Roundup - Right as Rain

Red, White & Blue Card Inspiration

Hello! The Fourth of July inspires more than flags and fireworks! Over the years, I’ve created a variety of cards that celebrate the holiday in different ways. Whether you’re drawn to traditional Americana or prefer a more contemporary approach, these projects showcase a range of techniques and styles that can be adapted for Independence Day, summer celebrations, and beyond. I’ve gathered them here for inspiration and a look back at some favorite creations.

With its festive Fourth of July decorations and loyal canine companion, this watercolored porch scene celebrates the simple pleasures of home during the holiday.

These critter cards offer a playful take on Fourth of July greetings. Colored with watercolor, the images have a relaxed, summery feel.

A mix of botanical elements with classic Independence Day symbols gives this design a playful, unexpected twist while still honoring the traditional red, white, and blue theme.

This imaginary die-cut scene features Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty taking a drive to celebrate Independence Day.

A combination of birds, a birdhouse, and a patriotic color palette creates a cheerful Fourth of July card full of charm.

This clean and simple design keeps the focus on bold patriotic elements. Die-cut stars, “USA” letters, and a strong background come together in a crisp, graphic composition.

The final Fourth of July card features a nighttime celebration scene with a die-cut cityscape and a stamped sky filled with fireworks.

I never tire of working with the Fourth of July theme. Looking back through these projects has also reminded me of how many favorite supplies and designs I already have on hand. I’m looking forward to pulling out those familiar elements and using them in new ways.

Do you make Fourth of July cards each year, or is this a theme you dip into only now and then?

Mason Jar Florals: A Cardmaking Roundup

Hello! Recently, I shared a roundup of floral cards exploring alternatives to the traditional vase arrangement in my post Floral Cards Beyond the Vase. While those cards showcased a variety of creative containers, one vessel deserves a closer look of its own: the mason jar.

In this roundup, I’m revisiting five cards that showcase this informal floral container. Click on the photo to visit the original post for additional details. Please note: some of the products used may no longer be available. This roundup is intended to provide inspiration rather than serve as a current shopping guide.

On the first card, the florals were created by cutting the floral element from colored cardstock twice, once for the bloom and again for the stem. The mason jar is cut from vellum and colored to resemble glass holding water.

Using the same Penny Black mason jar die as in the card above, this fall-themed card features florals cut from cardstock colored with Distress Oxide inks before cutting.

This bouquet of oversized roses features floral elements cut from cardstock colored with watercolor and Distress Inks before die cutting. A white outline die layered on top gives the design an inlaid appearance.

Created with the same mason jar die from Paper Smooches, the floral elements for this card are cut from white cardstock, then colored with Distress Oxide inks. Unlike the other cards in the roundup, this card features a stamped sentiment rather than a tag sentiment tied around the top of the jar.

Finally, for a CAS card created with Impression Obsession dies, the floral elements are cut from white cardstock and then colored with Copics.

While I featured mason jar dies from Penny Black, Paper Smooches, and Impression Obsession in the roundup, as I was gathering these projects, I realized I own a Hero Arts jar stamp set, a Lawn Fawn mason jar stamp set with a coordinating die, and a standalone Lawn Fawn mason jar die that I’ve yet to put to use. It seems I may be due for another mason jar bouquet card!

Tropical and Beach Card Inspiration

Hello! Take a creative escape to paradise with this collection of tropical and beach-inspired handmade cards! Whether you’re looking for ideas for scene-building, tropical color palettes, or coastal-inspired designs, this roundup gathers together some of my favorites. With tropical and beach-themed products appearing in stores again, it’s the perfect time to take stock of what’s already in your stash, revisit old favorites, and identify any gaps in your collection for summer crafting.

Click on any photo to visit the original post for additional details and project information. Please note that some of the products used may no longer be available, as this roundup is intended to provide inspiration rather than serve as a current shopping guide.

From playful flamingos to two interpretations of the same cockatoo die, these cards explore tropical imagery through bold teal and pink palettes.

These Lawn Fawn beach scenes showcase two versions of seaside living. One is a tidy coastal cottage, and the other is a more rustic shack with laid-back island character.

This Instax-inspired camera card captures the feel of vacation snapshots with two tiny beach scenes tucked into the photo frames.

This card takes a whimsical approach to tropical crafting with gnomes enjoying a sunny day at the beach.

The roundup concludes with two watercolored cards, one capturing the quiet relaxation of beach chairs facing the water and the other offering a whimsical moment with a cat drinking from a fishbowl.

Seeing these cards reminded me how much I enjoy tropical imagery and beach escapes on paper, making this a fun time to pull out longtime favorites and consider what new products might complement them.

Floral Cards Beyond the Vase

Florals are one of my favorite elements in cardmaking, but I rarely let them sit in a traditional vase. Instead, I enjoy placing them into containers that add personality, tell a story, and set the tone of a card. A watering can feels fresh and garden-like, a barrel brings in rustic warmth, and a pair of boots adds a touch of whimsy. In this collection, I’m sharing a series of floral cards where the container is just as important as the flowers themselves. Click the card photo to visit the original post.

Watering cans are one of the most natural and effortless ways to present florals. They immediately evoke a garden setting, where flowers feel freshly gathered and loosely arranged.

In this watering can design, I used stamped and watercolored images rather than die-cut elements. Both the flowers and the watering can were stamped, colored, and then die cut, creating a more painterly interpretation of the same container idea.

Barrels bring a completely different mood that is more rustic and seasonal. They pair beautifully with foliage, autumn leaves, and warm-toned blooms.

Boots are where things become more playful. They instantly add personality to a floral arrangement. These designs can be whimsical or soft depending on the color palette, but they always carry a sense of fun.

Floral containers influence a card’s personality. The same floral elements can feel completely different depending on what holds them.

If you enjoyed these floral container ideas, you might also like the floral bouquet card I shared recently, where the flowers are wrapped in paper instead of placed into a container.

The Creative Year in Review

As 2025 comes to a close, I looked at all my cards from the year and chose a few that represent some of the creative paths I took. I’ve included images of those cards here, and each one links to its original post if you’d like to revisit it.

I found myself reaching for products from designers I hadn’t used in a while, like Tim Holtz and Elizabeth Craft Designs. I took on projects with more steps, like monoprint stenciled backgrounds and dimensional florals. These weren’t the quickest projects to make, but they were satisfying.

Even though most of my cardmaking leans toward die cuts, I continued to enjoy watercoloring this year. The Art Impressions sets stand out because the stamped images are well suited to watercolor, and the coordinating dies make it easy to add a little dimension.

Finally, I found really enjoyed combining products from different sets in whimsical ways, which I call “mashups.”

Of course, any time we switch gears creatively, whether it’s trying a new technique or exploring a different designer, there’s an investment involved. There’s the time it takes to learn how something works, to practice, and to make imperfect attempts. There’s often financial commitment as well, with new tools or products. With changes in the craft industry and higher costs this year, I’ve been more intentional about what I bring into my craft room, focusing on purchases that offer lasting value and room to learn.

Looking ahead to 2026, I want to try designers and companies I haven’t explored yet and to continue the practices I embraced this year.

As you look back on your own year, your creative journey may have looked very different. Perhaps you spent time organizing your space, using what you already have, or finding connection through classes, groups, or online communities. If you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear what this year held for you.