Summer - Right as Rain

Art Impressions | Watercolored Tropical Scene

Hello! At this time of year, with summer winding down and fall and Christmas on the horizon, my cardmaking is all over the place—jumping from sunny beach scenes to Halloween ghosts to holiday sparkle. Today’s project captures the best of summer with a watercolored tropical sunset. I used a stamp set from Art Impressions to create the layered scene. Instead of making the set interactive, I stacked the layers for depth and added the sentiment on top—turning this card into a peaceful little getaway on paper.

- To begin, cover a 4 1/4″ square card base with patterned paper (I cut the paper with a now-retired stitched die).
- Stamp the Tropical Circlet Mini Tryfold images on Arches Cold Pressed Watercolor paper with Archival Ink. Watercolor with Tombow markers. Cut the images with the dies in the set and circle dies. Stamp the image in the set with the sentiment on to white cardstock and cut with two circle dies to create a ring. Assemble the stack of images and include a circle cut from vellum on the bottom. I also cut rings from foam, which I glued between the layers for additional depth.
- Add the assembly to the prepared card base.

Penny Black | Watercolored Hydrangea

Hello! Today, I’m sharing a handmade card featuring a watercolored hydrangea bloom in a vintage-style watering can—created with stamps from Penny Black. I stamped the sentiment on vellum and cut it with a circle die sot that the words would not get lost over the background. It’s a simple, yet heartfelt, design that feels timeless.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Stamp Hydrangeas and Sprinkles images on watercolor paper and color with media of choice. I used Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors. Once dry, cut the watercolored items with the coordinating die sets. I added white enamel accents to the floral centers.
- Stamp the Sprinkles sentiment on vellum and cut with a circle die. Adhere the circle and floral assembly to the prepared card base.

Newton’s Nook | Celebrate the Fourth

Hello! I’m celebrating the 4th of July with a playful handmade card featuring a cat and dog riding in a wagon decked out in red, white, and blue! The adorable image, from Newton’s Nook, is perfect for patriotic crafting. I typically reach for watercolor markers, but this time I opted for my Kuretake Gansai Tambi pans for a fresh take. I decided I wanted to ~~torture myself~~ explore a different watercolor medium that I haven’t used in several years.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Stamp the 4th of July stamp image on to watercolor cardstock. Color with medium of choice. Cut with coordinating die set.
- Stamp the sentiment onto cardstock and cut with a rectangular die. Add the watercolored image with foam adhesive.
- Add embellishments to the panel (I used Taylored Expressions white epoxy stars from my stash) and add to card base.

Newton’s Nook | Cat with Bubble Tea

Hello! Today, I’m sharing a playful handmade card featuring a fun-loving cat sipping bubble tea—because it’s always a good time to par-tea! I used stamps from Newton’s Nook to create the adorable focal image, which I watercolored. To set the scene, I stenciled a pair of tropical palm trees on to patterned paper, adding a relaxed, summery vibe that perfectly complements the kitty’s party spirit.

- Stamp the Bubble Tea image on Cold Press watercolor paper, heat-set the image, and color with Zig markers.
- Once dry, cut the image with its coordinating die.
- Stencil the palms in black in with the Retro Sun and Palms stencil on to patterned paper (Simple Stories Just Beachy). Trim and add to a white A2-size card base.
- Using a different patterned paper in the same Simple Stories Just Beachy pad, cut a hill, and add to the prepared base.
- Stamp the Bubble Tea sentiment on to yellow cardstock and cut with a circle die.

Hero Arts | Beach Snapshots

Hello! There’s something wonderfully calming about the ocean, and I wanted to capture that peaceful vibe on this handmade card. Using Hero Arts products, I created a design that looks like eight different snapshots of the same beach. The repetition adds rhythm, while soft blues, sandy neutrals, and sunny yellows bring the coastal scene to life. At the center, a playful “Hi Ya” sentiment ties everything together for a lighthearted, summery hello.

- - Create an A2-size card base from Fawn cardstock.
  - With dies in the Summer Memories – Hero Studio Die Set of the Month (June 2025) set, cut photo frames, skies, suns, oceans, surfs, and beaches from a variety of cardstock colors (see list below). Find more Die Set of the Month inspiration HERE.
  - Assemble scenes and add to the prepared card base.
  - With the Hiya Friend stamp set, which is this month’s Whole Studio Subscription bonus item, stamp the sentiment and cut with the coordinating die. Add to the center of the card with foam adhesive.

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