Party Hat Card Tutorial: Create Three Colorful Inlay Cards

In this party hat inlay card tutorial, I’m sharing how to create three colorful birthday cards using one die set and simple cardstock layering techniques. This design is a fun way to stretch your supplies and create a coordinated set of handmade cards with bold, playful color combinations.

Carrianne here! I’m excited to share how I created three party hat themed cards using colorful cardstock and a simple inlay technique. By mixing and matching pink, purple, yellow, and teal, I was able to create a coordinated set that feels fun, bright, and perfect for any celebration.

Supplies & Materials

CutCardstock

• DCS Raspberry Ice Pink
• DCS Yellow Jacket
• DCS Caribbean Blue
• Pop-Tone Grape Jelly
• Classic Crest Solar White (for sentiment)

Other

• Concord & 9th – Party Hats Inlay Die
• Altenew – Timeless Sentiments Stamp Set (Celebrate)
• Pixie Dust Designs – Birthday Sentiments Dies
• Bearly Art Glue

Step 1: Die Cut Your Panels

First, begin this party hat inlay card tutorial by die cutting the party hats cover die from each of your cardstock colors:

• DCS Raspberry Ice Pink
• Pop-Tone Grape Jelly
• DCS Caribbean Blue
• DCS Yellow Jacket
• Classic Crest Solar White (mat)

This will give you multiple panels along with all the individual hat pieces for inlaying.

Step 2: Choose Your Background Panels

Next, select three panels to use as your card fronts. For this project, I used:

• DCS Raspberry Ice Pink
• Pop-Tone Grape Jelly
• DCS Caribbean Blue

Set aside the remaining colored pieces to use as inlay accents, which will be used to fill in and complete the coordinating designs across all panels.

Step 3: Inlay the Hat Pieces

Then, begin filling each panel with contrasting colors:

• Raspberry Ice Pink panel: Grape Jelly, Yellow Jacket, and Caribbean Blue pieces
• Grape Jelly panel: Raspberry Ice Pink, Yellow Jacket, and Caribbean Blue pieces
• Caribbean Blue panel: Raspberry Ice Pink, Yellow Jacket, and Grape Jelly pieces

Tip: Scatter the colors evenly across each panel for a balanced and playful look.

Step 4: Complete Panels

After that, repeat the inlay process for the remaining panels.

Next, fill each one with a mix of coordinating colors so each card develops its own personality while still working as a cohesive set.

Then, once all the pieces are in place, gently press each one down so the inlays sit flush and secure.

Finally, take a moment to check each panel and make sure everything is evenly placed and adhered.

Step 5: Add Sentiments

Next, add the sentiments to each card, mixing techniques for visual variety:

• Caribbean Blue panel: Raspberry Ice Pink shadow with a white word die on top
• Raspberry Ice Pink panel: Grape Jelly shadow with a Yellow Jacket sentiment for contrast
• Grape Jelly panel: Heat-embossed sentiment on a coordinating strip placed at the top center

Each design balances color and placement differently for a cohesive but varied set.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

To finish, I kept the embellishments simple to let the designs shine:

• Added sequins only to the Caribbean Blue panel for sparkle and dimension.
• Left the Raspberry Ice Pink and Grape Jelly cards clean for a more minimal finish.

This party hat inlay card tutorial is a fun way to stretch your dies and explore bold color combinations using a simple inlay technique. By mixing and matching cardstock, you can create multiple coordinating cards that each have their own personality.

I hope this inspires you to try your own colorful combinations and create a playful set of handmade cards!