Dry embossing - Right as Rain

Spellbinders | Colorful Expressions Blooms

Hello! Today, I am sharing a “hello” card created with Spellbinders August 2024 Large Die of the Month Kit “Colorful Expressions Blooms.” The design features an arrangement of die-cut flowers and greenery paired with a sentiment created with the August 2024 Small Die of the Month Kit – “Colorful Expressions Sentiments.”

Cut Sea Glass cardstock with largest die in the 5 x 7 Matting Basics A set and dry-emboss with the Tiny Dots folder. Attach to a 5″ x 7″ Brushed Gold card base.
With the Large Die of the Month Kit set, cut elements from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble as required. Add elements to card background, trimming overlap as necessary.
Cut sentiment with dies in the Small Die of the Month Kit set and add to card front with foam adhesive.

Mindful Christmas Card Prep

Hello! As July comes to a close, it’s a great time to prepare for Christmas card making. Stores are beginning to stock new products for holiday crafting. In fact, Spellbinders already has released a number of holiday products with more to come. Just as I did last year in this post, I am evaluating the supplies I already own and identifying any gaps. In this post, I explore Christmas-themed products including BetterPress sentiment plates, focal item dies, background options, and specialty cardstock. Spellbinders is running a sale on past Christmas products.

Focal Item Dies: Which holiday-themed dies are you drawn to craft with – reindeer, Christmas trees, gnomes, snowmen? Santa is a perennial favorite, and there are many Santa die sets available. Click on the image to be taken to the original post with additional details.

Simon’s Snow Globes Collection includes a base set and several add-ons. I have used the Snowman Scene several times. Click on the image to be taken to the original post with additional details.

Backgrounds: Snowflake embossing folders – Sparkling Snow 3D and Flurry of Snowflakes 3D – add seasonal texture. The Starshine Background is a terrific way to create a subtly textured card base for the holidays and beyond.

Sentiments: Having purchased a BetterPress, I have been using the Merry and Bright sentiment set and plan to purchase additional holiday press plates. The Red Geranium Archival Ink works well for the holidays. Click on the image to be taken to the original post with additional details.

Specialty Cardstock: Glitter cardstock enhances holiday projects by adding festive and eye-catching sparkle. The Spring Tones and Jewel Tones packs include a variety of colors. Cardstock in metal-inspired colors and finishes can add a sophisticated and luxurious touch to holiday cards. The Gold, Silver, and Rose Gold packages include sheets of glitter metallic, matte metallic, brushed metallic, mirror metallic, and pearl metallic, which pair well with traditional holiday colors like red and green.

Die-cut Nautical “AHOY” Card

Hello! At the beginning of the month, I shared a round-up of summer-themed cards. Inspired by the post, I created a nautical-themed card that features a charming Impression Obsession sailboat. The cheerful “AHOY” is a perfect choice for sending warm wishes to any sea lover in your life and works for a multitude of occasions.

- I used Echo Park patterned paper in my stash for the card base background. I discuss how patterned paper is a quick and convenient way to add character to card backgrounds HERE.
- While designing the card, I thought back on the impact of a frame, which I discuss HERE. I chose the Lawn Fawn Say Cheese, Again die set to cut the Polaroid-style frame.
- To create the background behind the frame, I used the now-retired, Taylored Expressions “On the Spot” embossing folder. I wrote about the use of embossing folders in cardmaking HERE.
- I cut the sailboat, waves, and cloud from a variety of color cardstocks, and assembled as required. I used the Art Impressions Journal Letter die set to cut the letters that I glue to the frame.

Repetition in Design: Trio of Tropical Birds

Hello! Today I am sharing another card created with the Small Die of the Month kit from Spellbinders – “Tropical Friends.” I previously shared a card created with the kit HERE. On this card, I am embracing the design principle of repetition. Note: the sign-up window for new club subscriptions closes on the 27th.

- Dry-emboss a 3 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ (slimline size) Peridot cardstock with the Puff Dotty folder. Add to card base.
- Press the Always and Forever sentiment with Cosmic Sky ink on Snowdrift cardstock. Cut with the die in the set. Add the sentiment to the card front with foam adhesive.
- Cut birds and foliage with the Small Die of the Month kit from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble. Add elements to card front with dot and foam adhesive.

Spellbinders | Tropical Flamingos

Hello! Today, I am sharing a friendship card featuring two lovely flamingos in a tropical scene – created with the Spellbinders May 2024 Large Die of the Month Club Kit “Grand Tropical Flamingos.” The subscription sign-up window for Spellbinders club kits is now open! Check out the FAQ page for more info.

- To create the card background, dry-emboss a 5″ x 7″ Waterfall cardstock panel with the Deco Holiday folder. Add to a card base.
- Cut Fresh Picked sentiment from Snowdrift and white glitter foam. Adhere together with cardstock in front and set aside.
- With the Large Die of the Month Club Kit, cut flamingos and floral items from a variety of cardstock colors. (I fussy-cut the feathers on the flamingos.) Assemble.
- Add elements to card base with dot and foam adhesive. Embellish with teal enamel dots.