dry embossing - Right as Rain

Spellbinders | Castle Card Scene

Hello! Step into a storybook scene with today’s card, featuring a die-cut castle crafted with Spellbinders supplies. With a charming landscape and cheerful sentiment “Life is Sweet,” this card is perfect for birthdays, new beginnings, or anytime you want to spread a little magic. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, sending encouragement, or simply letting someone know you’re thinking of them, this castle card is sure to make their day feel a bit more enchanted.

- Create an A2-size card base with Oceanside cardstock.
- With a die in the Essential Stylish Ovals set, cut an oval mat from white textured cardstock.
- With the next smallest die in the Essential Stylish Ovals set, cut an oval from Breeze cardstock and emboss with the Wishing Stars folder.
- Heat-emboss the All Seasons Sentiments in white on Fern cardstock. Cut the base with the same oval die as in the step above. Cut the top with a die in the Summertime Vacay set. Add to the dry-embossed oval and adhere assembly to the card base.
- With the Castle Tales set, cut the castle from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble.
- Cut clouds with dies in the Summertime Vacay set. Cut clouds again with the same oval die as used to cut the Breeze oval.
- Add elements to card base with dot and foam adhesive.

Soaring High | Spellbinders Up and Away

Hello! Celebrate life’s big and small victories with a card that soars! Created with the Up and Away die set, part of the Sky’s the Limit Collection by Simon Hurley at Spellbinders. This design captures the joy of a carefree day as a boy flies his kite against a bright, open sky. With the sentiment “The Sky’s the Limit,” this card is a perfect way to encourage a grandchild who’s reached a new milestone—whether it’s finishing a school year, winning a big game, or accomplishing a personal goal. Let them know their potential is endless!

- - Cut an arch of Cascade cardstock with the largest Essential Arches die. Dry-emboss the arch with the Head in the Clouds folder. Add to an A2-size card base.
  - Cut the kite and boy with dies in the Up and Away die set. Assemble.
  - Press the Soaring Sentiments plate in blue ink and cut with the coordinating die.
  - Add the kite, boy, and sentiment to the prepared card base with foam and dot adhesive.

Stuck on You: Watercolored Hedgehog Card

Hello! I usually reach for dies when making cards, but sometimes it’s fun to switch things up with a bit of watercoloring. This adorable hedgehog from Art Impressions was the perfect chance to do just that! Since the stamp set does not have a coordinating die for the images, after watercoloring the stamped image, I masked the hedgehog and cactus to add the sky and ground.

- Create an A2-size card base from off-white cardstock. With the Burlap folder, dry-emboss a Chocolate Bar cardstock panel measuring 4″ x 5 1/4″. Add panel to card base.
- Stamp the hedgehog in VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.
- Watercolor the image with watercolor markers. I used Tombow markers and Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images here. Tombow markers: Brown 879, Burnt Sienna 947, Rhodamine Red 725, Dusty Rose 772, Navy Blue 528, Dark Jade 177.
- Once dry, mask image and add Distress Inks for sky and ground. Cut image with one of the Hexagon Double Stitched Dies. With the next larger die in the set, cut a larger hexagon from Blue Jay cardstock. Add stamped hexagon to mat.
- Stamp sentiment in Potting Soil ink on off-white cardstock and cut with a 1 1/4″ circle die.
- Add elements to prepared base.

Masking might sound intimidating, but it’s actually a simple technique that makes a big impact. All you need is a bit of masking paper or a sticky note to cover your stamped image while adding the sky and ground. As for the watercoloring, don’t worry about being perfect — the beauty of watercolor is in its softness and unpredictability. A little practice goes a long way, and the results are so rewarding!

Spellbinders | Monkey on the Move

Hello! Today, I am sharing a card that features an adorable monkey cruising along in a car, with colorful balloons trailing behind. Created with a mix of Spellbinders products, including a die set and embossing folder from the Little Smiles Collection, this cheerful design is perfect for kids—or anyone young at heart.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Use dies in the Essential Stylish Ovals set to cut textured white cardstock and Beeswax cardstock. Dry-emboss the Beeswax cardstock oval with the Wishing Stars folder. Cut a dark gray cardstock rectangle with a Essential Stylish Ovals die to create the road. Add pieces to card base.
- Cut monkey, car, and balloons with the Go Kart Go set from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble and add to card base.
- Stamp the sentiment with a stamp in the Message Strips set on Classic White cardstock. Cut with a cloud die in the On Cloud Nine set. Cut an additional cloud. Add to card.

Hello Card with Floral Die-Cuts

Hello! If you’re a subscriber of the Large Die of the Month kit club at Spellbinders, or considering joining, you’re in for a treat! This month’s set–“Family & Friends Vignettes”– is packed with creative possibilities, including a versatile arch design, a playful dog, and even a fun dinosaur. For today’s project, I focused on the floral elements in the set, creating a “hello” card with a die-cut cluster. Whether you’re drawn to florals, critters, or something a bit more whimsical, this kit offers many ways to bring your creative vision to life!

- Create an A2-size card base from textured cardstock and add a 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ patterned paper panel (49 and Market – Vintage Artistry Countryside).
- Use the set to cut the arch and floral elements from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble floral elements.
- Dry-emboss the inner arch with the Tiny Dots folder. Adhere to the outer arch.
- Assemble floral elements on the arches and add to the card base.
- Cut Hello Smile sentiment from vellum and Fern cardstock. Assemble and add to card base.
- Embellish with Clear Enamel Dots.