There is something about fall and coffee that just works, especially when pumpkin spice enters the picture. For this card, I wanted to create a cozy scene that felt detailed and seasonal without relying on a complicated card layout. The Pumpkin Spice Latte Stamp Set from Miss Ink Stamps gave me the perfect focal point, but the part I really enjoyed was figuring out how to make the background support the stamped scene instead of competing with it. The result is a handmade card

I’ve always enjoy making clean and simple cards because they prove that you don’t need a complicated layout, lots of layers, or a desk full of supplies to create something that catches the eye. Sometimes a single stamped image, a little color, and a thoughtful background are all it takes. For these three Halloween cards, I decided to keep things especially simple by making them one layer cards. I used the same focal stamp from the Unity Stamps Purranormal Activities Stamp Set

I love a fun fold that looks more complicated than it really is, and this Corner Flap Gate Fold definitely falls into that category. For this Halloween card, I wanted the fold itself to be part of the design rather than simply a different way to open the card. The combination of the deep Galaxy pattern paper, the little Halloween cat, and the cluster of cotton flowers creates a card with plenty of visual interest before you even open it.

There is something I really enjoy about creating cards around everyday objects. A teapot, a little jar, a cup, or even a simple shelf can become the starting point for a card that feels warm and personal. That was exactly my thought when I started working with the new The Simple Things Release from Pinkfresh Studio. For this release blog hop, I wanted to explore the same general collection of images in two different ways—one card using traditional stamping and another using a

I’ll admit it: sometimes the best card designs start with a little nudge to try something different. That was definitely the case with this birthday card featuring the Pretty Bird Stamp Set from Miss Ink Stamps. I wanted to create something cheerful and colorful, but I also wanted the card itself to provide some of the interest. That led me to the X Fold Fun Fold Card. The finished design has a little more going on than a standard card, but the individual techniques are all a

If you’ve ever stood in front of your ink collection wondering whether you should reach for Distress Inks or Distress Oxide Inks, you’re not alone. I’ve found that both can create beautiful ink-blended backgrounds and add shading to die cuts, but they behave differently enough that choosing the right one can change the entire look of a card. So instead of simply asking which ink is better, I think the more helpful question is: Which ink is better for the result I want?

Fall is one of my favorite seasons for cardmaking because the colors do so much of the design work for you. Rich reds, golden yellows, warm oranges, deep browns, and earthy greens instantly create a cozy feeling. For this Fall Thankful For You Card, I wanted to capture that feeling while keeping the design clean enough that the sentiment remained the star. I’m combining die cutting, dry embossing, and ink blending with a mix of CutCardStock papers to create a handmade card th

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

Learn how to combine stamp sets to create a cheerful handmade scene card! In this cardmaking tutorial, I’m sharing how I used stamping, ink blending, die cutting, colored pencils, and alcohol markers to create an encouraging llama card—and how you can adapt the same scene-building ideas with supplies you already have.

I have always enjoyed making cards for people whose birthdays fall close to a holiday because it gives me an opportunity to combine two themes in a way that feels personal. This Halloween birthday card started with that idea: instead of making a traditional Halloween card or a traditional birthday card, I wanted something that felt like both. The result is a clean and simple easel card with spooky imagery, an orange focal point, and just enough Halloween detail to make an Oct

Halloween cards are one of my favorite places to play with atmosphere. You can take a handful of stamped images, add some color and ink, and suddenly you have a little world happening on the front of a card. That was exactly the idea behind this Halloween card featuring the ghostly cat, potion bottles, mushrooms, moon, and stars from The Rabbit Hole Designs. Rather than trying to make every image the star of the show, I wanted to create a scene with a clear focal point and a

There’s something I really enjoy about making birthday cards for people born in October. You can take all those familiar Halloween colors—purple, orange, black, and a little bit of sparkle—and turn them into something that feels festive without making the card entirely about Halloween. That was exactly the direction I took with this card featuring the Bagged & Bothered Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company. The slightly grumpy cat, bold colors, and cheeky sentiment gave me the p

Halloween is one of my favorite times to step outside the traditional handmade card format and create something a little more dimensional. Don’t get me wrong—I love a beautiful card, but sometimes the occasion calls for a project that can hold a little surprise! This Halloween treat box combines die cutting, ink blending, and simple assembly to turn paper into a fun little gift bag. I especially love that the finished project has plenty of personality without requiring compli

There is something especially fun about creating a handmade card that tells a little story before the recipient even reads the sentiment. When I started working with the Surprise Mail Stamp Set from the Simon Says Stamp STAMPtember® release, I knew I wanted the mailbox to be the center of attention. From there, the colorful envelopes, gift, and scattered pieces of mail became a playful way to build a birthday scene that feels cheerful without becoming overly complicated. Some

Halloween cards don’t always have to be packed with spooky patterns, lots of embellishments, and layers of cardstock to make an impact. For this card, I wanted to take a different approach and create something that felt clean and layered at the same time. I love that combination because it gives you the finished, polished look of a more involved card without making the design feel busy. The slightly mischievous couple from the Deadpan Devotion Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Compa

I love when a card can feel like a little story, and this encouragement card definitely falls into that category. The Sword Master Clear Stamp Set from C. C. Designs gave me the perfect characters to build that story around, but the real fun for me was figuring out how to make the stamped images feel like they belonged together in one scene. Rather than creating a complicated card design, I focused on a few techniques—stamping, alcohol marker coloring, ink blending, stencilin

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

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

I love when a card looks like it took a lot more work than it actually did—and this little birthday scene is a perfect example! I wanted to create a cheerful handmade birthday card with plenty of color and personality, but I also wanted the background to feel finished without spending a lot of time building a scene from scratch.

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