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How to Make an Encouragement Card with Stamping, Ink Blending, and Alcohol Markers
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.

Rick Adkins
9 hours ago


How to Create Encouragement Cards with Pattern Paper and Stamped Images
One of the things I enjoy most about cardmaking is finding ways to create cards that feel cheerful and encouraging without making the design overly complicated. Encouragement cards are some of the most useful cards to keep on hand because they're appropriate for so many situations. Whether someone is facing a challenge, celebrating a small victory, or simply needs a reminder that someone is thinking about them, a handmade card can make a meaningful impact.

Rick Adkins
Jun 23


Father's Day Cardmaking Tutorial: Create a Sweet Handmade Card with Custom Stamped Backgrounds
Father's Day cards can sometimes feel a little challenging to design. Many of us have collections of florals, cute critters, and everyday sentiments, but finding ways to create masculine cards that still feel fun and personal can take a bit of creative thinking. That's one reason I enjoyed creating today's card. It combines playful images, bold color, and a simple layout that allows the focal images to do all the heavy lifting.

Rick Adkins
Jun 21


Clean and Layered Handmade Card Tutorial with Pattern Paper and Alcohol Markers
There’s something about cute and whimsical cards that instantly makes me smile, and this one was especially fun to create because it combines several of my favorite things—playful stamped images, bold pattern paper, bright coloring, and a clean layered design that still feels polished and detailed.

Rick Adkins
May 21


How to Create a Fun Handmade Birthday Card with Alcohol Markers and Stencils
There’s something about a clean and simple birthday card that never goes out of style, especially when you pair it with a character image that instantly makes people smile. When I sat down to create this card using the Still Kickin’ Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company, I knew I wanted the image to do most of the storytelling. That donkey already has so much personality, so instead of adding lots of layers or embellishments, I focused on creating a soft background and keeping t

Rick Adkins
May 14


Clean and Simple Baby Cards: Easy Stamping & Embossing Techniques That Always Work
There’s something timeless about clean and simple baby cards. They have a soft, welcoming feel that works beautifully for baby showers, new arrivals, and even thoughtful keepsakes for proud parents. Whenever I sit down to create baby cards, I always find myself reaching for layouts that feel calm and balanced rather than overly layered or heavily embellished.

Rick Adkins
May 7


Clean and Simple Cardmaking Tutorial with Stamping, Stenciling, and Ink Blending
Clean and simple cards are always a favorite because they allow a beautiful focal image to shine, and this sweet design does exactly that. For today’s project, the The Hoarding of Wildflowers Stamp Set and 8-in-1 Essential Masking Stencils from Unity Stamps come together to create a cheerful handmade card with soft detail and plenty of personality. The whimsical floral image takes center stage, brought to life with bright alcohol marker coloring that contrasts beautifully aga

Rick Adkins
Apr 23


Easy Stamping Techniques for a Clean and Simple Sympathy Card with Soft Ink Blending
I always find sympathy cards to be some of the most meaningful to create—but also some of the most intimidating. There’s a quiet pressure to “get it right,” even though what truly matters most is the intention behind it. For this card, I wanted to lean into something soft, simple, and calming, while still keeping the creative process approachable and enjoyable.

Rick Adkins
Apr 16


Three Clean and Simple Cards with Unity Stamps: Comfort Companion, Pecking Order, and Sourpuss Scholar Sets
Sometimes I just want to sit down at my craft table and actually finish something—no overthinking, no complicated layers, just simple, satisfying cardmaking. That was exactly the goal behind these three clean and simple cards. I pulled out a few fun stamp sets from Unity Stamps and challenged myself to keep the layout easy, repeatable, and quick… while still letting each card have its own personality.

Rick Adkins
Apr 7


Squawk Talk Stamp Set Tutorial: Stenciled Backgrounds Made Easy with The Rabbit Hole Designs
Sometimes a card just needs a little attitude. I don’t always reach for bold sentiments, but when I do, I love pairing them with a clean and simple card design that lets the personality shine. That’s exactly what I had in mind when I pulled out the Squawk Talk Stamp Set & Dies Bundle from The Rabbit Hole Designs. That slightly unimpressed bird? Perfect. The “attitude is everything” sentiment? Even better. Instead of building something busy, I focused on strong contrast, int

Rick Adkins
Feb 28


A Festive Joyeux Noël Duck Card with TRHD Stamps & Dies
Today’s project is one of those cards that just makes me smile from the moment the background comes together. I started with a smooth ink-blended panel and brought it to life using the Holiday Background Builder Stencil from The Rabbit Hole Designs. The star pattern was perfect for a festive night-sky feel, and adding Champagne Gold Stencil Butter to the top and bottom gave it that gorgeous, twinkly shimmer. To tie everything together, I created my own coordinating gold-edg

Rick Adkins
Nov 28, 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


Quick & Easy Santa Christmas Card with Kraft & North Pole Pattern Papers
Today I’m sharing a sweet little project from my monthly Gingerbread Greetings Series, and this one is all about simple layers and warm kraft tones. I started by stamping the adorable Santa from the A Little Ho Ho Ho Stamp Set onto kraft cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink , then die-cut him with the Nested Postage Labels & Tag Etched Dies from Spellbinders. Coloring him with my Ohuhu Brush Markers gave him that soft, cozy look I love for holiday cards. Once he was r

Rick Adkins
Nov 25, 2025


Spooky Fun with a Diamond Stair Step Card | Featuring Scrappy Boy Stamps Trickster Ghost Collection
Sometimes in cardmaking, I find myself reaching for the same standard card bases over and over. They’re quick, easy, and familiar—but...

Rick Adkins
Sep 8, 2025


Creating Joyful Cards with the Delicate Blossoms Stamp Set from Simon Says Stamp
Sometimes a card design just feels happy, doesn’t it? That was the case with this one—and I knew as soon as I placed that little colored...

Rick Adkins
Aug 8, 2025


You Are Snow Cute: Winter Scene Card | C. C. Designs
Hello, crafty friends! I’m so excited to share a cozy winter card with you today featuring the adorable Mice Winter Stamp Set from C.C....

Rick Adkins
Jan 1, 2025


Snowy Winter Wishes: Mice Winter Stamp Set | C. C. Designs
As the air turns crisp and the first flurries of snow begin to fall, I can’t help but feel inspired by all things winter. There’s...

Rick Adkins
Dec 20, 2024


Sneak Peek Snow Day Stamp Set: C. C. Designs December Release
Hello, friends! I’m thrilled to share a very special project with you today. Not only am I giving you a sneak peek at the Snow Day Stamp...

Rick Adkins
Dec 5, 2024


Scarecrow Couple Friendsgiving Card: Pixi Dust Designs
Hello, friends! Today, I’m thrilled to share a project that's all about celebrating Friendsgiving in a playful, heartwarming way. For...

Rick Adkins
Nov 8, 2024


Another Turned Page: Autumn Is Calling Stamp Set | The Rabbit Hole Designs
Hello, crafty friends! I don’t know about you, but the second I feel that first hint of autumn in the air, I’m ready to pull out all my...

Rick Adkins
Oct 25, 2024
