I love when a card can feel like a little story, and this encouragement card definitely falls into that category. The Sword Master Clear Stamp Set from C. C. Designs gave me the perfect characters to build that story around, but the real fun for me was figuring out how to make the stamped images feel like they belonged together in one scene. Rather than creating a complicated card design, I focused on a few techniques—stamping, alcohol marker coloring, ink blending, stencilin

There’s something about a fun fold card that makes an ordinary handmade card feel a little more special. I especially enjoy folds that look more complicated than they really are, and the book binding fold is one of my favorites for that reason. For this Back-to-School project, I paired the fold with the colorful Paper Rose Studio Back To School 6x6 Pattern Paper collection and a mix of school-themed die cuts to create a card that feels like opening a little book of school mem

I have to admit, there is something especially fun about making a card that is just a little bit unexpected. Not every friendship card needs flowers, hearts, or a sweet sentiment, and this true crime friendship card is a perfect example! When I saw the possibilities in the True Crime Stamp Set from Miss Ink Stamps, I knew I wanted to keep the design clean and simple while letting the stamped images do most of the storytelling. The result is a card that feels sassy and a littl

I love when a card starts with a simple idea and then grows into something that feels like a little scene on the front of the card. That was exactly what happened with this sweet “You’re Sweet” card featuring the new August 2026 release from C. C. Designs. The combination of whimsical stamped characters, soft pastel colors, and pretty pattern paper immediately made me think of a vintage-inspired springtime look. Rather than letting all of those elements compete for attention,

Have you ever looked at a die set and thought, “I know this was designed for one particular project, but what else could I do with it?” That is one of my favorite questions to ask when I’m cardmaking. I love finding ways to use supplies a little differently, especially when it means getting more versatility from something I already have. For this project, I took the Magic Journal Builder Die from Scrappy Boy Stamps and used it as a cardmaking tool rather than using it for its

There’s something special about making a card for the first day of school. It’s one of those occasions where a handmade card doesn’t have to be complicated to feel meaningful. For this project, I wanted to create a clean and simple design that let the stamped image and coloring do most of the work. I’m using the Off We Grow Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company along with alcohol markers, but the bigger idea behind this card is one you can use with almost any stamp set in your s

Gift cards are one of those holiday gifts that are always appreciated, but let's be honest—they aren't always the most exciting gifts to wrap! I love finding ways to make a gift card feel a little more special, and this Santa-themed gift card holder does exactly that.

I love when a cardmaking technique gives new life to supplies that have been sitting in my stash for a while. That was exactly the idea behind this fall card. I pulled out some retired leaf dies, paired them with a few warm foil colors, and experimented with creating my own foiled embellishments rather than relying only on pre-made foiled pieces.

Have you ever found a card sketch you love, pulled out the supplies you have on hand, and then realized your finished card looks almost exactly like the sketch? There’s nothing wrong with using card sketches—in fact, they can be incredibly helpful when you’re stuck or simply need a starting point.

I love when a card looks like it took a lot more work than it actually did—and this little birthday scene is a perfect example! I wanted to create a cheerful handmade birthday card with plenty of color and personality, but I also wanted the background to feel finished without spending a lot of time building a scene from scratch.

There's something nostalgic about back-to-school season. Even after all these years, the bright primary colors, stacks of books, and fresh school supplies still inspire me to sit down at my craft table and create. While this card celebrates a student's first day of school, I think it's really about celebrating new beginnings. Whether it's a child starting kindergarten, a teenager heading into high school, or even a teacher preparing for another year in the classroom, a handma

One of my favorite things about cardmaking is finding that sweet spot between a background that adds interest and a stamped image that still gets to be the star of the show. Patterned paper can be beautiful, but it can also compete with your focal point if we're not careful. On this friendship card, I wanted to use a fairly bold patterned paper while still keeping the little dragon front and center.

I love when a Christmas card can look detailed and dimensional without requiring a complicated card layout. That was the idea behind this card. I wanted the ornament to be the star of the design, but I also wanted the background to have enough interest that the card didn't feel like a plain white panel with a large die cut sitting on top. For this project, I combined stenciling, stamping, ink blending, and die cutting with several products from Emily Moore Designs. The res

Halloween cards are one of my favorite excuses to experiment with color. They don't always have to be bright oranges and bold purples to feel festive. Sometimes a darker, moodier palette tells the story even better. That's exactly what inspired this card featuring the adorable The Coop is Haunted Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company...

One of the things I noticed while creating this week's cards was that, although every project had a different theme, they all relied on the same design philosophy. Some featured ink blended stencil backgrounds. Others focused on alcohol marker coloring, patterned paper, scene building, or interactive fun folds. On the surface they looked completely different, but underneath they all followed the same principle: Every layer should have a purpose. It's a simple idea, but it can

Halloween cards are one of my favorite opportunities to step outside my usual design comfort zone. While I enjoy creating clean and simple cards throughout the year, Halloween gives me permission to play with rich colors, bold patterns, and interactive layouts that tell a story the moment someone opens the card. For this project, I wanted the card itself to become part of the experience. Instead of creating a traditional front-and-center design, I chose a square tri fold layo

There is something about creating summer-themed cards that instantly makes me slow down and enjoy the creative process a little more. Bright blue skies, warm sandy beaches, and playful images always remind me that handmade cards don't have to be complicated to tell a story. Sometimes all it takes is a few thoughtfully placed stamped images and a little color to transport someone to a favorite vacation memory.

Learn how to use bold pattern paper without overwhelming your handmade cards.

There are some card designs that immediately tell a story, and scene cards are always at the top of that list for me. I love how they invite you into a tiny world where the stamped images become characters instead of just embellishments. While scene cards can sometimes look intimidating, they don't have to be complicated. By choosing a detailed background stamp and a handful of coordinating images, you can create a card that feels rich and layered without needing dozens of pr

There's something about a humorous friendship card that never goes out of style. Whether it's celebrating a lifelong friend or sending a little encouragement to someone who appreciates your sense of humor, a card that brings a smile is always worth making. I love creating cards that combine playful images with witty sentiments because they're memorable, personal, and often become keepsakes.