Make a Gratitude Tag/Bookmark

Start Each Day with a Grateful Heart…

As the warm summer days quickly turn into Autumn, 

I am enjoying having the windows open again, feeling the cool breeze, 

and enjoying the fall colors.  

After years of trying, we have finally grown our own pumpkin.

It’s not that big, but it’s perfectly round and perfect for the front porch.

To Celebrate Fall…

I decided to make a tag/bookmark with the bright and beautiful colors of fall.  

I used a couple of Eileen Hull’s New Sizzix Dies and the New Lacy Leaves Embossing Folder to make the tag.  

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

I decided to get “inky” with this tag using Tim Holtz Distress Inks*.  

  • For the base of the tag, I used heavyweight cream cardstock*
  • I used a golden yellow ink pad along with Spiced Marigold Distress Ink and lightly applied the inks onto the cardstock using an ink applicator. 
  • Next, I rubbed Vintage Photo Ink onto one side of the embossing folder.  Place the inked cardstock onto the inked side of the embossing folder.  Place the embossing folder into a Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine* and run the embossing folder through the machine.  
  • Cut a tag with the embossed cardstock using the largest of the Tunnel Arch Dies*.   

Want a tip for adhering small pieces?  (for example:  flowers and leaves) I use the Xyron Disposable Sticker Maker*.  I put my cardstock through the Sticker Maker* first, then I die-cut the small pieces.  It makes gluing them in place so much easier.  

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

Holiday Sizzix Cards and More

Holiday Christmas Card Class using Sizzix Dies.

I am teaching a New Holiday Paper Crafting class at Tremont Gallery/Pearl Street Stamping

in Tremont, IL using Sizzix Dies and Stamps.  There will be four class times to choose from.

Join with other crafters for a fun time of creating together.

To sign up, contact the store at 309-925-4438 (Wednesday-Friday)

In the class, we will be making a Holiday Window Shaker Card,

Winter Window Shaker Card dies used: (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

the Winter Deer Tag,

Tim Holtz Package Gift Card Holder

and the Tim Holtz Winston Snowman* Card.  

Cost:  $25.00

Saturday, November 15th

  • 10:00-Noon

Friday, November 21st

  • 10:00-Noon
  • 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 22nd

  • 10:00-Noon

Students Bring:  Scissors, Craft Pick or Needle Tool, Tape Runner, Foam Mounting Squares, Liquid Glue for gluing small pieces.

Winter Shaker Card with Eileen Hull’s New Sizzix Release

Today is Release Day for Eileen Hull’s newest dies for Sizzix,

and I’m excited to share a couple of projects that I’ve made.

As soon as I saw the sneak peek of what was coming,

I knew I wanted to make a winter shaker card.  

So…even though I am hanging onto Summer as hard as I can,

I still am in the mood to make a few Winter cards.

Eileen Hull Educator Logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

For the Winter Window Shaker Card, I used:    (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Another project I made was the Winter Deer Tag.

I wanted it to look like a serene winter scene.  

I used the Lacy Leaves Embossing Folder* to emboss the first layer of the tag.

I added thin foam mounting squares* under the deer and

green tree to give the tag dimension.  

Enjoy The New Sizzix Collection

This collection was inspired by nature and the cozy feeling of home.  It was designed to coordinate with the Handbound Journal* (sold separately) to create a tunnel book, but each die set also stands beautifully on its own and can be used in so many creative ways!

Home Sweet Home Die Set*
This 24-piece set includes layered forest animals (deer, fox, bunny, squirrel, and butterflies), pine trees, grassy hills, greenery, clouds, sun, moon, and a cozy house. The sweet deer alone makes this set worth it! Perfect for holiday projects, baby themes, everyday cards, journals, and tags.

Windowsill Flowers & Vase*
A 13-die set designed to coordinate with the Tunnel Arches. The window die matches the largest arch, letting you build a 3D scene that looks as though you’re peering through a window. The tiny vase and flowers are wonderful for using scraps. The little lacy piece also makes a lovely accent for junk journal pockets and cards.

Tunnel Arches*
Who knew arches could be so versatile? Make a rainbow! Use the negative cuts to create graduated windows in journals, cards, and home décor, or the positive pieces as card bases and tags—nothing goes to waste! This 7-die nesting set ranges in size from 4 ½” x 3 ¼” down to teeny-tiny (so cute!). They were designed to fit perfectly inside the Handbound Journal if you’d like to try your hand at a tunnel book.

Watch for upcoming tutorials on Eileen’s YouTube channel!

Lacy Leaves Embossing Folder*
A bold, intricate lacy pattern measuring 6” x 8 ½”—perfectly sized for journal covers and cards. This design was inspired by an actual piece of lace from my collection that reminded me of leaves. I love the mix of nature and lace! Whether you emboss or deboss the pattern, the result is simply beautiful.

Flower Power Shaker Card

How to make a Flower Power Shaker Card.

One of my favorite cards to make is a shaker card.  

I love using dimension and movement.  

Did you know that vinyl is perfect for cardmaking?

For my card, I used StyleTechCraft Green Opal Adhesive Craft Vinyl*.

The Opal Vinyl is a color-shifting vinyl that takes on a different look

depending on how you hold it.  

Materials Used to make the Flower Power Shaker Card: (*affiliate link)

StyletechCraft products brought to you by ATSM Craft*

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Directions:  

  • Cut the “Daisy Background” using Opal Vinyl and the Silhouette Die Cutting Machine.  (I sized the image to a 3 ¼” x 3 ¼” design.)
  • Remove the excess vinyl around the design using a Vinyl Weeding Pen*.
  • Cut a piece of transfer tape and place it over the vinyl design.  
  • Gently rub over the design with the Scraper Tool*.

  • I cut a simple cardstock frame using my Silhouette Die-Cutting Machine.  My frame measures 4 ½” x 4 ½”.  The inside cutout measures 3 ½” x 3 ½”, which leaves a ½” border around the frame. 
  • Cut a 4 ¼” x 4 ¼” piece of clear acetate. (My acetate has a blue protective coating on both sides.) Place Scor-tape* around the border of the frame. 
  • Remove the protective coating from both sides of the acetate.  (If yours has them.)
  • Place acetate over the sticky Scor-tape*. 

  • Remove the design from the vinyl backing sheet using the transfer paper.
  • Place the design onto the acetate on the front of the frame.  

  • Cut a piece of cardstock 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”.
  • Cut thin strips from the adhesive foam sheet.  
  • Adhere the strips to the back of the frame. 
  • Add iridescent shaker sprinkles inside the frame.  (Do not overfill with shaker sprinkles.)
  • Adhere the 4 ¼” piece of cardstock to the back of the frame to create your shaker element.

  • Adhere the shaker to a 5″ x 5″ card.

  • Stamp a small greeting onto cardstock.  Notch one end to create a banner.
  • Adhere the greeting to the front of the card. 

I hope you enjoyed the Iridescent Opal Shaker card.

It’s a nod to those vintage Flower Power Shirts of the 70s.  

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Tickled Pink Color Wheel Card

Celebrate what makes you Tickled Pink.

I wanted to share a card I made with the new

Sizzix Rainbow Wheels Die Set by Eileen Hull*.  

This fun card would be great for celebrating those

special moments that make you happy.

The card was made using the Rainbow Wheels Die Set* and the

Sizzix A5 Clear Stamps Set 24PK – Swatch Cards by Eileen Hull*.

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

My secret weapon for easy assembly is the Xyron Sticker Maker*.

Before I die-cut the shapes, I ran the cardstock through the Sticker Maker.

That adds a complete layer of adhesive onto the back of the cardstock.

It’s a simple card but it does require a little patience.  

Once all the pieces were cut, I added the small pieces inside the color wheel.

Eileen Hull Educator Logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

A Sparkly Birthday Card for a Sparkly Girl

Sweet Little Mae, my granddaughter, is turning three this week.

An occasion as special as that needed a Sparkly Birthday Card as sparkly as she is.

Did you know that the same vinyl you use to embellish everyday items

around your home can be used to create beautiful cards?

Materials Used:  (*affiliate links)

StyletechCraft products brought to you by ATSM Craft*

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Birthday Card Details:

  • Use the Transfer Tape* to adhere the vinyl onto a 4″x 6″ piece of white cardstock.
  • Cut a 4¼” x 6¼” piece of “Melon” Ultra Metallic Glitter Vinyl* to use as a layer.  I didn’t remove the white protective layer on the back of the vinyl.  I used a double stick tape roller to add adhesive to the back of the vinyl.  
  • Adhere all the pieces onto the front of the card.

StyleTechCraft adhesive vinyl makes it easy to create cards with intricate

and delicate designs.  Use it with your Cricut or Cameo electronic cutters

and even with steel rule dies.  The possibilities are endless!

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

The May Eileen Hull and Sizzix Release is here!

The May Eileen Hull and Sizzix Release is here!

And it is packed with new stamp and die kits that will excite

the inner artist in you!

Below are a few samples that I made with the new collection.  

Make sure to join Eileen’s Launch Party Online HERE for more inspiration.

Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die – Hardbound Journal by Eileen Hull*

This is my Hardbound Journal made using faux leather paper and a simple Japanese binding technique. 

The Hardbound Journal* is a ScoreBoards XL die designed to cut and score thick materials like matboard, leather, and felt. It includes built-in score lines, holes, a spine piece, and large labels—no measuring needed! At 6″ x 5″, you can customize the book’s thickness and choose hand or quick binding, all with a pretty scalloped edge. One of the most versatile designs yet.

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

On the front of my journal, I used the Sizzix Bigz Journal Hardware Die*. 

The Bigz Journal Hardware Die* offers latches, hinges, and pen loops.

It is perfectly sized to coordinate with the journal and cuts a variety

of materials.

The Perfect Match…

I used the Rainbow Wheels Die Set* to make this floral color wheel card.  

The Rainbow Wheels Die Set* cuts the framework, segmented circle,

and arrows for a functional color wheel.

Sizzix Thinlits 9PK Die Set – Rainbow Wheels by Eileen Hull*

Feeling Blue?

The Feeling Blue Card was made using the

Sizzix A5 Clear Stamps Set 24PK – Swatch Cards by Eileen Hull*.

The Swatch Card Stamp Set includes a round palette, rectangular and pie-shaped swatch cards, plus color-themed phrases perfect for cards or journals.

I didn’t get a chance to play with the Sizzix Layered Stencils 3PK – Color Wheel by Eileen Hull* but I wanted to make sure you saw all the wonderful possibilities this collection has to offer.

Join our Instagram Hop today 5/1/25 at 3:00 pm ET

for a chance to win prizes and see some great inspiration

from the Eileen Hull Creative Team. 

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

Happy Spring Card

Don’t you just love Spring?

It makes my heart so happy.

Here’s a quick Spring water colored card made using Sizzix’s Spring Essentials Stamp Set*

Happy Spring!

FYI…The Sizzix’s Spring Essentials Stamp Set* is On Sale right now at Scrapbook.com!

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Celebrating You

How to make a Celebrating You Gift Card.

I love it when I can use a tool or die set in several different ways.

I think the Sizzix Floral Pockets & Paperclips Die Set by Eileen Hull* is one of those.

And I haven’t even made everything you can make with this set.

Eileen Hull Educator Logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

Materials Used: (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

I used the Floral Square Die included in the set and die-cut it several times.

  • I die-cut it once using cream cardstock for the cream frame. 
  • I adhered a small piece of blue parchment cardstock to the back of the cream floral base.
  • I die-cut it using green cardstock and cut off the outside edges that make the frame.  I glued the green layer onto the cream layer.  
  • For added dimension, I cut three flowers out of pink cardstock.  I glued all three flowers together and then glued them onto the green flower.  
  • I used maroon cardstock to die-cut three centers for the inside of the flower.  

  • I adhered the floral die-cut onto a pink cardstock layer.  I added foam mounting squares to the back of the pink layer to give the card added dimension.
  • I used a Silver Calligraphy Paint Pen* to draw a silver edge onto the maroon cardstock layer. 
  • I stamped the words “celebrating you” (from the Fan Favorites Stamp Set*) onto a small piece of cream cardstock and gave it a simple layer.  I added Foam Mounting Squares* to the back of the word layer and added to the front of the card.  

For another quick project, I made a Four Seasons Gift Card Set.

The 10-piece die set* also includes dies to make pockets, tags,

birds, paper clips, labels, notes, and lists.  It’s a very versatile die set.

Life is Beautiful Tri-Fold Tag Card

How to Make a Simple Tri-Fold Card Using a Large Tag.  

I was playing around in my studio when I encountered my oversized tag die.

I hadn’t used it in a while, so I decided to make a tri-fold card.

(I love it when something old becomes new again.)

(The Die Cut Tag measures approximately 6 1/4″ x 10 1/2″.)

To create the tri-fold card…

I die-cut the large tag using a piece of white cardstock.

You can find the Extremely Large Tags* in my Etsy Shop*.

Amazon prime

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

I used a scoreboard and scoring tool* to score the tag lengthways

at 3 1/2″ and 7″ and folded it in three sections.

I grabbed my Echo Park’s Life is Beautiful Scrapbook Collection*

and got to work decorating the first fold of the tag.

I used a corner rounder punch* on one end of the layers.

I made sure to cover up the hole of the tag with a sticker.

I kept the inside of the folded tag simple with simple layers,

a couple of stickers and a journaling card from the collection.

On the front of the tag, I used stickers mounted with

foam mounting squares* to create dimension.

And…you can mail the trifold card in a letter sized envelope.