22 July 2026

Spellbinders | Dear Santa 2026 Annual Holiday Mega Kit

Hello there, today I have 10 projects to share using the Spellbinders Dear Santa 2026 Annual Holiday Mega Kit. This kit contains tons of products that can be used to create 25+ cards but can be used for other projects too. The video below shows unboxing the kit, shows my projects and also shows how much is left in the kit once I had made my projects (spoiler alert ... there is tons left!). 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.



I created mini cards, tags and gift card holders today. I used everything in the Spellbinders Dear Santa 2026 Annual Holiday Mega Kit, bar one item (the chipboard frames). Lets have a look what is in the kit:


20 A2 Cards & Envelopes
18 11.5" x 8.5" Sheets of Cardstock
298 Die Cut Ephemera
38 Chipboard Frames & Corners
2 Sheets of Puffy Stickers
2 Sheets of Chipboard Stickers
1 Sheet of Gemstones
6" x 6" Paper Pad (40 sheets, 2 sheets of each design)
Foam Squares + Adhesive Tape

Apart from the cards & envelopes, cardstock, chipboard stickers and adhesive, all the items can be purchased separately, as well as being in the kit. 


First up, I made two mini cards. I used the faux envelopes from the Die Cut Sentiments pack. These have a perforation so that they can be opened to pop things inside but have actual no inside, so you would want to adhere them to something or cover up the back with 2 1/8" x 3 2/8" mini cards like I did - I cut the cards in the kit down and adhered them to the back of the envelopes. The list and sentiments are from the same pack. Santa, the deer and foliage are from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. 


Next up are two tags made using the tags from the Die Cut Sentiments pack. I added DMC Diamant Grande Gold Thread through the tops and tied in bows. The one on the left uses the envelope, postage stamp and holly from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. The seal is from the Die Cut Sentiments pack. The tag on the right uses the postage stamp, coffee cup and foliage from the Die Cut Ephemera pack, and the 25 is from the Die Cut Sentiments pack. 


Next up are two gift card holders. I used the cards in the kit to create mini 2 9/16" x 3 13/16" cards. I rounded the corners using the Spellbinders 2-1 Punch: Corner Rounder & Notch. I then adhered panels of the aqua-blue cardstock in the kit on top. The foliage, pink envelopes, aqua envelope and postage stamp are from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. The 'holiday hugs' sentiment is from the Die Cut Sentiments pack and the 'season's greetings' is from the Chipboard Stickers pack, as well as the hearts. I embellished using the Gemstones pack. 


As you can see, the gift cards fit nicely inside the little gift card holders. I will add some removable adhesive to the back of the gift card and adhere it inside. Since I was making gift card holders, I didn't add that many sentiments onto the fronts of the holders. I didn't think they were necessary for them, but there are lots of sentiments that can be used across all of the products in the kit. 


Next up are two more gift card holders, this time using the pink cardstock in the kit. The green tags are from the Die Cut Sentiments pack. I threaded DMC Diamant Light Gold Thread through them and tied in bows. The 12/25 ticket and the 25 are also from that pack. The bird, foliage, envelope and postage stamp are from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. The embellishments are from the Gemstones pack and then for the holder on the left, I cut one of the banners and popped the gold piece behind the tag. For the holder on the right, I cut the banner part off from one of the rosettes and popped that behind the tag. 


Last but least are two more gift card holders. For both, I created mini tags using the 6" x 6" Paper Pad (using the green tag from the last two holders as a template). I punched a hole at the tops of them and tied with DMC Diamant Light Gold Thread. The foliage, postage stamps, postage circle, Santa and deer are all from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. The embellishments are from the Puffy Stickers pack, as well as the 'you're on the nice list' sentiment. The little banner sticking out from the side of the one on the right is the other part of the one I cut the gold off from.

VIDEO:

Here is the video showing the unboxing of the kit and a look at my projects:


If you are viewing this post via email subscription, you can watch the video HERE on YouTube. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the projects. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.


As I say in the video, although ephemera and stickers aren't generally something I use on cards, I do really like using them for tags and little projects like the gift card holders. I also love using them for decorating envelopes and happy mail! Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

21 July 2026

VIDEO | Spellbinders Just Add Cake Garden Party

Hello there, I'm delighted to be over on the Spellbinders YouTube channel sharing two cards using the Garden Party Etched Dies from the Just Add Cake Birthday Cardmaking Kit. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.



The first card (left) uses just the products in the Just Add Cake Birthday Cardmaking Kit. I used the Garden Party Etched Dies, Garden Party Shaker Domes, Just Add Cake Sequins, and Just Add Cake Clear Stamp Set (for the sentiment). I used the cardstock in the kit - Blush, Tutu, Beeswax and Rainforest + Chiffon for the card base. 

The second card (right) combines the Garden Party Etched Dies with the mug and hand/arm from Birthday Brew Etched Dies. The sentiment is also from the Just Add Cake Clear Stamp Set. The cardstock colours I used from the kit are Blush, Tutu and Beeswax. I then used other non-kit colours - Peridot, Waterfall, Teal Topaz, Seaside and Alabaster. I also embellished with Pink Color Essentials Gems. 

VIDEO:

Here is the video showing how I made the cards:


If you are viewing this blog post via email subscription, you can watch the video HERE on YouTube. 

For more details on how I made the cards, please visit the Spellbinders Blog. Thank you so much for visiting my blog today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

20 July 2026

Altenew | Tone-on-Tone Willow Branches

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the Altenew Willow Branches Stencils. Since I was a child, I have loved willow trees. They always felt a little magical to me, I am not sure why! Although I love the traditional greens, for this card, I was thinking along the lines of the Japanese pink willow trees, but instead of using pink, I went with purple!

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.



I started off with a panel of Altenew Crafty Necessities: Glacier Iris Cardstock. I placed the Altenew Willow Branches Stencils on top, one by one, to add ink blending using Mini Blending Brushes with Altenew Enchanted Garden Fresh Dye Inks

I used the following inks for the layers: 
  • Stencil 1 - Wisteria
  • Stencil 2 - Hydrangea
  • Stencil 3 - Ultraviolet
  • Stencil 4 - Andromeda
  • Stencil 5 - Andromeda with a light layer of Jet Black Fresh Dye Ink on top
  • Stencil 6 - Jet Black

I did offset the branches layer slightly, so that I had a slight highlight on the top of the branches. 


To add some interest onto the card, I added splatter in the three different ways: 


The panel was adhered to a US A2 sized white card base using Altenew Glue Tape. I stamped the sentiment from the Altenew Bold Sentiments Stamp Set onto white cardstock using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink. It was cut into a strip and the edges 'painted' using a black Fine Liner Pen to cover up the white core.


It was adhered to the card using Altenew Black Instant Dimension Foam Tape. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Clear Iridescent Stellar Sequins

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.


I really like the tone-on-tone look with the stencilling on top of the light purple cardstock. I think it gives an almost silhouette look to the tree. Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day and a great week ahead! 

18 July 2026

Spellbinders | Upright Italic Happy Holidays

Hello there, I am delighted to be over on the Spellbinders Blog sharing a step by step photo tutorial showing how I made the card below using the new Paul Antonio Upright Italic Happy Holidays Press + Foil Plate. As the name suggests, you can use the plates for either pressing or foiling. I chose pressing for this card. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.



I pressed the Spellbinders Upright Italic Happy Holidays Press + Foil Plate onto Spellbinders Seaside ColorWheel Cardstock. Since this cardstock is "normal" cardstock, you don't as much of an impression/letterpress look as you do with Letterpress cardstock but it does still transfer the ink nicely! (Although my camera at the moment is getting a reflection off the black lettering, so they look a little patchy in the photo, they are not in real-life!) 

I pressed an accompanying sentiment from the Spellbinders Mistletoe Greetings Press Plate & Die Set. The cute bird is from Spellbinders Little Birdies Etched Dies, and the foliage from Spellbinders Christmas Cracker Etched Dies. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.


As you can see, the sentiments in this collection (there are three others) are quite large, so they make a big impact on a card, which is nice! For details on how I made the card and for more pictures, please head over to the blog post here. Thank you so much for stopping by today, I hope you have a great day and a wonderful weekend! 

17 July 2026

VIDEO | Simple Summer Sunset Scene with Pinkfresh Studio

Hello there, today I have a card and video to share using the new Pinkfresh Studio Peaceful Pause suite. There is a cling stamp, coordinating die, and stencils and I am using all three products for my card today. I thought I would go quite vibrant with the colours, creating a simple summer sunset for the background. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.



I started off by stamping the image from the Pinkfresh Studio Peaceful Pause Cling Stamp onto white cardstock using Pinkfresh Studio Detail Black Ink. I then die cut it out using the Pinkfresh Peaceful Pause Die. Please note that I am only using the main image from stamp on my card, if you were using some of the smaller images as well, you would want to do the stencilling first, then the die cutting. 


I placed the image onto my Pinkfresh Studio EasyBlend Grip Mat and added the stencils on top, one by one, to add ink blending to the image using Blending Brushes. I used all three sizes - 1", 1/2" and 1/4". I used the following ink colours for the image:



I set the image aside to dry while I worked on my sunset background. To a 4.25" x 5.5" panel of white cardstock, I added ink blending using Pinkfresh Studio 1" Blending Brushes. I used (top to bottom) Candy Violet, Bubble Gum, Apricot and Lemon Whip


The panel was adhered to a US A2 sized white card base using glue tape. The image was adhered on top using thin foam tape. I stamped a sentiment from the set onto white cardstock using Pinkfresh Studio Detail Black Ink and cut it into a strip before adhering to the card with thin foam tape. To finish, I embellished with Pinkfresh Studio Champagne Clear Drops

VIDEO:

Here is the video showing how I made the card:


If you are viewing this post via email subscription, you can watch the video HERE on YouTube. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.


Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

16 July 2026

Pinkfresh Studio | Soft Meadows Tag

Hello there, today I have a tag to share using the new Pinkfresh Studio Quiet Moments July 2026 release. This is part of an Instagram hop sharing more inspiration using the new release, but I wanted to share it here too. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.


I started off my tag by stamping the new Pinkfresh Studio Soft Meadows Stamp onto Spellbinders Seaside ColorWheel Cardstock using Pinkfresh Studio Detail Black Hybrid Ink. I then placed the Pinkfresh Studio Soft Meadow Stencils on top, one by one, (I did not use the the stencil that creates a background) to add ink blending using Pinkfresh Studio 1/2" Blending Brushes

I used Pinkfresh Studio Detail Black Hybrid Ink for the flower centres and leaves, and Pinkfresh Studio Mermaid Cove Ink for the flowers. The panel was then die cut into a circle using the Pinkfresh Studio Double Stitch Circle Dies. To add some texture to the panel, I ran it back through my die cutting machine with the Pinkfresh Studio Basket Weave Coverplate Die

I die cut the largest of the Pinkfresh Studio Embroidery Hoops Die three times from white cardstock. They were adhered to the stamped piece, one on top of another, using Pinkfresh Studio Precision Clear Craft Glue. I die cut the pin from matte silver cardstock and adhered that behind. I then die cut another of the circles from white cardstock and adhered it to the back. 

I stamped a sentiment from the Pinkfresh Studio Woodland Trails Stamp onto white cardstock using Pinkfresh Studio Detail Black Hybrid Ink. It was die cut out using the Pinkfresh Studio Woodland Trails Sentiments Die and then I die cut the die again twice from white cardstock. They were adhered behind the stamped one and then the whole thing adhered to the tag. To finish, I threaded twine through the top of the tag and tied in a bow and embellished with Pinkfresh Studio Iridescent Dew Drops

SUPPLIES:


Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.


As mentioned, this is part of a fun Instagram Hop. To follow the hop, you can visit my Instagram page here and Pinkfresh Studio here. Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it! I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day! 

15 July 2026

Pinkfresh Studio | Quiet Moments July 2026 Release Blog Hop

Hello there, I am delighted to be joining Pinkfresh Studio to celebrate the Quiet Moments July 2026 release with a fun blog hop. I have one card to share with you today, but I will also have another tomorrow and another on Friday too! 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.



For my card today, I am using the new Retro Camp Days suite. The suite consists of a cling stamp, stencils and a coordinating die set for the sentiments. I started off my card by stamping the image from the Pinkfresh Studio Retro Camp Days Stamp onto white cardstock using Pinkfresh Studio Detail Black Hybrid Ink. It was then die cut into a panel using the Pinkfresh Studio Single Stitch Rectangle Dies


I placed the panel onto the new Pinkfresh Studio EasyBlend Grip Mat and then placed the Pinkfresh Studio Retro Camp Days Stencils on top, one by one, to add ink blending to the image using Pinkfresh Studio Blending Brushes in 1" (for the sky and ground), 1/2" and 1/4"


I used the following inks for the different areas: 


The panel was adhered to a US A2 sized white card base. I then stamped the sentiment from the Pinkfresh Studio Woodland Trails Stamp onto white cardstock using Pinkfresh Studio Detail Black Hybrid Ink. It was die cut out using the coordinating die and the die cut again twice from more white cardstock. They were adhered behind the stamped one and then adhered to the card. To finish,  embellished with Pinkfresh Studio Iridescent Dew Drops

BLOG HOP:


As mentioned, this post is part of  a fun, inspirational blog hop. Please click on the other participants below to visit their blogs. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

GIVEAWAY:

Pinkfresh Studio will give away ten $50 gift cards along the hop, selected from the comments left along the hop at random. They will also give away the full release over on the Pinkfresh Studio blog and YouTube Channel. Winners will be announced on the Pinkfresh Studio Giveaway Page on 22nd July 2026. Please make sure to check if you are a winner and claim your prize within two weeks.

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.


Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a great time on the rest of the hop and a wonderful day! 

11 July 2026

Altenew | July 2026 Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there, thank you so much for being here! Today I am delighted to be joining Altenew to celebrate the July 2026 release with a fun blog hop. As always with Altenew, the July release is full of festive products, but there are some non-festive ones too, if that is not your thing! There is also a new cardstock pack releasing, as well as new foam adhesive. 

I am going to start off by sharing my festive cards first, then move onto the non-festive ones. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

FESTIVE GREENERY

My first card today uses the new Altenew Festive Greenery Die Set. This wonderful set features, as the name suggests, different greenery/foliage. My card uses just one of the foliage pieces to create a wreath. I cut it multiple times from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Dew Drops Cardstock. The berries were die cut from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Frosty Pink Cardstock

I added ink blending to the foliage with Altenew Aqualicious and Teal Cave (Sweet Dreams) Fresh Dye Inks and for the berries, I used Altenew Pinkalicious and Razzleberry (Cherry Blossom) Fresh Dye Inks. The berries were adhered to the foliage pieces using liquid glue. I took a US A2 sized white card base and drew a faint circle on top with pencil (using a Nesting Circle Die as a template). 

I then used the circle as a guide of where to place the foliage. I die cut the 'happy holidays' sentiment from the new Altenew Holiday Essentials Die Set from white cardstock five times. I adhered them one on top of another for dimension and then onto the card. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Clear Iridescent Stellar Sequins

LUSH BOTANICALS: POINSETTIA

My next card uses the Altenew Lush Botanicals: Poinsettias 3D Embossing Folder & Die Set. I die cut the petals from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Frosty Pink Cardstock, and the flower centres from white cardstock. I placed the die cuts into the embossing folder and ran them through my die cutting machine to add the embossed details on them (so pretty!). 

I added ink blending to the petals using Altenew Coral Berry Fresh Dye Ink. Once the ink was dry, the flowers were assembled using liquid glue. I took a US A2 sized white card base and stamped the sentiment from the new Altenew Holiday Messages Stamp Set on top using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink

The poinsettias were adhered to the card using the new Altenew Foam Adhesive Dots 1/6". I then cut off the excess from the sides using scissors. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Clear Iridescent Stellar Sequins

FOREST FRIENDS

My next card uses the beautiful new Altenew Forest Friends Silhouettes Die Set, which I die cut using Altenew Crafty Necessities Cardstock, die cutting each layer three times. I added ink blending to the top layer with Altenew Sweet Dreams Fresh Dye Inks and adhered the other non-inked ones underneath for added dimension. 



I then added ink blending to the bottom of a panel of Altenew Crafty Necessities: Dew Drops Cardstock using Aqualcious Ink. This was adhered to the US A2 sized white card base first, leaving a gap at the bottom for the snow, followed by the die cut layers. I then mixed Altenew Titanium White Artists' Gouache with a little water and splattered it on top before setting it aside to dry. 


I stamped the sentiment from the Altenew Sleigh Ride Greetings Stamp Set onto white cardstock using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink. It was die cut out using the coordinating die and the die cut again another two times from white cardstock and adhered behind, before adhering to the card. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Clear Iridescent Stellar Sequins.

WINTERBERRY POINSETTIAS


My next card uses the new Altenew Winterberry Poinsettias 3D Embossing Folder and Stencils. I started off by placing a panel of white cardstock inside the embossing folder and ran it through my die cutting machine. I then placed the stencils on top, one by one, to add ink blending. 


I used Altenew Cherry Blossom Fresh Dye Inks (all four) for the poinsettia petals, Altenew Golden Sunset Fresh Dye Inks (Sunray and Chamomile) for the centres, Altenew Sweet Dreams Fresh Dye Inks (three lightest) for the foliage, Altenew Coffee Break Fresh Dye Inks (Mocha) for the branches, and Altenew Cherry Blossom Fresh Dye Inks (Pink Diamond) for the berries. 


The panel was adhered to a US A2 sized white card base with Altenew Glue Tape. I stamped a sentiment from the Altenew Festive Triangles Stamp Set onto Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock using Altenew Embossing Ink. I applied Altenew Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder and heat set. It was cut into a strip and adhered to the card using the new Altenew Foam Adhesive Strips 1/16". To finish, I embellished with Altenew Clear Iridescent Stellar Sequins.

Now for the non-festive cards: 

BLOSSOMING TRIO


For my card, I started off by stamping the flower from the Altenew Build-A-Garden: Blossoming Trio Stamp Set onto white cardstock using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink. I then used the coordinating stencils to add ink blending to colour it in. I used Altenew Glacier Caves Fresh Dye Inks for the flower, Altenew Green Valley Fresh Dye Inks for the leaves, and Altenew Sweet Dreams Fresh Dye Inks for the foliage. 


It was die cut out using the coordinating die. I then die cut two circles from white cardstock using the Altenew Nesting Circles Die Set. I ran one of them through my die cutting machine to deboss the Altenew Making Moments Press Plate on top. I then added a score line towards the top of the other one to create a hinge, before cutting a little off the bottom to help the card stand up. 


I added Altenew Ultra Sticky Tape to the hinge and then adhered it to the back of the debossed one. The flower was adhered on top using Altenew Instant Dimension Foam Tape. I stamped a sentiment from the set onto white cardstock and die cut out out before adhering onto the card. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Ivory Pearl Dots

GERBERA DAISY


In case you missed them, I shared these cards in my release post, which you can see here. They use the new Altenew Craft-A-Flower: Gerbera Daisy Layering Die Set

BLOG HOP:


As mentioned, this post is part of a fun, inspirational blog hop. Please click on the other participants below to visit their blogs: 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

GIVEAWAY:


$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by July 16th 2026 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew's Blog Hop Post on July 18th, 2026. The winner of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the projects. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.


Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful time on the rest of the hop and a wonderful rest of the day too! Take care!

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