Sending Hugs from the Sea | Spellbinders Small Die Kit Club

Hello! Today I am sharing a mini-slimline, underwater scene card created with the Spellbinders June 2023 Small Die Kit Club – “Dancin’ Octopus & Friends”- with which I paired the sentiment of “Hey” (included in the kit) and “Sending Hugs.” Octopuses are visually interesting creatures with their distinctive and otherworldly appearance, tentacles, and vibrant coloration. This card would work for a number of occasions, whether to connect with a friend, brighten the day of someone feeling under the weather, or “just because.” Keep reading to learn how I created the card.

Spellbinders June 2023 Small Die Kit Club

Spellbinders June 2023 Small Die Kit Club

    • Create background by applying Distress inks – Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon, and Blueprint Sketch – on Distress Watercolor cardstock. Trim to mini-slimline size of 6 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches and add to card base.
    • Glimmer foil the Sending Hugs sentiment from the Mini Sincere Sentiments set in black  on Snowdrift cardstock. Trim.
    • Cut June 2023 Small Die Kit Club pieces – octopuses and jellyfish – from light gray cardstock and cardstock to which Distress Oxide inks have been applied. Assemble. Note: The bottom layers of the octopus and jellyfish can move, hence the name “Dancin’ Octopus & Friends.” For my design, I did not leave that layer free to move.

Spellbinders June 2023 Small Die Kit Club

    • Add octopuses to card, trim edges as necessary. Add jellyfish and sentiment.

Spellbinders June 2023 Small Die Kit Club

Head to the Spellbinders blog for a tutorial with the Small Die Kit Club – “Dancin’ Octopus & Friends.”


Art Impressions | Charming Birdhouse Neighborhood

Hello! Today, I am excited to share a card featuring the charming Art Impressions Birdhouse Neighborhood stamp set, which happens to be on sale at the moment. This “Hello” card is sure to brighten its recipient’s day. Keep reading to learn how I created the card.

Art Impressions | Charming Birdhouse Neighborhood

    • Stamp Birdhouse Neighborhood with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.
    • Color image with watercolor markers (Tobow and Zig) using the watercolor paletteNo. 4, and No. 1 brushes. Set aside to dry. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images HERE.
    • Cut a 4 x 5 1/4 inch cardstock panel (I used a now-retired My Favorite Things die). Use a square die to cut a window in the panel. Add foam to panel and attach to watercolored image. Add assembly to A2-size card base.
    • Die-cut “Hello” letters with Journal Letter Die Set from textured white cardstock. Cut letters again from foam. Glue foam to back of letters. Add letters to card front.

Art Impressions | Charming Birdhouse Neighborhood


Penny Black | Happy Campers

Hello! Today I am sharing a card that features the adorable Penny Black stamp set – Happy Camper. I’ve brought to life a scene showing two furry friends sitting at a cozy campsite and roasting hot dogs. The Happy Camper stamp set was part of the Stamping with Scooter collection, introduced in 2021. As I have previously mentioned, I did not play enough with these products when they were introduced, and I am making up for that now.

Penny Black | Happy Campers

I am a big fan of camping-themed cards, especially around this time of year. For me, camping symbolizes a sense of adventure and nostalgia.

    • Stamp image from Happy Camper set in VersaFine on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set. Color with watercolor mediums. Once dry, fussy cut.
    • With the Tall Trees die set, cut trees from Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; color with watercolor mediums. For additional color, add Distress inks to trees once they are dry.
    • Stamp sentiment from Happy Camper set on cloud cut with Silver Linings die. Cut additional cloud.
    • Create frame from white cardstock with the largest die in the MFT Rectangle Frame set.
    • To create background, add Wild Honey and Blueprint Sketch Oxide ink to white cardstock panel.
    • Add Rustic Wildnerness ink to cardstock and cut with the Rolling Hills die.
    • Add Chipped Sapphire ink to cardstock and cut with the hill die in the Festive Family die set.
    • Attach the two hill sections to back of frame and add to the background panel. Add to A2-size card base.
    • Add image with dogs to center of card with foam adhesive. Place trees into scene with dot and foam adhesive.
    • Add sentiment cloud with foam adhesive and additional cloud with dot adhesive.

Penny Black | Happy Campers

You can see more Stamping with Scooter inspiration on the Penny Black blog HERE and view the catalog HERE.


Spellbinders | May 2023 Clubs Inspiration Blog Hop

Welcome to my blog! I am sharing a birthday card with the Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Club set “Balloons and Birthday Wishes” as part of a blog hop showcasing the May 2023 Club Subscriptions. The list of participants is included at the end of my post.

Spellbinders | May 2023 Clubs Inspiration Blog Hop

Spellbinders is giving away a $25 gift certificate to three lucky blog readers – selected from the comments on the Spellbinders blog. Giveaway closes on Sunday, May 21, 11:59 pm MST. The winner will be announced in the blog hop post the following Wednesday. The winner is responsible for shipping cost, duties and taxes. Please note, store credit (gift certificate) cannot be applied to Club Subscriptions; store credit can be applied to shop past Club products, Club extras, and regular releases.

Spellbinders | May 2023 Clubs Inspiration Blog Hop

With its versatile designs, including a banner with flowers and a variety of sayings, this set makes it easy to create stunning and personalized cards for any occasion. In my recent project, I used a beautiful navy blue, floral, patterned paper for the card base background and added a pink banner with white lettering to convey the birthday message. To add a touch of elegance and charm, I also included pink and white flowers and a bird as embellishments. This handmade card is not only beautiful, but also thoughtful and unique, making it a perfect gift for your loved ones on their special day.

    • Add card kit patterned paper to A2-size card base.
    • With the Balloons & Birthday Wishes set, cut banner pieces from Pink Sand and Snowdrift cardstock. Add Spun Sugar ink to pink cardstock edges; assemble banner.
    • Cut sentiment from Snowdrift cardstock and add to banner. Add assembly to patterned paper background.
    • Cut flower pieces and leaves from Pink Sand, Snowdrift, and light green cardstock. Assemble and add to card with glue and foam adhesive.
    • Cut bird from Pink Sand and Snowdrift cardstock.
    • Embellish with Silver Mix Gems.

Spellbinders | May 2023 Clubs Inspiration Blog Hop

Looking for more inspiration with the Balloons & Birthday Wishes set? Check out this blog post showing two versions.


Spellbinders Blog

Sandi MacIver

Sara Lihz Staroska

Kristie Marcotte

Daniel West

Annie Williams

Jean Manis<–You are here

Deepa Robbins

Joy Wilson

Jennifer Kotas

Heejung Hunsberger

Michelle Woerner

Lydia Fiedler

Spellbinders | Delightful Die Cutting Sale

Hello! Today I am sharing handmade card inspiration featuring Spellbinders products that are part of the Delightful Die Cutting Sale. The not-to-be-missed discounts are only available now through May 21, 2023, at 11:59 PST. I am showcasing cards featuring dies that are included in the sale – there are many more amazing deals to discover!  Click on the card image to be taken to the original post and supply list. At the end of the post, I have included a supply list with dies thar are part of the sale.

Spellbinders | Duck with Umbrella

Spellbinders | Painted Blooms

Spellbinders | Topsy Turvy Cake

Spellbinders | Die D-Lites Santa

Spellbinders | Winter Welcome Sled

Spellbinders | Tweet Cardinal

Spellbinders | Color Block Balloons