I have to admit, I have a soft spot for paper embellishments that can take a simple project and give it an entirely different personality. These Halloween paper bows from Scrappy Boy Stamps definitely fall into that category. Instead of thinking of a bow as something reserved for birthdays, Christmas, or gift packaging, I wanted to see what would happen when the basic bow concept got a spooky Halloween makeover.

I love a card design that looks more complicated than it actually is, and this Halloween Dutch Door Fun Fold Card is a perfect example. The interesting opening gives the card some extra personality, but the construction is surprisingly approachable. It also creates a great opportunity to let patterned paper do much of the design work for you.

I love when one cardmaking technique can take a familiar stamped image and make it feel completely different. That was the idea behind these four Halloween cards. I wanted to play with the spooky images from the R.I.P. Stamp Set from Unity Stamps, but instead of simply stamping and coloring them, I decided to experiment with Deco Foil Transfer Gel Duo and see what would happen when I brought foil into the mix. The result is a collection of dramatic Halloween cards with plenty

There’s something about Halloween projects that makes it especially fun to play with familiar shapes—and this little pumpkin popsicle treat box was too good to pass up! I love when a die set can be used for something beyond its obvious purpose, and the Pixi Dust Designs Popsicle Box Die gave me the perfect starting point for a Halloween treat box. Instead of making another traditional square or pillow-style box, I wanted something with a little personality that would still be

I have always enjoyed making cards for people whose birthdays fall close to a holiday because it gives me an opportunity to combine two themes in a way that feels personal. This Halloween birthday card started with that idea: instead of making a traditional Halloween card or a traditional birthday card, I wanted something that felt like both. The result is a clean and simple easel card with spooky imagery, an orange focal point, and just enough Halloween detail to make an Oct

Halloween is one of my favorite times to step outside the traditional handmade card format and create something a little more dimensional. Don’t get me wrong—I love a beautiful card, but sometimes the occasion calls for a project that can hold a little surprise! This Halloween treat box combines die cutting, ink blending, and simple assembly to turn paper into a fun little gift bag. I especially love that the finished project has plenty of personality without requiring compli

There is something about a good mystery that makes a cardmaking project more fun, and this detective-themed card definitely had me thinking about the story I wanted to tell before I started creating. I’m sharing a sneak peek of some new products from Miss Ink Stamps, including the Elementary Stamp Set and Bullet Hole Layering Stencil, along with Honolulu Alcohol Markers. But rather than simply showing you what I made, I want to focus on the design choices behind this card and

There’s something especially fun about making a Halloween project that isn’t just a card! This little 3D treat box combines die cutting, pattern paper, and a few creative modifications to turn a collection of dies into something that’s perfect for holding a small Halloween treat. I also love projects like this because they encourage us to look at our dies a little differently. Instead of thinking about a die as having only one specific purpose, we can ask, “What else could I

I love a card design that looks more complicated than it really is, and a Pinwheel Fun Fold is definitely one of those designs! For these two Christmas cards, I wanted to see how much personality I could get from one basic fold simply by changing the way I used the patterned paper and embellishments. The result is two festive cards that feel different even though they share the same basic layout. I used the beautiful Mistletoe Market 6x6 Pattern Paper, Mistletoe Market Cut-a-

I love a card that looks more complicated than it really is, and this Halloween pinwheel card is exactly that kind of project! The folded centerpiece creates an eye-catching focal point without requiring a complicated collection of dies or embellishments. For this project in my Halloween Card Series 2026, I combined stamping, simple alcohol marker coloring, and patterned paper to create a fun fold card that has plenty of personality while still feeling balanced and easy to re

I love a birthday card that feels cheerful and a little bit unexpected, and this rainbow unicorn card definitely falls into that category! For this project, I combined die cutting, pattern paper, and stamping to create a card that has plenty of personality without requiring a complicated cardmaking technique. The fun part is that the same design principles can be used with supplies you already have, even if unicorns and rainbows aren't your thing. My goal with this card was t

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

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.

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

Create two beautiful handmade cards using stencils, ink blending, and stamping techniques. Learn why simple layouts, white space, and thoughtful color choices create polished results—and discover ideas for adapting the designs with supplies you already own. Perfect inspiration for beginner and intermediate cardmakers looking for clean and simple card ideas.

There’s something about gingerbread-themed Christmas cards that instantly brings back memories of holiday baking, warm kitchens, and spending time with family. Even if you don't bake a single cookie during the season, those familiar shapes and cozy colors create a feeling that makes handmade Christmas cards extra special. That's exactly what inspired me while creating this card featuring the Pixi Dust Designs Gingerbread Bakery Die Set and Gingy Dress Up Stamp Set.