Summer - Right as Rain

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.

Now at Hero Arts from June 11-18, 2025, get $25 off sales of $150 or more.

Spellbinders | Whimsical Nautical Card

Hello! If you’re craving a bit of whimsy and salt air, today’s card delivers both with a playful nautical scene. Created with the Spellbinders “Shipmates” die set – the June 2025 Small Die of the Month offering – the card stars a walrus and a seagull in a charming, storybook-like style. You can find more inspiration for the set HERE.

The sentiment “Seas the Day” sets a cheerful tone, and the dry-embossed fishing net background adds texture and reinforces the maritime theme. Whether you’re crafting for a beach lover or just love ocean-inspired designs, this card is sure to bring a smile!

- Dry-emboss an A2-size cardstock panel with the Cast Away folder. Add to a card base.
- Cut the Small Die of the Month elements and assemble. Add assemblies to the prepared card base.
- Stamp the Fair Winds sentiment and cut with coordinating die. Add to the card.

Hero Arts Blast from the Craft Sale – Save up to 25% off Past Hero Studio. Ends 6/9/2025

Spellbinders Make It Pop Sale – Features up to 25% on embellishments, inks and more. Ends 6/8/2025.

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.