Hello, friends! Today, I’m excited to introduce you to a brand-new product from Spellbinders that I absolutely cannot wait for you to try: the DIY Color Deck. If you love playing with color but sometimes feel overwhelmed by choosing combinations, this might just be your new best friend.
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WHAT IS THE DIY COLOR DECK?
I first encountered this gem of a tool back in February at the CreativeWorld show in Frankfurt, and it immediately stole my heart. The DIY Color Deck is a boxed set of 52 vibrant, beautifully illustrated cards. Each card features:
- A full-color image on the front with space to swatch your coordinating colors.
- Helpful color theory tips, creative inspiration, and fun facts on the back.
The whole concept is designed to help you build custom color palettes using Spellbinders’ brand-new ColorWheel cardstock collection, now featuring 48 gorgeous shades.
You can use a 1” square punch to create color swatches from your cardstock (or other mediums like watercolor or markers) and build your own mini color guide right on the cards. Each swatch area is sized perfectly for quick and easy placement!
 Spellbinders DIY Color Deck Builder Bundle Shop at: SB USA |
 Spellbinders DIY Color Deck System Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders 1″ Square Punch Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Watch the video below or on my YouTube channel.
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WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT
This tool is not just visually stunning – it’s practical and inspiring, too. Whether you’re planning your next card design, scrapbook layout, or mixed media project, having a set of ready-to-go color combinations on hand saves time and boosts creativity.
I often struggle with picking the perfect colors (hence, why I started my Color Study Video Series), so the DIY Color Deck helps streamline my process. It’s like having a personal color assistant at your fingertips.
LET’S BUILD A CARD WITH THE DECK!
While I didn’t have the full box set on hand during filming, I brought back several of the blank cards from Frankfurt and created a sample using five colors:
These colors were chosen based on the image on the card. I used my paper trimmer to cut out the swatches (though a 1” square punch would make it even easier!) and glued them to the left-hand side of the card to complete my mini palette.
But don’t stop at just matching colors – you can take it a step further. I used these shades to design a full card, adding extra tones like Terracotta and Chiffon to build depth and interest. The result? A bold, beautiful floral card that feels cohesive and creative.
I even took inspiration from the image on the DIY card by adding white dots to the background, mimicking the texture and detail seen in the art. This small detail added an extra dimension to my project that I wouldn’t have thought of without the card!
BONUS TIPS:
- If your card base is dark (like black), use black foam squares instead of white for a polished finish.
- The back of each card includes creative design tips like “rhythm” to help enhance your layout visually.
- Don’t be afraid to bring in additional shades beyond your 5 swatches. The cards are a guide, not a rule!
ALTERNATIVES & ADDITIONS
While Spellbinders’ DIY Color Deck is now a staple on my desk, I’ve used other tools over the years – like printable Pinterest images and a traditional color wheel. More recently, I’ve also started playing with the Color Cube by Sarah Renae Clark, which is another fabulous resource.
But what sets the Spellbinders DIY Deck apart is how interactive and hands-on it is. You get to build your palette using your own stash—making it completely personal and customized.
IN SUMMARY
If you’re looking to elevate your paper crafting with color confidence, the DIY Color Deck is a must-have. It’s fun, functional, and full of inspiration. Plus, it’s therapeutic to put together—trust me, you’ll love it!
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope this gave you a better idea of how this wonderful new tool can enhance your creative process. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. All products mentioned are linked below. 💛
Until next time – happy crafting!
Love,
Yana
SUPPLIES
I’m listing the products I used below. Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available, I use compensated affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
Spellbinders DIY Color Deck Builder Bundle Shop at: SB USA |
Spellbinders DIY Color Deck System Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
Spellbinders 1″ Square Punch Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Vivid Blooms Etched Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Ideal Moments Press Plate & Die Set Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Guillotine Paper Trimmer Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Color Wheel Small Color Mixing Guide Shop at: SSS | AMZ |
 Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System (Platinum) Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK | AMZ |
 Sarah Renae Clark – Color Cube Volume 2 Shop at: SB USA |
 Spellbinders Platinum 6 Machine With Universal Plate System Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK | AMZ |
 Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil 2 Rolls – Opaque Black & White Pack Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Wild Berry Color Essentials Cardstock Shop at: SC | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Terra Cotta ColorWheel Cardstock Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Carrot ColorWheel Cardstock Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Raven ColorWheel Cardstock Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Sicily ColorWheel Cardstock Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Chiffon ColorWheel Cardstock Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Dahlia ColorWheel Cardstock Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Poppy ColorWheel Cardstock Shop at: SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Craft Stax Large Tray Set Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Craft Stax Medium Tray Set Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders Craft Stax Combo Tray Set Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Craft Stax Silicone Bands Large Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Craft Stax Silicone Bands Medium Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Craft Stax Magnetic Panels Combo Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Craft Stax Magnetic Panels Large Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Craft Stax Magnetic Panels Medium Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
 Spellbinders White Liner Tape Adhesive Shop at: SB USA |
 3D Foam Squares – Black Mix Shop at: SSS | SB USA | SB UK | AMZ |
 Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Everything 6 Inch T Square Ruler Shop at: SSS |
 Bearly Art Mini Precision Craft Glue Shop at: SSS | SB USA | AMZ |
 Glassboard Studio Super Strong Magnets Shop at: GBS |
 Glassboard Studio Glass Craft Mat – Code YANA15 Shop at: GBS |
 Sakura Classic White Bold Line 10 Pen Shop at: SSS | AMZ |
 Spellbinders Best Ever Craft Tape 1.25″ Shop at: SSS | SC | SB USA | SB UK |
So often when I see colour cards I actually feel more stuck than I did before, so I’ve never jumped into a purchase of this sort.
The pictures that Spellbinders chose for this set are REALLY unusually inspiring to me though, and I am wondering if the time has finally come to take the plunge.
Thank you for flipping through the images to give us a good sense of what is inside!!
I agree Kay. Also, I have both of the Color cubes and the boxes are JAMMED tight with cards. I don’t understand why the cards are in no particular order ( of any kind) and unfortunately after the money I spent,rarely use. So I get stuck too!
The DIY Deck system seems like something I’d use because they use Spellbinders card stock colors along with space to add our 1 in squares. We could even make 1/2 in for an additional color. Pictures are sometimes inspirational but it’s the colors combos I’m looking for.
Thank you for sharing your experience Stephanie! I have been tempted to purchase the Color Cubes, but haven’t – when I see pictures of people using them I just don’t “get the feels”!
I realized, watching Yana choose her colours that I would have chosen a different palette from the picture – and in the examples on the Spellbinders website I would have chosen different colours in many of their examples, also. And that’s where I think this system shines! There isn’t a right or wrong way to feel inspired – and you may actually be inspired to create multiple palettes from one picture! There isn’t a rigid palette laid out for you.
I have been throwing out hints for Mother’s Day!! I would definitely use and enjoy this!! I hope you do, too!!
Thank you again, Yana!
Thank you both so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences! Kay, I’m so happy to hear that the DIY Deck system is resonating with you. It’s all about finding the colors that inspire you, and I’m glad this approach gives you more flexibility to create multiple palettes from one image. There’s no right or wrong way to use it—it’s about what feels good for you!
Stephanie, I totally understand your frustration with the Color Cubes! Having everything neatly organized and accessible really makes a difference, and I’m so glad the DIY Deck system feels like a more practical option for you. It’s designed to give you that flexibility to customize and organize in a way that works for you, which is key.
I hope both of you have a great time creating with this system—it’s such a fun way to experiment with colors! Let me know how it goes and if you come up with any amazing new palettes
Beautiful card and that cool looks interesting
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked the card! The Cool looks are definitely fun to play with—so many possibilities!
Thank you for a great explanation of the Color Deck! I think this will help me much more than the Color cubes. The cubes are in no particular order and I go through too many cards, it’s time consuming and honestly, frustrating. However the Deck works with SB card stock and placing the 1 in. squares next to the image is a great idea! Thx for a fabulous video and card!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad the Color Deck explanation helped! I totally understand your frustration with the Color Cubes—it can be time-consuming and a bit overwhelming when the cards aren’t organized. The Deck really does offer a more streamlined way to work, especially with the 1-inch squares and the SB card stock. I’m excited for you to give it a try, and I hope it makes your crafting experience even more enjoyable! Happy crafting!