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Handmade Patriotic Floral Card with the Where Freedom Blooms Stamp Set from Unity Stamps
There is something timeless about combining florals with patriotic colors. While stars and stripes are classic symbols of Independence Day, adding flowers creates a softer, more elegant look that works well beyond a single holiday. It's a style that feels appropriate for celebrating service members, honoring loved ones, or simply expressing appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy.

Rick Adkins
Jul 13


Santa Says Stamps & Dies Bundle: Easy Handmade Christmas Card Tutorial
There’s something about Christmas cards that brings me back to the basics of why I enjoy cardmaking so much. While it's tempting to reach for lots of embellishments and specialty techniques during the holidays, I often find that combining a fun stamped image with beautiful patterned paper creates a card that feels festive without becoming overwhelming. For this card, I reached for The Rabbit Hole Designs Santa Says Stamps & Dies Bundle and let the cheerful Santa take center s

Rick Adkins
Jul 11


Why I Chose a Bold Foiled Background for This Christmas Card
Sometimes the most interesting part of making a card isn't the technique itself—it's deciding how to let that technique shine. This project reminded me that when a background is this striking, the best design choice is often knowing when to stop adding more.

Rick Adkins
Jul 11


July 2026 Berries & Buccaneers Release: Sweet Friendship Card with C. C. Designs Strawberry Delight
There’s something about a bright, cheerful friendship card that never goes out of style. Whether you're celebrating a lifelong friendship, sending a little encouragement, or simply letting someone know you're thinking of them, a handmade card has a way of making those moments feel even more meaningful.

Rick Adkins
Jul 10


Float Into Summer with a Clean and Simple Relaxation Card
I recently shared a full tutorial on the Unity Stamp Company blog featuring the Cool Goose Summer Stamp Set, part of the July 2026 Whit-Kit Card Kit. In that post, I focused on the featured products and the overall project. Here on my blog, I wanted to take a different approach by sharing some of the design decisions behind the card, why I kept the layout so simple, and a few ideas for making this style work with supplies you may already have in your craft room.

Rick Adkins
Jul 9


How to Create a Bright Summer Handmade Card with Die Cutting and Ink Blended Edges
Recently, I had the opportunity to share a full step-by-step tutorial for this Summer Vibes Cupcake Card on the CutCardStock blog. In that tutorial, I walk through the construction of the card and how I used their beautiful cardstock collection to bring the design together. In this post, I wanted to take a different approach. Instead of repeating the instructions, I thought it would be more helpful to share the creative decisions behind the card, why I made certain design cho

Rick Adkins
Jul 9


Easy Christmas Card Idea Using Pattern Paper
Christmas cards don't always have to be filled with traditional reds, greens, and bold holiday prints. Sometimes, choosing a softer color palette is enough to make a card stand out while still feeling festive. That's exactly what inspired today's project. I wanted to create a Christmas card with a light, cheerful feel that shows how pastel colors can work beautifully for the holiday season.

Rick Adkins
Jul 8


Easy Graduation Cardmaking Tutorial Using Pop Up Envelope Dies
Graduation season is one of those times of year when I always seem to need a few special cards on hand. Whether you're celebrating a high school graduate, a college graduate, or someone earning a professional certification, a handmade card adds a personal touch that makes the occasion even more meaningful. I also love creating graduation cards because they're easy to customize with school colors, graduation years, and personal embellishments that make each card feel unique.

Rick Adkins
Jul 8


How to Make a Handmade Fairy Tale Engagement Card with Die Cuts and Pattern Paper
There is something magical about creating a card for an engagement. It's more than celebrating a milestone—it's about capturing the excitement of a couple beginning their own happily ever after. Whenever I sit down to design an engagement card, I like to create something that feels timeless and elegant while still reflecting the personality of the couple receiving it.

Rick Adkins
Jul 7


Turn Simple Stencils Into Beautiful Cards
Sometimes the simplest supplies can create the biggest impact. That's exactly what I discovered while making today's pair of handmade cards featuring two of the July free gift stencils from Miss Ink Stamps. By combining bold ink blending with clean stencil designs, I was able to create two completely different cards—a colorful zebra birthday card and a tropical-inspired hello card—without relying on complicated techniques or lots of layers.

Rick Adkins
Jul 4


How to Make an Encouragement Card with Stamping, Ink Blending, and Alcohol Markers
There are certain images that instantly tell a story, and lighthouses have always been one of those for me. They symbolize hope, strength, and guidance during difficult seasons, making them a natural choice for an encouragement card. When I sat down to create this project using Unity Stamp Company's A Light to Weather By {bom 6/26} Stamp Set, I wanted the finished card to feel peaceful, uplifting, and full of quiet strength without becoming overly complicated.

Rick Adkins
Jul 2


July 2026 New Release: Galaxy Pattern Paper Christmas Card with Santa Says Stamps
One of my favorite things about Christmas cardmaking is finding unexpected ways to create a festive design. While traditional reds, greens, and snowy scenes will always have a place on my craft table, sometimes it's fun to step outside those familiar colors and try something completely different. That's exactly what inspired this card featuring the new Santa Says Stamps and Die Bundle and Galaxy 6x6 Pattern Paper Pack from The Rabbit Hole Designs.

Rick Adkins
Jul 1


3 Birthday Card Ideas with Paper Rose Studio Pattern Papers and Embossed Die Cuts
Birthday cards are one of those projects I never seem to have enough of on hand. No matter how many I make, there always seems to be another birthday right around the corner. That's one reason I love creating card designs that are easy to customize while still looking polished and thoughtful.

Rick Adkins
Jun 25


Background Stamping Techniques for Elegant Encouragement Cards
There are certain cards that seem to come together naturally, and this encouragement card was one of those projects for me. Sometimes I sit down at my craft table with a detailed plan, and other times I start with a stamp set that inspires me and let the design evolve from there. For this card, I was drawn to the beautiful floral image from Unity Stamp Company's The Good You Grow Stamp Set and knew I wanted it to be the star of the design.

Rick Adkins
Jun 25


A Simple Scrap Busting Bookmark for Cardmakers
If you're anything like me, you probably have a growing collection of cardstock scraps and leftover pieces of patterned paper that feel too pretty to throw away but too small to use on a traditional card. Over time, those little bits can pile up and create clutter in your craft space. That's exactly what inspired today's project.

Rick Adkins
Jun 24


How to Make a Clean and Simple 4th of July Card with Die Cuts and Dry Embossing
There is something timeless about a red, white, and blue color palette. Every year when patriotic holidays roll around, I find myself reaching for classic stars, bold cardstock colors, and simple layouts that let the design speak for itself. While creating this 4th of July card, I challenged myself to keep the design clean and simple while still making it feel festive and eye-catching.

Rick Adkins
Jun 24


How to Create Encouragement Cards with Pattern Paper and Stamped Images
One of the things I enjoy most about cardmaking is finding ways to create cards that feel cheerful and encouraging without making the design overly complicated. Encouragement cards are some of the most useful cards to keep on hand because they're appropriate for so many situations. Whether someone is facing a challenge, celebrating a small victory, or simply needs a reminder that someone is thinking about them, a handmade card can make a meaningful impact.

Rick Adkins
Jun 23


Father's Day Cardmaking Tutorial: Create a Sweet Handmade Card with Custom Stamped Backgrounds
Father's Day cards can sometimes feel a little challenging to design. Many of us have collections of florals, cute critters, and everyday sentiments, but finding ways to create masculine cards that still feel fun and personal can take a bit of creative thinking. That's one reason I enjoyed creating today's card. It combines playful images, bold color, and a simple layout that allows the focal images to do all the heavy lifting.

Rick Adkins
Jun 21


Make a Clean and Simple Patriotic Card with Soft Colors
When most cardmakers think of a 4th of July card, bold reds, deep blues, and bright whites usually come to mind. While those traditional patriotic colors certainly have their place, I wanted to explore a softer approach for this project. Sometimes changing the color palette is all it takes to make a familiar theme feel fresh, and that's exactly what inspired today's clean and simple card.

Rick Adkins
Jun 20


How to Make a Waterfall Birthday Gift Card Holder
Gift cards are one of the easiest gifts to give, but they can sometimes feel a little impersonal. As cardmakers, we have the ability to transform a simple gift card into something that feels thoughtful, creative, and handmade. That's exactly what inspired today's project.

Rick Adkins
Jun 19
