Right as Rain - Cardmaking and Scrapbooking with Jean Manis

Elegant Christmas Card with Bells

Hello! This elegant Christmas card features die-cut bells framed by a label die, creating a festive focal point. Embellished with holly sprigs and tied with a gold ribbon, the card is finished with a timeless seasonal greeting.

- Stamp Snowflake Pattern with Memento Toffee Crunch ink on kraft cardstock for a tone-on-tone effect. Trim to A2-size and add to a card base.
- Heat-emboss the sentiment (SU Tidings & Trimmings) in gold on a red cardstock panel. I have had this stamp set for many years and never used it.
- Cut a frame with the largest die in the Classy Frames set from soft-white cardstock. Trim the sentiment panel to fit within the frame and glue the frame to the sentiment panel. Add assembly to the card front.
- Cut gold cardstock with the Christmassy set to create two bells. Add Potting Soil ink to the bells to create depth. Archival ink is permanent. I tried used Distress Ink (non-permanent) and it did not stay on the gold cardstock.
- Cut greenery with dies in the Christmassy set and assemble.
- I tied the bells together with ribbon (Crinkle Ribbon by Tim Holtz Idea-ology), which I dyed with Tarnished Brass Distress Spray. It appears that this ribbon is no longer made. I have used the ribbon several times in the past.

This card combines both new and older products, showing how timeless designs can work together.

Die-Cut Staircase Christmas Card

Hello! There’s joy in breathing new life into older crafting supplies, and this Christmas card is a perfect example. With timeless Poppystamps dies, I created a nostalgic scene that exudes cozy charm. The patterned paper mimicking vintage wallpaper, cream cardstock for the staircase, and rich red accents capture the essence of a classic home. A die-cut staircase adorned with garland and stockings, a faithful dog resting on the floor, and a textured ground created with the Penny Black Allover Stitches embossing folder all come together seamlessly. This card demonstrates how older products can still craft something truly magical.

I cut the Poppystamps Elegant Stair Frame from Memory Box Woodgrain Paper in Cream. The dry-embossed ground is SU Cherry Cobbler, which coordinated with the patterned paper I used for the sentiment and stockings. I cut the dog from SU More Mustard.

Poppystamps Dies (now retired): Patient Pup, Elegant Stair Frame, Leafy Garland, Stocking Garland

Bear, Santa & Reindeer Gift Tags

Hello! Adding a handmade touch to holiday gifts makes them even more special! Today, I’m sharing a set of three Christmas gift tags I created using Spellbinders dies. The tags feature a bundled polar bear, a classic Santa, and a festive reindeer—all designed to coordinate with the gift wrap for presents I’ve prepared for my granddaughter. Whether you’re crafting for loved ones or adding a personal flair to your own gift-giving, these tags are sure to inspire!

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I used three sets from the Merry Mug & Circle Delights Collection, (introduced in 2023)—Festive Ornaments, Whimsical Winter Critters, and Santa’s Festive Circle Crew—to cut the pieces for the gift tags.

Sugarplum Wishes Card with Santa Slippers

Hello! The versatility of Cozy Toes Slippers set shines again in my latest creation! The October 2024 Large Die of the Month offering at Spellbinders is now available for individual sale. This time, I’ve crafted a festive card featuring Santa slippers, paired with the whimsical sentiment “Sugarplum Wishes.” This is the third card I’ve made with this set, showcasing how easy it is to use the same overall design while creating different looks. Check out my earlier blog posts to see how I used this versatile set to create cards featuring penguin and reindeer slippers for more cozy inspiration!

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- Cover an A-2 size card base with patterned paper.
- With the Cozy Toes Slippers set, cut slippers, legs, and pajamas from a variety of cardstock colors, prints, and textures. Assemble.
- Add elements to the card front with adhesive. Trim as necessary.
- Press the sentiment in black ink on Snowdrift cardstock and cut with the coordinating die. Add to the card with foam adhesive.

Penguin Card with Let It Snow Sentiment

Hello! After sharing a roundup of snowy techniques for handmade cards in this post, I couldn’t resist using those ideas to create my own! This whimsical penguin card, complete with a “Let It Snow” sentiment, brings together some of my favorite methods for capturing the magic of winter. Scroll for Early Black Friday sales at Spellbinders and Hero Arts!

- To begin, create an A2-size card base from textured white cardstock.
- Cut Snowdrift cardstock with the Large Emerald Cut Scored die in the Emerald Cut Labels set and add to the card base.
- Use the Large Label Insert die in the Emerald Cut Labels set to cut patterned paper for the snowy sky.
- Use that same die to cut white glitter cardstock.
- To create a snowy ground for the scene, cut the white glitter cardstock piece along the top with one of the Color Block Scenic Scape dies. Adhere to the patterned paper insert and add assembly to the card base.
- Cut Dancin’ Penguin from a variety of cardstock colors and assemble.
- Press the sentiment in black ink on Snowdrift cardstock and cut with the coordinating die.
- To create the snowflakes, cut white glitter foam with dies in the Christmas Wreath Add-Ons set.
- Add penguin to card with foam squares, adhere the sentiment and snowflakes with glue.

This card combines die-cut snowflakes, snowflake-patterned paper, and a glitter cardstock hill to create a layered, snowy scene full of winter charm.