Jean Manis - Right as Rain

Spellbinders | Warm Cocoa Wishes

Hello! I’m embracing the spirit of Christmas in July with a cozy winter-themed card created with the July 2025 Large Die of the Month kit from Spellbinders. The “Mugs & Mittens” die set includes several winter motifs for the cocoa topping including a snowman, Santa, and snowflake. The sentiment “Warm Cocoa Wishes” sets the tone for the season-to-come, while a snowflake dry-embossed background adds texture and depth.

- Dry-emboss an A2-panel of Breeze cardstock with the Flurry of Snowflakes 3D folder. Add to a card base.
- With the die set, cut cardstock for mittens, sweater sleeves, sentiment, mug, cocoa, and cocoa snowflake. Assemble.
- Add assembled items to card base.

Newton’s Nook | Cat and Sparklers Card

I couldn’t resist making another card with the Newton’s 4th of July stamp set from Newton’s Nook! This time, the star of the show is a cheerful cat holding sparklers in both paws—ready to celebrate in style. I watercolored the image pairing it with patterned papers to reinforce the theme. See my first card with this stamp set HERE.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Stamp the 4th of July stamp image on to watercolor paper. Color with medium of choice. Once dry, cut with coordinating die set. I used Gansai Tambi watercolors.
- Stamp the sentiment onto patterned paper and cut with an oval die. Cut another oval from a coordinating patterned paper and adhere sentiment piece. Add assembly to a scalloped oval mat cut from white cardstock. Add the assembly to the prepared base and adhere the watercolored image with foam adhesive.

As I mentioned in this post on card backgrounds, patterned paper offers a quick and convenient way to add character. I used papers from three different pads in my stash on this card.

Hero Arts | Retro Cassette Hello Card

Hello! I’m taking it back to the days of mixtapes and boomboxes with this retro-inspired thank you card! I used the July 2025 Mix Tape – Hero Studio Die set from Hero Arts to create a die-cut cassette tape, with the tape spelling a playful “hello.” I paired the cassette with patterned paper to complete the vintage theme—perfect for music lovers, ’70s and ’80s fans, or anyone who appreciates a throwback vibe in their paper crafts.

- Cut patterned paper panel and adhere to a brushed silver cardstock base.
- With the Mix Tape die set, cut cassette and sentiment pieces from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble. I doubled up the sentiment to create a drop shadow.
- Add assembly to card base with foam adhesive.

This design is easy to customize—change up the cassette or label colors to match your theme or leave off the tape-written sentiment and add a different message elsewhere on the card.

Hero Arts | Boho Birthday Balloons

Hello! I’m sharing a handmade birthday card that’s all about color and celebration—without being overly sweet. This design features die-cut balloons in a warm, boho-inspired color palette paired with a stamped background and a bold birthday sentiment. It’s the kind of card that feels festive yet grown-up, perfect for an adult birthday. I used a mix of Hero Arts products to bring this look together.

- Stamp the Ocean Waves background on to Classic White cardstock with gold ink. Trim and add to an A2-size card base.
- With the Balloon Bunch dies, cut the balloon base and bow from gold cardstock. Cut balloons from desired cardstock colors. Adhere the balloons to the balloon base.
- Heat-emboss the sentiment and cut with the coordinating die.
- Add the balloon assembly to the prepared base with foam squares. Attach the bow and sentiment.

This card comes together quickly with just a few basic die cuts and a stamped background—simple, but impactful. Swap out the boho tones for bright primaries or soft pastels, and you’ll have an entirely different look to suit any recipient or season.

The Hero Arts Tropic Like It’s Hot event ends 6/29/2025.

Newton’s Nook | Celebrate the Fourth

Hello! I’m celebrating the 4th of July with a playful handmade card featuring a cat and dog riding in a wagon decked out in red, white, and blue! The adorable image, from Newton’s Nook, is perfect for patriotic crafting. I typically reach for watercolor markers, but this time I opted for my Kuretake Gansai Tambi pans for a fresh take. I decided I wanted to ~~torture myself~~ explore a different watercolor medium that I haven’t used in several years.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Stamp the 4th of July stamp image on to watercolor cardstock. Color with medium of choice. Cut with coordinating die set.
- Stamp the sentiment onto cardstock and cut with a rectangular die. Add the watercolored image with foam adhesive.
- Add embellishments to the panel (I used Taylored Expressions white epoxy stars from my stash) and add to card base.