birthday - Right as Rain

Spellbinders | Stars, Stripes & Celebration

Hello! I’m sharing a card made with bonus items from the Spellbinders Crate, an embossing folder and die set, and it felt like the perfect project to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday. The background was created using a fireworks embossing folder, which instantly sets a festive tone. For the focal point, I filled an Uncle Sam hat with florals, an American flag, and a firework, creating a design that feels both patriotic and celebratory. I finished the card with a subtle BetterPress sentiment that complements the design without detracting from the focal image.

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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 | 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.

Spellbinders | Easter Birthday Card

Hello! A birthday during the Easter season calls for a mashup of spring and celebration. This card combines a variety of Spellbinders supplies including the recently released Bunny Buddies set. I know many of you enjoy seeing how versatile these sets can be. I’ve shared other mashups featuring Simon Hurley designs before, and once again this card shows how easily these pieces can stretch beyond a single holiday or occasion.

- To begin, cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper (Echo Park Party Animal).
- Cut Cascade cardstock with the largest die in the Mirrored Arch Labels set and dry-emboss with the Floating Balloons folder. Add to the card base.
- Cut the frame with the Memory Frames die and back with patterned paper (Carta Bella They Say It’s Your Birthday). Add to the card.
- Cut the balloon with the smallest balloon die in the Color Block Balloons set. Assemble.
- Cut the sentiment banner, package, and party hat with dies in the Birthday Bear set. Assemble.
- Cut the bunny with the Bunny Buddies set. Assemble. I previously shared a card with the Bunny Buddies die set HERE.
- Add assembled elements to the prepared card with foam and dot adhesive.

Simon Hurley Birthday Bear

When a birthday card is meant for a child, a playful focal point and clear design go a long way. For this card, I used the Birthday Bear die set created by Simon Hurley, part of the Spellbinders Sending Hugs Collection, letting a patterned paper background guide my color choices for the bear’s hat and gift. A Polaroid-style frame helps contain the scene. The versatility of this die set really shines, since it’s easy to swap colors to suit a girl or a boy, and you can choose to build either a sweet panda or a more traditional bear.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- With the Birthday Bear die set, cut the bear, hat, sentiment, and present. Assemble as necessary.
- Cut the Frame and add the assembled bear to the inside of the frame, securing along the bottom. Add a patterned paper background to the back and add the assembly to the card base.
- Add the sentiment, sentiment banner, and hat.