Tag: Embossing Folder

Girly Spa Day handmade card with Enjoy Today sentiment. Girly Spa-Themed Die Cut Card | Wrapped in Care – December 2025 Club Kit
Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting

Girly Spa-Themed Die Cut Card | Wrapped in Care – December 2025 Club Kit

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Feminine die cut card idea: delightful spa day theme card of a girl in a spa towel turban enjoying a day of beauty.

The Spellbinders December 2025 Large Die of the Month, Wrapped in Care, is an absolute delight—especially if you love creating feminine cards with personality. This adorable die set builds the sweetest girl wrapped in a fluffy spa towel turban, fully embracing her day of beauty. It’s charming, whimsical, and so customizable, which made it perfect for creating a card for my daughter. Naturally, I personalized her hair and skin tone to match!

To build the scene, I embossed my background using a past Embossing Folder of the Month, which gave the card a serene, peaceful spa vibe. The textures really elevate the focal girl and tie the whole design together. For colors, I reached for my ColorWheel cardstock, one of my favorite studio essentials. The shades are Chiffon, Cascade, and Celestial, with additional details cut from scraps.

This blog post also highlights my trusty Swatching Dies and Stamps, which are invaluable when choosing harmonious colors.

Die cutting process photo showing the assembly of my December 2025 Large Die of the Month card.

I included a process photo that shows my Spellbinders Shears, my Craft Stax Tray Set (perfect for corralling all the tiny die cut bits), and of course, I used my trusty Platinum 6 die cutting machine—the real MVP.

A simple chipboard sentiment—“enjoy today”—finishes the card with the perfect message for a little self-care moment.

If you love spa themes, feminine cards, or die cutting with loads of personality, the Wrapped in Care kit is going to be a favorite.

Helpful Links:

Spellbinders December 2025 Die of the Month: Wrapped in Care die cut handmade girlfriend card.
Christmas Crackers die cut handmade card. 4 Tips for Christmas Cardmaking
cardmaking · Die cutting · Tutorial

4 Tips for Christmas Cardmaking

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Bright, colorful Christmas card with a blue "dimpled" background, purple and orange die cut Christmas Crackers and a folliage accents.

Featuring the Christmas Cracker Die Set + Dimpled Embossing Folder

The holidays are the perfect time to get crafty, and Spellbinders’ new Christmas releases make it so much fun! Today I’m sharing a festive card I created with the Christmas Cracker Die Set from Yana’s Christmas Collection and the Dimpled 3D Embossing Folder from Suzanne Hue’s Texture and Foliage Collection.

Along the way, I’ll walk you through 4 tried-and-true tips that will make your holiday cardmaking easier, more enjoyable, and more beautiful.

Tip 1: Use Quality Cardstock

Handmade Christmas card featuring a colorful die cut Christmas cracker in shades of purple, orange, blue, and green. The background is embossed with a dimpled 3D pattern, and some die cuts are raised on foam for added dimension

The foundation of any good die cut is quality cardstock. Thin or flimsy paper isn’t substantial enough for die cutting. For this project, I used Spellbinders’ Color Wheel Cardstock—which is heavyweight, smooth, and cuts like butter.

Here are some of the gorgeous shades I pulled:

  • 🌊 Cascade
  • 💜 Fairy Tale
  • 🌸 Lavender & Lilac
  • 🌞 Beeswax
  • 🍊 Carrot
  • 🍎 Pomegranate
  • 🌿 Peridot & Rainforest

Together these created a vibrant, cheerful, and slightly unexpected holiday palette.

Tip 2: Swatch Your Cardstock

Handmade die cut Christmas card using Spellbinders Yana's Christmas Cracker set with the Dimpled 3D Embossing folder.

Having your cardstock organized and swatched makes choosing colors so much faster. I’ll link HERE to a post where I go into detail on how I keep my swatches handy and easy to use.

For this project, I flipped through my swatches until I landed on the perfect non-traditional holiday mix. Seeing them side by side helped me visualize how the colors would work layered on the Christmas cracker.

Products Used:

Tip 3: Use Color Inspiration

Handmade die cut Christmas Card created with the non-traditional colors of blue, purple, orange, red and green.

When in doubt, let a color system do the heavy lifting! For this card, I turned to Color Cubes Volume 2, specifically palette card #252, which inspired the purple, red, orange, yellow, blue color mix. I also own Volume 1. You can find the Color Cubes Bundle HERE.

I’ll also link to a previous blog post that features Spellbinders’ Color Deck System, another fabulous way to spark ideas when you feel stuck or want to try something different.

Click HERE if you’d like to see another Christmas Card using the same #252 Color Cubes palette card.

Tip 4: Add Texture and Dimension

Die Cut Christmas cracker card with loads of texture, dimension and vivid colors.

Flat die cuts are nice, but texture and lift make a card pop. For this background, I embossed a panel with the new Dimpled 3D Embossing Folder—a subtle yet impactful pattern that catches the light beautifully.

I also used foam squares behind some of the cracker die cuts to add depth and shadow. Craft foam also works great, especially on larger die cuts. The best glue for smaller die cuts is Bearly Glue. I love the fine nozzle! Simple details like these can make your handmade card feel polished and professional.

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Spellbinders | Classic Cool: Masculine Birthday Card with a Retro Speedometer

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Buckle up, cardmakers—because today we’re putting the pedal to the cardstock with a sleek and fun masculine birthday card featuring the Speedometer from the Classic Road Legends collection by the incredibly talented Mindy Eggen! This is Mindy’s debut collection with Spellbinders, and it’s already racing to the top of my favorites list.

The star of the card? A bold, retro-inspired die cut speedometer with some of the coolest sentiments I’ve seen in a while.

Die cut birthday card featuring a retro-style speedometer in aqua, teal, and silver cardstock with a coral needle. Background is white cardstock embossed with a script design. Sentiment reads “Cruisin' by to say Happy Birthday"

🛠️ Building this Masculine Birthday Card

I wanted to create something unique and masculine with a fresh, modern color palette—so I went with monochromatic aquas and teals, using Adriatic, Paradise, and Arctic cardstocks from Hero Arts. To give the speedometer some shine and dimension, I added silver cardstock accents, and then for a bit of unexpected flair, I die cut the needle in coral cardstock—it’s just the right pop of contrast!

This die set includes tons of clever sentiments like:

  • “Have a Classic Day”
  • “Another Year in the Fast Lane”
  • “Enjoy Your New Adventure”
  • I chose “Cruisin’ by to say Happy Birthday” for this card

Perfect for Father’s Day, birthday cards, or anyone who appreciates a good throwback moment.

Once I finished assembling the speedometer, I mounted it onto a clean white background embossed with the Spellbinders Scribbled Letters Embossing Folder. The subtle texture adds just enough interest without taking the spotlight off the die cuts.

This card is headed straight to my brother for his birthday—he’s a car guy, and I think he’s going to love it!

Masculine die card retro Speedometer card with scribbled embossed background. Cardstock colors of teals, aquas, white and silver

💬 Why I Love It

Masculine cards can be a bit of a creative challenge, but this design was a total joy to put together. The bold shapes, retro vibes, and clever details made this one of my favorite guy cards I’ve ever made!

cardmaking · Hot Foiling

Elegant Wedding Cards | Spellbinders Copperplate on Your Wedding Day Collection

Karen Brown1 Comment
Elegant and romantic Glimmer hot foiled handmade wedding card in soft peach with a scripty embossed background and darling die cut floral accents.

A few months ago, a follower asked me for wedding card inspiration, and I couldn’t resist diving into the timeless elegance of Spellbinders’ Copperplate on Your Wedding Day Collection by Paul Antonio. This collection, featuring gorgeous calligraphy BetterPress plates, was the perfect starting point for creating romantic, foiled wedding cards.

Monochromatic Elegance in Peach

Elegant wedding card with 'On Your Wedding Day' sentiment foiled in peach satin and then die-cut with a Scallop Labels die. Embossed Bellini cardstock background and soft floral accents complete the design

For both cards, I used Peach Satin Matte Foil on smooth white cardstock. I embossed Bellini cardstock, creating a soft, monochromatic look that feels warm and sophisticated. The large, scripty sentiments—”Always and Forever” and “On Your Wedding Day“—take center stage, adding a touch of calligraphic artistry.

To enhance the elegance, I embossed the backgrounds with the Scribbled Letters Embossing Folder—a new favorite in my craft room! The subtle texture adds depth without overpowering the delicate foiling.

Handmade wedding card featuring 'Always and Forever' in peach satin foil. Bellini cardstock embossed background adds texture, with delicate die-cut flowers in Bellini and Chiffon cardstock.

Finishing Touches

For the “On Your Wedding Day” card, I die-cut the sentiment using the Scallop Labels Die, which frames the lettering beautifully. I also added a few die-cut flowers in Bellini and Chiffon cardstock, softening the design with delicate floral accents.

Foiling Tips for a Flawless Finish

✨ Trim and round the edges of the foil before using a Glimmer Machine to prevent unwanted over-foiling marks.
✨ Roll slowly through the Platinum 6 Machine for even pressure and a crisp foiled impression.

These simple steps make a huge difference in achieving that professional, high-end look!

Key Products:

Final Thoughts

I love how these cards turned out—elegant, timeless, and perfect for celebrating love. Whether you’re making wedding cards for a special couple or building your card stash, this collection is a dream for anyone who loves calligraphy and foiled details.

cardmaking

Fast, Easy and Elegant Embossed Sympathy Card | Spellbinders

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Creating a fast, easy elegant sympathy card with 3D Emboss and Cut folders: Spellbinders Mushrooms From Me to You 3D Emboss and Cut folder.

Creating a handmade sympathy card is a thoughtful way to express your condolences, showing the recipient that you care enough to make something special. An embossed card is particularly elegant, yet it can be surprisingly quick and simple to create. Here’s a guide to making a beautiful embossed sympathy card that’s both fast and easy.

Timesaving Tips for Cardmakers:

I started with the new Mushrooms From Me To You 3D Emboss and Cut Folder from Spellbinders that has several great attributes:

  • The first is that the folder embosses and die cuts with just one pass through the machine. This is a real timesaver!
  • The second, is that there are 3 templates on the folder so you create 3 components each time! YAY for 3 Fers!

How I created this card:

  • Using my paper trimmer, I cut a white card panel that was 8 3/4″ x 5 3/4″. I think white on white is always lovely for a sympathy card.
  • I wanted to tape my dies to the embossing folder to ensure there would be no shifting during the die-cutting. Using my Best Tape Ever, I tacked the 3 dies to the inside front cover with the cutting edge toward the interior of the sandwich. Then I added my pre-cut paper panel. I also taped the folder closed at the bottom to ensure everything stayed in place.
  • I ran the sandwich through my machine and viola, 3 cut and embossed elements with one pass through my machine!
  • I wanted to keep the card simple so I mounted the largest embossed die cut on an A2 top folding card with Bearly Glue and Craft Foam.
  • I added a simple premade Thinking of You Chipboard sentiment and the card was done. I wish I timed the process, because it was VERY quick!

Time Saving Tip #1: Use premade sentiment Chipboard Stickers like the one I used on this card. I also love the Bayfair Chipboard and Puffy Stickers. Here is one of my posts that uses the Bayfair Chipboard sentiments on my kite card and I used the puffy stickers on this stitched card.

Time Saving Tip #2: Use premade card bases like these A2 Top Fold or A2 side fold.

TIP FOR SUCCESS: Keep it Simple – Elegance often comes from simplicity. Stick to a few well-chosen elements rather than overloading the card with decorations.

Helpful Links:

Time Saving Tips for Cardmakers with Spellbinders Mushrooms From Me to You 3D Emboss and Cut folder hndmade sympathy card

Creating a handmade embossed sympathy card is a meaningful way to show your compassion and support. With a few simple steps and materials, you can craft a card that is not only fast and easy to make but also elegant and deeply personal.

See you next time!

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting

Darling Die Cut Birthay Card | Spellbinders Out and About Collection

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Spellbinders Luna the Seahorse white and blue die cut birthday card.

Spellbinders has a wonderful NEW release called Out and About that is chock full of wonderfulness! Spellbinders is introducing their new compact die cutting machine called “Scout”, along with a fun collection of small but adorable die sets that work well with the pint-sized Scout. I love having a small light weight die cutting machine for smaller dies and sentiments. It allows me room to die cut, glue and assemble without having to tidy up in between steps.

Today I used Luna the Seahorse along with the new Happy Birthday Wishes die set.

Products:

Notes on Making This Card:

  • I die cut Luna 3 times from Island Blue cardstock and then glued the layers together for a beautiful 3D focal point.
  • Using a Scallop Labels and Tags die, I die cut my background and THEN embossed the panel. If you emboss in this order, you will have more texture and dimension on your embossing. (If you emboss and then die cut, the die cutting process will smoosh the raised embossing.)
  • I added white accents with a thin Posca paint pen and added a black enamel dot for the eye.
Creating a clean and simple summery die cut birthday card featuring Luna the Seahorse and Scallop Label Infinity dies.

I think little Luna is so cute! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Karen

Die cutting · Wax Seals

Adding a Touch of Elegance: Using Wax Seals and Infinity Dies on a Floral Handmade Card

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Adding wax seal elements to your cardmaking.

If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your handmade cards, incorporating wax seals and infinity dies can elevate your designs to new heights. In this post, we’ll explore how to use these tools to create a stunning floral handmade card.

Today, Spellbinders released a wonderful new collection called Sealed 3D Botanical and I chose Scallop Labels and Tags Infinity Dies and the Forest Mushroom Wax Seal. Infinity Dies are definitely one of my most used craftroom essentials and wax seals are so interesting and fun!

Adding texture to your cardmaking with Mushroom Forest Wax Seals, Scallop Labels and Tags Infinity Dies and embossing folders.

Spellbinders 3D Botanical Collection

I knew I wanted to make a shaped floral card with a wax seal medallion on my vase. Here are step-by-step directions for this card:

  • I started by making a bunch of wax seals, which I really enjoy. If you’d like more details, I have a blog post titled 18 Tips and Tricks for Making Wax Seals that you can read HERE. I decided to use two Royal Blue seals and I planned my color scheme around the two seals. Spellbinders Wax Seal Kit is such a fun addition to any craftroom and I have really enjoyed playing with my kit this year.
  • Using my silver Deco Color Paint Pen, I added highlights to the wax mushrooms and foliage. Interestingly, the color looks a little more gold in the photographs, but it is silver in person.
  • I die cut my vase and flowers using one of my new favorites: Fresh Picked Vase. I used Cosmic Sky, Periwinkle, Charcoal and Coral cardstocks.
  • I wanted a bit more texture so I embossed my vase using my Luxe Backdrop Emboss and Cut 3D folder.
  • As I mentioned, I wanted a shaped card so I took an A2 Side Fold Card Base and die cut my white base with the Scallop Labels and Tag die. I made sure that the left cutting edge was to the left of the fold so it would stay intact. Then I cut a Periwinkle and White Mat and assembled my card with Bearly Glue and a few Foam Adhesive Squares.
  • I also made a coordinating wax seal envelop for my card that you can see below.

As I said, I really enjoy making wax seals so I made some extras for future projects. The other colors are Indigo Ink, Pistachio, Velvet Rose and Gold.

Adding wax seal elements to your envelops.

Conclusion

Using wax seals and infinity dies in your handmade cards adds a level of detail and elegance that will impress any recipient. These tools allow you to create intricate designs and sophisticated touches that make your cards truly stand out. Whether for birthdays, weddings, or just because, a floral handmade card with these elements will be cherished and remembered. Happy crafting!

Karen

Cardmaking Kit · stitching

Spellbinders | Stitching Die of the Month | May 2024

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Hand stitched Pineapple card with an embossed background and accent opal gems.

Aloha! Delight in the sweet essence of tropical charm with my latest crafting adventure using this month’s Spellbinders Stitching kit! I am diving into the art of hand-stitching to create a whimsical pineapple card that’s as vibrant as it is heartfelt. So, grab your needle, thread, and a sprinkle of creativity as we embark on this delightful journey together!

The Deluxe Caboodle

I also wanted to mention what a wonderful deal the Deluxe Caboodle Kit is. You save 60% off all TEN kits for the month + you get a bonus gift. So, if you are thinking about multiple kits, consider the Caboodle. The current cost is $120 but the kit value is $315, which is 60% off!

Stitched Pineapple Handmade Card

Die cut and hand stitched pineapple card in yellows, golds, and greens.

My Cardmaking Process:

  • The kit has 6 cutting dies and I started by cutting all my pieces with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. I used the Happy Day Assorted Cardstock Pack + a sheet of Pesto for a 4th shade of green.
  • Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. I used a bronzy gold thread for my pineapple.
  • When I started stitching, I took two strands of floss, separated them one at a time, brought them together and then stroked and lengthened them until they seemed tame and ready to use.
  • I usually stitch with size 22 Tapestry needles.
  • I like to use 1/8th inch double sided liner tape to attach my floss to the die cut.
  • Remember to keep your floss taught as you stitch.
  • When I move from one area to the next, I run the floss through the just finished stitched area to keep the thread secure. This gives a nice look on the finished project.
  • Don’t stitch with threads that are too long or they are likely to knot. 
  • When I was done, I added a bit of Bearly Glue to the ends so that they would stay in place.
  • To finish my project I embossed white cardstock with the my longtime favorite embossing folder: Intertwined Lattice.
  • I hot foiled my sentiment with Yana’s Special Glimmer Sentiments and my Glimmer Hot Foil System.
  • I added 6 Opal Gems around the pineapple with my Ninja Pickup Tool.

Helpful Links:

Spellbinders Club Info:

  • Clubs Preview on the 1st of each month.
  • Club members can cancel, upgrade or change clubs from the 1st-5th of each month. Popular Clubs frequently sell out during this period so club members get first dibs on everything.
  • NEW for 2024: Club Members get EARLY access to new releases on the 6th!
  • On the 6th, Clubs become available to non-members.
  • On the 27th, Club registration closes for the current month.
  • If a club did not sell out, you can buy under “Shop Past Clubs”. Past kits are available on the 10th of the FOLLOWING month.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting

Spellbinders | More Fresh Picked Collection

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Handmade die cut Birthday card created with Spellbinders Fresh Picked Vase Bouquet from the More Fresh Picked Collection.

Spellbinders More Fresh Picked Collection offers an exquisite opportunity to create a contemporary cardmaking masterpiece. The entire Fresh Picked series offers modern, contemporary, stylized florals that really ignite my creativity and I couldn’t wait to get started die-cutting.

Fresh Picked Vase Bouquet

Pink, Aqua, Turquoise, Blue and White Floral die cut Birthday card with flowers in an embossed vase.

My Process:

Today, I selected the Fresh Picked Vase Bouquet for my birthday card. I knew I wanted Waterfall leaves and greenery on my card so I did a quick search through my color cubes and decided on color combination #060, and I have to say I love this color palette!

Helpful Product Links:

Final Thoughts

With its sleek lines and intricate designs, the Spellbinders Fresh Picked Vase Bouquet die set allows for the creation of stunning floral arrangements that exude modern elegance.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Cardmaking Kit

Spellbinders | Stitching Die of the Month | April 2024

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Spellbinders April 2024 Stitching Die of the Month handmade card.

It’s that time of the month again….time for Spellbinders April Club Kit releases. Today, I am sharing my floral stitched card. I know I always say this, but the April Stitching kit is a real beauty.

One of the things I like about stitching is that the project is transportable. I stitched my flowers in a doctor’s waiting room and I completed the leaves in my backyard on a beautiful Spring day (see photo below).

The Deluxe Caboodle

I also wanted to mention what a wonderful deal the Deluxe Caboodle Kit is. You save 60% off all TEN kits for the month + you get a bonus gift. So, if you are thinking about multiple kits, consider the Caboodle. The current cost is $160 but the kit value is $315.

Spellbinders Stitched Wall Hanging Kit

Spellbinders Hand Stitched Card using Die of the Month Stitching Club Kit.

My Stitching Process:

  • The kit has 18 dies and I started by cutting all my pieces with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine.
  • Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. I used DMC Gold Thread, #818 Soft Pink, #772 Light Yellow Green and #922 Light Copper for this project.
  • When I started stitching, I took two strands of floss, separated them one at a time, brought them together and then stroked and lengthened them until they seemed tame and ready to use.
  • I usually stitch with size 22 Tapestry needles.
  • I like to use 1/8th inch double sided liner tape to attach my floss to the die cut.
  • Remember to keep your floss taught as you stitch.
  • When I move from one area to the next, I run the floss through the just finished stitched area to keep the thread secure. This gives a nice look on the finished project.
  • Don’t stitch with threads that are too long or they are likely to knot. 
  • When I was done, I added a bit of Bearly Glue to the ends so that they would stay in place.
  • To finish my project I embossed white cardstock with the my longtime favorite embossing folder: Intertwined Lattice.
  • I used the Press and Seal method to keep my elements together after I arranged them. Place Press and Seal over arrangement, flip them over, apply glue, flip back over and adhere to card.

Other Supplies and Products Used:

Isn’t this a great place to stitch?

Handmade stitching card showing you can work on your stitching card anywhere including vacation or your backyard.

A Few Notes About Spellbinders Club Kits

  • Clubs Preview on the 1st of each month.
  • Club members can cancel, upgrade or change clubs from the 1st-5th of each month. Popular Clubs frequently sell out during this period so club members get first dibs on everything.
  • NEW for 2024: Club Members get EARLY access to new releases on the 6th!
  • On the 6th, Clubs become available to non-members.
  • On the 27th, Club registration closes for the current month.
  • If a club did not sell out, you can buy under “Shop Past Clubs”. Past kits are available on the 10th of the FOLLOWING month.

Helpful Links:

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen