamped pillow.

Step 5: Stamp on the unicorn using black ink. *note: you want the unicorn to be a little bit behind the pillow image, as if the unicorn is holding the corner of the pillow.

Step 6: Remove the mask and set aside.

Step 7: Make another mask for the unicorn image, follow the same step in Step 3.

Step 8: Going back to the stamped A2 cardstock/paper, place the mask over the unicorn. 

Step 9: Stamp on the cloud image using black ink. *note: you want the cloud to be slightly behind the unicorn.

Step 10: Remove the mask.

Step 11: Color images using Copic markers. In this case, I used marker colors, BG11, RV000, RV02, RV10, B0000, B000, B00, BV00, V20, V22, E50, E51.

 

Step 12: Using the two masks you made from above, place over images. Also, make a mask for the cloud image. Follow step 3 for how to and then place the mask over the cloud.

Step 13: Take the pillow stencil and place it onto the card.

Step 14: Lightly and partially stencil on pillows using a light pink ink and a blending brush.

Step 15: Remove stencil.

Step 16: Keeping the masks on, add paint splatters using a black paint pen. Let dry.

Step 17: Remove the masks.

Step 18: Stamp on the sentiment using black ink.

 

Step 19: Adhere the panel to an white A2 card base.

Step 20: Add gems and highlights using a white gel pen.

I hope I was able to inspire you today?!...I would love to see you create this card and maybe even put your own twist on things!! 

If you're heading over to shop...I have a discount code for you - it will save you 10% off your order (some restrictions apply)!
DISCOUNT CODE: SHELLY

Thanks so much for stopping by today and spending a little time with us! We hope you’ll check back throughout the month for more design team inspiration.