inking techniques

When Life Gets Messy… Hang In There

When Life Gets Messy… Hang In There

This one’s for those days… 🐦💩 Featuring products from the new Friend Like You release by @simonsaysstamp (plus a favorite sentiment from an older release), this card mixes humor and heart. The googly-eyed birds bring the funny—especially the one hanging on for dear life—and the soft ink-blended background keeps things calm. A little snark, a little sparkle, and a whole lot of personality. 💬✨ Hang in there!

Chasing Summer Skies

Chasing Summer Skies

This card is all about those golden summer sunsets! ☀️ Featuring products from Simon Says Stamp’s Friend Like You release, I created a layered mountain scene with soft stenciled shapes and warm ink-blended skies. Puffy white clouds, a bold sun, and a little twine bow bring out the cozy summer vibes, while the sentiment wraps it all up: Enjoy the warm days of summer. 🌄✨

Hello Sunshine 🍋 – Two Takes on La Dolce Vita

Hello Sunshine 🍋 – Two Takes on La Dolce Vita

These two cards were created with Spellbinders’ La Dolce Vita collection and inspired by all things sunshine and citrus! 🍋 Each design features layered lemons and delicate blossoms, paired with a beautiful embossed background for a Mediterranean tile feel. I played with two different looks: one bold and dramatic with a navy base, and one light and fresh with a white-on-white palette. The “Hello Sunshine” sentiment ties them together perfectly. Whether you love contrast or a soft glow, these dies make it easy to add a burst of brightness to your cardmaking!

Relax & Reconnect – Inlaid Die Cuts + a Soft Glow

Relax & Reconnect – Inlaid Die Cuts + a Soft Glow

This clean and calming card was created using products from Simon Says Stamp’s Moments In Time release — and it features a layered look with a fun twist! 🌿 I started by stenciling and die cutting the snake plant, then set it aside while I ink-blended soft pink and purple hues onto the negative space left behind. To finish it off, I reinserted the plant using foam adhesive for dimensional pop and topped the design with a bold “Relax” sentiment and some black ink splatter for contrast. The result is modern, minimal, and quietly powerful — perfect for sending a moment of calm to someone special.

Ferns & Gratitude

Ferns & Gratitude

This clean and elegant thank you card was made using products from the Moments In Time release by Simon Says Stamp. I featured layered fern fronds with soft, natural color blending and placed them over a gently inked rectangle to ground the design. A few subtle embellishments add just enough texture, while the “thank you” sentiment keeps things simple and heartfelt. The result is a modern, minimal card that feels thoughtful and refined — perfect for showing appreciation in a stylish way.

Relax, You’ve Earned It 🌿

Relax, You’ve Earned It 🌿

This handmade card was created using products from Simon Says Stamp’s Moments In Time release, and it’s all about calm vibes and creative texture 🌿. I featured a bold snake plant and used multiple types of embossing paste to add rich dimension to the leaves. Each layer was carefully applied and allowed to dry completely before adding the next — a slow process, but one that was totally worth it for the depth and tactile finish. A soft dotted, double-stamped background and a bold “Relax” sentiment tie everything together in a clean, grounded design that feels just as peaceful as it looks.

A Sweet & Sunny Card with Buzz-Worthy Charm

A Sweet & Sunny Card with Buzz-Worthy Charm

This handmade birthday card was created using products from Simon Says Stamp’s Moments In Time release — and it’s full of bright color and playful charm! 🐝💛 I paired a party-ready bee with a sweet, layered cake, both colored in sunny shades to match the softly ink-blended background. A circle of shimmer vellum helps those images stand out without losing the warmth of the color underneath. With a cheeky “Happy Birthday, Honey” sentiment and a few sparkly gems, this card is perfect for sending smiles to someone sweet!

The Boldest Crayon

The Boldest Crayon

This bright + cheerful card features the May 2025 Clear Stamp & Die of the Month and Embossing Folder of the Month from @teamspellbinders! I created a rainbow row of stamped and die-cut crayons with a softly blended background and subtle embossed texture. The bold sentiment and playful layout make it perfect for sending a little encouragement—because you are the boldest crayon in the box! 🖍️🌈

Keep Soaring

Keep Soaring

This clean and calming card is the second in my duo using the Sky’s the Limit collection by Simon Hurley for @teamspellbinders ☁️ A single colorful kite floats across soft stenciled clouds with a simple message: keep soaring. If you missed the first card in this set, be sure to check out the previous post for a bold, full-background take on this uplifting release! 🪁

The Sky’s the Limit

The Sky’s the Limit

This colorful card features the Sky’s the Limit collection by Simon Hurley for @teamspellbinders—and it’s packed with good vibes! 🪁 I created a bold stenciled kite background, added layered clouds, and finished it off with a sweet sentiment that lifts the whole design. Bonus: I made a second card with this collection too—be sure to check back for the details on that card, too! 💙