die cuts - Right as Rain

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.

Spellbinders | Sweet Valentine Mash-Up

Hello! This Valentine card came together as a true mashup, blending newer products with well-loved favorites from my stash. I used the Spellbinders January 2026 Large Die of the Month frame pairing it with the Simon Hurley Birthday Bear for a cheerful focal point. A winter-themed Simon Hurley die set and several older Valentine-themed die sets filled in the details. I talked about my fondness for product mashups in this post.

- Create an A2-size card base from Raven cardstock.
- Cut the frame with dies in the Large Die of the Month set from Blush cardstock. Use a die in the Parcel & Post Heart Decorations set to cut the letters from the frame and inlay with letters cut from Classic White cardstock. Back with patterned paper and add the assembly to the card base.
- Cut the panda with dies in the Birthday Bear set. I previously shared a birthday bear card created with this same set. Assemble. Use the North Pole Sentiments set to cut the hat and scarf. Add to the assembled panda.
- Cut a banner and heart with dies in the Love on the Rocks set and attach to stakes cut with a die in the Parcel & Post Heart Decorations set.
- Add the bear and accessories to the frame.

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.

Relaxing Card to Brighten Winter

Hello! Today, I am sharing a card created with the January Die of the Month for Spellbinders. The structure of the die did most of the work. The set cuts a graceful fan shape, and I dry-embossed the individual fan pieces to add subtle texture before layering them together. The floral elements sit on top of the fan. I chose a rich palette of deep, saturated colors from the ColorWheel cardstock that feel especially welcome this time of year. A simple sentiment is included at the bottom of the frame, keeping the emphasis on the design and texture of the card.

- Create an A-2 size card base from Violet cardstock.
- Use the Sunny Stems set to cut the fan pieces from Gold Treasured cardstock. Emboss the interior pieces of the fan with the Cloud Nine folder, the January 2026 embossing folder offering, and add to the fan frame. Add the assembly to the card base.
- Cut the Sunny Stems from a variety of cardstock colors and assemble. Add to the frame.
- Heat-emboss in gold the Fair Winds sentiment and cut with the coordinating die. Add to the card with foam squares.

Spellbinders | Hummingbirds Birthday Card

Hello! Birthdays are one of those card-sending occasions that never go out of style, and that’s part of what makes them so satisfying to create. For this card, I used the Spellbinders January Large Die of the Month, Hummingbirds Delight, and leaned fully into color, which is a welcome change this time of year. The die set includes a beautiful frame, which makes it easy to anchor the design and add a sentiment along the bottom.

While I chose a birthday greeting here, this design easily adapts to many occasions including thank you or thinking of you, by swapping out the sentiment.

- Create an A2-size card base from Blue Spruce cardstock.
- Using the Large Die set frame die, cut the frame, leaves, flowers, and hummingbirds from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble as necessary.
- Add the floral piece to the backside of the frame.
- Dry-emboss Seaside cardstock with the Cloud Nine folder and secure to the bottom portion of the frame. Place the assembly on to the card base. You need the top to be open to tuck the elements under the frame.
- Add the elements to the top and sides of the frame. Secure frame to the dry-embossed background.
- Press the You are Everything sentiment and add to the frame.
- Add hummingbirds with foam squares.