Autumn Colors and Sweater Weather

Which season is your favorite? My favorite season is autumn with cooler sweater weather and beautiful fall colors. Texture and CutCardStock’s cardstocks combine to make this card easy to make and beautiful.

I recently took an online class with Altenew and one of the instructors taught a card with this sketch and products. We both used the gorgeous Cozy Sweater 3D embossing folder and Garden Friends leaf dies. I die cut my leaves out of CutCardStock's Stardream Antique Gold and Copper and then added in some red using Red Pepper cardstock. 

My added touch to this card that was taught was to attach leaves in the 3 x 4 1/4 piece of white cardstock before embossing so those leaves were embedded into the embossing. Then I added some gold ink around the edges so the piece stood out against the white background. This card could be used for many reasons, but I added the perfect touch of gold in a Taylored Expressions Foil It sympathy sentiment. Here is another picture of this lovely card:

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Spellbinders Peppermint Prancer Stitching Die Of the Month

Aren't these Peppermint Prancers adorable?? I made them with Spellbinders Stitching Die of the Month for October. I have joined the club at Spellbinders where I receive one new stitching die set a month and this one is available until the 27th of October if you too want to join up. If not sure, you can purchase any of the club dies after the 10th of the next month until they are sold out. 

I learned from Jennifer McGuire how to make the floating acetate strip across both of these cards so my Peppermint Prancer pops out and floats along with the letters that spell my favorite holiday word: JOY. The stitching on this set of dies takes just minutes and you  can choose to stitch or not. The embossing folder on the back is also from Spellbinders.

The embossed background on this card was made with a new text embossing folder from Altenew and inking on the embossing folder itself so the words stand out. On this Peppermint Prancer I chose not to stitch his red nose. This one too pops out on acetate but lays flat to mail.

If you join the whole Deluxe Kaboodle club (so you get all the dies and embossing folders etc.), you also receive a free gift and October's is the "for U" and magic strip. I added a gift card using a new die from Gina K Designs I got in the fall Crop and Create Delivered online class kit.

I am going to be creating with each month's Stitching Die of the Month from Spellbinders for the rest of the year at least so stop back to see what is new, and if you like stitching you might want to join me in the fun!

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Crealies Mini Gift Bags Made in Minutes

In my newest video here, I share how to make small gift bags in just a few minutes like the one above using new Create a Box Mini dies from Crealies. This size is perfect for a gift card or small gift and I made this one for a friend's fall birthday. There are two more sizes in the new release at Crealies if you want to make a large or medium gift bag. 

Another of my favorite dies in the new release is the Stamp Strip die and I used it to decorate the front of my bag before adding some flowers and the sentiment strips. Here is a look at the back of this adorable mini gift bag:

I want to make small gifts for about 30 people at Christmas and in the new video, I show how fast and easy it is to use this die set to do just that.

This is the bag I made in the video. I chose to use the slot die in the set and put a ribbon through it for a quicker make. In this picture I stapled the ribbon shut but then decided to use clips to close it to make for easier opening. Here is a look at the back of this adorable little gift bag:

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

September Class Cards

Here are the cards I taught in September's Fun Folds With Clear View Transparencies at Harts n Scraps:

If you are local, I am teaching many background techniques and Masculine cards in October and Winter Pop Up cards with Clear Views in November so call or stop by Harts n Scraps to sign up before the classes are full.

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Day 3 of Fall 2025 Crop and Create Cardmaking Delivered

We started Day 3 with Concord & 9th and I posted those cards earlier in the week because they were my favorites. But I loved all the cards we created today too.  Next up was Hero Arts and look at these gorgeous stenciled cards:

Then we learned from Trinity Stamps how to make these awesome coffee cup shaped cards:

The last class of the weekend was with Honey Bee Stamps and we made 3 cool men's cards with their Man Cave die set. I changed mine up to feature Packer colors and numbers and simplified the other 2:

After the last class, we were treated to a video by Jennifer McGuire where she brilliantly combined products from many of the companies in her unique way.  Each night SCT gave away amazing prizes and maybe next year I will win:) As I have stated many times, the SCT Crop and Create Cardmaking weekends are worth every penny and I highly recommend them! 

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Crop and Create Cardmaking Delivered Day 2

Here are the cards I made on day 2 of the Fall Crop and Create Delivered:

Gina K started off the day with beautiful stenciled gift card cards. Next up with Stamps of Life with a stairstep die used several different ways:

Picket Fence Studio's kit included adorable baby card dies:

Simon Hurley and Ranger closed out the day and I loved his mixed media backgrounds with all of his awesome products! I will play more and share more later. 

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Crop and Create Cardmaking Delivered First Day and Favorite Cards

Every year since it first started, I have been participating in the 3 day on line event put on by Scrapbook and Cards Today called Crop and Create Cardmaking Delivered. I will not miss one because in my opinion it is the best on line event for card makers! They bring together 12 different companies with excellent instructors and send a box of exclusive dies, stencils, stamps, paper and embossing folders worth 3 times what we pay! Here are the cards I made in the first class on Friday from Tayored Expressions:

We also got supplies to make a calendar which I will share a peak of later. Next up was Scrapbook.com and we used rub ons which I loved:

I loved the embossing folder and vase from Spellbinders as well as the lessons on how to ink them:

My favorite class of the weekend was Concord & 9th because of the "map" background helping us place the gorgeous colored leaves and flowers on these two cards:

The background die also cut out the lovely shape. I need to add some sentiments but am waiting to see what occasion I will use them for. I also used these dies to make one month of my calendar from Taylored Expressions. I will share more when it is done.

If you have never participated in Crop and Create Delivered, open registration for the Spring 2026 event starts October 20th and fills up very quickly (to over 3000 participants!!) 

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Creek Bank Creations Autumn Split Easel Card

 After seeing many Split Easel cards with the circle sentiment dies from Creek Bank Creations I couldn't resist, and ordered many of them. Last night on the Creek Bank Creations Live on Monday they showed how to make one, and challenged us to create one and share on their Facebook page. Here is what I designed today:

I created a sweater like background with the new Cozy Sweater 3D embossing folder from Altenew and added some light distress ink the second time I embossed.  All the dies you see as well as the circular stamp are from Creek Bank Creations. I added some veins on the leaves from the Mini Fall Die Set just by drawing them in with a pokey tool. Hanging from the Thinking of You Circular die cut are some more of the leaves on an elastic thread. 

Fall is my favorite season but I also purchased the Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday circular sentiment dies from Creek Bank Creations, and will share more cards with them when I get a chance to play.

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Eclipsing Slatted Rectangle Dies Or Not?

In my new video this week, I shared many cards made with the Slatted Rectangle dies from Craft Addiction UK. My favorite way to use them is with the eclipse technique, but here you see they can be used woven together over scenery paper. I added a dragonfly to complete the scene and a sentiment strip from Altenew.

The pretty scenery paper on all three of my cards here is from the Paper Roses Lakeside Memories Collection. I did more weaving of the two slatted pieces with the longer one eclipsed and the shorter once partially eclipsed to show the house. I added birds cut with an older IO die and a foiled sentiment.

I really like this card with 3 panels of non-slatted scenery, but wish I had glued the sentiment on in a better position. I know we are our own harshest critics and I think who ever  receives this card will not notice that with all the lovely scenery to look at.

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Slatted Rectangle Dies In So Many Ways

Slatted rectangle dies like those from Craft Addiction UK make quick easy eclipse cards but in my newest video here, I explore other ways to use them. I make this card step by step showing both a vertical and horizonal eclipse look and I also added birds, a sentiment and then a seahorse all cut out of the same scenery paper from 49 and Market.

I had so much fun playing with my new rectangle slatted dies for the video, I have too many cards to share in just one blogpost, so be sure to watch the video and then stop back later this week for more photos and details on each of them. 

The easiest way to create lovely cards with slatted dies is to start with two pieces of patterned scenery paper and cut one of them with the slatted rectangle die. Raise it on two more slatted rectangle pieces and attach with skinny foam adhesive strips so the pattern flows from the background into the slatted piece. I did that here with a pretty fall colored piece and added a sentiment strip created with a die from Altenew. 

This is a an easel card I made the same way with pretty beach patterned paper from 49 and Market. The sentiment dies are by Karen Burniston.

To see more cards with the Slatted Rectangle dies from CraftAddiction UK watch the video and stop back later in the week here on my blog.

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen

Couple More Altenew Online Class Cards

I have posted all the cards I made after participating in an online class from Altenew recently. As a bonus class, Jaycee of Altenew did a live Zoom and this was one of the cards he taught - or my version of it. I really had to go outside my box for this one- I normally do not do one layer cards and he left a lot more white space than I did, but the chipmunk and sending hugs flat tag were his. I chose a Striped Spiral stencil from A Colorful Life Designs and added some reddish-brown spatter. 

Jaycee showed us how to add wonderful highlights to this embossed background (made with Altenew's Cozy Sweater 3D Embossing Folder) by adding a tone on tone ink to the other side of the embossing folder and running it through a 2nd time. I decided to use Altenew's Chestnut Tree instead of the Majestic Maple on this one because I will be teaching it in a stamp camp and the smaller size will be better. 

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Christmas Countdown Ornament Gift Card

Did you know Christmas is less than 3 months away? Today on my blog and on the CutCardStock blog I am continuing my Christmas Countdown to encourage you to start early with your holiday projects to avoid the last minute stress.

My favorite cardstock is CutCardStock's Stardream Metallic and on this ornament gift card holder I used both their Jupiter Red and Antique Gold. The ornament, top and hanging charm were cut with a die by Emily More Designs I found in the Starry Night Creations booth at a stamp show.

Sometimes even gorgeous metallic cardstock needs some texture to make it more interesting. I used my dies from Crealies and the rubber mat in my Spellbinders Platinum Six to add texture and a hidden holiday message on the ornament. For step by step instructions on how to make this ornament gift card holder, visit the CutCardStock blog here. 

I also added texture to the back of the ornament with Poppy Stamp's Scandinavian Snowflake Plate. Then I added a piece of white cardstock to write a personal message on and sign:

In no time at all I have another Christmas project done for my holiday stash. Less stress and more joy- my goal for you and me!

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

 

Waffle Flower Sneak Peak Die and Stencils

I belong to the Waffle Flower Sneak Peak Club which means every month we are sent products that are going to be released the next month. In September we received the cake cover plate die and layering stencils to color it as well as the sentiment strips. I colored mine in fall colors and made this card.

Then I embossed a pink iridescent cardstock with the cover plate and quickly made this fun birthday card. I can't wait to see what else will be released with these early in October!

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen