Right as Rain - Cardmaking and Scrapbooking with Jean Manis

Playing with Penny Black Products

Hello! Lately, I’ve been easing my way back into the craft room. For the past several years, much of my creative time was shaped by design commitments, and now that those have come to an end, I have the opportunity to slow down and play.

As I’ve been watching Jill Foster’s Penny Black videos, one idea has especially stayed with me: limit your choices so you can enjoy the creative process instead of feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities. That simple shift in mindset has been exactly what I needed. Rather than trying to use every technique or create the “perfect” card, I’m choosing a handful of products and seeing where they lead.

This card combines a Penny Black cling stamp, an embossing folder, stamped images with coordinating dies, and a frame die. The watering can and hydrangea images also gave me another opportunity to practice watercoloring. I wouldn’t say I’ve completely found my creative rhythm again, but I can feel it returning.

- Dry-emboss a tan A2-size card panel with the Penny Black Texture folder. Add to a card base.
- Stamp Hydrangeas image onto watercolor paper and color it with your favorite medium. Stamp the watering can image onto watercolor paper and color it with your favorite medium. Once dry, cut the items with the coordinating dies Hydrangeas cut out and watering can cut out.
- Stamp the Happy Snippets sentiment and cut with a tag die (I used one from My Favorite Things). Add a small jewel/gem to the tag.
- Use the largest Classy Frames die to cut a frame.
- Stamp Script (similar cling stamp) onto purple paper with purple ink for a tone-on-tone background. Trim to fit inside the frame.
- Attach the purple panel to the back of the frame and add the assembly to the card base. Add the watering can and floral to the card with foam adhesive. Add the tag to the can.

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Art Impressions | Summer Front Porch

Hello! It’s been a while since I reached for Front Porch Series products from Art Impressions, and this card reminded me just how enjoyable watercoloring can be. One of the things I appreciate most about the Front Porch Series is how easily the sets mix and match, making it simple to create fresh scenes with stamps I already own. Returning to these sets has me looking at the collection with fresh eyes and inspired to create more.

- Stamp the door and lamp included in the base set.
- Accessorize the scene with items in the Patriotic and Farm House sets.
- Emboss the background with the Penny Black Allover Stitches folder. Add a sentiment from the Art Impressions Birthday Sentiment set.

You can see a similar card created with the Front Porch Series sets HERE.

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Spellbinders | Americana Quilt Card

Hello! Making this Americana quilt card was an absorbing process, almost like assembling a small paper quilt. I used an older 3″ quilt square die (Flower Mini Quilt by Becca Feeken) from Spellbinders and inlaid red, white, and blue patterned papers to create a classic Americana patchwork. I repeated the process to make a second square. The finished card is 3 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ and is kept simple with a BetterPress sentiment. The result feels nostalgic. This card idea occurred to me after I posted about Red, White, and Blue cards.

This card came together easily and became a relaxing project while I was brushing up on my watercolor skills for a different card. I’ve been enjoying revisiting older products, such as the Flower Mini Quilt die set, and discovering new ways to use them. You can see a guest blog post from several years ago that uses this die set and others in the Home Sweet Quilt Collection HERE.

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Elizabeth Craft | Rustic Barrel and Roses

Hello! Today I am sharing a card with a rustic garden feel, which combines several Elizabeth Craft Designs die sets. The design features a weathered wooden barrel containing roses and lush greenery, a birdhouse, set on a patterned paper background for added texture. A simple tag tucked into the arrangement finishes the scene. I originally set out to make a Fourth of July scene, but the design morphed along the way!

- Create a 5″ x 7″ card base from textured white cardstock and add a patterned paper panel (49 and Market from a season or so ago).
- Cut the barrel, birdhouse, and birds with dies in the Floral Foliage 1 set from soft-finish cardstock. Color and assemble as required.
- Cut the roses and leaves with dies in the Roses set from soft-finish cardstock. Color the leaves and shape. Shape the roses. This video from Elizabeth Craft is a big help in shaping the elements.
- Cut additional greenery with dies in the Greenery Fillers 01 set (now retired) from soft-finish cardstock. Color and shape.
- Stamp the sentiment and cut with a tag die. I used a now-retired Stampin’ Up Timeless Tropical stamp and a Taylored Expressions tag die.
- Arrange and adhere the elements to the prepared card base.

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Red, White & Blue Card Inspiration

Hello! The Fourth of July inspires more than flags and fireworks! Over the years, I’ve created a variety of cards that celebrate the holiday in different ways. Whether you’re drawn to traditional Americana or prefer a more contemporary approach, these projects showcase a range of techniques and styles that can be adapted for Independence Day, summer celebrations, and beyond. I’ve gathered them here for inspiration and a look back at some favorite creations.

With its festive Fourth of July decorations and loyal canine companion, this watercolored porch scene celebrates the simple pleasures of home during the holiday.

These critter cards offer a playful take on Fourth of July greetings. Colored with watercolor, the images have a relaxed, summery feel.

A mix of botanical elements with classic Independence Day symbols gives this design a playful, unexpected twist while still honoring the traditional red, white, and blue theme.

This imaginary die-cut scene features Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty taking a drive to celebrate Independence Day.

A combination of birds, a birdhouse, and a patriotic color palette creates a cheerful Fourth of July card full of charm.

This clean and simple design keeps the focus on bold patriotic elements. Die-cut stars, “USA” letters, and a strong background come together in a crisp, graphic composition.

The final Fourth of July card features a nighttime celebration scene with a die-cut cityscape and a stamped sky filled with fireworks.

I never tire of working with the Fourth of July theme. Looking back through these projects has also reminded me of how many favorite supplies and designs I already have on hand. I’m looking forward to pulling out those familiar elements and using them in new ways.

Do you make Fourth of July cards each year, or is this a theme you dip into only now and then?