Right as Rain - Cardmaking and Scrapbooking with Jean Manis

Tim Holtz | Cozy Winter Bear Card

Hello! Sometimes the simplest projects are the most enjoyable. For this card, I revisited some of my favorite Tim Holtz dies and embossing folder to create a winter scene. The focal point is a die-cut bear bundled in a scarf, holding a steaming beverage, paired with the playful “BRRR” sentiment. By using products I already love, the process was relaxing and creativity flowed without overthinking. This card is a quiet acceptance that winter is sticking around a bit longer.

- To begin, spray a watercolor cardstock panel with Tumbled Glass spray. Once dry, dry-emboss with the Simple Snowflakes folder and attach to an A2-size card base.
- Use the Tree Line die to cut white cardstock. The die cuts along the bottom. In order to lengthen, align the plates so that the bottom edge does not cut. Trim and add to the prepared base.
- Spray watercolor cardstock with Mermaid Lagoon spray. Once dry, cut the sentiment with letters in the Seasonal Sketch set. Add to letters cut from foam. Add the sentiment to the base.
- Cut the bear with dies in the Cozy Winter set from soft-finish cardstock. Color with Distress Oxide inks and assemble.
- Add the bear to the card with foam adhesive.
- Embellish with snowflakes cut with a die in the Festive Things set.

Retired Tim Holtz products: Cozy Winter, Tree Line, Simple Snowflakes embossing folder

Elizabeth Craft Designs | Bake Me Happy

Hello! There’s something irresistible about mixing a little humor with handmade charm, and today’s card does just that. Using the Elizabeth Craft Designs Big Mouse and Baking Accessories die sets, I created a mouse chef surrounded by baking tools. The sentiment sets the tone for a lighthearted design that is perfect for a birthday, a thank you, or just because.

- - Cover a 6-inch square base with patterned paper.
  - Cut the mouse and accessories from soft-finish cardstock and color with Distress Oxide inks. Assemble as required.
  - Stamp the sentiment on cardstock and cut with a circle die.
  - Add assembled mouse, accessories, and sentiment to the prepared card base.

Elizabeth Craft Designs | Dog Days Fun

Hello! If you love crafting that’s both playful and immersive, the Elizabeth Craft Designs Dogs and Car die sets from Joset’s Dog Days Collection are a delight. The assembly is a puzzle-like experience, perfect for getting lost in the process and enjoying the details.

- Cover a 6-inch square card base with patterned paper and a strip of cardstock, to represent the road.
- Create a sentiment on your computer and cut with a cloud die. I used a die from Poppystamps.
- Cut the dog with dies in the Dogs set and the Car set from Soft Finish cardstock. Color with Distress Oxide inks and assemble. I previously shared a card made with the Dogs set HERE.
- Add assembled items to prepared card base. Add the cloud sentiment and an additional cloud with foam squares.

Spellbinders | Paper Blooms

Hello! I’m excited to share that I have a guest post up on the Spellbinders blog featuring The Poet’s Garden Collection by Susan Tierney-Cockburn. I’m sharing three card designs created with this beautiful floral collection, along with all the details behind each project. I’d love for you to visit the blog post, take a look at the cards, and leave a comment.

Elizabeth Craft | Charming Dog

Hello! This card features a die-cut dog created with the Elizabeth Craft Designs Dogs set, part of the Dogs Day Collection, cut from soft finish cardstock and hand-colored. I paired the assembled dog with coordinating dog-themed patterned paper including a printed sentiment, making this an easy card to put together. An arch die spotlights the focal image, a design approach I return to often because it allows the character of the die to shine.

- Cover an A-2 size card base with patterned paper. I used a now-retired DCWV pad.
- Use dies in the Arches set to cut coordinating paper, sentiment, and larger white cardstock mat. Assemble and add to the card base.
- Cut the dog with dies in the Dogs set from soft-finish cardstock and color with Distress Oxide Inks. I used Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Antique Linen, and Black Soot. Assemble and add to card base with foam squares.

One of the things I love about this collection is the variety of dogs and the number of accessory sets that mix and match so well. I am slowly making my way through the collection. There is no shortage of inspiration on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog and their YouTube channel.