Spring - Right as Rain

Watercolored Chickens for Spring

Hello! Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than with a fun, interactive card? I used products in the Art Impressions Matchbook series to create a miniature scene featuring watercolored chickens and their coop. With the playful sentiment Spring Chicken, it’s perfect for sending a little joy!

The Art Impressions Matchbook series has many different options. You can see an intro video here.

- Stamp Chicken images in VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.
- Watercolor the images with watercolor markers. I used a combination of Tombow markers, Zig markers, and a Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencil. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images here. In addition to the markers linked below, I used two new Zig marker colors —Mid Yellow 501 and Yellow Ochre 505—purchased from Paper and Ink Arts (a small business dedicated to the calligraphy industry).
- Once dry, cut the images with the coordinating dies included with the Chicken set.
- Cut matchbook from patterned paper with the MB Template. Add watercolored Chicken elements.
- Stamp Chicken sentiment on white cardstock, trim, and add to scene.

While I primarily create die-cut cards, watercoloring offers a refreshing change of pace. This relaxing, low-tech approach engages the brain differently, often activating the right hemisphere, which is associated with creativity, intuition, and fluid thinking. Since watercolor flows and blends in organic ways, it encourages spontaneity and adaptability, making it a fun and freeing way to add a hand-painted touch to my cardmaking!

Spellbinders Small Die of the Month kit

Hello! Spring is all about fresh blooms and new beginnings, and what better way to capture that joy than with a whimsical card? I used the Spellbinders February Small Die of the Month Club kit—Step Into Spring—to create this playful design featuring a pair of legs, complete with socks overflowing with vibrant flowers. This cheerful and unique card is perfect for celebrating the season!

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- With the Small Die of the Month Club kit, cut the shoes, socks, legs, and flowers from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble.
- Cut the sentiment with the Fresh Picked Sentiments set twice—from white and black cardstock. Assemble the sentiment to create a drop shadow.
- Add the assembled shoes and sentiment to the card base.

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Step Into Spring with a Bunny Easter Card

Hello! With Groundhog Day in the rearview mirror, I am looking forward to spring and Easter. With this month’s Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Dancin’ Hoppy Bunnies Everywhere set, I created a sweet spring-themed design featuring a girl bunny ready to celebrate the season in style. This charming set lets you dress up the bunny in different looks, making it a fun and versatile addition to your card-making stash.

- Cover an A2-size card base with spring-themed patterned paper.
- With the largest die in the Essential Stylish Ovals set, cut white cardstock. Use the next smaller die in the set, cut spring-themed patterned paper. Add to card base.
- Cut the bunny, eggs, sentiment, and accessories with dies in the Large Die of the Month set.
- Add the bunny and other elements with dot and foam adhesive to the card front.

Springtime Charm: Birdhouse Scene Card

Hello! Today, I am sharing a spring-themed “Hello” card combining several Sunny Studio Stamps die sets. It has been a delight to hear the return of the birds singing now that it is spring.

Cut a mini-slimline panel (3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″) of Waterfall cardstock and add to card base.
Cut a strip of green cardstock (I used now-retired SU Cucumber Crush) with the grass die in the Picket Fence set.
Cut fence with the Picket Fence set from Snowdrift cardstock.
Cut birdhouses and birds with dies in the Build-A-Birdhouse set from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble.
Cut clouds from Snowdrift cardstock with dies in the Fluffy Clouds set.
Cut sentiment from white glitter foam (glitter side down) with the Art Impressions Journal Letter set.
Add clouds and fence to card base. Add birdhouses and birds. Lastly affix grass and add sentiment.

Impression Obsession | Friendship in Bloom

Hello! Today, I am sharing a friendship/encouragement card that features a barrel of blooming flowers and a heartfelt sentiment, “It’s your time to bloom.” The phrase can remind a friend to seize an opportunity, embrace growth, and achieve their potential. To see more cards with the encouragement theme head HERE.

- Stamp the Penny Black sentiment on Waterfall cardstock. Trim panel to slightly smaller to A2 size and add to an A2-size card base.
- Cut the Impression Obsession Bouquet and Whiskey Barrel pieces from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble and add to card base.
- Embellish with die-cut bees. (I used a now retired Elizabeth Crafts set.)