Summer - Right as Rain

Hero Arts | Instax-Inspired Beach Card

Hello! Nothing says summer quite like sunshine, sandy beaches, and spontaneous snapshots! Today I’m sharing a handmade card that brings all those warm-weather vibes together with the Summer Memories – Hero Studio Die Set of the Month (June 2025) set from Hero Arts and the coordinating Hiya Friend stamp set, which is this month’s Whole Studio Subscription bonus item. My card features a die-cut Instax-style camera and two photos, tied together with a playful “Hello Summer” sentiment. It’s a breezy, cheerful card that’s perfect for welcoming the season or sending a sunny hello.

Hero Studio is a monthly subscription program that offers something for crafters of any level. Choose from a cardmaking kit, cling stamp, clear stamp and die, fancy dies, and layering stencils. You can easily mix and match or get them all with Whole Studio Subscription option and get an extra bonus.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Cut the camera, photo frames, beach scene, and shell with dies in the June 2025 Hero Studio Die Set. Assemble. Note: For the second photo, I framed pattern paper.
- Stamp the sentiment using this month’s Whole Studio Subscription bonus item and cut with the coordinating die.
- Add assembled elements to the prepared card base.

Newton’s Nook | Purrfect Day

Hello! There’s nothing like a beach day to capture the spirit of summer—and that includes our furry friends! Today I’m sharing a sunny, beach-themed card created with the Happy Meowr stamp set from Newton’s Nook. I watercolored the cat and paired the image with a summer-patterned paper to complete the sunny vibe. This fun and easy design is purrfect for sending warm wishes—or just because.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper from the Simple Stories Just Beachy pad.
- Stamp the Happy Meowr image and watercolor. I used a combination of Zig Real Brush markers and watercolor pencils. Once dry, cut with the coordinating die.
- Color white cardstock with Tumbled Glass and Antique Linen Distress Inks. Stamp the sentiment with a stamp in the Seashell Roundabout set.
- Cut with a circle die in the Hero Arts Circle Infinity set. Cut a white cardstock circle with the next biggest die in the set. Adhere the two and add the assembly to the card base.
- Add the cat to the circle with foam adhesive.

Hero Arts | Underwater Scene

Hello! Today I’m sharing a handmade card that brings the underwater world to life! Using a Hero Arts die set, I created a vibrant ocean scene filled with sea creatures—a turtle, a seahorse, and a crab. The layered die cuts add depth and movement, while the simple “hello there” sentiment keeps things light and friendly.

- Blend Distress Inks on to an A2-size card panel using vellum to mask a 5 1/4″ x 4″ area. Trim the panel and add to an A2-size card base.
- Apply Distress Inks to cardstock and cut marine life with the Sea Creatures set.
- Heat-emboss with white powder the Message Strips sentiment on black cardstock. Cut with the set’s coordinating die.
- Add elements to the card base with glue and foam squares trimming the coral as needed to fit within the ink masked area.

Spellbinders Pre-Summer Super Sale– Up to 50% Off – Ends 5/31/2025

Soaring High | Spellbinders Up and Away

Hello! Celebrate life’s big and small victories with a card that soars! Created with the Up and Away die set, part of the Sky’s the Limit Collection by Simon Hurley at Spellbinders. This design captures the joy of a carefree day as a boy flies his kite against a bright, open sky. With the sentiment “The Sky’s the Limit,” this card is a perfect way to encourage a grandchild who’s reached a new milestone—whether it’s finishing a school year, winning a big game, or accomplishing a personal goal. Let them know their potential is endless!

- - Cut an arch of Cascade cardstock with the largest Essential Arches die. Dry-emboss the arch with the Head in the Clouds folder. Add to an A2-size card base.
  - Cut the kite and boy with dies in the Up and Away die set. Assemble.
  - Press the Soaring Sentiments plate in blue ink and cut with the coordinating die.
  - Add the kite, boy, and sentiment to the prepared card base with foam and dot adhesive.

Sunny Studio Stamps | July 4th Truckload

Hello! Today, I am sharing a Fourth of July card featuring the delightful Sunny Studio Stamps Truckloads of Love stamp set, with coordinating dies. The set features a vintage pick-up truck along with a choice of critters and seasonal items to include in the truck. I shared a Valentine’s Day card created with these supplies HERE and a fall-themed card HERE.

- To begin, cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper. I used a piece from an Echo Park pad.
- Stamp Truckloads of Love pickup, banner, flag, rail, and critter with Versafine on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper and heat set. Color the images with watercoloring mediums of choice (I used Tombow markers). Once dry, cut the images with the dies in the coordinating set. (Check out my “Resources for Watercoloring Stamped Images” HERE.)
- Cut scallop mat from white cardstock with the Mini Mat and Tag 3 set.
- Stamp sentiment on white cardstock and add Distress Oxide Inks to sky and road (using vellum to mask while applying the inks). I created the sentiment on my computer.
- Trim inked sentiment panel to fit inside the Mini Mat and Tag 3 scallop mat. Add inked panel to mat.
- Add assembled truck to the scene.