Create a little moonlight magic with embossing powder, colorful Gelatos, textured threads, and a touch of sparkle!
This moon-themed card features a shimmering embossed moon created with Emerald Creek embossing powder and a richly textured background made with Gelatos.
The close-up image reveals all the little details, including the silver edging around the moon, the threads tucked behind the circle, and the subtle sparkle added to the background.
Video Tutorial:
Suggested Materials:
Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
See how one simple jingle bell design became both a festive handmade card and a wooden décor piece.
Christmas in July is in full swing, and I’m excited to be participating in a festive craft hop! Inspired by the classic image of a jingle bell, I created two different projects that capture the spirit of the season—a handmade greeting card and a wooden holiday décor. The simple bell design works beautifully across multiple crafting mediums, making it a versatile motif for Christmas creations.
For the greeting card, I paired the jingle bell with layered papers to create a cheerful design that’s perfect for holiday giving. I also transformed the same image into a wooden décor piece, using it as the focal point for a project that can be displayed throughout the Christmas season. It’s always fun to see how a single design can inspire completely different finished projects while maintaining a cohesive holiday theme.
The files I used to cut out the pieces are available on Etsy at: [Jingle Bell]
Both of these projects relied heavily on my favorite crafting tools. The card elements were cut with my Cricut Maker, while the wooden décor was created using my “new-to-me” WeCreat laser. It’s always exciting to see how different cutting tools can bring the same design to life in unique ways, whether working with cardstock or wood.
I used a similar color palette for both projects. For the card I cut shapes from paper from CutCardStock, and the wood pieces were painted with DecoArt paints.
Video Tutorial:
Suggested Materials:
Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
Turn a simple card into something special with this gorgeous glitter technique.
While visiting the ArtGlitter booth at Creativation, I discovered a beautiful glitter technique that immediately caught my attention. Since I didn’t have the exact products used in the demonstration, I decided to experiment with supplies already in my craft room. With a little creativity and improvisation, I was able to recreate the look and achieve a stunning sparkling finish. The finished panel became the perfect focal point for this elegant handmade card.
I love the band of glitter and the way it instantly elevates the design. To complement the sparkle, I paired it with gold foiled paper and a gold-embossed sentiment. The metallic accents tie everything together beautifully, creating a card that feels both elegant and eye-catching while still being simple to assemble.
Video Tutorial:
Suggested Materials:
Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
This embossed and watercolor leaf card captures the peaceful beauty of nature with shimmering details.
with Emerald Creek
There is something special about creating with images inspired by nature—they bring a sense of calm and serenity to any project. For this card, I stamped and heat embossed a delicate leaf image before adding soft watercolor washes. The embossing acts as a resist, allowing the colors to flow beautifully while highlighting the intricate details of the leaf. The result is a simple yet elegant card that captures the peaceful beauty of the natural world.
Emerald Creek Materials:
Use my code “TRYIT” for 10% off your Emerald Creek order.
The close-up image really showcases the beauty of the shimmering embossing. The raised details catch the light beautifully, adding depth, texture, and an elegant sparkle that enhances the watercolor background. It’s a reminder that sometimes the smallest details can make the biggest impact in a handmade card.
Video Tutorial:
Suggested Materials:
Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
Disclosure: This post was created as part of the Emerald Creek Design Team. Products and materials were provided to me by Emerald Creek for design and educational purposes. All project ideas, opinions, and creative content are my own.
Blended card making with Simon Hurley and Emerald Creek.
with Simon Hurley and Emerald Creek Products
Working with products from Simon Hurley makes card making feel effortless. His ink colors blend beautifully, creating smooth transitions and eye-catching effects. Add a spritz of Solar Spray, and you instantly elevate your design with an extra layer of shimmer and texture—it’s a quick way to make your cards stand out.
Follow along in the video below to learn a quick and easy fix for those moments when your stamping doesn’t turn out quite as planned.
Video Tutorial:
Suggested Materials:
Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
Discover how two-color stamping with a paper masking technique brings depth to your design.
Two-color stamping is a fantastic way to get more out of your stamps and elevate your designs. By using a paper masking technique, you can layer and combine different ink colors, creating a vibrant and dimensional look that makes your stamped images pop!
After stamping and carefully cutting down the pieces, we’re ready to move on to the fun part—assembling the card! This is where the layers come together, creating a beautiful and cohesive design.
Video Tutorial:
In the close-up image above, you can see the beautiful interplay of the two ink colors with just one stamp. This technique adds depth and dimension to the design, making it even more visually interesting.
Suggested Materials:
Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
How to make a sweet card with stamps and dies from Penny Black.
A heartfelt thank you to Penny Black for generously providing the beautiful stamps and dies used in this project. They were the perfect elements for crafting this sweet and charming card, which features a delightful ice cream scoop paired with a delicate flower. Their high-quality products always add just the right touch of elegance and whimsy!
I used Kingart watercolor pencils to bring the stamped images on this card to life. Their smooth application and blendability made it easy to add soft, vibrant color and subtle shading for a beautifully finished look.
Video Tutorial:
Here’s a close-up look at the background, where I used a stencil and baby wipe technique to lift color and create subtle texture. It’s a simple way to add dimension and interest to your card designs!
Suggested Materials:
Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
Wood Burning (Pyrography) Personalized wood-burned items like cutting boards and ornaments are gaining popularity for their rustic charm and customization options. Tutorials & Supplies: Craftsy offers comprehensive classes and materials. Community & Inspiration: Reddit’s r/woodburning is a great place to connect with fellow enthusiasts.
Embroidery & Visible Mending Traditional embroidery techniques, including visible mending, are making a comeback as sustainable fashion choices and creative expressions. Patterns & Guides: DMC provides free patterns and stitching guides. Sustainable Fashion: Visible Mending focuses on eco-friendly repair techniques.
Air-Dry Clay Projects Crafting with air-dry clay is trending, especially for creating home décor items like vases and candle holders, offering a hands-on artistic outlet. Project Ideas: Pinterest has a plethora of air-dry clay project inspirations. Supplies: Michaels stocks various air-dry clay brands and tools.
Candle Making DIY candle kits are popular, allowing crafters to create customized scents and designs for personal use or gifting. Starter Kits: CandleScience offers beginner-friendly kits and tutorials. Advanced Techniques: The Flaming Candle provides resources for more intricate designs.
Crochet & Knitting Yarn crafts, particularly crochet and knitting, are seeing a resurgence, with projects ranging from clothing to home accessories. Patterns & Community: Ravelry is a hub for patterns and connecting with other crafters. Tutorials: YouTube channels like Bella Coco offer step-by-step guides.
Block Printing Handmade block printing is trending for its unique aesthetic, used in creating custom textiles and stationery. Techniques & Supplies: Speedball provides tools and tutorials for beginners. Workshops: Skillshare hosts classes on block printing techniques.
Resin Art Resin crafting is popular for making jewelry, coasters, and decorative items, appreciated for its glossy finish and versatility. Safety & Techniques: ArtResin offers safety guidelines and project ideas. Community Projects: Instagram hashtags like #resinart showcase diverse creations.
Paper Crafts & Card Making Paper crafting, including card making and scrapbooking, remains a favorite for its accessibility and creative potential. Templates & Ideas: Craftsy provides downloadable templates and tutorials. Supplies: Scrapbook.com offers a wide range of paper crafting materials.
Macramé Macramé projects like wall hangings and plant holders are in demand, offering a boho-chic touch to home décor. Patterns & Tutorials: Macramé for Beginners offers free patterns and guides. Community Inspiration: Etsy features various macramé artists and their work. Knot Resource:YouTube
Jewelry Making DIY jewelry, especially using beads and wire, continues to be a sought-after craft for personalized accessories. Beading & Design: Fire Mountain Gems provides tutorials and supplies. Wire Wrapping Techniques: Wire Jewelry offers instructional videos and materials.
How to make a quick and easy card with materials from Dollar Tree.
This quick and easy card was made using materials from the Dollar Tree. The handmade burgundy paper came from a paper pack, and the butterfly embellishment is a simple sticker—proof that beautiful cards don’t have to be complicated!
The stenciled image on this card actually came from a different project. After spraying Solar Spray through a stencil, the stencil was still wet—so I flipped it over and smooshed it onto a piece of white card stock, creating this unique, secondary print.
Video Tutorial:
See how beautifully the burgundy paper and butterfly sticker coordinate? The rich tones complement each other perfectly, giving the card a polished, cohesive look with minimal effort.
Suggested Materials:
Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, C – Cricut, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
This Christmas card is incredibly quick and easy to make, making it the perfect project for busy holiday seasons! With a simple yet elegant design, it requires minimal supplies and can be completed in just a few minutes. Using a free printable and a sparkly embellishment from the Dollar Tree, this card allows you to create a heartfelt greeting without the stress. It’s an ideal option for last-minute cards or mass-producing for friends and family. Add your personal touch with a handwritten note inside, and you’ll have a beautiful card ready to spread Christmas cheer!
The materials are ready to put together. A white card base (8″ x 6″), red card front (4″ x 6″), free printable cut down (3.5″ x 5.5″), and an ornament from the Dollar Tree to use as the sentiment.
