Simon Hurley - Right as Rain

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.

Spellbinders + Hero Arts | Die Set Mashup

Hello! I couldn’t resist a little die-cut mischief. I combined a Santa and Mrs. Claus set with a bed die (not originally meant for Christmas!) to create a cozy, playful scene of the festive couple tucked in together. Mrs. Claus even kept her glasses on. She is probably still making sure everything is just right, because we all know she’s the one who really runs the show. With a simple “Merry Christmas” sentiment, the card is whimsical and perfect for cardmakers who love mixing dies in unexpected ways.

- To begin, cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Cut the Spellbinders Clauses from a variety of cardstock colors and assemble.
- Use the Hero Arts Studio Cozy Critters set to cut the bed frame, quilt, and pillows.
- Place the pieces on to the prepared base.
- Cut the sentiment with dies in the North Pole Sentiments set and add to the top of the quilt.

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Spellbinders | Santa by the Mantel

Hello! There’s something especially heartwarming about Christmas scenes set inside the home. My latest card, created with several Spellbinders Simon Hurley die sets, captures Santa by the mantel, surrounded by stockings and holiday cheer. I loved bringing this cozy moment to life with die cuts that build a story—one that feels like it could come straight from a Christmas Eve illustration. I talk about the appeal of Santa in cardmaking HERE.

- Cover a 5″ x 7″ card base front with Hard Candy Christmas patterned paper. Add a strip along the bottom of Honey Bee Pinstripes and Polka Dots paper.
- Cut Santa with the The Clauses set and assemble.
- Create the mantel with the Mantel Village and Mantel Decorations die sets. Use a die in the North Pole Sentiments set to cut the sentiment into the mantel. Back with white cardstock.
- Add assembled elements to prepared card base.

I especially love that this card comes together entirely with die cuts—no stamping needed, and having the sentiment cut right into the mantel keeps the design clean and uncluttered.

CAS Stenciled Christmas Card

Hello! Today, I’m sharing a clean and simple Christmas card created with Simon Hurley products that captures the season’s elegance in just a few details. The background was made with the multi-part Festive Poinsettias stencil, blending classic holiday reds and greens. To complete the design, I heat-embossed the Sketched Snowmen sentiment in green and framed it with a touch of gold.

- With the first stencil in the Festive Poinsettias set, stencil the poinsettia petals on to Bristol cardstock with Candied Apple ink. With the second stencil, color the greenery with Mowed Lawn. The third stencil has details for both the poinsettia and the greenery. Stencil Archival Vermillion on the poinsettias (masking the areas for the greenery) and stencil Rustic Wilderness on the greenery, masking the poinsettias. Finally, add Champagne Gold Stencil Butter to the centers of the poinsettias, masking the other holes on the fourth stencil. (I decided that I only wanted the gold in the flower centers).
- Once dry, trim the stenciled panel and add to an A2-size card base.
- Heat-emboss the sentiment from the Sketched Snowmen set in Green and cut it with a rectangle die. Add to a gold cardstock mat with foam adhesive. Add assembly to card base.

I love how the layered stenciling adds depth while keeping the card clean and modern.