In today’s post and video, learn how to make a recessed panel card! It’s so easy and fun to do!
The first recessed panel card I made featured the Sun Prints designer series paper which coordinates with the Nature’s Prints Stamp Set. This stamp set has a coordinating set of dies (shown in the photo below). You save 10% when you buy the stamps and dies together!

After creating this card I could see that it would be super easy to recreate this design with other papers and stamped or inked pieces in the recess. In the end, I made the three designs you see here.

For this first recessed panel card, the raised portions are dry embossed with the Fern 3-D embossing folder.
You’ll start by dry embossing a basic white panel that measures 3-⅞” x 5-⅛” and then you’ll cut out whatever portion you desire. You can do angled cuts as I’ve done here, cut so the lines are parallel or anything you like.

For this card, I attached thin strips of Pacific Point cardstock on the two edges of the raised pieces so they would essentially frame the recessed portion. I usually use long pieces and then snip off the ends. You’ll use foam adhesive sheets to attach the dry embossed raised pieces.

The sentiment comes from the Nature’s Prints Stamp Set and is heat embossed in white. I’ve also heat embossed some of the foliage images, to frame the sentiment. You may also notice some images in the background. To get this look you’ll stamp with Versamark for a subtle tone-on-tone look.

Do you see the Pacific Point cardstock edge at the bottom of the sentiment piece? This additional bit of Pacific Point helps pull the design together as it connects to the other strips of this same color that borders the recess. Starry Sky Metallic Woven ribbon was used for a touch of bling that finishes the card off. You’ll wrap the ribbon around the ends of the sentiment piece and attach them on both ends with glue dots.

To learn all the details for creating a recessed panel card make sure to watch my Facebook live video later in this post.
This second version of my card is the one I showed in the video.
For the recessed panel here I’ve used the gorgeous Hues of Happiness designer series paper.

The embossing folder used is the Brick & Mortar 3-D embossing folder. I love how it pairs with this floral designer paper!
The sentiment piece was created in exactly the same way as on the first card except I’ve used Melon Mambo cardstock to “underline” the sentiment instead of Pacific Point. Melon Mambo strips were also used to frame the recessed opening here.

As you can see here, with just a few small changes I’ve created a second version of my card!
I love making several versions of a given design because all the hard work of figuring out the design has already been done!
Designing my second two cards was so easy!

Check out the gorgeous Hues of Happiness designer paper! The backsides are lovely too!!!

In case you’d like to recreate this card here is a measuring guide for you:
Watch my Facebook Live video that you find at the end of this post to watch me make this card. There are definitely some helpful tips you’ll want to know!

For my third recessed panel card, I went into my stash of “card salad” baggies and found a cool background piece to use!

This background piece was created while playing with ideas for my Playing with Rubbing Alcohol Technique Class. Click HERE to learn more about this class. The color on the recessed piece was added to a piece of basic white cardstock. The color scheme here is Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Crushed Curry, and Pumpkin Pie.

The embossing folder used here is the Time Worn Type folder. I love the texture created by this folder.

The sentiment piece was also created using a scrap piece from my card salad baggie from the Playing with Rubbing Alcohol Technique Class. The paper used for the sentiment piece is watercolor paper.
The sentiment and additional images were heat embossed just like on the first two cards. A piece of the Parakeet Party Metallic Woven Ribbon was used to coordinate with this color scheme. The pop of bling adds a bit of interest to this card that I love as a finishing touch.

The angled cuts were done a little differently than on the first two cards.
The cut goes all the way up to the top left corner instead of starting down a bit on the left.

To be very honest this was actually a “mistake” but one I like to call a happy accident. While I didn’t mean to cut it this way I still really like the end result!

So, the cutting details are almost the same but you just start your cuts in the upper left-hand corner of the dry embossed piece. The dimensions for the ending points are the same as the previous cards.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my three recessed panel cards and that you’re inspired to create your own!

At the end of this post, you’ll find project dimensions, my video tutorial, and links to all the products used on these three projects. Thank you in advance if you choose to purchase through my online store! I appreciate your support of my business!
Happy Crafting!
Melissa 🙂
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Learn how to make this in my Facebook Live video tutorial here:
The project demonstration begins at around 13 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:
- Thick Basic White Full-Size Card Body: 4-¼″ x 11″
- White Designer Paper Base Layer: 3-⅞″ x 5-⅛”
- White Embossed Layer: 3-⅞″ x 5-⅛”
- Short Colored Strip (Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, or Crushed Curry): ½” x 4-¾”
- Long Colored Strip (Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, or Crushed Curry): ½” x 6-¼”
- Colored Strip Below Sentiment (Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, or Old Olive): ½” x 3-⅞”
- Sentiment Piece (Watercolor paper & Night of Navy): ¾″ x 3-⅞″
- Colored Sentiment Backing: ⅝” x 3-⅜”