Summer - Right as Rain

Summertime Gnomes: Celebrating the 4th of July

Hello! I am sharing a 4th of July card that features two whimsical gnomes, dressed in patriotic colors, and an array of sparkling stars adding a touch of magic. The gnomes were originally part of a Spellbinders die set released during the Christmas season. By repurposing the gnomes, I showcase their ability to bring joy and celebration to any occasion, be it Christmas or the 4th of July! Scroll for information on the Spellbinders Star Spangled Savings Event.

This charming 4th of July card is the perfect way to spread joy and celebrate the spirit of independence. Whether the recipient is a grandparent, a grandchild, a close friend, or a fellow crafting enthusiast, this card will surely bring a smile to their faces.

Light up your 4th of July with fantastic deals – up to 40% off dies, stamps, machines, and more during the Spellbinders Star Spangled Savings Event!

Spellbinders | Lighthouse Birdhouse

Hello! Embrace the coastal spirit and celebrate the red, white, and blue with a Fourth of July-themed card featuring products from Spellbinders! This lighthouse birdhouse card is perfect to send to anyone who appreciates coastal charm and creative whimsy. Scroll for information on a Flash Sale – save big on Spellbinders past kit clubs, now until June 30.

- Create A2-size background from Sea Glass cardstock. Add strips of tan and Cosmic Sky cardstock to bottom to resemble sand and sea.
- Cut fence with Build a Spring Birdhouse die from Snowdrift cardstock, twice. Add to scene.
- Cut birdhouse with Build a Summer Birdhouse. To customize, fussy-cut the top and doors of the birdhouse in a different color cardstock. Assemble birdhouse and add to scene.
- Cut bird with Sweet Birds on a Branch dies; assemble and add with foam adhesive.
- Stamp I’ve Got You Covered sentiment in navy ink on Snowdrift cardstock and cut with die in the On Cloud Nine set. Cut additional cloud.
- Cut seagulls from gray cardstock with die in the Build a Summer Birdhouse and add to scene.

Shop the Spellbinders Flash Sale on past kit clubs, now until June 30.

Sail Away with Sunny Studio Stamps

Hello! Today, I am thrilled to share with you a whimsical, nautical-themed card combining the Sunny Studio Stamps Birthday Cat stamp set (and coordinating die set) with other products in my stash. The Sunny Studio Stamps Birthday Cat stamp set is packed with cat images that can be used for a variety of occasions, not just birthdays. This card showcases stamping, watercoloring, stenciling, and die-cutting techniques. Send this card to a cat lover, nautical enthusiast, or to brighten someone’s day.

- Stamp Birthday Cat images with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper, heat set, and watercolor with mediums of choice. When dry, cut with the coordinating dies.
- Cut sailboat pieces from cardstock and foam (for depth). Glue pieces together. I used a now-retired Paper Smooches die set to create the sailboat.
- Create the background by applying white pigment ink on light-blue cardstock through one of the stencils in the Lawn Fawn Cloud Background set.
- To create the waves, cut Cosmic Sky cardstock with a die in the Ocean Wave Borders set. Trim and add to cloud background. Cut assembly to 4 x 5 1/4 inches and add to white canvas texture cardstock base.
- Adhere sailboat pieces to card.
- Cut sentiment with Journal Letter dies from white cardstock and foam. Glue together and adhere to card front.
- Add cats to the boat.

Lawn Fawn | Sailing with the Car Critters

Hello! Today I am sharing a whimsical, nautical-themed card that uses the Lawn Fawn Car Critters stamp set in a novel way. Strips of cardstock mimic a cruise ship, proudly named the SS CUBBY. Through five die-cut windows, the Car Critters take center stage, offering a twist on their traditional use. This mini slimline card not only showcases the versatility of the Car Critters set but also demonstrates how simple techniques, like using strips of paper, a circle die, and an alpha die set, can yield a unique card.

Stamp Car Critters on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper with VersaFine ink; heat set.
Color bears with watercoloring mediums of choice.
Create card base for a mini-slimline measuring 6 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches from Snowdrift cardstock.
Create portholes by cutting a Snowdrift cardstock panel, measuring 6 1/2 inches wide, five times with a 3/4 inch circle die.
Adhere the watercolored bears to the back of the porthole section.
Add strips of cardstock to card base to resemble cruise ship along with the porthole section.
Die-cut Journal Letters from Snowdrift cardstock and foam. Adhere foam to the back of the letters. Adhere letters to card front.

I used the Car Critters in a car in this post.

Art Impressions | Fourth of July Front Porch Delight

Hello! Today, I am sharing a card on which I have used the newest Art Impressions Front Porch stamp and die set – Patriotic. As I shared in this post, there is an entire Art Impressions Front Porch Series. This card showcases a charming front porch decorated for the Fourth of July with a sleeping dog in a chair, fluttering flag bunting, and a container of fireworks ready to light up the night sky. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to create the card.

Stamp Front Porch and Front Porch Patriotic images with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.

Color images with watercolor markers (Tombow and Zig) using the watercolor palette, No. 4, and No. 1 brushes. Once dry, cut with coordinating dies. Note: the Front Porch door die cuts the window panes. I chose to fussy-cut the door, as I had watercolored the window panes. For the flag, bunting, and doormat, I used the Tombow Navy marker (brush tip) directly on the watercolor paper.

Create a panel, measuring 4 x 5 1/4 inches, of dry-embossed Chamomile cardstock background (I used an older Stampin’ Up folder) and add a 1 1/4 inch strip of dark gray to the bottom to represent the ground. Add assembly to a card background of white Bazzill canvas cardstock (which has been added to an A2-size card base). Add elements to card with foam adhesive.