Right as Rain - Cardmaking and Scrapbooking with Jean Manis

Elizabeth Craft Designs | Joy to the World

Hello! There’s something comforting about classic Christmas imagery, and this card celebrates the season with timeless botanical details. Using several Elizabeth Craft Designs die sets, I created an arrangement of robins perched among holly, pine, berries, and branch, all die-cut from soft finish cardstock and colored with Distress Oxide inks for a realistic look. A detailed frame helps draw the eye to the focal points, and softly patterned paper in the background adds texture and warmth without overpowering the design. Finished with the “Joy to the World” sentiment, the card feels both peaceful and quietly celebratory.

- To begin, cover a 6″ square card base with patterned paper.
- Cut the Joyous Ornament Round detailed frame from Lawn Fawn Speckled Eggshell cardstock. Use the plain circle die in the same set to cut patterned paper. Add patterned paper to the frame piece, add the assembly to the prepared card base.
- Stamp the Joyous Christmas sentiment in Potting Soil on Lawn Fawn Speckled Eggshell cardstock and cut with a Layered Labels die. Add to the card base with foam adhesive.
- Cut the Festive Robin and Winter Greenery pieces from soft finish cardstock and color with Distress Oxide inks. Assemble robins and greenery items, as required. Gently shape holly leaves.
- Add elements to prepared card base.

Spellbinders + Hero Arts | Die Set Mashup

Hello! I couldn’t resist a little die-cut mischief. I combined a Santa and Mrs. Claus set with a bed die (not originally meant for Christmas!) to create a cozy, playful scene of the festive couple tucked in together. Mrs. Claus even kept her glasses on. She is probably still making sure everything is just right, because we all know she’s the one who really runs the show. With a simple “Merry Christmas” sentiment, the card is whimsical and perfect for cardmakers who love mixing dies in unexpected ways.

- To begin, cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Cut the Spellbinders Clauses from a variety of cardstock colors and assemble.
- Use the Hero Arts Studio Cozy Critters set to cut the bed frame, quilt, and pillows.
- Place the pieces on to the prepared base.
- Cut the sentiment with dies in the North Pole Sentiments set and add to the top of the quilt.

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It’s Never Too Late to Unwind

Hello! This card is a gentle reminder that pampering isn’t reserved for a special occasion or a certain stage of life. Created with the Spellbinders Unwind die set, this month’s Caboodle offering, the eye mask with heart details and cozy critter slippers set the tone for rest and comfort, while the sentiment makes it a perfect gal pal card. In cheerful reds, whites, and pinks against a playful pink polka dot background, this design celebrates friendship, self-care, and the simple truth that it’s never too late to slow down and indulge a little.

- Create an A2-size card base and cover it with patterned paper.
- Using the Unwind die set, cut the eye mask and slippers from your chosen cardstock colors and assemble the pieces.
- Stamp the sentiment and cut it out with the coordinating die.
- Arrange and adhere the assembled elements and sentiment onto the prepared card base.

Winter Greenery Christmas Card

Hello!, Today I’m sharing a Christmas floral card crafted with several Elizabeth Craft Designs die sets, all cut and hand-colored for a beautifully natural look. I built the design as if I were creating a real winter arrangement, tucking sprigs of greenery, berries, and branches into a metal pail, just like you might at a florist or in your own holiday décor. It’s a warm, inviting project for anyone who enjoys bringing seasonal arrangements to life, whether on the craft table or at home.

- To begin, cover a 5″ x 7″ card base with patterned paper.
- Die-cut the Winter Greenery, Florals 29, and Flower Pot/Bucket (a retired Elizabeth Craft Designs set) from Soft Finish Cardstock. Add color with Distress Oxide inks. I like coloring after cutting, as the ink highlights the embossed details in the die-cuts.
- Shape the pieces as needed and assemble the individual elements.
- Stamp a sentiment from Festive Holly Sentiments in Potting Soil ink and cut it with a tag die. (I used a now-retired MFT tag set.)
- Create your arrangement by layering and attaching the die-cut elements to the card base. Keep building until the greenery has that full, pleasing, zhuzhed-up look you’d aim for in a real holiday arrangement. Finish by attaching the sentiment tag with foam adhesive for added dimension.

Better Together Owl Valentine Card

Hello! Today, I’m sharing a Valentine created with the Spellbinders “Better Together” die set, this month’s Small Die Kit. The kit includes pieces to build either cute owls or playful otters, and I chose to make a pair of owls perched on a branch. With hearts, flowers, and the lighthearted sentiment “you’re stuck with me,” this card is a fun way to send a little love to someone special.

- To begin, cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Stamp the sentiment with the Clear Stamp of the Month in black on white cardstock and cut with the coordinating die.
- Cut the owls, branch, flowers, and greenery with dies in the “Better Together” set from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble.
- Add assembly and sentiment to the prepared card base with foam squares.