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

I love when a card starts with a simple idea and then grows into something that feels like a little scene on the front of the card. That was exactly what happened with this sweet “You’re Sweet” card featuring the new August 2026 release from C. C. Designs. The combination of whimsical stamped characters, soft pastel colors, and pretty pattern paper immediately made me think of a vintage-inspired springtime look. Rather than letting all of those elements compete for attention,

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

There’s something special about making a card for the first day of school. It’s one of those occasions where a handmade card doesn’t have to be complicated to feel meaningful. For this project, I wanted to create a clean and simple design that let the stamped image and coloring do most of the work. I’m using the Off We Grow Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company along with alcohol markers, but the bigger idea behind this card is one you can use with almost any stamp set in your s

One of my favorite things about cardmaking is finding that sweet spot between a background that adds interest and a stamped image that still gets to be the star of the show. Patterned paper can be beautiful, but it can also compete with your focal point if we're not careful. On this friendship card, I wanted to use a fairly bold patterned paper while still keeping the little dragon front and center.

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 is something about creating summer-themed cards that instantly makes me slow down and enjoy the creative process a little more. Bright blue skies, warm sandy beaches, and playful images always remind me that handmade cards don't have to be complicated to tell a story. Sometimes all it takes is a few thoughtfully placed stamped images and a little color to transport someone to a favorite vacation memory.

There are some card designs that immediately tell a story, and scene cards are always at the top of that list for me. I love how they invite you into a tiny world where the stamped images become characters instead of just embellishments. While scene cards can sometimes look intimidating, they don't have to be complicated. By choosing a detailed background stamp and a handful of coordinating images, you can create a card that feels rich and layered without needing dozens of pr

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.

Christmas cards don't always have to be elegant or traditional. Sometimes the ones that get the biggest laugh are the ones people remember long after the holiday season is over. That's exactly what inspired today's card featuring the Merry Crisis Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company. The whimsical Santa, adorable reindeer, and humorous sentiment immediately caught my attention, and I knew they deserved a design that felt just as fun without becoming overly busy.

There are some occasions when a handmade card means just a little bit more, and saying thank you to a teacher is one of them. Whether it's the end of the school year, Teacher Appreciation Week, or simply a way to recognize someone who has made a difference, a handmade card adds a personal touch that can't be found on a store shelf.

One of my favorite things about cardmaking is discovering a layout that can be used over and over again. When I find one that works well, I rarely stop at making just one card. Instead, I'll cut enough pieces to create several cards at the same time, changing only a few elements to give each one its own personality. That's exactly what happened with these Halloween cards.

One of my favorite things about creating cards is finding ways to tell a little story with stamped images. I recently shared a full tutorial on the C. C. Designs blog featuring this colorful slimline thank you card. Over there, you'll find the product-focused tutorial and see exactly how I put the project together. Here, I wanted to take a different approach and share the creative decisions behind the design, what I learned while making it, and a few ideas you can use to crea

It may be the middle of summer, but I love taking a break from seasonal heat to create a Christmas card or two. There’s something refreshing about pulling out holiday stamps, rich colors, and festive designs when they aren’t competing with the busy holiday season. "Christmas in July" is also the perfect opportunity to experiment with new techniques and build up your handmade Christmas card stash before December arrives.

I recently shared a full tutorial for this card over on the Unity Stamp Company blog, where you'll find the complete walkthrough featuring the Daisy Defined (July 2026 Background of the Month) Stamp Set. Rather than repeat that tutorial here, I wanted to spend some time talking about the design choices behind this card, why I made them, and how you can use the same ideas with the supplies you already have. Sometimes understanding the "why" behind a design is just as valuable

There’s something about a bright, cheerful friendship card that never goes out of style. Whether you're celebrating a lifelong friendship, sending a little encouragement, or simply letting someone know you're thinking of them, a handmade card has a way of making those moments feel even more meaningful.

I recently shared a full tutorial on the Unity Stamp Company blog featuring the Cool Goose Summer Stamp Set, part of the July 2026 Whit-Kit Card Kit. In that post, I focused on the featured products and the overall project. Here on my blog, I wanted to take a different approach by sharing some of the design decisions behind the card, why I kept the layout so simple, and a few ideas for making this style work with supplies you may already have in your craft room.

There are certain images that instantly tell a story, and lighthouses have always been one of those for me. They symbolize hope, strength, and guidance during difficult seasons, making them a natural choice for an encouragement card. When I sat down to create this project using Unity Stamp Company's A Light to Weather By {bom 6/26} Stamp Set, I wanted the finished card to feel peaceful, uplifting, and full of quiet strength without becoming overly complicated.