cardmaking - Right as Rain

Encouragement Card for Dog Lovers

Hello! If you’re looking for the perfect card to brighten someone’s day, this encouragement card might be just the thing. Featuring a charming pug dressed in glasses and bandana, this design, created with Spellbinders supplies, brings instant smiles. Whether you’re sending support to a dog-loving friend or simply want to say, “hang in there,” this card delivers a heartwarming message with personality.

- To begin, cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Cut pug pieces from cardstock and vellum with dies in the Big Pug set. Assemble.
- Cut glasses and bandana with dies in the Cats and Pugs Accessories set.
- With the Cats and Pugs Sentiments set, stamp the sentiment. Cut with die in the Spellbinders Cheerful Kittens set. Cut back banner with another die in the set.
- Add items to card base.

The large die-cut pug takes center stage, filling the card with playful charm—it’s an easy design to make, but one that leaves a big impact.

Spellbinders | Susan’s Azaleas

Hello! Today, I’m excited to share a card that captures the beauty of azaleas nestled in a charming garden pot. Following Susan Tierney-Cockburn’s step-by-step video, I was able to assemble the azaleas and pot, available as a set at Spellbinders. This project was a delightful learning experience.

- As explained in the video, with dies in the Azalea and Garden Pot set, cut the leaves from watercolor cardstock. To color the leaves, I used Copics E27, YG63, and YG67. Form the leaves with Susan’s tools and then paint on glaze. Set aside to dry. I don’t know what brand glaze Susan used on hers; I used JudiKins Diamond Glaze.
- With dies in the Azalea and Garden Pot set, cut the petals and stamens from Susan’s Garden Specialty Cardstock and color. To color, I used Copics RV23, RV25, and R39. Following Susan’s directions, I cut the stamens, glued them, and added pollen. I formed the flowers with tools in the kit and then glued the petals and stamens.
- With dies in the Azalea and Garden Pot set, cut the pot from Classic White cardstock and color by heat-embossing Fired Brick Distress Embossing Glaze. I added several coats. Assemble pot.
- Dry-emboss a 5 1/2″ square panel of Seaside cardstock with the Flowers and Foliage folder and add to a card base.
- Stamp the sentiment on Classic White cardstock and cut with a die in the Assorted Tags set, masking the “there” so that only “hello” is stamped.
- Add the pot, leaves, and flowers to the prepared card base. Tuck the sentiment tag into the finished arrangement.

While there are numerous steps involved in creating this card, Susan Tierney-Cockburn’s tutorial breaks down the process into manageable parts, making it achievable even for beginners like me.

Say Hello with a Doggone Cute Design

Hello! Today, I’m sharing a playful handmade card featuring a die-cut dog sporting a baseball cap and a cheerful “Hello” sentiment—created with Spellbinders dies. This lighthearted design is perfect for sending a casual greeting, especially to a young child. I chose fun patterned paper to enhance the relaxed vibe, making the card feel friendly and fresh.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Use a die in the Essential Arches set to cut Cascade cardstock. Use the next smallest arch in the set to cut another piece of patterned paper. Attach the two and add to the card base.
- Use dies in the Family & Friends Vignettes set (the March 2025 Large Die of the Month set) to cut the dog and hat. (I used other elements from the kit HERE.) Assemble.
- Cut the sentiment with a die in the Fresh Picked Sentiments set (twice for extra depth).
- Add dog and sentiment to the prepared card base.

Spellbinders | You’re Wonderful

Hello! Today, I’m sharing an elegant handmade card inspired by a recent visit to the stunning RoozenGaarde tulip garden in Washington. The vibrant tulips I saw there were unforgettable, and they became the heart of this card design, brought to life with Spellbinders supplies. The sentiment “You’re Wonderful” makes this card perfect for expressing appreciation, celebrating someone special, or simply brightening someone’s day.

- Dry-emboss an A2-size panel of Seaside cardstock with the Flowers & Foliage folder. Add to a card base.
- With the Tulip Trio die set, cut the stems, leaves, and blooms. Assemble the blooms. Affix the elements to the card base and trim along the bottom.
- Press the You are Everything sentiment and cut with the coordinating die. Add to the card with foam adhesive.

Discover a Fresh Way to Choose Colors

Ever feel stuck when picking colors for your cards? The new DIY Color Deck at Spellbinders is a game-changer—and I had the chance to try it out! In my latest guest post on the Spellbinders blog, I’m sharing three cards inspired by three different images in the deck. I stuck to just one die collection, one embossing folder, and one sentiment set to show how powerful color alone can be. Curious how it all came together? Head over to the Spellbinders blog to explore the full post and all the colorful details!