How Glitter Cardstock Can Transform Your Card Projects

Get ready to add some serious sparkle to your cardmaking! In Dazzling Designs: How Glitter Cardstock Can Transform Your Card Projects, we're diving into the eye-catching magic of glitter cardstock.

Welcome everyone! This is Mindy. Today, we'll be making some gorgeous holiday cards with Altenew's newest glitter cardstock in the shades Citrine, Moonstone, Smokey Quartz, and Sapphire.

These shimmering shades bring an elevated touch of glam to any design, whether you're die-cutting bold sentiments, layering backgrounds, or adding pops of shine to detailed embellishments. Follow along for ideas and inspiration on how to make your handmade cards truly dazzle with these luxurious new hues.

I created six unique card projects to showcase just how versatile glitter cardstock can be—and I didn’t hold back on the sparkle! From bold die-cut sentiments to subtle background accents, each design uses glitter cardstock in a different way to highlight its potential.

Card one is all about adding shimmer to the details! For this design, I used glitter cardstock to create the foliage, and the result is absolutely stunning. Mixing colors like Smokey Quartz and Moonstone for the leaves brought in beautiful contrast and texture, while the pop of solid color cardstock for the flowers kept the design grounded and vibrant. The subtle sparkle from the glitter foliage adds an elegant touch without overwhelming the overall look—perfect for adding interest and dimension to your floral cards.

To anchor the design, I added a strip of glitter cardstock along the bottom edge of the card—just a small detail that makes a big impact and helps ground the composition. The mix of shimmering foliage and bold floral color gives this card just the right balance of festive and fresh.

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Here’s a take on the Timeless Sled, this time bringing back the shimmer by adorning it with glitter cardstock foliage. Swapping in the sparkle adds an instant festive feel and really draws the eye to the layered details. The result is a bold, wintry look that feels both elegant and playful—proof that a little glitter can completely transform a classic element like the sled into a standout centerpiece.

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Next up, let’s take a look at how glitter cardstock can truly shine as the focal point of your design using shape dies. Instead of keeping the sparkle in the background or in small details, this card puts it front and center. I used bold shape dies to cut from vibrant shades like Sapphire, Moonstone, and Smokey Quartz, allowing the shimmer to take the spotlight. The clean design really lets the glitter texture do the talking, creating a statement piece that’s simple yet striking. It’s a fun and modern way to highlight your glitter cardstock—and a reminder that sometimes, less really is more when sparkle is involved!

To add extra dimension, I popped up the glitter cardstock triangles with foam tape, turning them into modern, stylized trees. This not only gives the card a playful 3D effect but also helps the glitter catch the light from different angles. I kept the rest of the design clean and minimal with a simple sentiment strip stamped just beneath the tree line. The bold sparkle of the Sapphire, Smokey Quartz and Moonstone triangles paired with the crisp layout makes this card feel fresh and festive—proof that a few thoughtfully placed glitter elements can make a big impact.

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From bold triangles to delicate details, glitter cardstock works beautifully for creating custom patterns—like a flurry of snowflakes across your card front . For this next design, I die cut a variety of small snowflakes from the Smoky Quartz Glitter Cardstock, then scattered them across the panel to create a whimsical, wintry pattern. The varying sizes and subtle sparkle add movement and texture without overwhelming the design. It’s a simple technique that instantly adds charm—perfect for a background or even as the star of the show. Just add a sentiment, and you’ve got a snowy scene that dazzles!

To give the snowflake pattern a clean, polished look, I trimmed the glittery background panel down, leaving a thick white border around the edges of the card. This simple step frames the design beautifully and helps the snowflakes stand out even more against the crisp white space.

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Next, let’s explore how glitter cardstock can add wow-factor to your sentiments through die cutting. Using glitter cardstock for your words or phrases instantly turns them into shimmering focal points that catch the light and draw attention. Whether it’s a bold greeting or a delicate script, glitter cardstock makes your sentiment pop with texture and sparkle.

For this card, I let the Sapphire Glitter Cardstock take center stage by creating a bold, die-cut sentiment that immediately draws the eye with its rich sparkle and vibrant color. To complement the striking sentiment without competing with it, I added subtle interest in the background using soft ink blending on images from the Cozy Spaces Stencil. This gentle backdrop adds depth and warmth while keeping the focus firmly on the dazzling glitter sentiment—a perfect balance of bold and understated elements that makes the card truly shine.

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This final card combines a couple of glitter cardstock techniques for those who love to go bold and sparkly!

For the background of this bold and dazzling card, I started with a base of Smokey Quartz Glitter Cardstock to set a rich, shimmering foundation. Over that, I added texture and subtle shine by stenciling a delicate design using Pearl Shimmer Relief Paste, which catches the light beautifully without overpowering the rest of the card. To top it all off, I paired this elegant background with a striking die-cut sentiment in Sapphire Glitter Cardstock, creating a stunning contrast that really makes the message pop. This layering of textures and sparkle showcases just how dynamic and versatile glitter cardstock can be when combined with other dimensional techniques.

With this card, you can see how layering different textures and glitter cardstock shades creates a truly eye-catching design that feels both sophisticated and festive.

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Glitter cardstock is such a versatile and dazzling addition to any cardmaker’s toolkit, and in these projects, I’ve shown just a few of the many ways you can use it—from creating shimmering foliage and bold die-cut sentiments to building textured backgrounds and delicate snowflake patterns. Whether you want to add a subtle sparkle or make a bold statement, glitter cardstock can elevate your designs with ease and elegance. I encourage you to experiment with mixing colors, layering techniques, and combining glitter with other mediums—you might be surprised how a little sparkle can transform your cards and inspire your creativity!