The Cats That Were Hiding a Secret
Created by: Wendy Auger
Team / Collection: Creative Stampers Team Swap
Swap Date: May 2026
Featured Products: Cutest Crew Stamp Set and Dies, Bloom Boutiques Designer Series Paper, Golden Glow Cardstock
This week, I am taking a closer look at a card created by Wendy Auger for the May 2026 Creative Stampers Team Swap.
The first thing that caught my attention was the line of playful cats across the front of the card.
They immediately made me smile.
Each cat seems to have its own little personality, and together they create a card front that feels cheerful, light-hearted, and full of character.
At first glance, I thought this card was simply a fun cat-themed card.
The cats, the paw prints, the bright Golden Glow cardstock, and the cheerful sentiment all worked together beautifully.
But then I opened the card.
That is when I discovered the secret.
Inside the card, two little cats pop up from the centre fold.
That surprise changed the whole feeling of the card.
It was no longer just a cute card front.
It became an interactive card with a playful moment hidden inside.
That is what drew me in.
The card made me smile when I looked at the front, and then it made me smile again when I opened it.
For me, that is a very clever use of design.
Let’s Take a Closer Look.
Let’s Explore the Card Front
The card front feels bright, playful, and full of personality.
The Golden Glow Cardstock creates a warm base that works beautifully with the floral Bloom Boutiques Designer Series Paper.
The Designer Series Paper has been used in vertical panels, which gives the background movement without making it feel too busy.
The large white circle sits across the centre of the card and becomes the main focal point.
This is where the cats take centre stage.
The circle gives the stamped images a clean background, so the cats are easy to see against the patterned paper.
The black paw-print strip is another detail that really stands out.
It adds contrast and helps ground the cats so they do not look like they are floating.
It also repeats the animal theme in a fun way.
The sentiment says:
Have the best day
That greeting works well because it is cheerful and simple.
It does not distract from the cats.
It simply adds to the happy feeling of the card.
Let’s Take a Look at the Details
A Little Takeaway for You
One of the lessons I took from Wendy’s card is that the inside of a card can be just as important as the front. The card front draws you in first. It has the cats, the paw prints, the bright colour, and the cheerful greeting. But the inside gives the card its surprise. That is what makes it memorable. This is a good reminder that we do not always need to add lots of extra layers or complicated details to the front of a card. Sometimes one clever inside feature is enough to create the “wow” moment. You might like to try: Using a playful stamp set as the main theme. Adding Designer Series Paper panels to create a patterned background. Using a large circle to frame your stamped images. Adding a bold strip to ground the design. Repeating small details, like paw prints, inside the card. Creating a simple pop-up mechanism for extra surprise. Keeping the inside open enough for a message. This card would be a lovely idea for cat owners, animal lovers, children, or anyone who enjoys a card with a bit of fun. It shows that a handmade card can be cheerful, thoughtful, and playful all at once.
Tip
When creating an interactive card, test the moving part before adding your finished images. I would make the pop-up mechanism first using scrap cardstock. Then I would open and close it a few times to check that it folds properly. This helps you see whether the pop-up section sits flat when the card is closed. It also helps you check that nothing catches on the edge of the card. Once the mechanism is working, then you can add the stamped and die-cut images. For a card like Wendy’s, I would also check where the cats sit when the card is closed. You do not want the pop-up images to bend in the wrong place or peek out from the card before it is opened. A little testing at the start can save a lot of frustration later.
Start Simple, Explore, and See What Happens
Supplies
Why This Design Works
This design works because the theme is clear from the beginning.
The cats are the main story.
The paw-print strip supports the cat theme and helps the front of the card feel playful and fun.
The large white circle gives the cats a clean place to sit, so they do not get lost against the patterned paper.
The Bloom Boutiques Designer Series Paper adds softness and colour.
The Golden Glow Cardstock brings warmth and brightness.
The Basic Black Cardstock adds contrast and helps the paw prints, sentiment, and small details stand out.
The sentiment is simple and cheerful.
Have the best day works well because it does not compete with the cats.
It simply adds to the happy feeling of the card.
The surprise inside also works beautifully.
The pop-up cats make the card interactive.
They give the person opening the card something extra to discover.
That is why this card feels memorable.
It is not only decorated on the front.
It has a hidden moment inside too.
Everything has a purpose.
The cats create personality.
The circle creates focus.
The paw prints create theme.
The floral paper creates softness.
The Golden Glow creates warmth.
The black details create contrast.
The pop-up inside creates surprise.
That is why the card feels playful, balanced, and fun.