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Layered Die Cutting and Ink Blending for Easter Cards with Pattern Paper
There’s something about Easter cards that invites bright color, playful layers, and just a little bit of dimension. For this set of three handmade Easter cards, my goal was simple: create bold, cheerful designs that look detailed and layered—but are still manageable for beginner to intermediate cardmakers. I filmed the full process in my Fast and Fabulous Card in Four Easy Steps | Happy Easter Card video so you can see how everything comes together visually. Here on the blog

Rick Adkins
4 days ago


Creating a Coffee & Magic Card with Die Cutting and Pattern Paper
Sometimes I sit down to make a card and realize the real challenge isn’t how to make it—it’s deciding where to start . Too many supplies, too many options, and suddenly the creative spark feels a little stuck. For this Coffee & Magic card, my goal was to simplify those decisions while still creating a card that feels polished, layered, and fun. I wanted a design that leaned heavily on die cutting and pattern paper, with no complicated coloring or fussy steps. The video walks

Rick Adkins
Jan 28


How to Add Depth to Die Cuts Using Ink Blending and Pattern Paper
One of the questions I hear most often from cardmakers is how to make die cuts feel less flat—especially if coloring isn’t their favorite part of the process. That was the exact problem I wanted to solve with today’s card. This Valentine’s Day card for a friend focuses on simple layers, thoughtful design choices, and just a touch of ink blending to create depth without adding complexity. I walk through the process on video so you can see how everything comes together visually

Rick Adkins
Jan 14


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


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


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


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


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


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


A Sweet Winter Fox Card with Pixi Dust Designs Dies
Hey crafty friends! Today, I’m excited to share a sweet winter card that all started with a Valentine die set. You know those moments when you look through your stash and realize a die set you love doesn’t have to be limited to just one season? That’s exactly what inspired today’s project. I pulled out the Fox Valentine Box Die Set from Pixi Dust Designs and decided to give that adorable little fox a cozy winter makeover. With a few clever swaps and some creative mixing and

Rick Adkins
Nov 13, 2025


Easy Christmas Card Idea | Featuring Pixi Dust Designs Snowman & Santa Sock Dies
Hey crafty friends! Today I’m sharing a cheerful and slightly humorous Christmas card design that’s all about bringing a little sparkle and a lot of personality to your holiday crafting. This card was inspired by the Pixi Dust Designs Card Sketch for October 2025 , and it features two of my favorite things—fun dies and playful pattern paper! I used the Snowman and Santa Sock Die Set and the Christmas 6x6 Pattern Paper Pad from Pixi Dust Designs to create this lighthearted

Rick Adkins
Oct 23, 2025


Festive Hot Air Balloon Christmas Card | Pixi Dust Designs
Every year when I sit down to start my Christmas cards, I like to challenge myself to create at least one design that feels completely...

Rick Adkins
Oct 8, 2025


How to Make a Halloween Birthday Card with Monster Bubu
October is one of my favorite months to make cards, because I get to combine two things I love—spooky Halloween details and bright,...

Rick Adkins
Sep 24, 2025


Spooky Halloween Slice of Cake Treat Holders | Pixi Dust Designs
Halloween crafting is in full swing over here, and I couldn’t resist making something a little different this year—spooky slice-of-cake...

Rick Adkins
Sep 16, 2025


Sweet & Spooky Treats with Pixi Dust Designs September Scream Team Release Dies
Halloween crafting is one of my favorite things because it gives me the perfect excuse to mix sweet treats with handmade touches. Every...

Rick Adkins
Sep 12, 2025


Sweet Fall Craft: Pumpkin Pie Treat Box with the Slice of Cake Die Set
Fall always inspires me to make projects that feel warm, cozy, and full of seasonal charm. I love creating things that spark joy not just...

Rick Adkins
Sep 10, 2025


Spooky Slimline Halloween Card with Monster Bubu & Pixi Dust Designs Dies
Halloween has always been one of my favorite times to create cards. There’s just something about the playful mix of spooky and cute that...

Rick Adkins
Sep 10, 2025


Grinch & Max Christmas Card with Pixi Dust Designs Die Sets
There’s something about holiday cardmaking that always makes me smile, especially when I get to bring a little whimsy into the design....

Rick Adkins
Sep 7, 2025


Creating Stunning ORNAMENT CARDS with Nontraditional Colors
When I sit down to make Christmas cards, I sometimes catch myself reaching for the same red, green, and gold. Don’t get me wrong—those...

Rick Adkins
Aug 27, 2025
