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Easy Die Cut Birthday Card Using Scrap Cardstock Pieces
One thing I hear from cardmakers all the time is how hard it can be to use up those leftover scraps of cardstock that seem too pretty to throw away but too small to organize. I’ll admit, I have a growing pile of them on my desk most days too! For this birthday card, I wanted to create something bright, layered, and detailed while challenging myself to work primarily from scraps instead of pulling out full sheets of cardstock.

Rick Adkins
May 13


Mother’s Day Card with The Rabbit Hole Designs Paisley Bandana Layering Stencils
There’s something about soft florals and delicate background patterns that always feels perfect for Mother’s Day cards. I wanted this card to have a clean and layered look while still feeling warm and detailed, so I focused on combining a subtle stenciled background with a brightly colored floral image. Sometimes a card only needs one strong focal point and a little supporting texture to feel complete, and this design was a good reminder of that.

Rick Adkins
May 10


Interactive Cardmaking Tutorial: Master the Twist & Pop Mechanism for Clean and Simple Handmade Cards
There’s something really special about a card that surprises you when you open it. As a cardmaker, I’m always looking for ways to create that little moment of delight—especially for occasions like Father’s Day, where masculine designs can sometimes feel a bit limiting. This Twist & Pop card is one of those designs that looks impressive but is actually very approachable once you understand the structure. And honestly, it’s become one of my favorite ways to elevate a clean and

Rick Adkins
May 9


Handmade Card Idea: Simple Shaped Gift Card Holder Video Tutorial
Sometimes a gift card is exactly what you need… but it can feel a little impersonal on its own. I’ve been reaching for ways to dress them up without adding a lot of extra time or complexity, and this coffee cup shaped gift card holder has quickly become one of my favorite solutions. It’s fun, practical, and perfect for anyone who loves coffee (which, let’s be honest, is a lot of people!).

Rick Adkins
May 6


Easy Cardmaking Idea: Clean and Simple Card with Ink Blending
Sometimes the hardest part of cardmaking isn’t the techniques—it’s deciding what to do in the first place. If you’ve ever sat at your craft table with supplies out and no clear plan, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I love having a go-to layout that takes the guesswork out of the process.

Rick Adkins
May 4


3 Easy Cardmaking Ideas Using Stencils for Stunning Results
If you’ve ever pulled out a stencil, made a card, and thought… “well, that looks fine,” but not exciting, you’re definitely not alone. Stencils are one of those tools that can either feel incredibly versatile—or a little limiting—depending on how you use them. So for today’s project, I wanted to challenge that idea and show how just a few small shifts can completely change the outcome.

Rick Adkins
May 2


Easy Spring Shaker Card Tutorial for Beautiful Handmade Cards
There’s something about a shaker card that instantly makes a project feel extra special. The movement, the sparkle, and the little surprise inside all add a fun interactive element that catches the eye right away. But if you’ve ever felt intimidated by shaker cards, you’re definitely not alone. They often look much more complicated than they really are, and that can make them feel out of reach—especially if you’re newer to cardmaking. For this Spring Hey Shaker Card, I wanted

Rick Adkins
May 1


How to Layer Alcohol Markers and Colored Pencils for Beautiful Handmade Cards
There’s something so satisfying about creating a clean and simple handmade card that still feels rich with detail. Sometimes, the easiest layouts are the ones that really let your coloring shine, and that was exactly the goal with these two cards. I wanted each design to feel polished and complete without relying on lots of embellishments or layers, so I focused on combining alcohol marker coloring, colored pencil shading, and a few simple scoring details to add depth and tex

Rick Adkins
Apr 30


Turn Pattern Paper into Simple but Beautiful Backgrounds
Pattern paper is one of those supplies that many of us love to collect, but it can sometimes be tricky to know how to use it in a way that feels polished instead of overwhelming. I often find myself reaching for patterned papers when I want to create a card with lots of visual interest but still keep the design clean and balanced. That was exactly the inspiration behind today’s card.

Rick Adkins
Apr 29


Easy Cardmaking Idea for Creative Slumps: A Clean and Simple Anniversary Card
Have you ever sat down to make a card, looked at your supplies, and suddenly had no idea what to create? I think every cardmaker has been there. Sometimes the hardest part of making a handmade card isn’t the stamping or die cutting—it’s simply deciding where to begin. That’s exactly why I created my Draw Four Make a Card series. It’s a simple, practical way to take the guesswork out of designing by using four prompts to guide the process.

Rick Adkins
Apr 27


Clean and Simple Cardmaking Tutorial with Stamping, Stenciling, and Ink Blending
Clean and simple cards are always a favorite because they allow a beautiful focal image to shine, and this sweet design does exactly that. For today’s project, the The Hoarding of Wildflowers Stamp Set and 8-in-1 Essential Masking Stencils from Unity Stamps come together to create a cheerful handmade card with soft detail and plenty of personality. The whimsical floral image takes center stage, brought to life with bright alcohol marker coloring that contrasts beautifully aga

Rick Adkins
Apr 23


Easy Mother’s Day Gatefold Card Idea for Beautiful Handmade Cards
Today’s project features a clean and simple tea-themed Mother’s Day gatefold card created with products from Pixi Dust Designs. Using the My BEST-TEA Die Set, You're A Cute Tea 6x6 Paper Pad, and Lemon Shaker Bits, this design combines soft pastel colors with a sweet teapot and teacup focal point for a card that feels cheerful and heartfelt.

Rick Adkins
Apr 22


Sweet Stamped Thanks: A Simple One-Layer Card with Big Personality
Sometimes the simplest cards can have the most charm, and this one-layer thank you card is the perfect example. I wanted to create a clean and simple design that still felt playful and eye-catching, so I paired the adorable critters from the Animal Notes Stamp Set with the postage stamp image from the Sticky Notes Sayings Stamp Set. With just a little masking and thoughtful placement, this easy design turns a plain card front into something fun, colorful, and full of personal

Rick Adkins
Apr 20


Easy Spring Birthday Fun Fold Card for Beautiful Handmade Card Idea
There’s something so satisfying about creating a card that has that “wow” factor the moment it’s opened, especially when the design is much easier to make than it looks. That’s exactly what I love about this Trifold Hidden Door Fun Fold Card. It has the charm and dimension of an interactive card, but the structure is simple enough that beginner and intermediate cardmakers can enjoy making it without feeling overwhelmed...

Rick Adkins
Apr 19


Easy Mixed Media Cardmaking Tips for Creating Magical Scene Cards
Creating layered mixed media backgrounds can be one of the most rewarding parts of cardmaking—but it can also feel like one of the easiest ways to ruin a project. When there are lots of bright colors, textures, and stamped details involved, it’s easy for the focal image to get lost in the background. That’s exactly the challenge I wanted to solve with today’s mixed media castle card.

Rick Adkins
Apr 19


Spring Bunny Hollow Fun Fold Card with Paper Rose Studio Pattern Papers
There’s something about spring projects that always pulls me toward soft colors, delicate patterns, and interactive designs—and this card checks all those boxes. I wanted to create something that felt a little extra special when displayed, but still approachable enough that you could recreate it with supplies you already have on hand. That’s where this lantern pull-up fun fold design really shines. It looks intricate, but once you understand the structure, it becomes a layout

Rick Adkins
Apr 15


From Mystery to Birthday: 2 Easy Card Ideas with One Stamp Set
Hi Crafty Friends! Today I have a fun stencil technique video for you! I played with the Whodunnit stamp set from the March 2026 release from Miss Ink Stamps along with the April 6x6 Free With Purchase Stencil and the April 4x4 Thank You Stencil (both from Miss Ink Stamps) to create two cards which both feature a boho inspired color palette. The first card features an interior scene and the second is a clean and simple birthday card. I hope that you enjoy!

Rick Adkins
Apr 4


One Layer Bunny Card with Easy Alcohol Marker Coloring
There’s something really satisfying about creating a card that looks polished and complete… without adding a single layer. I’ll be honest—one layer cards used to feel a little limiting to me. I love dimension, texture, and all the extras. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate how much impact you can create with just thoughtful stamping and simple coloring.

Rick Adkins
Apr 2


Stretch Your Dies: Little Pig Backpack Shaker Card Idea
Sometimes the best cardmaking ideas come from looking at your supplies a little differently. That was exactly my goal with this project—I wanted to see how far I could stretch a few die sets and turn them into something completely new. Instead of using each set as intended, I mixed elements together to create a shaped shaker card… and this adorable little pig backpack design came to life.

Rick Adkins
Mar 30


Slimline Friendship Card Tutorial with La Bu Who Dies and Stamps from The Rabbit Hole Designs
I’ve been in one of those “use what I already have” moods lately… you know the kind where you start digging through your cardstock scraps and suddenly feel like you’ve discovered a hidden treasure. That’s exactly where this card began. I had a pile of colorful scraps on my desk and wanted to turn them into something cheerful, playful, and a little unexpected—and these adorable Juju characters from The Rabbit Hole Designs were the perfect fit.

Rick Adkins
Mar 29
