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

I’ll admit it—sometimes I love a card that doesn’t need much fuss. There’s something really satisfying about stamping one beautiful image, adding some thoughtful coloring, and letting the design breathe. That was exactly the idea behind these three fall cards featuring the Mice & Cozy Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company. I wanted the stamped scenes and alcohol marker coloring to do most of the work, while keeping the finished cards approachable enough that a newer cardmaker co

Have you ever sat down to make a card, pulled out a stamp set or die set, and then immediately started looking for a sketch or sample card to copy? I know I have, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with using sketches, tutorials, and other cards for inspiration because they can be incredibly helpful, especially when you are learning a new technique or trying to figure out how to get started with a particular product.

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

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

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 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

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

Sometimes the most interesting cards come from letting a few creative constraints guide the process. For today’s project, I pulled four prompts from my Creative Card Deck for my Draw Four Make a Card series and challenged myself to see where they would lead. The prompts gave me a technique, a color direction, and even a design rule—which meant the creative decisions were mostly made before I even picked up a stamp. The result is a spring hello card featuring a spotlight st

As Halloween approaches, I always find myself getting a little more creative in the craft room. There's something about the spooky season...