Hey y’all! Our October 5, 2026, Mystery Monday Stamping mystery is solved! We created a Spotlighting Technique card that lets colorful flowers and leaves stand out against a black-and-white background.

I used Strawberry Slush and Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends to bring the smaller stamped layer to life. Basic Black cardstock frames the design, and Shimmering Dots add a little sparkle. Such a fun way to make your outline stamps shine!

What Is the Spotlighting Technique?

The Spotlighting Technique adds color to one area of a stamped design while leaving the surrounding images uncolored. It draws your eye to the colored section without needing to color every image on the card.

For this version, we stamped flowers and leaves across two stacked pieces of Basic White cardstock. After coloring only the smaller piece, we added a Basic Black mat and raised it with Dimensionals. The stamped details line up across the layers to create the finished design.

Supplies for This Spotlighting Technique Card

• Botanical Expressions and Boutique Blossoms stamp sets
• Basic White and Basic Black cardstock
• Strawberry Slush Stampin’ Blends
• Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends
• Black ink compatible with alcohol-based markers
• Shimmering Dots
• Adhesive and Stampin’ Dimensionals
• The stamp sets have coordinating dies, but I did not use the dies on this Mystery card. You can create this look with stamped images and your paper trimmer!
• Cardstock Measurements

Basic White cardstock:

• Card base: 4 ¼” x 11”, scored at 5 ½”
• Larger stamped layer: 3 ¾” x 5”
• Smaller spotlight layer: 2 ¾” x 3 ¾”

Basic Black cardstock:

• Larger mat: 4” x 5 ¼”
• Smaller mat: 3” x 4”

How to Make the Spotlighting Card

Fold and burnish your Basic White card base. Stamp your sentiment in the bottom right corner of the 3 ¾” x 5” Basic White layer, leaving space above it for the smaller layer.

Center the 2 ¾” x 3 ¾” Basic White piece over the larger piece without permanently adhering it. A small amount of removable adhesive can help hold it in place.

Stamp outline flowers and leaves across both pieces at the same time using black ink compatible with alcohol-based markers. Position several images across the edges of the smaller piece so the stamped details extend onto the larger layer.

Carefully separate the two pieces and remove any temporary adhesive. Color the flowers on the smaller piece with Strawberry Slush Stampin’ Blends and the leaves with Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends. Leave the larger stamped layer uncolored.

Adhere the 4” x 5 ¼” Basic Black mat to your card base, then attach the larger stamped Basic White layer.

Adhere the colored Basic White piece to the 3” x 4” Basic Black mat. Add Dimensionals to the back and check its placement over the larger stamped layer before removing the backing papers. Carefully line up the flowers and leaves, then attach.

Finish your card with Shimmering Dots for a little sparkle!

Tips for a Beautiful Spotlighting Card

Keep the smaller stamped piece in the same orientation as you work. Before attaching it, check the stamped details along several edges to make sure the design lines up.

The Basic Black mat covers a narrow section of the images, but the visible details should appear to continue across the layers.

When coloring with Stampin’ Blends, choose black ink that works with alcohol-based markers. You can also place scrap paper underneath your coloring piece to protect your work surface.

Try It With the Stamps You Have

This Spotlighting Technique works with so many outline images! Change the stamps or colors to create a card for a different occasion.

That’s what Mystery Monday Stamping is all about: use what you have, go rogue, and have fun. No stress allowed!

Watch the October 5, 2026, Mystery Monday Stamping replay on my YouTube channel and stamp along at your own pace:

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Author Bio — TxStampin Sharon

Hi y’all! I’m Sharon Armstrong, better known as TxStampin Sharon — your friendly online teacher for card-making techniques and creative confidence!

I’ve been a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator for 29 years, teaching stampers around the world through my Mystery Monday Stamping live classes, YouTube tutorials, and my 110 Cardmaking Techniques Library.

My mission? To help you make beautiful handmade cards with no stress — just go rogue!

Explore more tutorials at TxStampin.com/Card-Making-Techniques
Happy Stampin’ y’all!

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