Halloween cards are the perfect excuse to play with bold color, fun pattern, and a little bit of spooky personality! For this card, I wanted to create something that felt festive and layered without becoming too busy. The result is a design that combines simple stamping, die cutting, and pattern paper mixing in a way that still feels clean and easy to follow. I especially love how a few well-chosen strips of patterned paper can do so much of the design work for you...

Halloween projects are always a good excuse to play with color, pattern, and a little bit of whimsy—and this 3D Halloween treat box definitely checks all three boxes! I love that a small paper project like this can feel like more than just packaging. With the right combination of patterned paper, die cutting, and a simple stamped sentiment, the box itself becomes part of the gift. For this project, I used new products from Catherine Pooler Designs, including the Happy Feels B

There’s something about a shaped card that makes a handmade card feel instantly more special. Instead of starting with the usual A2 rectangle, I wanted to let the shape become part of the Halloween design itself. For this project, I reached for the Coffin Folio Die Set from Scrappy Boy Stamps and built the card around that dramatic silhouette. The result is a spooky Halloween card with plenty of personality, but the design also reminded me of something important: you don’t ne

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 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

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

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.

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

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 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'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.

There's something special about creating a card that makes someone laugh before they even open the envelope. Friendship cards don't always have to be elegant or heartfelt—sometimes the best ones are a little quirky, a little unexpected, and full of personality. That's exactly what inspired this project featuring the August New Release from The Rabbit Hole Designs.

There’s something refreshing about creating a card that feels light, balanced, and effortless. I recently shared the full step-by-step tutorial for this clean and simple beach-themed card on the CutCardStock blog, where I walk through the construction of the project and highlight the cardstock I used to create it. Here on my blog, I wanted to take a different approach. Rather than repeating the tutorial, I thought it would be more helpful to share the design choices behind th

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.

One of my favorite things about making birthday cards is finding creative ways to make the design feel just as special as the person receiving it. Sometimes that means reaching for bright colors, and other times it's about choosing a focal point that instantly tells a story. When I saw the Mailbox Shaker with Mouse Ears Die Set from Scrappy Boy Stamps, I knew it would be the perfect starting point for a cheerful birthday card that looks like happy mail arriving on someone's s

Sometimes the best card designs come from giving yourself a few creative boundaries. Instead of starting with three completely different ideas, I challenged myself to use one basic layout and see how many unique cards I could create simply by changing the patterned paper, focal images, and sentiments. It's a great reminder that you don't need an elaborate design to make something memorable.

There are some cards that come together because of a single focal point, and then there are cards where the magic happens by layering several simple techniques together. This birthday card is definitely the second kind. By combining soft ink blending, a subtle stenciled background, and colorful die-cut accents, I was able to create a design that feels playful and polished without becoming overwhelming.

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

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.

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.