BetterPress - Right as Rain

Mindful Christmas Card Prep

Hello! As July comes to a close, it’s a great time to prepare for Christmas card making. Stores are beginning to stock new products for holiday crafting. In fact, Spellbinders already has released a number of holiday products with more to come. Just as I did last year in this post, I am evaluating the supplies I already own and identifying any gaps. In this post, I explore Christmas-themed products including BetterPress sentiment plates, focal item dies, background options, and specialty cardstock. Spellbinders is running a sale on past Christmas products.

Focal Item Dies: Which holiday-themed dies are you drawn to craft with – reindeer, Christmas trees, gnomes, snowmen? Santa is a perennial favorite, and there are many Santa die sets available. Click on the image to be taken to the original post with additional details.

Simon’s Snow Globes Collection includes a base set and several add-ons. I have used the Snowman Scene several times. Click on the image to be taken to the original post with additional details.

Backgrounds: Snowflake embossing folders – Sparkling Snow 3D and Flurry of Snowflakes 3D – add seasonal texture. The Starshine Background is a terrific way to create a subtly textured card base for the holidays and beyond.

Sentiments: Having purchased a BetterPress, I have been using the Merry and Bright sentiment set and plan to purchase additional holiday press plates. The Red Geranium Archival Ink works well for the holidays. Click on the image to be taken to the original post with additional details.

Specialty Cardstock: Glitter cardstock enhances holiday projects by adding festive and eye-catching sparkle. The Spring Tones and Jewel Tones packs include a variety of colors. Cardstock in metal-inspired colors and finishes can add a sophisticated and luxurious touch to holiday cards. The Gold, Silver, and Rose Gold packages include sheets of glitter metallic, matte metallic, brushed metallic, mirror metallic, and pearl metallic, which pair well with traditional holiday colors like red and green.

Spellbinders | Cats and Pugs Collection

Hello! Wow, where did the week go? At the moment, I am knee deep in Christmas project supplies. I will be sharing new creations in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I am a guest designer over on the Spellbinders blog sharing projects that showcase the Cats and Pugs Collection at Spellbinders. I would appreciate a visit from you there to see my projects and leave a comment!

Old-World Charm | Spellbinders St. Nick

Hello! Step back in time with a Christmas card featuring the Spellbinders St. Nick die set. My slimline card showcases a charming, Father Christmas-inspired St. Nick holding a Christmas tree. St. Nick’s robe sparkles with red glitter, adding a touch of festive magic. Part of the Home for the Holidays Collection, the St. Nick die set offers accessories including a star, a lantern, and snowflake.

- Cover a slimline-sized card base (3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″) with patterned paper.
- Cut St. Nick, the tree, the lantern, and snowflakes with a variety of cardstock colors and textures. Assemble as required. Add Gold Mix Gems to tree for embellishment.
- Press the Merry and Bright sentiment in Geranium Red and cut with the coordinating die.
- Add St. Nick to card front with foam adhesive, the sentiment with dot adhesive, and the snowflakes with glue.

Spellbinders | Skating into the Holidays

Hello! Today, I am sharing a holiday card created with the July 2024 Small Die of the Month kit from Spellbinders – “Skating into the Holidays.” The card showcases a charming pair of ice skates adorned with a beautiful bouquet of seasonal greenery, perfect for sending warm wishes to loved ones. I feel as if we will be skating into the holiday season this month as there are a number of holiday-themed products being released!

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Cut skates and floral items from a variety of cardstock colors with dies in the Small Die of the Month kit. Cut the ribbon from Brushed Gold with a die in the Large Die of the Month kit. Assemble pieces.
- Press the Merry and Bright Sentiment with Red Geranium ink on Snowdrift cardstock. Cut with the coordinating die.
- Add assembled items and sentiment to the card base with dot and foam adhesive.

Find more inspiration and assembly instructions HERE.

Summertime Watermelon Card

Hello! Today, I am sharing a bright and cheerful summertime card that combines the Deluxe Caboodle Value Club exclusive “Summertime Slice” die set with the Spellbinders June 2024 Large Die of the Month Club Kit. The card features a playful, personified slice of watermelon with the sentiment “hello, sweet friend.” You can see the friendship card I created with the Large Die of the Month Club Kit – “Summertime Vacay” – HERE.

- Create A2 card base using the sky color cardstock.
- Use the wavy die in the Large Die of the Month Club Kit set to cut a sand bank. Add a strip of blue cardstock to represent the ocean behind the sand. Trim the elements to 4 1/4″ wide and add the assembly to the card base.
- Use the “Summertime Slice” die and Large Die of the Month Club Kit to create the watermelon slice, umbrella, sun, and clouds; assemble.
- Press the Always and Forever sentiment on Snowdrift cardstock in Black ink; cut with coordinating die set.
- Add elements to card with dot and foam adhesive.

Spellbinders is giving away one Lilac Shimmer Scout & Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine Bundle! The entry period for the sweepstakes is June 3-30, 2024.