Groovy & Gorgeous: Bold Retro Paper-Piecing with the Wavy Rainbow Cover Die ✌️

3 hours ago

3 min read

Wavy rainbow friendship card with HAPPY die-cut, butterfly accents, and text: The Paper Mint, Simon Says Stamp Stamptember release.

Hi Lovelies!

If you’ve ever wanted to jump into a time machine back to the fabulous 70s, consider this card your official VIP ticket! Today, I've got a die-cutting only project from the STAMPtember® 2026 release that is big on bold energy, satisfying graphic layers, and pure nostalgic fun.

When it comes to cardmaking, who says you need inks or stamps to make a serious statement? Today’s card relies entirely on precision retro paper-piecing and vibrant color combinations to bring all the retro groovy vibes to life!

Colorful handmade birthday card with rainbow arcs and gold HAPPY lettering, plus small labels reading to cheer you on and to be celebrating you — I can't help loving this primary color combo.

Key Supplies for the Retro Paper-Piecing Card

Click HERE for the full list!

🛒 Featured Supplies Showcase

Tool / Product	Brand	Purpose / Why It Works
Wavy Rainbow Cover Die	Simon Says Stamp	Creates graphic, flowing wave channels perfect for paper-piecing.
Opulent Happy Die	Simon Says Stamp	Delivers a dramatic, flourishing focal sentiment with a shadow layer.
Happy Everything Sentiment Strips	Simon Says Stamp	Quick, pre-printed, crisp sentiment strips to customize your celebration message.
Vibrant Cardstock Collection	Assorted	Bold primaries, pinks, yellows, and deep navy for that authentic 70s vibe.

Click the photo below to see the entire STAMPtember® 2026 release!

Colorful Stamptember banner with balloons, ribbons, and handmade greeting cards; Shop the collection at Simon Says Stamp!

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HAPPY FRIENDSHIP CARD - Die-cutting

Card Size: ~4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Colorful handmade card with rainbow curves and bold HAPPY; black labels read to cheer you on and for you. — If this color combo is not your thing, simply swap it!

PALETTE

🎨 Crafting a 70s Nostalgic Palette

The secret sauce to making a geometric die design really pop is all in the color selection! I went with a vibrant, nostalgic palette that feels totally 70s fab:

Simon Says Stamp Blue Violet for a crisp, high-contrast base and outline frame.
Simon Says Stamp Lipstick Red for a warm, punchy kick.
Simon Says Stamp Cotton Candy & Cream to break up the intense tones with a bit of dreamy contrast.
Simon Says Stamp Honey to bring that golden-hour retro sunshine!

When all these rich cardstock shades are nestled side-by-side inside the navy grid, the color layering creates such a deeply satisfying, flush effect.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

✂️ The Recipe for Retro Paper-Piecing Magic

To create this eye-catching graphic masterpiece, I grabbed some absolute powerhouse dies from Simon Says Stamp:

The Graphic Background: The Wavy Rainbow Cover Die serves as the ultimate playground for pattern building and color experimentation. It lets you slice up swooping, retro wave panels that fit together like a dream.
The Statement Focal Point: The Opulent Happy Die provides that grand, swirling typography that immediately grabs your attention right in the middle of the design.
The Sentiment Accent: A pre-made strip from the Happy Everything Sentiment Strips pack adds the perfect celebratory touch to complete the message!

💡 How to Assemble a Paper-Pieced Cover Die

If you’ve never tried paper-piecing with a full cover die before, it is one of the most therapeutic craft techniques you can do! Here is how to put it together effortlessly:

Die-Cut the Main Frame: Cut the Wavy Rainbow Cover Die once from a dark, grounding cardstock (like this deep navy blue) to act as your outer outline and grid frame.
Cut Your Rainbow Insets: Pass the die through your machine using all the different cardstock colors in your palette. Tip: Keep all those little color puzzle pieces organized on your desk so you can mix and match!
Adhere the Frame: Glue your navy main frame down onto an A2 card base.
Piece the Puzzle: Apply a bit of precision liquid glue inside each hollow wave slot and drop in your colored cardstock cutouts like puzzle pieces.
Add the Statement Sentiment: Die-cut the Opulent Happy Die in a bright, contrasting color—like this sunny mustard yellow with a crisp white shadow outline—and layer it right across the center. Finish it off with a black-and-white Happy Everything Sentiment Strip ("to cheer you on" or "to be celebrating you") tucked underneath!

UP CLOSE AND CRAFTY

Colorful abstract geometric card with blue, yellow, pink and white shapes over a red and white background with butterfly designs

Colorful abstract packaging with ornate gold-and-white lettering and a black label reading to cheer you on

LAST LOOK

Colorful handmade birthday card with rainbow arcs, HAPPY, and to cheer you on, layered on red, yellow, and purple paper.

Thanks for stopping by today!

I am definitely super HAPPY with how this vibrant celebration card turned out! There is just something so rewarding about fitting all those paper-pieced color blocks together to create a smooth, graphic card front.

What vintage color combination would you try with this Wavy Rainbow Cover Die? Are you team 70s warm retro or would you go with cool pastel blues and mints? Drop a comment below and let me know! 👇💫

SUPPLIES:

I listed the products that I have used below. Please note that these are compensated affiliate links, used at no cost to you. I really appreciate your support. All stamps used today were part of my STAMPtember® 2026 maker package from Simon Says Stamp. Click on the icons below each product picture to shop with SimonSaysStamp.com.