cardmaking · Stamping

Cute Coffee Theme Thank You Card Featuring House Mouse

Today I’m sharing a cute square coffee-themed thank you card featuring the House Mouse Brew-tiful Day rubber stamp from Spellbinders. I can never resist a coffee pun, so I went with “Thanks a latte” for my sentiment—one of my all-time favorites!

Key Products Used:

Cute square "thanks a latte" thank you card featuring the House Mouse Brew-tiful stamp.

I stamped the adorable image and colored it with Copic markers:

Copic Colors Used:

  • Cup & Spoon: YG01, YG03, YG05
  • Coffee: E55, E25
  • Glass: BG00, B00
  • Mouse: E40, E21, R20
  • Shadows: N0, N1

Before stamping, I simply trimmed the included sentiment using my Spellbinders Shears so only “Thanks a latte” remained—super easy! The little scene includes our sweet mouse taking a sip from a giant (to him!) latte cup, with a coffee bean canister behind him. Such a cute little tableau!

I die-cut the panel with the Hero Arts Rounded Jewel Infinity Dies—I think this soft shape fits the cozy vibe perfectly. Then I added craft foam behind the panel and mounted it onto a ColorWheel Rainforest green A2 card base.

Stamped House Mouse scene card featuring a mouse sipping coffee from a giant latte cup.

This card comes together very quickly and is so fun to color. House Mouse is always popular with card recipients—every little mouse scene just makes you smile!

I’ll link to several other House Mouse posts I’ve created, because I just can’t resist these sweet little critters. You can see House Mouse is a definite favorite!

Thanks a latte for stopping by today! ☕🐭

Copic colored House Mouse sipping a big coffee in a cute thank you card with “Thanks a Latte” sentiment on a green card base.
Cardmaking Kit · stitching

Spellbinders December 2025 Stitching Die of the Month – A Valentine

Today I’m sharing a bold, modern Valentine created with the Spellbinders December 2025 Stitching Die of the MonthA Perfect Blend. This kit is absolutely brewtiful for coffee and tea lovers, and I leaned hard into the cozy-caffeine theme for this design!

Coffee | Tea Themed Handmade Card

I began by die cutting two Beeswax yellow coffee mugs, each with half of a stitched heart. Once stitched, the two halves come together to form one full Poppy red heart — such a sweet little metaphor! I used gold thread (two strands) for all the stitching to keep things warm, shiny, and modern.

Behind the mugs sits a crisp white die cut heart from the Hero Arts DI334 Nesting Hearts, which frames the design and lets the bold color palette really sing. The background is Oceanside cardstock, a deep blue-green that I will never stop loving. It brings a graphic, sophisticated feel that keeps the whole card clean and contemporary.

The sentiment is a large scripty “love you” die cut from Poppy red cardstock, paired with the included “a perfect blend” sentiment strip.

To give readers a peek behind the scenes, I included this process photo showing the card mid-way through: die cuts laid out, metal dies off to the side, and my needle threaded with gold floss. I love sharing these in-progress moments because they show just how simple the stitching is — and how quickly this design comes together.

Helpful Links:

I also relied on my Spellbinders Cardswatching Die & Stamps along with ColorWheel Cardstock, both of which continue to be staples in my craft room.

This bright and modern Valentine is for my husband — we share a latte together every afternoon, so a coffee-themed note felt absolutely perfect. ❤️☕

If you love bold color, cozy themes, and modern stitching, this kit is going to be so much fun. And if you want even more caffeine-themed inspiration, don’t miss my other favorite coffee card:
👉 What’s Brewing — graphic, bright, and equally caffeinated.

cardmaking · Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting

How to Choose Colors for Handmade Cards

Card featuring a layered five-point barn star die in rich purple and lavender with orange and lavender greenery embellishments, placed on a script BetterPress background in soft purple ink and mounted on a purple card base. Gold glimmer sentiment reads 'Enjoy Today to the Fullest.

Choosing the right colors for your handmade cards can feel like a creative puzzle—fun but sometimes a little overwhelming. Whether you lean toward classic Christmas colors or love a bold non-traditional palette, color selection sets the tone for your entire project.

Today, I’m sharing two recent cards using the Spellbinders July 2025 holiday releases, and both were inspired by two different color systems: the Color Cubes and the Spellbinders Color Deck System. Each approach helped me craft a distinctive look—from rustic purple barn stars to pastel hot cocoa mugs. Let’s dive into the color magic!

Card 1: Barn Star Wreath – Bold & Non-Traditional

Die cut 5 point Barn Star Wreath card in non-traditional Christmas colors of purple, orange and soft blue.

For this card, I used the Barn Star Wreath Die from Annie Williams’ Country Christmas Collection—but with a non-traditional twist! I selected Color Cube #255 (from Sarah Renae Clark’s Color Cubes) as my palette guide, which includes rich purples, vibrant orange, and soft blue tones.

Color Cube Bundle: Volumes 1 and 2

The Barn Star is a beautiful layered die cut—mine has a deep purple top layer with delicate flourish cutouts over a lavender base. I added die cut lavender greenery and an orange accent for contrast. The background features a BetterPress Script Text Plate pressed in Thistle Reactive Ink on white watercolor paper (yes—it worked beautifully even without BetterPress ink!).

I layered everything on a purple A2 card base, then added a gold Glimmer sentiment“Enjoy Today to the Fullest”—from the La Dolce Vita BetterPress Sentiments set.

This card includes a little of everything:
✔ Die cutting
✔ Bold Colors
✔ BetterPress background
✔ Glimmer Hot Foiled sentiment

With Color Cubes, you can search by Color, Keyword or Collections. For this card I looked at cards that had the color orange and used the keyword “fruit”. Card #255 was just the non-traditional look I was going for!

Color tip: Don’t be afraid to break the “holiday rules” with color. Purple and orange may not scream Christmas—but together they create a rustic, modern, and cozy vibe.

Cocoa Cups – Inspired by the Spellbinders Color Deck

Winter card with repeating die cut hot cocoa mugs in pastel shades including pink, yellow, lavender, and blue, each topped with a glittery snowflake. Mounted on a white background and created using the Spellbinders Color Deck Holiday Expansion palette.

My second card showcases Spellbinders’ beautiful Color Deck System and Color Deck Bundle, specifically the Holiday Expansion Pack. These 5″ x 4.5″ cards are packed with inspiring palettes—each one practically begging to be turned into a card!

I paired this with Spellbinders’ Color Swatch Petal Stack, which helped me identify and swatch my main colors. The cardstock came from the Color Wheel Sampler:
🌸 Chiffon
🎀 Tutu
🌞 Beeswax
💧 Cascade
🌿 Lavender
🌸 Orchid
🍂 Fawn
💜 Mulberry
🌌 Cosmic Sky

My layout features a pattern of repeating die cut cocoa mugs (from the July 2025 Large Die of the Month Kit) in these pastel shades, each topped with a sparkly glitter snowflake. It’s a playful winter card that also works perfectly for a cozy coffee theme year-round!

Color tip: Using a pre-designed color system (like Spellbinders’ Color Deck or a sampler set) takes the guesswork out of color combos. It’s especially helpful when mixing a lot of hues on one card.

Hot cocoa coffee theme die cut card with a pattern Rainbow hued mugs using Spellbinders July 2025 Large Die of the Month kit.

🧠 Other Color Selection Tips:

🎨 Google Image Search
Search terms like “Christmas color palettes” or “winter pastel colors”, then switch to the “Images” tab. Seeing real-life examples can help spark ideas.

🎨 Color Wheel Strategies

  • Analogous Colors: Colors next to each other (e.g., blue, teal, green) for a harmonious look.
  • Complementary Colors: Opposites on the wheel (e.g., purple + yellow) for bold contrast.

🎨 Neutrals
When in doubt, mix brights with soft neutrals like kraft, white, cream, or gray for balance.


Whether you’re swatching, color-scheming, or just winging it, choosing colors can be one of the most satisfying parts of cardmaking. Try something unexpected—you might just love the results!

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · stitching

Spellbinders Club Kits – July 2025

It’s Christmas in July, and the Spellbinders July 2025 Club Kits are brimming with cozy, colorful holiday cheer! This month’s kits are full of winter charm—perfect for kicking off your holiday cardmaking early. I had such a blast creating with these kits, and I’m excited to share four festive cards with you today.

Card 1 – Large Die of the Month: “Warm Cocoa Wishes”

An assortment of brightly colored cocoa mugs with glittery snowflake toppers, some mugs trimmed at the edge for a dynamic layout. The sentiment reads 'Warm Cocoa Wishes

Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Kit had me smiling from the start. I created a festive card featuring a rainbow of die cut cocoa mugs, each one topped with glittery snowflakes and arranged in a playful display across the card front. The mugs have adorable little handles—some hanging over the edges for a casual, cozy feel.

Warm Cocoa Wishes die cut winter card with rainbow colored mugs of cocoa with glitter snowflakes created with the Spellbinders July 2025 Large Die of the Month Kit.

Each mug is a different bright color, bringing a fun and modern twist to the wintery theme. The sentiment “Warm Cocoa Wishes” ties everything together. This card feels like a cheerful hug in mug form!

Cocoa and Coffee themed die cut winter card with fun rainbow colored cups.

Card 2 – Stitching Die of the Month: Peppermint Diamonds

A hand-stitched card with geometric diamond pattern on frosty blue paper over teal background. White floss stitching and peppermint candy embellishments decorate the design. Gold glimmer sentiment reads 'Sending warm thoughts your way.

The Stitching Club this month features a lovely geometric diamond design that reminded me of snowflakes and vintage quilting. I stitched the design on a frosty blue overlay using two strands of white floss. Underneath, a teal base peeks through, adding subtle contrast.

Striking hand-stitched card created with Spellbinders July 2025 Stitching Die of the Month Kit.

For embellishments, I added peppermint candies for a sweet holiday touch. A foiled gold glimmer sentiment—Sending Warm Thoughts Your Way—adds shine and warmth. This card would be perfect tucked in with a winter care package.

Winter snowflake theme stitched handmade card in frosty blues, teals with pops of red and white.

Card 3 – Die of the Month: Penguin Mug

A bold, graphic card featuring a die cut penguin mug with whipped cream on a vibrant Teal Topaz background, accented with hot pink and yellow. 'Merry Christmas' sentiment adds festive cheer

Next up is the absolutely adorable Spellbinders Small Die of the Month Kit penguin mug die. I went bold with my color palette to create a graphic, eye-catching card. The black and white penguin sits against a rich Teal Topaz background, with accents of Wild Berry (hot pink) and Saffron (yellow) for a fun pop.

The whipped cream topper adds texture and playfulness, and a bold “Merry Christmas” sentiment finishes it off. This little guy is equal parts charming and striking—a new favorite!

Vibrant Die Cut Penguin Mug Christmas Card created using the July 2025 Small Die of the Month Kit from Spellbinders.

Card 4 – Bonus Caboodle: Gingerbread Man Postage Card

A die cut gingerbread man with white icing and peppermint cheeks/buttons, layered over a teal nesting postage stamp background and mounted on a white card base. Sentiment reads 'Falalalala.'

And finally, I couldn’t resist using the Caboodle Bonus Gift—a gingerbread man die that’s almost too cute to handle. I gave him white piped icing details, and the peppermint cheeks and buttons add whimsy and color.

Spellbinders Deluxe Caboodle Kit – Get All 10 Kits, $315 value for just $130!

He’s layered on a Teal Topaz nesting postage stamp die cut background, mounted on a clean white A2 base. The sentiment “Falalalala” adds just the right festive flair to finish off this cheerful design.

July 2025 Spellbinders "Caboodle" bonus card featuring a darling gingerbread man.

Helpful Links:

Each of these kits brought something fresh and delightful to my crafting table this month. Whether you’re a cocoa-lover, penguin fan, or peppermint enthusiast, there’s something in July’s kits to spark your holiday creativity.

4 unique handmade cards created from Spellbinders July 2025 Club Kits.

Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments—and don’t forget to grab your kits before they melt away!

cardmaking · Die cutting

What’s Brewing? A Bold & Graphic Espresso-Themed Card with Hero Arts

Bold graphic thank you card with white die-cut espresso maker, red and yellow cups, on a vivid blue background.

There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh espresso…unless it’s crafting with Hero Arts’ new What’s Brewing Collection! This month’s release is a caffeine-lover’s dream and I was thrilled to join the Instagram Hop celebrating this clever and super-popular theme in the cardmaking world.

Coffee Theme Card

Latte Coffee theme die cut "thanks a latte" card with a Moka style red and white espresso maker and two red and yellow cups and saucers complete with hearts.

For my card, I embraced the bold graphic aesthetic of classic kitchen coffeeware with a clean, eye-catching design. I started with the Stove Top die set, which I cut in bright white with Poppy Red accents and a gray handle. This instantly brought to mind the timeless Moka pots that live on so many stovetops around the world.

To match, I added two sweet little espresso cups and saucers—one in Beeswax Yellow, the other in Poppy Red—inspired by the cheerful espresso set in my own kitchen. I set the whole scene against a rich Oceanside Blue background, which really makes the elements pop.

Red and yellow espresso cup.

The sentiment? A classic pun that never fails: “Thanks a Latte” from the Coffee or Espresso Stamp & Cut set. It’s the perfect blend of gratitude and caffeine-love!

This card also has a bit of a personal touch—I make myself a latte every single afternoon. It’s a daily ritual I truly look forward to. In the summer, it’s all about iced lattes. In the winter? A warm, frothy cup is just the thing.

If you like the graphic look of this card you might be interested in reading my post: Under Sea Magic.

Key Products Used:

This collection has so much heart (and a good jolt of creative energy), and I absolutely loved crafting with it. Don’t miss the Hero Arts Instagram Hop celebrating this release—you’ll find tons of inspiration, fresh ideas, and even giveaways! And look me up on Instagram: Karens_mini


Uncategorized

Autumn Coffee

Hello and Welcome!  Last year, Jane\’s Doodles had the cutest fall stamp sets so I commented on a blog post.  I would have left the comment anyway but was excited to learn that I would be receiving both sets as a gift from Jane\’s Doodles.  

Random Pattern Stamping with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.
I thought  some pattern stamping would be bright, fun and seasonal.

Recipe:
Jane\’s Doodles Pumpkin Spice stamp set.
Jane\’s Doodle\’s Hello Fall stamp set
Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers

I am entering this card in:
Fusion \”Coffee\” Challenge:  I went with the Autumn Coffee/Latte Inspiration focusing on the season, lattes and color scheme in the photo.
Lil Red Wagon \”Fall It\” Challenge:  I used Fall seasonal  items and colors for this fun prompt.

Stamp Ink Paper \”Designer\’s Choice\” Challenge:  I was pleased to see SIP is back!  I went with bright bold seasonal color for my \”designer\’s choice\” creation.

UPDATE: I was so pleased to that this card was selected as a Stamp, Ink Paper \”Winner\” and \”Favorite at Little Red Wagon.
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Thanks for stopping by!
Karen