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Why Split Panel Cards Work (And How to Make Them Your Own)
I recently shared a full step-by-step split panel friendship card tutorial over on the Unity Stamp Company blog using their Just Pig-Cause Stamp Set and patterned paper from the North Pole Collection . That post walks through the process from start to finish and is perfect if you want a clear, product-focused guide. Here on my own blog, I wanted to take a step back and talk about why this design works so well—and how you can confidently adapt the idea using supplies you alr

Rick Adkins
Jan 15


Valentine’s Day Card Design Tips: Layout, Color & Texture
I recently shared a Valentine’s Day card project over on the C. C. Designs blog , where I walked through the full process using the Swissie Love Stamp Set . That post focuses on the techniques and product use step by step, so today I wanted to do something a little different here on my own blog. This post is all about the thinking behind the card — why the design works, the choices I made along the way, and how you can easily adapt the idea using what you already have in you

Rick Adkins
Jan 12


Clean and Simple Cardmaking with Pattern Paper and Stamping
There are seasons when I crave all the layers and embellishments—and then there are seasons when I just want my cards to breathe . This little set of winter-themed cards came together during one of those moments when I wanted the coloring to shine, the images to tell the story, and the design to feel calm instead of crowded. Clean and simple doesn’t mean boring, and it definitely doesn’t mean plain. For me, it means being intentional with every choice. For this project, I cre

Rick Adkins
Jan 9


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 & Simple Winter Card Featuring the Henry & Twila Cocoa Stamp Set
Today I’m sharing a clean and simple winter card that features the adorable Henry & Twila Cocoa Stamp Set from C.C. Designs. I’ve always loved finding ways to keep a design simple while still packing in plenty of visual interest, and this little cocoa-themed cutie gave me the perfect excuse to play with masking, ink blending, and a fun repetitive sentiment background. If you’ve ever wanted to make a clean and simple card that still feels polished and intentional, this is a g

Rick Adkins
Nov 17, 2025


Clean & Layered Fall Coffee Card | Unity Stamp Company Fall To Go
There’s just something about fall that makes me reach for warm kraft cardstock , a cozy cup of coffee, and a pile of pumpkin stamps. Today, I’m sharing a clean and layered card design featuring the Fall To Go Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company —a set that combines all my favorite things about this season: coffee, pumpkins, and that thankful feeling that comes with crisp mornings and cozy afternoons. If you’ve ever wanted to create a card with subtle dimension and texture wit

Rick Adkins
Oct 24, 2025


Clean & Simple Christmas Card | Henry & Twila Christmas Sneak Peek from C.C. Designs
There’s something about the start of the holiday crafting season that makes me want to pull out all my Christmas stamps and start...

Rick Adkins
Oct 8, 2025


Create a Unique Autumn Card with the Exclusive Thankful Florals Stamp Set | Stamptember 2025 | Video Tutorial
It’s that time of year when cozy plaid, warm colors, and a little bit of layering can turn a simple card into something extra special....

Rick Adkins
Sep 23, 2025


Clean & Simple Fall & Halloween Cards with the C.C. Designs September Release
Fall is in full swing here in Alabama, and I have to admit—it’s one of my favorite times of the year to create cards. The cooler weather...

Rick Adkins
Sep 17, 2025


Spooky Cute Halloween Card with the Vampy Friends Stamp Set
Halloween cards are some of my favorites to make because they let me mix spooky details with playful, lighthearted designs. I love the...

Rick Adkins
Sep 1, 2025


Make A Splash Summer Card Idea: C. C. Designs New July Release
Every time summer rolls around, I find myself reaching for stamps that bring a little sunshine into the craft room. You know the...

Rick Adkins
Jul 11, 2025


Create a Fun Rainbow Brite Birthday Card Fast | Easy Handmade Card for Any Celebration | Video Tutorial
Have you ever needed a birthday card right now —but still wanted it to feel personal, handmade, and a little magical? That was exactly...

Rick Adkins
Jun 16, 2025


Mixing Stamp Sets: The Rabbit Hole Designs & La La Land Crafts
Have you ever looked at your craft supplies and wondered what would happen if you mixed elements from different companies? For today’s...

Rick Adkins
Nov 22, 2024
