Right as Rain - Cardmaking and Scrapbooking with Jean Manis

Elizabeth Craft Designs | Dog in Jeep

Hello! Today I’m sharing a birthday card (measuring 6″ x 7″) created with dies from Elizabeth Craft Designs. The Jeep die was originally designed for a now-retired collection. I paired it with a dog from the more recent Dog Days Collection. Swapping in a different animal gives the design a fresh personality while keeping a fun feel for anyone who enjoys a little adventure.

I added the “Happy Birthday” sentiment created from the Always and Forever Sentiments set from Spellbinders. I always end up with extra sentiments from this set since you press and cut 16 at a time, which makes it a great value. Those extras are perfect for adding to scene cards where the main focus is the imagery, and the sentiment supports the story.

I created a similar card with the monkey in the Jeep HERE. I created a scene with the dog in a car (part of the Dog Days Collection) HERE.

You don’t always need to reinvent the wheel when making cards. Mixing and matching older products from the same company can lead to fresh, unexpected combinations that feel brand new. It’s also a smart way to be economical with both your time and budget, getting more mileage from the products you already own.

Retired Elizabeth Craft Designs die sets: Safari Jeep, Party Accessories

Spellbinders | Summer Camp Fox

Hello! This summer-themed card features a fox dressed for water sports, next to a framed stenciled outdoor scene, both layered on a dry-embossed star background. The frame could be used to add a photo of a child camper, turning this water-sports fox card into a personalized summer keepsake. One of the highlights of the Spellbinders Summer Camp Collection is the ability to create different scenes, from hiking and campfire adventures to canoeing and water activities. You can see other cards with the collection HERE and HERE.

- With the Wishing Stars folder, dry-emboss an A2-size cardstock panel. Attach to the card base.
- Cut a frame with the Memory Frames die. Stamp the Summertime Sentiments onto the frame. Stencil the Lakeside Memories scene. Trim to fit behind the Memory Frames frame and attach. Add assembly to the card base.
- Cut the fox, his outfit, and the fishing pole with dies in the Trailside Trio and Splash Days sets. Assemble as needed. Add assembly to the card.

Elizabeth Craft | Window Scene

Hello! I’ve always loved window cards, and this one is a perfect example of why. The design, created with Elizabeth Craft Designs dies, features an arched window over a rectangular frame, creating a strong architectural focal point. A cat, a dog, a bird, and a tulip-filled window box bring warmth and personality to the composition. Everything is cut from solid cardstock, which keeps the shapes crisp and graphic. The simple “From All of Us” sentiment keeps the focus on the scene.

- Cover a 5″ x 7″ card base with patterned paper.
- With the Through the Window set (from the Everyday Memories Collection), cut the windows, shutters, dog, cat, bird, and window box. Back the windows with yellow cardstock. Create the window assembly. While the Through the Window set includes flowers, I chose to cut tulips using dies in the Garden Edges and Fence set.
- Press the Always and Forever sentiment and cut with its coordinating die.
  Add the window assembly to the card base. Attach the cat, dog, and bird with foam adhesive. Adhere the sentiment with dot adhesive.

Spellbinders | Happy Summer Raccoon

Hello! My second card created with the Spellbinders Summer Camp Collection is a 5 x 7 design featuring a landscape built with layered dies and a playful signpost sentiment. This adorable raccoon is dressed for a summer hike, complete with a backpack and s’mores for the campfire ahead. The “Happy Summer” greeting adds to the cheerful outdoor theme. You can see my first card created with this collection HERE.

- Create a 5″ x 7″ base from Breeze cardstock.
- Use the Landscape Edges to cut the hill and clouds. Add to the prepared base.
- Cut the raccoon with the Trailside Trio set. Assemble using the provided guide.
- Create the hiking accessories with the Camp Days set. Assemble using the provided guide.
- Create the trees and signpost with the Trails End set. Assemble using the provided guide.
- Add assembled items to the prepared scene.

Spellbinders | Floral Birthday Card

Hello! Today’s card features a framed bouquet set against a dry-embossed background for added texture and depth. The die-cut “Happy Birthday” sentiment anchors the design at the bottom of the frame, while a patterned paper card base adds a subtle layer of color and interest. The combination of florals, embossing, and framing creates a birthday card that feels both polished and warm. Of course, this same design could be used for many occasions.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- With the Leaf & Bloom dies, cut the flowers, stems, and leaf spray. Assemble.
- With the Mirrored Arch Labels set, cut a frame by nesting two dies, one larger than the other, and cutting them together. Use the die in between those sizes to cut cardstock and dry-emboss with the Distress Mix 3D folder. Adhere the dry-embossed panel to the back of the frame.
- Cut the sentiment with the Layered Happy Birthday set. Assemble.
- Layer the blooms onto the dry-embossed background. Trim at the bottom. Add the assembled sentiment to the base with foam squares.
- Add assembly to the card base.