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C. C. Designs February 2026 New Release: Cardmaking Ideas with New Release Products
Today I’m sharing a collection of handmade cards created with the February 2026 New Release from C. C. Designs , featuring the Tiger Hunt Stamp Set , Hunt Stamp Set , Spring Animals Stamp Set , and Pink Green Stamp Set . Each card highlights a different theme, but they’re all tied together with clean layouts, bright alcohol marker coloring, and soft ink-blended backgrounds. I love how these designs let the stamped images truly shine — whether it’s the bold blue tiger paired w

Rick Adkins
2 days ago


How to Make Valentine Shaker Cards with Ink Blending and Faux Bleaching
Shaker cards are one of those cardmaking styles that many crafters love to look at—but hesitate to make. Between the foam tape, alignment, and fear of things shifting, it can feel like a lot. For this Valentine’s Day project, my goal was to create a borderless shaker card that feels polished and playful, without the usual stress that comes with shaker construction. I wanted this card to focus on design decisions rather than complicated assembly. Ink blending, faux bleaching,

Rick Adkins
Feb 7


How to Create a Clean and Simple Handmade Card with Ink Blending and Heat Embossing
Clean and simple cards are a little bit like good Southern cooking — they look easy on the surface, but there’s some intentional decision-making happening behind the scenes. This card started with a bold, sassy sentiment and a desire to let color do the heavy lifting without adding layers or bulk. Sometimes the best designs come from asking one simple question: How can I make this feel finished without making it complicated? That question guided every choice in this project,

Rick Adkins
Feb 1


Floral Cardmaking with MISTI Tools
There’s something really satisfying about a clean and simple card that still feels finished and intentional. This card started as one of those “let’s keep it easy” projects and quickly turned into a great reminder of how powerful thoughtful tools and small design choices can be. When you let a few elements do the heavy lifting, you don’t need layers upon layers to make a card feel special. This project was created as part of an Instagram collaboration between My Sweet Petunia

Rick Adkins
Jan 17


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


Clean & Simple Card with Unity Stamps
There’s something about winter cardmaking that makes me slow down a bit. Maybe it’s the softer color palettes, the cozy themes, or the chance to let simple designs really shine. Lately, I’ve been reaching for clean and simple layouts more often, especially when I want my stamping, coloring, and ink blending to do the heavy lifting. This winter card came together during one of those creative sessions where I reminded myself that simple doesn’t mean boring—it means intentional.

Rick Adkins
Jan 8


Robo Buddies Valentine Card Tutorial Using Simon Says Stamp Products
Every once in a while, I like to challenge myself to keep the layout simple while letting the surface do more of the work. That was the mindset behind this Valentine card. I wanted something playful and fun, but still polished—and I also wanted to push a few techniques that many cardmakers tend to shy away from, especially when black cardstock is involved. Using Contrast to Create Visual Impact This card uses the Robo Buddies Stamp Set from the Simon Says Stamp Heart to H

Rick Adkins
Jan 8


Clean and Simple Card with The Rabbit Hole Designs Stamps
Clean and simple cardmaking is one of those styles that looks effortless—but when done well, it feels thoughtful, polished, and full of intention. This encouragement card using The Rabbit Hole Designs Balloon Animal No. 1 Stamp Set is a great example of how a few well-chosen techniques can create a soft, uplifting design without overwhelming the eye. From the airy cloud background to the no-line watercolor balloon animal, every element on this card was chosen to support the

Rick Adkins
Dec 28, 2025


Create Your Own UNIQUE Custom Backgrounds with Stencils
One of my favorite ways to keep cards clean yet interesting is by layering stencils to create something completely custom—and this card is a perfect example of how fun that can be. I started with the Torn Paper 4 x 8 Stencil from The Rabbit Hole Designs , lightly tracing the shape onto white cardstock before adding color around the outside of the design. After lining the stencil back up and masking off the colored areas, I layered the Oh Duck 6 x 6 Stencil right over the to

Rick Adkins
Dec 19, 2025


Clean & Simple Fairy Birthday Card with Masked Ink Blending
There’s just something so magical about fairy images, and this Clean & Simple birthday card came together beautifully using the Twinkleheart Stamp Set from Unity Stamps Company . I stamped the fairy image twice onto Kraft 110 lb smooth cardstock , which instantly adds warmth and softness to the design. The images were colored with my TriBlend markers , then enhanced with colored pencils to add a bit more depth and detail—especially in the hair and wings. Keeping the colorin

Rick Adkins
Dec 17, 2025


Soft Ink Blended Spotlight Card featuring Twinkleheart Fairy
There’s just something extra sweet about a clean and simple card that still feels magical, and today’s project brings all those cozy, whimsical vibes together. I started with the adorable fairy from the Twinkleheart Stamp Set by Unity Stamp Company and stamped her onto Kraft 110 lb Smooth Cardstock . Colored pencils were perfect for adding that soft, hand-drawn look, and a quick blend with a colorless blender marker kept everything smooth and dreamy. Her wings absolutely

Rick Adkins
Dec 9, 2025


CAS Balloon Animals Monkey Card | Soft Watercolor + Simple Ink Blending
If you love a clean and simple look with just a touch of playful charm, today’s card is such a fun one to try. I pulled out the Balloon Animals 1 Stamp Set from The Rabbit Hole Designs and stamped the sweet monkey-on-a-palm-tree image in Memento Toffee Crunch for a softer, no-line look. Using Distress Ink Reinkers as watercolors, I added light, airy color that keeps the design feeling fresh and effortless. Once everything dried, I placed one of the circle stencils from Pe

Rick Adkins
Dec 4, 2025


Simple Puppy Cards on Kraft | One Layer Designs with Unity Stamps
Today I’m sharing a set of simple one layer cards that completely stole my heart. These sweet little pups from the Puppy Paws Stamp Set by Unity Stamps look absolutely adorable on kraft cardstock, and I love how the warm tone makes the colored pencils pop. I started by creating top-folding A2 card bases from 110 lb Kraft Cardstock , then stamped each puppy in Memento Tuxedo Black . A little soft shading with colored pencils brought each image to life, giving them that cozy

Rick Adkins
Dec 2, 2025


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


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


Sorry You're Feeling Sluggish: Slugs & Kisses Stamp Set
Today I’m sharing a fun little “pick-me-up” card I created for Miss Ink Stamps, and I couldn’t resist reaching for the Slugs and Kisses Stamp Set , the Slugs and Kisses Outline Dies , and the Cobblestone Stencil for this one. I started with a clean top-fold A2 card base made from Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock , then masked off a circle using one of the Background Basics Stencils from Penny Black. Inside that masked area, I blended soft gray ink over the Cobblestone Stencil

Rick Adkins
Nov 23, 2025


Unity Stamps' "Biggest Sale of the Year Week 2" Release
Today I am sharing ten different clean and simple cards using new stamps from Unity Stamps. These stamps just came out Thursday as part of their Biggest Sale of the Year for week 2. I stamped and colored all the images using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored them using my Triblend Markers and added some fine details with my colored pencils. In this release you will find a stamps for different occasions, and themes. Some are Winter, some are Christmas and some are a

Rick Adkins
Nov 22, 2025


Clean & Simple Floral Cards with the Pinkfresh Studio Delicate Details Release
Today I’m sharing a pair of clean and simple floral cards I created for the Pinkfresh Studio Delicate Details November Release Instagram Hop , and I have to say, this release lives up to its name in all the best ways. Every piece feels soft, elegant, and thoughtfully designed, which made these cards such a joy to put together. I’ve always loved the look of detailed florals without the time commitment of coloring, so this was the perfect chance to lean into stencils, light in

Rick Adkins
Nov 17, 2025


Monochromatic Christmas Card with the Whiteout Technique featuring One Line Santa
Today I’m sharing a cozy monochromatic Christmas card that brings together two of my favorite things: kraft cardstock and a simple technique that adds instant magic. This design features the One Line Santa Stamp Set and the Modern Luxury 6 x 6 Stencil from The Rabbit Hole Designs, and it’s all built around the Whiteout Technique. If you’ve ever wanted a card that looks detailed without heavy coloring, this technique might be your new best friend. I’ve been leaning into clea

Rick Adkins
Nov 16, 2025


Snow Wizard Holiday Gift Tags with Miss Ink Stamps | Stenciled Backgrounds + Die Cuts
There’s something about holiday gift tags that always sparks a little extra joy for me. Maybe it’s because they’re small, quick to make, and instantly festive, or maybe it’s because I still remember helping my grandmother make tags for every single present under her tree. She always said the tag was the first “sneak peek” of the gift, so it deserved just as much attention as the wrapping itself. These Snow Wizard Holiday Gift Tags from Miss Ink Stamps brought back that same f

Rick Adkins
Nov 15, 2025
