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Designing with Intention: Collage Stamping for Magical House Cards
I recently shared a full, start-to-finish tutorial over on the Miss Ink Stamps blog where I walked through how to create these Magical House Personality cards using collage stamping and dies. That post is very product- and process-focused, so today I wanted to take a step back and talk about the thinking behind the designs instead—the creative decisions, what worked, and how you can adapt this idea using supplies you already own. These projects ended up being one of those

Rick Adkins
2 days ago


Shaped Card Design Using Stamps Dies & Alcohol Marker Coloring
If you’ve ever wanted to try a shaped card but felt a little unsure where to start, today’s project is a great place to begin. Shaped cards are a fun way to move beyond standard rectangle card bases, and with the right dies and coordinated products, they’re much more approachable than they might seem at first glance. For this card, I used the Abbey Mini Album/Card Die Set from Scrappy Boy Stamps to create a shaped card base that feels elegant and unique while still being ea

Rick Adkins
Jan 1


Clean & Layered Valentine Card Using Pixi Dust Designs Dies
There’s just something extra special about a clean and layered Valentine card, especially when it has a little touch of magic mixed in. For today’s card, I’m sharing a Valentine’s Day design created with Pixi Dust Designs , and it came together beautifully using the Magic World 6×6 Paper Pad as the starting point. I adhered a piece of patterned paper to a top-folding A2 card base to instantly set the tone, then reached for the Vintage Scroll Die Set . Cutting the scroll piec

Rick Adkins
Dec 31, 2025


Pop Up Block Fun Fold Valentine Card Using Pattern Paper, Dies & Stamps
Fun fold cards are one of my favorite ways to add that wow factor to a handmade card without making things complicated—and today’s Pop Up Block Fun Fold Valentine card is a perfect example of that. This design looks interactive and impressive, but it’s built with simple folds, layered pattern paper, and a few well-chosen dies and stamps. If you enjoy creating cards that fold flat for mailing but pop open with a little surprise, this fun fold design is one you’ll want to kee

Rick Adkins
Dec 30, 2025


How to Use Pattern Paper to Create a Custom Color Palette for Cardmaking
One of my favorite ways to remove the guesswork from coloring stamped images is to let my pattern paper do the heavy lifting —and today’s Warm Wishes clean & layered card is a perfect example of that approach. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to decide which Copic markers to use, this technique is a total confidence booster, especially for beginner to intermediate cardmakers. For this card, I started with a holiday-themed pattern paper pack and used it to create a non-holida

Rick Adkins
Dec 29, 2025


Clean & Layered Valentine Card with the Girl Wizard Mug Die
Clean and layered cards are one of my favorite go-to styles, especially when I want something quick but still full of personality. For today’s Valentine card, I kept the layout simple while letting the whimsical details shine using products from Pixi Dust Designs. I started with a top-folding A2 card base and added a strip of patterned paper from the Magic World 6x6 Paper Pad along the bottom. That one little layer instantly adds interest without overpowering the design, mak

Rick Adkins
Dec 24, 2025


From Mini Album to Slimline Card | A Coffee Themed Gift Card Holder
One of my favorite ways to stretch my supplies is by looking at dies with fresh eyes, and today’s project is a perfect example of that. This shaped slimline card gift card holder started with the Coffee Mini Album Die Set from Scrappy Boy Stamps , but instead of building an album, I used the pieces to create a fun coffee-themed card base. I pulled colors directly from the Dreaming of Coffee 4x9 Pattern Paper Pack , cutting the album pieces from coordinating cardstock so eve

Rick Adkins
Dec 22, 2025


You Know You're Old When You Want Socks For Christmas Card | Pixi Dust Designs
There’s something about a clean and simple Christmas card that really lets a fun focal image shine, and this Santa sock made me smile from start to finish. I cut all the parts for the Santa Sock from my scrap cardstock using the Snowman and Santa Sock Die Set from Pixi Dust Designs , which is perfect for using up those leftover bits we all seem to collect. A little ink blending around the edges added just enough depth, and once everything was assembled with liquid adhesive,

Rick Adkins
Dec 19, 2025


Sweet Donut Card with a Simple No Tool Shiny Glaze
Today’s card is a clean and layered donut card that’s sweet, playful, and has just the right amount of shine—without any messy glazes or specialty tools. I used the Mouse Sprinkle Donut Die Set , Fairy Tale Phrases Die Set , and the I Love Theme Parks 6 x 6 Pattern Paper Pack from Scrappy Boy Stamps to create this fun storybook-style design. The colorful patterns paired with soft pinks and browns give this card a cheerful, polished look that works beautifully for birthdays

Rick Adkins
Dec 17, 2025


Let It Snow Stamp Set: Winter Hi Card with Colored Pencils
There’s something so magical about pairing soft winter colors with colored pencil coloring, and this Winter Hi Card came together beautifully using the Let It Snow Stamp Set from C. C. Designs . I stamped Elisa onto Neenah Desert Storm Cardstock with Memento Rich Cocoa Ink and colored her with colored pencils, which really brings out the cozy, storybook feel of this sweet winter image. After fussy cutting her out, I created a softly shaped background using Chunky A2 Scall

Rick Adkins
Dec 15, 2025


Discover the Wonders Beneath: Clean and Simple Ocean Card with Fin-Tastic!
There’s something so calming about ocean-themed cards, and this one really lets those sweet underwater images shine! For today’s project, I used the Fin-tastic Stamp Set from The Rabbit Hole Designs to create a playful coral reef scene filled with coral, seaweed, tiny fish, and seashells. I stamped everything in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Hammermill Smooth 100 lb Cardstock and brought the images to life with my Ohuhu Pastel Brush Markers . The soft, cheerful coloring k

Rick Adkins
Dec 13, 2025


Penguin Mug Gift Tag | Cute Gift Card Holder with Pixi Dust Designs
There’s something so charming about turning a simple die set into a gift that feels extra-special, and this penguin mug gift card holder tag came together so sweetly using the Penguin Mug Die Set , Tag Accessories Die Set , and Stitched Scallop Slimline Die Set from Pixi Dust Designs . I started by cutting all the pieces for the penguin mug, then added soft ink blending to give the die cuts a little depth and warmth. To create the tag base, I used partial die cutting with t

Rick Adkins
Dec 11, 2025


How to Make a Birthday Card with Christmas Stamps | Santa’s Workshop
If you love stretching your crafty stash, this cheerful birthday card is such a fun way to turn Christmas stamps into something completely new. I started by stamping the teddy bear, robot, two presents, and the adorable elf popping out of a gift from the Santa’s Workshop Stamp Set by Scrappy Boy Stamps . After coloring everything with my Ohuhu Brush Markers , I pulled patterns from the Love The Mouse 6x6 Paper Pack and matched my markers to the bright reds, blues, and yello

Rick Adkins
Dec 8, 2025


DieCember® 2025 Bouncy Happy Birthday Die | Trifold Fun Fold Winter Card
There’s something so fun about taking a classic birthday design and giving it a winter twist, and today’s project does exactly that! This trifold window fun fold comes together beautifully with the Bouncy Happy Birthday Die Se t from the Simon Says Stamp DieCember® 2025 Release . I paired it with a few tried-and-true favorites— Under Water Layering Stencils , Modern Teardrops Wafer Dies , and the Twinkle Snowflakes Embossing Folder —to build a cool, layered look that peeks

Rick Adkins
Dec 4, 2025


Sporty All Star Birthday Card | Cute Kids I Love Sport + Helmet Die
Today I’m sharing a fun helmet-shaped birthday card that’s perfect for any all-star in your life! I used the Football Helmet Mini Album/Card Die Set from Scrappy Boy Stamps to create this bold red card base, and I have to say—the shape alone makes such a statement. To bring the design to life, I paired it with the Cute Kids I Love Sport Stamp Set and the matching Outline Dies . The little football player was stamped onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb cardstock wi

Rick Adkins
Dec 1, 2025


Oh Holy Night Nativity Card | 5x7 Christmas Card with Holly Jolly Stamps
Today I’m sharing a sweet and peaceful 5x7 nativity Christmas card created with the Holly Jolly Stamp Set , Holly Jolly Pixi Cuts , and the Oh Holy Night Sentiment Die from Pixi Dust Designs. I started by stamping the manger image onto Hammermill Smooth Cardstock and coloring everything with my Ohuhu Brush Markers to give the scene a soft, warm glow. Once everything was cut out with the coordinating Pixi Cuts, I moved on to the background—my favorite part. A fresh panel of

Rick Adkins
Nov 27, 2025


Make a Whimsical Snowman Card Using There's Snow-one Like You Dies
I had so much fun putting together this clean and layered winter card featuring the There’s Snow-one Like You Stamp & Die Set from Pixi Dust Designs! I started by cutting all the sweet little pieces for my snow-girl—her cozy hat, gloves, and scarf—from two soft shades of pink cardstock, while her body was cut from crisp Hammermill Smooth Cardstock . A touch of ink blending with Tumbled Glass and Shaded Lilac Distress Oxides gave her a frosty glow, and the tiniest bits of

Rick Adkins
Nov 26, 2025


Creating a Magical Mouse Shaped Christmas Gift Tag with Scrappy Boy Stamps
There’s just something extra special about a handmade Christmas tag, and this little mouse-shaped cutie might be one of my favorites yet! I started with the Mouse Ears Mini Album Die Set to create the shaped base, then reached for the Christmas Carol 6×6 Paper Pack and chose the gorgeous Christmas street-scene pattern to set the holiday mood. That stitched mouse head outline frames the background so sweetly, and once the base was ready, it was time to bring in the star of t

Rick Adkins
Nov 24, 2025


How to Create Easy Stocking Gift Tags for Christmas
Every year when the holiday rush hits, I find myself reaching for projects that look special but don’t take all day to create. Gift tags are one of my favorite ways to add a handmade touch without adding stress, and these stocking-shaped tags quickly became a new favorite. They’re simple, polished, and festive, thanks to the Nested Stocking Die Set and a mix of patterned papers and rub-ons from Scrapbook.com . If you’ve ever wanted something cute and cohesive for your gifts

Rick Adkins
Nov 22, 2025


Create a Magical Melted Snowman Card with Pixi Dust Designs Meltdown Die Set
Sometimes you just have one of those days that everything is coming in on you and life stresses you out and your own the verge of a meltdown. Today's card features the fun Meltdown Die Set from Pixi Dust Designs. This die set comes with a cute little sentiment stamps set that's perfect to stamp on the your cards. The sentiment "To The One That Puts Up with All My Meltdowns" is just perfect to put a smile on someone's face. As if the little melted snowman wasn't enough!

Rick Adkins
Nov 20, 2025
