Jean Manis - Right as Rain

“Hello Sunshine” Spring Card

Hello! The arrival of spring always feels like a fresh start, and this card captures that spirit with cheerful colors and sweet birds perched on budding tree limbs. The “Hello Sunshine” sentiment adds the perfect touch of warmth, making this card a lovely way to share some seasonal joy. Created with Spellbinders die sets, it’s a bright and happy nod to spring’s beauty!

- Cut outside layer with the largest die in the Underwater Tunnel set from an A2-size panel of Classic White cardstock.
- Cut the teal layer with the next largest die in the Underwater Tunnel set from an A2-size panel of Waterfall cardstock.
- Stamp the Typewriter Adventure Sentiments sentiment in black ink on a panel of Beeswax cardstock.
- With the Perched Birds set, cut birds, leaves, and tree limbs from a variety of cardstock colors; assemble as required.
- For background visual interest, cut clouds from Classic White cardstock with dies in the On Cloud Nine set.
- Assemble the Underwater Tunnel layers and sentiment panel, leaving room to tuck in the tree limbs and clouds; add assembly to an A2-size card base.
- Tuck limbs into layers and adhere. Add clouds. Add assembled birds to scene with foam adhesive squares.

Easter Bunnies Matchbook Card

Hello! There’s something so delightful about creating miniature scenes, and this Easter matchbook card is no exception! I used products in the Art Impressions Matchbook series to craft a tiny world where bunnies are busy painting eggs in a scene that includes hutches, pottery, and paintbrushes. Capture the joy of the season with a playful, pocket-sized creation!

The Art Impressions Matchbook series has many different options. You can see an intro video here.

- Stamp Easter Bunnies images in VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.
- Watercolor the images with watercolor markers. I used Tombow markers. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images here.
- Once dry, cut the images with the coordinating dies included with the Easter Bunnies set.
- Cut matchbook from patterned paper with the MB Template. Add watercolored Easter Bunnies elements.
- Stamp Easter Bunnies sentiment on white cardstock, trim, and add to scene.

Triple the Cuteness Easter Card

Hello! Easter is a great time to embrace all things cute and colorful, and my latest card does just that! This playful creation features three Polaroid-style snapshots of adventurous bunnies behind the wheel, with each car in a different color combo — green, purple, and pink. The overlapping snapshots add a fun, dynamic feel, while the cheerful “hippity hoppity” sentiment makes it unmistakably Easter. I used a combination of Spellbinders products to bring this scene to life.

- Create a 5″ x 7″ card base and cover with patterned paper.
- Cut the photo frames with the Memory Frames die. Back with Waterfall cardstock.
- BetterPress the All Seasons Spring sentiment in black ink and cut with the coordinating die.
- Cut bunnies, cars, and balloon with dies in the Go Kart Go set. Assemble as required. I shared a card featuring the Go Kart Go set HERE.
- Adhere the bunnies inside the frames. Arrange frames on card base and adhere.
- Embellish scene with the assembled Go Kart Go balloon and clouds cut with the On Cloud Nine set.
- Add sentiment with foam squares.

Now through March 19, save up to 30% on select Spellbinders die sets!

Lucky Ride: Gnome Leprechaun

Hello! St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and I couldn’t resist creating a playful card to celebrate! This festive design features a gnome, dressed like a leprechaun, cruising along in a cheerful little car. I used a combination of Spellbinders products to bring this whimsical scene to life, and I love how it captures the lighthearted spirit of the holiday.

- Create an A-2 size card base from yellow cardstock. Add a 1 1/2″ strip of dark gray cardstock along the bottom for the road.
- Using dies in the Gnome Drive Holiday (this is the base kit that includes the car) and Gnome Drive Spring sets, cut the pieces for the shamrocks, gnome, lucky horseshoe, and car from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble.
- BetterPress the All Seasons Spring sentiment with black ink and cut with the coordinating die.
- Add elements to card base and embellish with clouds cut with the On Cloud Nine die set.

The Gnome Drive Spring set also includes dies to create an Easter-themed card. You can see an example HERE – a guest post I wrote for the Spellbinders blog.

Now through March 19, save up to 30% on select Spellbinders die sets!

Stuck on You: Watercolored Hedgehog Card

Hello! I usually reach for dies when making cards, but sometimes it’s fun to switch things up with a bit of watercoloring. This adorable hedgehog from Art Impressions was the perfect chance to do just that! Since the stamp set does not have a coordinating die for the images, after watercoloring the stamped image, I masked the hedgehog and cactus to add the sky and ground.

- Create an A2-size card base from off-white cardstock. With the Burlap folder, dry-emboss a Chocolate Bar cardstock panel measuring 4″ x 5 1/4″. Add panel to card base.
- Stamp the hedgehog in VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.
- Watercolor the image with watercolor markers. I used Tombow markers and Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images here. Tombow markers: Brown 879, Burnt Sienna 947, Rhodamine Red 725, Dusty Rose 772, Navy Blue 528, Dark Jade 177.
- Once dry, mask image and add Distress Inks for sky and ground. Cut image with one of the Hexagon Double Stitched Dies. With the next larger die in the set, cut a larger hexagon from Blue Jay cardstock. Add stamped hexagon to mat.
- Stamp sentiment in Potting Soil ink on off-white cardstock and cut with a 1 1/4″ circle die.
- Add elements to prepared base.

Masking might sound intimidating, but it’s actually a simple technique that makes a big impact. All you need is a bit of masking paper or a sticky note to cover your stamped image while adding the sky and ground. As for the watercoloring, don’t worry about being perfect — the beauty of watercolor is in its softness and unpredictability. A little practice goes a long way, and the results are so rewarding!