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

July 20, 2026

3 Easy Lily of the Valley Cards for Every Kind of Crafter

 Have you ever fallen in love with a stamp set, only to bring it home and wonder what on earth you should make with it?

The Stampin’ Up! Lily of the Valley Bundle makes that decision much easier. Its delicate flowers can look soft and simple, bold and modern, or beautifully elegant depending on the colors and techniques you choose.

During this week’s Stampin’ Sundays with Katrina, I created three handmade cards—including an easy Z-fold birthday card. Whether you’re new to stamping, short on crafting time, or simply looking for fresh card-making inspiration, you’ll find an idea here that you can recreate.

An Easy Z-Fold Birthday Card That Stands Up for Display

The first project is a Z-fold birthday card featuring Pretty Peacock cardstock and the gorgeous Valley in Bloom Designer Series Paper.

A Z-fold is one of my favorite fun folds because it looks impressive without requiring complicated cutting or scoring. The card base is simply scored at 4 1/4" and again at 2 1/8". Fold the card in half as usual, then fold the front panel back on itself.

That’s it—you have a Z-fold!

I used two Everyday Arches die cuts for the front and inside of the card. The front arch features the large die-cut lily of the valley and a “Happy Birthday” greeting. The matching arch inside provides a place for the message, “To one of the nicest people I know,” along with a handwritten note.

Here’s an important assembly tip: when attaching a shape across the front fold, add adhesive only to the section touching the narrow front panel. Otherwise, you may accidentally glue your card closed. I lined up the front arch with the one inside before pressing it into place.

This card stands beautifully on a mantel, desk, or shelf—perfect for the person who loves to display and save handmade cards.

A Quick Card for Busy Crafting Days


The second card is proof that a quick card can still be absolutely beautiful.

I started with a Thick Basic White card base and added a Pool Party layer. The background combines two coordinating papers: a leafy pattern from the Valley in Bloom Designer Series Paper and a tone-on-tone design from the Luxe White Specialty Designer Series Paper.

The specialty paper is lovely on its own, but I wanted its subtle pattern to stand out. Using a blending brush, I added Balmy Blue ink to the center of the paper. The color gently settles around the raised design, making the pattern easier to see while keeping the background soft.

The small lily of the valley image was stamped in black and colored with Pool Party and Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends. Two overlapping circular die cuts create the focal point, with the smaller circle holding the simple “Happy for you” greeting.

This design is a great card recipe to save. Choose two coordinating patterned papers, add a simple stamped image, and finish with two layered shapes. You can easily adapt it for birthdays, congratulations, thank-you cards, or thinking-of-you cards.

And yes, we decided it needed rhinestones—because a little bling makes everything better!

Create Texture with Torn Two-Tone Cardstock


The third card has a bolder color combination, pairing Basic Beige with Pretty Peacock, Blackberry Bliss, and Granny Apple Green.

For the background, I tore a strip of Blackberry Bliss two-tone cardstock. This cardstock has a white core, so tearing the paper toward yourself exposes that white edge. It creates texture and contrast without adding another layer or specialty tool.

If you want a rougher, more organic appearance, gently distress the torn edge with your fingers after tearing it.

I stamped the large lily of the valley image in Granny Apple Green and used a Blender Pen with a small amount of Balmy Blue ink to shade the base of each white flower. Lily of the valley blossoms are naturally white, so they didn’t need to be completely colored. That little hint of blue was enough to give them depth.

The separate leaves were stamped tone-on-tone on Granny Apple Green cardstock, die cut, and layered behind the flowers. A Pretty Peacock geometric die cut added another bit of interest in the background.

The finished “So grateful for you” card is a wonderful reminder that you don’t always need to color every part of a stamped image. Sometimes a little shading is all it takes.

One Bundle, Three Completely Different Looks

What I love about the Lily of the Valley Bundle is its versatility. We created a dimensional birthday fun fold, a quick and airy “Happy for you” card, and a rich gratitude card using the same bundle.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a new stamp set, try choosing just one element to change on each card:

  • Use a different color combination.
  • Switch between stamped and die-cut flowers.
  • Add a simple fun fold.
  • Combine patterned paper with a subtle coloring technique.
  • Change the sentiment to fit the cards you need most.

You don’t need hours of free time or a craft room full of supplies to make something meaningful. Start with one beautiful image, keep the layout manageable, and let the paper do some of the work for you.

Which of these three Lily of the Valley cards would you make first: the Z-fold birthday card, the soft “Happy for you” card, or the torn-paper gratitude card? Leave me a comment and let me know. Be sure to save this post for your next creative afternoon, and grab the coordinating printable tutorial so you can craft right along with me!

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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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