11 Quick Cards – A Card Salad Party Part 1!

In this week’s Facebook Live I showed how to make 11 Quick Cards using 4 “card salad” medleys.

All 11 projects feature the Rooted In Nature Stamp Set and the Natures Roots Dies which are retiring from the 2020 – 2021 Annual Catalog! So are you wondering what “card salad” is? Well, it’s pretty simple! After each creative cardmaking session, I am usually left with a bunch of pieces and parts and/or some focal pieces that I didn’t end up using. I put these leftover pieces into a baggie for future use. I have a lot of these baggies!!! In preparation for my “Card Salad” Party I grabbed a bunch of my baggies with pieces made using items that are retiring from the 2020-2021 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. I used 4 of these card salad baggies to make my 11 quick cards!

All 11 quick cards shown in the photo below were made with the 4 card salad baggies in the middle. These particular baggies contained mostly focal pieces, which is not always the case.

While my card salad party was held on April Fools Day… this is no joke! All these cards were made (or mostly made) in my Facebook Live event! Now to be fair, I did do some planning ahead of time to make these designs come together quickly.

Plus, my card salad baggies gave me a major jump start!!! I love my card salads!

Learn how I made 11 Quick Cards using 4 "Card Salad" medleys. All 11 projects feature the Rooted In Nature set and Natures Roots dies which retire soon!

Now in today’s post, I’m going to focus on just one of my 11 quick cards.

This card is made using my Cotton Candy Technique Class card salad baggie. Check out all the little gems of card inspiration in this baggie!

Learn how I made 11 Quick Cards using 4 "Card Salad" medleys. All 11 projects feature the Rooted In Nature set and Natures Roots dies which retire soon!

For this card, I started with the purple, blue, and black focal piece only.

Basic Black cardstock was used for my focal backing piece and it’s popped up on Dimensionals. Is this piece simply stunning or what? I LOVE it! How can you go wrong with a piece that’s so pretty? It took me about 5 minutes to decide on the black and purple layering and while I like it, in the end, I decided there was just a little more of the Highland Heather color than I wanted. This is the version I showed in the Facebook Live video and then off-camera I played with it a bit more.

Learn how I made 11 Quick Cards using 4 "Card Salad" medleys. All 11 projects feature the Rooted In Nature set and Natures Roots dies which retire soon!

For this second variation, I cut down the Highland Heather piece and dry embossed it with the retiring Subtle 3D Embossing Folder.

I’m so sad to see this embossing folder retire! This subtle textured background is so versatile making it my go-to for so many projects! I love that I was able to make these few small changes and make this card into something I simply love and it was so easy.

Learn how I made 11 Quick Cards using 4 "Card Salad" medleys. All 11 projects feature the Rooted In Nature set and Natures Roots dies which retire soon!

For my final version I’ve simply added some tied ribbon.

While I think all three of these versions work, I especially love the second two options. How about you? Comment and let me know what you think?

Learn how I made 11 Quick Cards using 4 "Card Salad" medleys. All 11 projects feature the Rooted In Nature set and Natures Roots dies which retire soon!

Can you visualize the sparkly look of crystals of colored sugar in cotton candy? That’s where the Cotton Candy Technique name comes from. Isn’t it so pretty!? To learn more about the Cotton Candy Technique you may want to check out my Cotton Candy Technique Class. The electronic-only Class-To-Go is still available!

Learn how I made 11 Quick Cards using 4 "Card Salad" medleys. All 11 projects feature the Rooted In Nature set and Natures Roots dies which retire soon!

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the first of my 11 quick cards!

Learn how I made 11 Quick Cards using 4 "Card Salad" medleys. All 11 projects feature the Rooted In Nature set and Natures Roots dies which retire soon!

Stay tuned for additional blog posts featuring each of the projects shown in the photo below!

Learn how I made 11 Quick Cards using 4 "Card Salad" medleys. All 11 projects feature the Rooted In Nature set and Natures Roots dies which retire soon!

Thanks for spending some time with me today! Now, go start creating with your own card salad!!!

You’ll find dimensions and a basic supply list at the end of this post. For a complete supply list consider taking my Cotton Candy Technique class.

Happy Crafting!

Melissa 🙂


More Going On Now


Click HERE to Shop in my Online Store Now!

Current Hostess Code:

9UWJ24UK

Use the current hostess code to get Free Card Kits and other perks with your qualifying purchases!

If your order is $150 or more Do NOT use the hostess code! You’ll get hostess rewards AND Free Card Kits too!

Not sure how to apply the Hostess Code? Click HERE to learn more.


See the January to June 2021 Mini Catalog PDF by clicking below.

January to June 2021 MiniCatalog

Check out the 2020 – 2021 Annual Catalog PDF below.

2020 - 2021 Annual Catalog Cover

Learn how to make this in my Facebook Live video tutorial here:

The project demonstration begins at around 7-½ minutes in case you’d like to jump ahead.

If you watched this video here on my blog and enjoyed it, please go on over to my YouTube channel and give it a Thumbs Up, Share it with friends and Subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I’d be so grateful! Plus, once you subscribe, you’ll have the option to click on the bell, to be notified whenever I publish a new video.


Project Dimensions:

  • Basic Black Card Body: 4-1/4″ x 11″
  • Window Sheet Focal Piece: 2″ x 3-5/8″
  • White Focal Backing: 2″ x 3-5/8″
  • Basic Black Focal Backing: 2-3/16″ x 3-13/16″
  • Highland Heather Dry Embossed Layer: 3-1/4″ x 4-1/12″
  • Gorgeous Grape Layer: 5-5/16″ x 4-1/16″
  • White Inside Layer: 4″ x 5-1/4″

Project Supplies:



About Me Page

I am a seeker of that crazy, excited feeling that comes when you've created something that’s unique, beautiful and expresses who you are in some small way. It’s like making a new discovery, when you find a unique combination of color, layout, dimension and texture. I call it a creative spark and it makes me giddy! Through sharing and teaching I hope to help others find this amazing feeling of creative bliss!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

88 Easy Christmas Cards you’re going to Love to Make!

September 16, 2023
Posted in ,
Learn my method for getting 88 Easy Christmas Cards, or winter themed cards, out of one pack of designer series paper.

I am seriously addicted to making these easy Christmas cards! They feature the One Horse Open Sleigh designer paper and the Countryside Corners dies. Plus, I’ve used a variety of sentiments for both Christmas and a winter theme. The best part about these cards is that they are quick to make, they will each be […]

Simple cards to make with dies and designer paper!

September 9, 2023
Posted in ,
Check out these 3 simple cards to make with dies and designer paper! The Nested Essentials Dies were used with a variety of fun papers.

In today’s post, I’ll be sharing 3 simple cards using a variety of designer papers with the Nested Essentials Dies. I always love finding simple cards to make using designer paper and dies or punches. For today’s cards, I’ll be using a repeating pattern of shapes in coordinating designer series papers. The die-cut pieces are […]

September 2023 Color Challenge & Blog Hop

September 4, 2023
Posted in ,
The September 2023 Color Challenge & Blog Hop features a great color combination of Lost Lagoon, Berry Burst & Blackberry Bliss. Check it out!

Welcome to the Color Fusers Blog Hop and September 2023 Color Challenge! If you’ve already started the blog hop you should be coming from the talented Melanie Hockin’s blog post. If you’ve just joined in, make sure to do the full hop and see all the wonderful projects created by the Color Fusers Design team! The color […]

Make 5 Cards with the Gorgeous Garden Background Dies

August 26, 2023
Posted in ,
Use the Gorgeous Garden background dies to make these 5 amazing cards! These cards also feature a fun & simple watercoloring technique.

In today’s post, I’ll be sharing 5 card variations featuring the Gorgeous Garden background dies from Stampin’ Up! The Gorgeous Garden dies include a pair of background dies, one with flowers and the other with foliage. My inspiration for today’s projects came from the fact that autumn is coming soon and I adore fall colors. […]

Simple Watercolor Background with the Trucking Along Bundle!

August 18, 2023
Posted in ,
Today's project features a super simple watercolor background technique plus, the adorable Trucking Along Bundle.

In today’s post, I’ll be sharing a project made with a super simple watercolor background technique. I love simple watercolor backgrounds and this method makes it so easy to get beautiful results quickly! You’ll want to use watercolor paper for the focal piece on this card. I’ve also used a Stampin’ Up! “I” size block. […]

August 2023 Color Challenge & Blog Hop

August 7, 2023
Posted in ,
A unique fun fold card made for the August 2023 Color Challenge & Blog Hop. I've used the Phrases For All Stamp Set & Petal Patterns Dies.

Welcome to the Color Fusers Blog Hop and August 2023 Color Challenge! If you’ve already started the blog hop you should be coming from the talented Melanie Hockin’s blog post. If you’ve just joined in, make sure to do the full hop and see all the wonderful projects created by the Color Fusers Design team! The […]

Simple Two For One Card Making Method!

August 4, 2023
Posted in ,
Check out these projects made with a simple two-for-one card-making method. Projects feature the Gorgeously Made & Phrases For All stamp sets.

Colorful and simple cards! Can it get any better than that?… Well Yes! Use this simple Two For One method to make a bunch of gorgeous cards! I have three card variations for you today. For my first card, I did not actually use the Two For One card-making method. I decided to use it […]

July 2023 Color Challenge & Blog Hop!

July 3, 2023
Posted in ,
My July 2023 Color Challenge project features a fun technique with the Painted Posies embossing folder. Check out this fun blog hop!

Welcome to the Color Fusers Blog Hop and July 2023 Color Challenge! If you’ve already started the blog hop you should be coming from the talented Melanie Hockin’s blog post. If you’ve just joined in, make sure to do the full hop and see all the wonderful projects created by the Color Fusers Design team! The color […]

How to make Pinwheel Cards

June 29, 2023
Posted in ,
I'm excited to be sharing a variety of simple Pinwheel Cards in today's post. These are easy to make and can be made for any occasion!

I’m excited to be sharing a variety of simple Pinwheel Cards in today’s post. This style card is one of those oldies but goodies-type cards! Pinwheel Cards are easy to make and can be made to look playful and youthful, elegant and stunning, masculine, or really for any occasion you can think of. I was […]

Hip, Hip, Hooray Blends Alcohol Markers Special

June 28, 2023
Posted in
Blends Alcohol Markers

Get FREE Blends Alcohol Markers while helping me to stay in business during my recovery from Hip Surgery. Asking for help is not easy to do for many of us. It certainly isn’t for me! I’m asking for your assistance today because I’ve got a major surgery happening this week and so I’m going to […]

How to Design Using a Card Sketch

June 24, 2023
Posted in ,,
Today's project was made using a card sketch that is the theme for my monthly team idea challenge. Learn how simple it is to design this way!

Today’s project was made using a card sketch that is the theme for my monthly team idea challenge. Treehouse Chicks Team members who want to play along simply create a card(s) that fits the theme and they share photos of their project ideas on our team Facebook group. For each project shared they get a […]

3 Simple Window Cards with Designer Papers

June 17, 2023
Posted in ,
Today's Simple Window Cards feature 3 of the 13 designer series papers that are on sale for 15% off until 6/30/23. Check out these fun cards!

The three window cards featured in today’s post are super simple to make and remake with lots of different designer series papers. I’ve used three different paper packs for my three cards. All of these papers are on sale through June 30th, 2023! The first of my three window cards was created for the June […]