Showing posts with label handmade cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade cards. Show all posts

July 6, 2026

3 Easy Fall Handmade Cards You'll Want to Make This Season

 Can you believe we're already starting to think about fall crafting?

If you're anything like me, you love getting ahead on seasonal cards without feeling overwhelmed. That's exactly why I couldn't wait to share the adorable Fun for Fall Bundle from the new July Online Exclusives.

This bundle is filled with charming scarecrows, playful crows, sweet sentiments, and coordinating dies that make creating fall cards surprisingly easy. During this week's Sunday Live, I created three simple cards that are perfect for beginners but still have plenty of personality.

Let's take a closer look!

Card #1: Layering Designer Series Paper Makes a Big Impact

Sometimes the prettiest cards are the simplest ones.

For the first card, I combined two coordinating patterns from the Regals Designer Series Paper with layered black mats and one of my favorite Everyday Arches Dies.

The little scarecrow becomes the star of the card without needing lots of extra embellishments.

A few simple details make all the difference:

  • Layer patterned paper with narrow black mats for definition.
  • Pop up your focal image with Dimensionals for added depth.
  • Finish with a few Rustic Metallic Adhesive Dots for a warm fall feel.

It's clean, cheerful, and comes together quickly.

Card #2: You Don't Have to Use the Whole Stamp


One of my favorite tips from this week's Live was showing that you don't always have to use an entire stamped image.

Instead of cutting out the full scarecrow, I only used the upper portion peeking out from behind a stitched circle. It completely changes the look of the image and stretches your supplies even further.

I also added a narrow embossed Balmy Blue strip using one of the new Seasonal Cheer Mini Embossing Folders.

It's a small detail, but it adds beautiful texture without overwhelming the design.

Sometimes thinking outside the box with your stamps gives you even more creative possibilities.

Card #3: Simple Stamping with a Touch of Humor


These little crows absolutely stole the show.

The sentiment "This is Something to Crow About!" is fun, playful, and perfect for celebrating all kinds of accomplishments.

Instead of leaving the sentiment as one long strip, I cut it apart and layered the pieces over a stitched circle. It's an easy design trick that creates movement and adds interest.

If you've ever hesitated to cut apart a sentiment, don't be afraid! As long as you trim carefully, you can create so many different looks.

My Favorite Coloring Combination

Several viewers asked how I colored the scarecrow, so here are the Stampin' Blends I used:

  • Darling Duckling
  • Blueberry Bushel
  • Cherry Cobbler
  • Pecan Pie
  • Crumb Cake (or Ivory for skin)
  • Mossy Meadow

These warm fall colors bring the scarecrow to life while keeping everything soft and cheerful.

Don't Forget Your Free Tutorial

If you're on my mailing list, your printable PDF tutorial is arriving in your inbox otherwise, you can grab it right here..

Inside you'll find:

  • Complete measurements
  • Supply list
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Photos of all three cards

And remember...

This month's Fun for Fall class is FREE with a $40 order (before shipping and tax) placed by July 15th. I'll mail you all of the prepared cardstock and consumable supplies so you can recreate these cards at home using your own stamps and inks.

I hope these projects inspire you to start creating for fall a little early!

I'd love to hear from you in the comments: Which card is your favorite—the Hay There scarecrow, the Congratulations card, or the playful crows?

Happy stamping!

– Katrina

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June 22, 2026

Phrases & Frames Bundle: 3 Easy Handmade Cards with Stunning Sentiment Frames

 Have you ever found a stamp set that makes your cards look far more complicated than they actually are?


That's exactly how I felt when I started creating with the Phrases & Frames Bundle. If you're anything like me, you love beautiful handmade cards but don't always have hours to spend creating them. This bundle is one of those rare finds that gives you elegant, detailed results while keeping the process simple and enjoyable.

This week during Stampin' Sundays, I shared three easy card designs featuring these gorgeous impression dies and heartfelt sentiments. The result? Three cards that are perfect for celebrating, encouraging, and connecting with the people you care about most.

The Secret Behind These Gorgeous Frames

The real star of this bundle is the collection of impression dies.

These aren't your typical dies. They cut beautiful frame shapes and then create deeply embossed details that add incredible texture and dimension to your cards. A simple spritz of cardstock before embossing helps achieve those rich, detailed impressions that make the frames truly stand out.

What I love most is that the frames do the heavy lifting. Even with minimal embellishments, your cards instantly look polished and elegant.

Card #1: A Soft & Sweet Anniversary Card


Our first project featured a delicate Happy Anniversary card created with Bubble Bath cardstock and coordinating patterned paper.

The embossed frame creates a beautiful focal point while keeping the design clean and uncluttered. A few simple die-cut flowers and rhinestones add just enough sparkle without overwhelming the card.

One thing I especially appreciate about this bundle is that it includes sentiments for both the outside and inside of your cards. The anniversary card was finished with the inside sentiment:

"Anniversaries are for celebrating the joy of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow."

Those thoughtful inside greetings make it so easy to create a complete card from start to finish.

Card #2: Have a Fabulous Day


Our second card featured Balmy Blue and Secret Sea, creating a fresh and cheerful design.

The oval frame paired perfectly with the sentiment:

"Have a Fabulous Day"

This design is wonderfully versatile. It could be used as:

  • A birthday card
  • A thinking-of-you card
  • A friendship card
  • A just-because card

I added some pretty rhinestones to finish this card. Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest impact.

Card #3: A Thoughtful Sympathy Card


The final card showcased the largest frame in the set using beautiful Hydrangea Hue cardstock.

This design featured the sentiment:

"Thinking of You"

paired with an inside greeting offering sympathy and support.

While sympathy cards are never the easiest cards to make, they are often the cards people appreciate most when they receive them. Having a few on hand means you're ready to reach out with kindness when someone needs it.

The oversized frame creates a dramatic look while still keeping the card soft, elegant, and heartfelt.

Why You Would Love This Bundle

If you're a busy woman looking for a creative outlet, the Phrases & Frames Bundle checks so many boxes:

  • Easy enough for beginners
  • Elegant enough for experienced stampers
  • Works for multiple occasions
  • Creates impressive results quickly
  • Includes sentiments for both the inside and outside of your cards

In other words, it helps you spend less time worrying about design decisions and more time enjoying the creative process.

And honestly, that's what cardmaking should be all about.

Ready to Create?

Whether you're making anniversary cards, birthday cards, sympathy cards, or simply sending a note to brighten someone's day, the Phrases & Frames Bundle gives you endless possibilities.

I'd love to know which of these three cards is your favorite! Leave a comment and let me know if you're Team Anniversary, Team Fabulous Day, or Team Thinking of You.

Grab the tutorial here:



Happy Stamping!

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June 15, 2026

Please stylize this card photo, brighten it up and make it look professional

 If you've ever fallen in love with a pack of Designer Series Paper and wondered how to let it shine without covering it up, this week's cards are for you!

I continued playing with the Scenic Coast Suite Collection and discovered that this suite has so much versatility packed into it. Last week I shared three cards, and this week I created three more completely different designs using many of the same products. That's one of my favorite things about a well-designed suite—you can keep creating without running out of ideas.

Whether you love quick and simple cards or enjoy layering die cuts and embellishments, these projects offer something for everyone.

Let the Designer Series Paper Do the Heavy Lifting


The first card, "Wishing You a Lifetime of Joy," is proof that beautiful paper can be the star of the show.

The sunset-inspired Scenic Coast Designer Series Paper creates a stunning backdrop with very little effort. I layered the paper onto Blueberry Bushel cardstock, added a simple sentiment banner, and finished the design with sailboat die cuts and a shimmering sunset.

One of my favorite tips from this card is using the new Stampin' Up! shimmer pens to create custom die-cut accents. A quick swipe of Golden Glow shimmer created the perfect sparkling sun for the horizon.

Why it works:

  • Minimal layers
  • Easy-to-recreate layout
  • Beautiful DSP becomes the focal point
  • Perfect for weddings, anniversaries, and congratulations

Create Depth with a Coastal Collage


For the second card, "You Brighten My Day," I layered several elements together to create a coastal collage effect.

Using the lighthouse die cut, netting, seashells, starfish, and a soft sunburst background creates a design that feels dimensional without being complicated. The Gorgeous Grape and Highland Heather color combination gives this coastal theme an unexpected twist.

This card is a great reminder that you don't always have to use products exactly as intended. The lighthouse image was cut away from its original frame and used as a standalone focal point, giving it a completely different look.

Try This:

When working with detailed dies, don't be afraid to mix textures and shapes. Combining:

  • Netting
  • Shells
  • Sunbursts
  • Sentiment circles

creates visual interest while still feeling cohesive.

Simple Stamping Creates a Beautiful Sunset


My third card, "Congratulations!", may be the simplest of the three, but it's one of my favorites.

Using just a few stamped images, I created a sunset scene with water reflections. By stamping in Balmy Blue, Blueberry Bushel, and Golden Glow, the card quickly came together without any complicated techniques.

The little Strawberry Slush fence die cuts add a fun pop of color and help frame the sunset scene beautifully. The sunset-themed Designer Series Paper tie everything together for a bright, cheerful card that's perfect for celebrating life's special moments.

Why I'm Still Loving the Scenic Coast Suite

After creating six cards over two weeks, I still haven't run out of ideas with this collection! The Scenic Coast Suite includes:

  • Gorgeous coastal Designer Series Paper
  • Versatile dies
  • Beautiful sentiments
  • Coordinating embellishments
  • Endless opportunities for masculine, feminine, celebratory, and friendship cards

It's the kind of suite that keeps giving you new creative possibilities every time you sit down at your craft table.

Ready to Get Creative?

My friend, if you've been feeling like you don't have enough time to create, these cards are a great reminder that beautiful handmade cards don't have to be complicated. A few layers, a favorite piece of Designer Series Paper, and a simple sentiment can go a long way.

I'd love to know—which of these three cards is your favorite? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Grab the PDF below:

Happy stamping!


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