CAS - Right as Rain

Hero Arts | Candy Cane Collection

Hello! I’m sharing two holiday cards created with the new Candy Cane Collection from Hero Arts. This festive collection includes stamp sets with coordinating dies, a stand-alone sentiment die set, and a versatile layering stencil. I used two different approaches with the stencil set—one uses white embossing paste on red cardstock for a bold, dimensional look, and the other layers white and red ink to build a classic candy cane pattern. Both cards feature the cheerful sentiment “Holiday Vibes and Peppermint Skies,” bringing a fresh twist to holiday cardmaking.

- Apply embossing paste through one of the stencils in the Toss Up set on to a Pomegranate cardstock panel. Add to a white card base.
- Stamp the Candy Cane Swag sentiment with black ink on white cardstock and heat-emboss with clear powder. Cut with the coordinating die and add to the card base with foam adhesive.

- Ink a Fawn cardstock panel with white ink using one of the Toss Up layering stencils. Once dry, add red ink through another stencil in the set. Add the stenciled panel to the base.
- Stamp the Candy Cane Swag sentiment with Versamark ink on Wild Berry cardstock and heat emboss with white powder. Cut with the coordinating die and add to the card base with foam adhesive.

A bold sentiment over a stenciled background is a reminder that simple choices can lead to striking results!

Statement Carnation in a Vase

Hello! Sometimes a single bloom says it all. For this card, I created a dimensional carnation using a Susan Tierney-Cockburn die set and placed it in a vase to let the flower take center stage. Because the carnation has such a strong visual presence, I kept the overall design clean, adding just a touch of patterned paper in the background and a BetterPress sentiment to complete the look.

- Create an A2-size card base and cover with Echo Park – My Favorite Summer patterned paper.
- Cut the Carnation pieces from Susan’s Garden Specialty Cardstock and Fern (leaves) cardstock. Follow the video in the product link to form the carnation.
- Use dies in the Ceramic Vases set to cut the vase.
- Press the You are Everything Sentiments plate in black ink. Cut with the coordinating die set.
- Add assembled carnation, vase, and sentiment to the card with foam adhesive. Glue leaves behind the bloom.

Hello Card with Stenciled Rainbow Birdhouses

Hello! Sometimes, a simple design with a pop of color is all you need to make a cheerful card! Today, I’m sharing a quick and easy hello card featuring a row of stenciled birdhouses inked in a vibrant rainbow of colors. To keep things simple, I used a stamped and die-cut “Hello” sentiment—an effortless way to add dimension to an otherwise single-layer card.

- Add Mowed Lawn ink to the base of a white cardstock panel to create the grass. I used vellum to mask the sky and create the straight line.
- Mask the grass and ink the birdhouse posts with the Newton’s Nook Birdhouse Line Stencil. The stencil includes three rows with etching to aid with alignment.
- Move the stencil and ink the birdhouses. Move the stencil again to ink the birds and birdhouse openings.
- Trim stencil panel and add to a black cardstock base.
- Stamp the I’ve Got You Covered sentiment and cut with the coordinating die. Add to card with foam adhesive.

Simon Hurley | Deck the Halls

Hello! Today, I’m sharing a festive card created with Simon Hurley’s layering stencil – Mod Christmas Trees. This design features three inked Christmas trees adorned with gold decorations, adding depth and shimmer. The “Deck the Halls” sentiment ties the design together, complementing the trio of decorated trees.

- Create an A-2 size card base from Pomegranate cardstock.
- Stencil the first layer of trees with Later Gator green ink.
- Next, add Rustic Wilderness ink to all three trees with the half tree portion of the Mod Christmas Trees stencil.
- Stencil gold pigment ink (I used Color Box) through the stencil for the tree trunks.
- Next add the three gold pastes (left to right) – Slippery When Wet Astro Paste, Slippery when Wet Lunar Paste, and Golden Hour Solar Paste. Once dry, trim the panel and mat with gold cardstock. Add assembly to card base.

- Glimmer foil the Joyful Christmas Sentiments plate in Matte Gold and cut with the coordinating die. Add to the card with foam square adhesive.

This Clean and Simple card design shines with its simplicity, but achieving that effortless look takes attention to detail and a steady hand.

Say Hello with Floral Elegance

Hello! Say “hello” in style with this easy-to-make card featuring the Spellbinders December 2024 Small Die Kit Club set – “Blooming Hello.” The large “H” is adorned with delicate floral elements and set against a patterned paper background. Using muted colors, this design offers a touch of vintage charm that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this card’s simplicity and elegance make it a joy to create.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper. (I used a sheet from the Echo Park Love Notes pack.)
- Cut letters and floral items from a variety of cardstock colors with the Small Die set.
- Add the letters to the card background with foam squares.
- Assemble floral elements as needed and add to the “H” with glue and foam squares.