A Blue Christmas Never Looked So Cute

Confession time! I have a thing for blue Christmas cards. While everyone else is reaching for red and green, I’m over here living my best snowflake life in shades of icy blue! So when I saw that this month’s Just One Color Instagram Hop theme was BLUE — with an optional twist to add a window or frame — I may have done a happy little shimmy in my craft chair.

And let’s be honest… how often do we really limit ourselves to one color? It’s way harder than it sounds, but wow — it pushes you to look at your supplies in a whole new way. I’d love to know if you’ve tried this kind of challenge before — or if you’d panic without a pop of red or gold nearby!

I started with a piece of soft sky cardstock and blended Tumbled Glass Distress Ink through the Scattered Snowflakes Stencil from Simon Says Stamp to create a soft, snowy background. I love how the light blending keeps it subtle but still adds texture and interest.

Next, I brought in the Gifting Snowmen Die from Waffle Flower Crafts. I inked up his winter gear using Faded Jeans Distress Ink, keeping everything in the blue family to stick with the challenge rules. For a little added dimension and fun, I gave him dark blue gems as buttons — just a touch of sparkle that really brought him to life.

The sentiment comes from the Snow Cheer Sentiments Combo, also from Waffle Flower. I stamped it and popped it up with foam tape to give it some height and draw the eye toward the center.

To complete the look and fulfill the frame twist, I die-cut a scalloped rectangle frame from the same soft sky cardstock and adhered it to the panel. It gives the whole card a finished, polished look without introducing any new colors.

I love how peaceful and cheerful this card feels — it’s a reminder that even with just one color, you can create something full of depth, personality, and charm.

If you haven’t tried limiting your color palette before, I highly recommend giving it a go. It stretches your creativity in the best way!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out the rest of the hop on Instagram — there’s a ton of beautiful blue inspiration waiting for you!

Stay cozy & crafty,

Carrianne

CHALLENGES:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Get Ready for Christmas

Word Art Wednesday - #720-721

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Blizzard Beach

BYSHC Falling for the Holidays 2025 Linky Party

Allsorts - #834 AG

Classic Design - #10-2025 AG

Frosty Florals

Can you believe we're already inching toward the holidays? While the leaves are still crunching underfoot here in New Jersey, my craft table is fully embracing winter mode. Today’s card has all the chilly elegance I’ve been craving — icy poinsettias, frosty holly, and just the right shimmer of brushed silver to tie it all together.

To start, I created a soft mixed media wash in icy blue across my panel. Once dry, I used a poinsettia and holly stencil to build my background. The poinsettias were blended with Speckled Egg ink, while the holly leaves were done in Stormy Sky for a nice contrast. I added a touch of white gel pen detailing to the poinsettias for a bit of dimension and followed it with a light silver splatter to mimic snow. The result was soft and wintery, with just enough texture to keep things interesting.

For the sentiment, I wanted something bold but elegant. I used a large “Merry Christmas” die cut from brushed silver cardstock and paired it with a vellum shadow layer. The vellum gives the sentiment a soft backdrop while still letting the background peek through. Because the sentiment is quite large, Since my panel was already a full A2 size, I simply adhered it directly to a white card base. 

I absolutely love how this one turned out. That brushed silver sentiment adds just the right touch of holiday shimmer without overpowering the delicate stenciling. It’s peaceful, frosty, and a little bit magical.

Do you lean into traditional reds and greens this time of year, or do you love playing with soft blues and metallics like I do? Let me know — and as always, happy crafting!

CHALLENGES:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Add Text

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Get Ready for Christmas

Word Art Wednesday - #720-721

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Holiday World

ABC Christmas Challenge - U-Uncluttered and V-Vertical 

BYSHC Falling for the Holidays 2025 Linky Party

Allsorts - #834

Classic Design - #10-2025 AG

Crafters Cafe - #324 *Christmas

Peace on Earth - #98

One Line Santa Sleighs the Holidays! | Featuring The Rabbit Hole Designs New Release

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but… Christmas is right around the corner! 
Seriously, where did the year go? One minute we were enjoying summer BBQs, and now I’m finding glitter in places it shouldn’t be (you know what I mean, fellow cardmakers 😄). With the holidays creeping closer every day, it's the perfect time to start cranking out those festive cards and The Rabbit Hole Designs’ latest mini release has everything you need to get into the spirit!

This release features the One Line Santa Stamp and the Holiday Background Builder Stencil, and let me tell you... it's sleigh-fulls of fun! I couldn’t wait to create something whimsical with this unique, minimalistic Santa. He’s giving big “dashing through the snow” energy, and I’m here for it.

I started with a crisp white panel of cardstock and blended in some soft blue ink to create a chilly winter sky. Nothing too dark, just enough to hint at a snowy December dusk.

Next, I stamped the One Line Santa image. With its minimalist style, just a touch of alcohol marker shading was all it needed to stand out beautifully against the background.

To add some frosty magic, I grabbed the new Holiday Background Builder Stencil. I selected one of the many star designs and carefully applied some shimmer paste just over that portion. It adds just the right amount of shine! 

For the sentiment, I stamped the festive greeting in crisp black ink onto another piece of cardstock. To give it that snowy scene look, I used a snow drift die to create a curvy winter ground and adhered it just below Santa, grounding the whole scene and giving it that cozy, finished feel.

Whether you’re a planner who started your holiday cards in July (go you!) or someone who waits for the first snowfall to break out the glitter, now’s the perfect time to get inspired. The latest release from The Rabbit Hole Designs is bursting with festive charm and creative possibilities. 

Let me know in the comments:
Are you Team “Finished My Cards Already” or Team “Ask Me Again on Christmas Eve”?

Shop the release HERE and don’t forget to use code CRAFTICARRI for an exclusive FREE gift with your order!

Thanks for stopping by!

CHALLENGES:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Add Some Text

Simon Says Stamp. Wednesday Challenge - Get Ready for Christmas

Altenew October Release Inspiration: Deco Leaves and More

Today I'm sharing a soft and serene card design that plays with gentle color, layered patterns, and a touch of elegance. If you enjoy creating backgrounds that have interest without overpowering your focal point, this one's for you!

The Background:

To build the background, I started by blending Mid Yellow ink from the Deco Garden Fresh Dye Ink Set through Altenew’s Checkerboard Tiles Background Stencil, which laid down a subtle, geometric pattern. I followed that by blending Pool ink—also from the same set—through the Deco Leaves Background Stencil, creating a soft and organic overlay that layered beautifully over the base.

The contrast between the structured tiles and flowing leaf pattern adds beautiful visual texture — subtle, but full of depth.

Die Cutting:

Once the ink blending was complete, I used the Mix & Match Frames Die Set to add a decorative border to the panel. This frame adds definition and a bit of dimension without taking away from the soft aesthetic.

The Sentiment:

To keep the design clean, I used the Timeless Sentiments 2 Die Set. I die cut “smiles” from white cardstock with a vellum shadow for a soft effect. The sub-sentiment was heat embossed in white on black cardstock, adding crisp contrast. The elegant fonts tie the whole look together perfectly.

The combination of yellow and teal is one of my favorites when I want something fresh but understated. It’s cheerful without being loud, and works beautifully for all kinds of occasions.

Happy crafting!

Products featured:

Deco Leaves Background Stencil

Checkerboard Tiles Background Stencil

Mix and Match Frames Die Set

Timeless Sentiments 2 Die Set

Several affiliate links are used in my posts. This means that, if you click on one of my links and make a purchase from that company, I will receive a small percentage of the sale without any additional charge. I appreciate your support greatly.

CHALLENGES:

Simon Says Monday Challenge - Add some Text

Word Art Wednesday - #720-721

Pammie's inky Pinkies - #2541

Classic Design Challenge - #10-2025 AG

We Love Stamping - October AG

Stamping Sensations - October AG

La-La Land Crafts October Kit of the Month: Foxy & Fabulous Fall Fun!

The October Kit of the Month from La-La Land Crafts is here, and it’s fox-tastically full of fall charm! 🦊🍁

This month’s kit includes the sweet and stylish Foxy Marci Rubber Stamp, the playful Just Fox-tastic Clear Stamp Set, and a cozy collection of dies: Autumn Tree, Autumn Leaves, and Gourds — perfect for creating scenes bursting with seasonal warmth and woodland whimsy.

Whether you love building layered fall backgrounds or adding adorable critters to your cards, this kit offers endless inspiration. From Marci’s cozy outfit to those festive fall elements, every piece is designed to help you capture the magic of autumn in your handmade projects.

🍂 Not a subscriber yet?
You don’t want to miss this one! Head over to the La-La Land Crafts HERE to subscribe and get your hands on this exclusive kit — available only to Club La-La Land members!

Copic Details:

Marci skin: E000-E00-E02, R20

Hair: E50-E51-E53-E55-E57

Orange: YR27-E34-YR16-YR21

Green: YG61-YG63-YG67

Additional Products:

Daisies on my Mind Layering Stencil

Scalloped Frames Die

Scalloped Sentiment Labels Die

Copic Details:

Fox Body: YR21-YR23-YR27-E08-E18, W0-W1-W2

Scarf: YG61-YG63

Shirt: R00-R11-R22

Boots: N2-N4-N6

Gourd: Y15-YR07-YR09, G07

Additional Products:

Rain and Shine Stencil Set

Garden Fence Die

Grass Borders Die

Doubled Stitched Hills Border Die

Rounded Grass Patches Die

Scalloped Sentiment Labels Die 

CHALLENGES:

Simon Says Monday Challenge - Add Some Text

Word Art Wednesday - #720-721

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Harvest Festival at Dollywood

Critter Crazy Challenge - #103

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2541

Classic Design - #10-2025 Autumn Splendor

Double Trouble - #202 Shades of Fall *3-colors 2-images 1-Stencil

We Love Stamping - October *Autumn

Stamping Sensations - October *Autumn

Cozy Layers of Thanks: Creating a Warm Fall Card with Hero Arts September Layering Stencils

Hi Crafty friends.

I recently subscribed to the Hero Studio Stencils Subscription, and this beauty from September is my very first—and let me tell you, it made a stunning first impression! The moment I saw that cozy forest scene, with its beautiful mix of leaves and tree trunks, I knew I wanted to create something warm, soft, and full of heart.

With the seasons beginning to shift and that grateful-for-everything feeling in the air, I took this as the perfect opportunity to slow down and craft a card that simply says: “Thanks for your kindness.” Whether it’s a neighbor, a friend, or someone who’s quietly shown up when it mattered — this card is for them.

Building the Background: Layering with Purpose

What I love most about this stencil set is the four layers that work together to build a beautiful forest scene. Each layer adds depth, texture, and a new element to the design.

I started with a crisp white cardstock panel and took my time blending inks to create a subtle but colorful backdrop. Here’s the breakdown:

• Stencil 1 (Bushes and leaves): I used Squeezed Lemonade Distress Oxide — a bright yellow that added a cheerful pop and met a fun color challenge I was embracing.

• Stencil 2 (Offset leaves): I layered on Antique Linen to soften the yellows and bring a warm, golden undertone.

• Stencil 3 (More leaves): I added Pumice Stone to bring a gentle neutral contrast that keeps the scene grounded.

• Stencil 4 (Tree bark texture): For this final layer, I used Brushed Corduroy, adding a richer, deeper brown that gave the trees a warm, natural bark look.

After all the stenciling was done, I added splatters of metallic gold watercolor for a little shimmer that dances in the light. It’s subtle but makes the card feel magical — perfect for fall.

Putting It All Together: Sentiment and Finishing Touches

Once my panel was dry, I trimmed it down to 4" x 5.25" to create a slight border and adhered it to a white A2 card base with foam tape for little lift. I love this simple framing because it keeps the focus on the layered background while giving the card a polished, professional look.

For the sentiment, I used the Hero Arts Thanks Stamp & Cut. I die cut the word “thanks” from brown cardstock and stacked several layers for dimension that perfectly complements the palette.

For the sub-sentiment “for your kindness,” I stamped it in Cup O Joe ink on white cardstock, then cut a few thin strips of cardstock and adhered them together to add subtle dimension before adhering the strip flat to the card panel. This technique adds just the right amount of depth while keeping the clean, elegant look intact.

Why I Love This Card (And You Might Too)

This card felt like more than just a project — it was a moment of gratitude and reflection. Using this stencil set gave me a chance to play with color, texture, and layering in a way that felt fresh but approachable.

The Hero Studio Subscription really impressed me with the quality and thoughtful design of these layering tools. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the subscription and to keep creating cards that make people feel truly appreciated.

I hope you enjoyed this peek into my first Hero Arts stencil project and found some inspiration to craft your own “thankful” cards this season.

If you have this stencil set or have your own favorite layering techniques, please share! I love seeing your creations and hearing your stories.

Thank You for Visiting!

Happy crafting! 

CHALLENGES:

Hero Arts Thankful For You Challenge

HeroArts: A Blog Named Hero - Use the Color Yellow

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Bright & Colorful

Word Art Wednesday - #720-721

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Harvest Festival at Dollywood

We Love Stamping - October Autumn

Stamping Sensations - October Autumn

As You Like it Challenge - My favorite is A2 size, easy to mail

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Welcome back, friends! It’s time for another Caroling Christmas Cards Hop, where each month we create cards inspired by classic Christmas songs. This month’s song choices were Run Run Rudolph or What Child Is This? and I chose the peaceful, reflective tone of What Child Is This? to guide my card.

I knew right away I wanted to create something serene and faith-filled, and the Away in a Manger stamp set from My Favorite Things was a perfect match.

I started by stamping the sweet nativity image from Away in a Manger and colored it with Copic markers, keeping the palette warm and simple to reflect the peaceful scene. Once colored, I fussy cut the image to prepare it for layering.

For the card front, I used a panel of white cardstock and die cut a window using the Double Stitched Arched Dies from La-La Land Crafts. I used the two largest dies to create a frame, then dry embossed the panel with the Dainty Diamonds Embossing Folder from Stampin Up! This subtle texture reminded me of a starry sky—just the right amount of sparkle without overpowering the scene.

I blended Distress Oxide inks in Blueprint Sketch and Squeezed Lemonade onto the background, mimicking a glowing night sky. A few water splatters and white paint splatters helped add that dreamy, celestial feel.

To give the arched window some dimension, I added foam tape to the back of the panel and adhered it to a white card base. I placed the nativity image at the bottom center, also popped up with foam tape for added depth. The sentiment was kept clean and simple and stamped in black on white cardstock and placed below the image.

I hope this card brings a little peace and joy to your day. Thanks so much for visiting! Be sure to check out the rest of the hop on Instagram @crafticarri

CHALLENGES:

Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge - Bright & Colorful

ABC Christmas Challenge - V is for Vertical

Critter Crazy Challenge - #103

Word Art Wednesday - #720-721

Park Hopping My Happy Place - The Holy Land Experience 

Die Cut Diva's - October AG

As You Like It Challenge - My favorite is A2 is my preferred shape and easy to mail

Peace on Earth - #97

One Line Santa Holiday Card | TRHD Mini Release

Hey crafty friends!

I’m sharing a fun project using The Rabbit Hole Designs Mini Release, and it’s all about Christmas cheer! My card features the new One Line Santa Stamp paired with the Holiday Background Builder Stencil.

I started with a pink cardstock panel for a fun, non-traditional base. I stamped the One Line Santa a few inches from the top and colored him with alcohol markers, keeping the look clean and playful.

To build the background, I blended pink and blue inks through the Santa hats section of the stencil, placing them just below the stamped image. Then, using the star designs from the same stencil, I added a bit of shine with metallic silver ink above Santa for some extra holiday sparkle.

I finished the design with a sentiment stamped in black right at the bottom of the panel, layered over the hat background for a nice contrast.

Shop the Mini Release HERE and don't forget to use code CRAFTICARRI at checkout for an exclusive FREE gift!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

CHALLENGES:

Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge - Think Pink

Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge - Bright & Colorful

Word Art Wednesday - #720-721

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Santa's Village Theme Park

Peace on Earth - #97

ABC Christmas Challenge - V is for Vertical

Altenew October Release – A Rainbow Hello with Deco Leaves Background Stencil!

It’s here! The Altenew October Release is out, and it’s bursting with fresh, modern designs that had me inspired the second I saw them. One standout for me? The absolutely stunning Deco Leaves Background Stencil. The movement, the texture, the way it fills a card without overwhelming it — I was instantly hooked!

For this card, I knew I wanted to let the stencil take center stage but with a bright and playful twist.

Rather than choosing a single color family, I went for a full rainbow blend across the panel — starting with red and working through yellow, green, blue, and purple. Where the colors overlapped, I loved seeing those subtle secondary blends emerge — it gave the whole panel a soft, organic gradient while keeping that bold color story alive.

The Deco Leaves design really shines here. It has a structured, art-deco feel, but still flows beautifully when layered with vibrant ink. It catches the eye and holds it — exactly what I want in a background stencil!

To keep the focus balanced, I die cut a white picture frame using Altenew’s Picture Frame Die Set and layered it over vellum before placing it in the center. The vellum helped tone down the bold color just enough to make space for the sentiment without losing that vibrant backdrop.

For the sentiment, I went with a classic “hello” die-cut from the Timeless Sentiments Die Set, using black for the shadow and white for the top layer. It pops cleanly against the softened center and keeps the whole card feeling crisp and modern.

This month’s release is packed with pieces like this — versatile, bold, and beautifully designed to work across styles. The Deco Leaves Background Stencil is perfect for everything from minimalist neutrals to wild color blends (clearly!), and I know it’s going to become a staple in my collection.

If you haven’t explored the Altenew October Release yet, I highly recommend it — there’s so much to love for stenciling fans, die-cut lovers, and color enthusiasts alike.

Let me know what you're most excited to try — and tag me if you give this rainbow look a spin!

Products:

Altenew Deco Leaves Background Stencil

Altenew Picture Frame Die Set

Altenew Timeless Sentiments Die Bundle 

Several affiliate links are used in my posts. This means that, if you click on one of my links and make a purchase from that company, I will receive a small percentage of the sale without any additional charge. I appreciate your support greatly.

The Rabbit Hole Designs – Mini Christmas Release!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and The Rabbit Hole Designs is making it even better with their Mini Christmas Release! This festive mini collection includes the adorable One Line Santa Stamp and the super versatile Holiday Background Builder Stencil which is perfect for creating all your merry makes this season!

For today’s card, I had some fun with the Santa hats from the Holiday Background Builder Stencil. I inked them up in a classic red and a soft gray to create a playful, festive pattern. To build my focal point, I die-cut a stitched circle from red cardstock, layered a smaller white circle on top, and adhered both to the center of the panel with liquid adhesive.

Next, I stamped that cute Santa, colored him with alcohol markers, and fussy cut the image before popping it up on foam tape for dimension. To tie it all together, I added the finished panel to a red card base and stamped the sentiment in black ink. I layered it on stitched fishtail dies in white and red cardstock and placed it to the left of Santa. To finish off the card, I added a few red sequins for that perfect touch of festive sparkle.

This mini release is packed with Christmas charm! Whether you're crafting cozy cards or whimsical tags, these new goodies are sure to make spirits bright.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this brings you some holiday cheer and inspiration for your own Christmas crafting!

Just a Little Hocus Pocus

Hello crafty friends!

As soon as October rolled in, I found myself reaching for bright colors and Halloween stamps — not because I had to make a card, but because I wanted to. I’ve been in a bit of a creative slump lately, and I’ve found that the best way out of it is to just play. No pressure, just color, cut, and create for fun. That’s how this card came to be — it started with me pulling out the Lunettes Witchy stamp from Stamping Bella, a favorite I hadn’t used in a while.

I reached into my stash and found a strip of bright, happy striped paper from an old Pink and Main – Warm Wishes pad. It’s been discontinued, but the playful colors were perfect for the fun Halloween vibe I was going for. 

I stamped Lunette on Neenah Solar White 80lb cardstock, colored her with Copic markers, and used my Scan N Cut to cut her out. Honestly, coloring her was the most relaxing part — no rules, just picking colors that made me smile.

I trimmed down another piece of white cardstock to 5.5 x 3.75 inches, adhered it to the background panel, and softly blended a bit of Altenew Golden Sunset Fresh Dye Ink in Sunray to the center area to give the witch a soft glow. Then I popped her up with foam tape — she deserved to stand out a little!

The sentiment is from the LDRS Creatives - Trick or Treat Pirouette Stamps. This set is currently on sale with the coordinating dies HERE. 

To finish things off, I added a few scattered dots with a black permanent marker for a touch of spooky sparkle, then adhered the whole thing to a white A2 card base.

This card was exactly what I needed — simple, playful, and just for the joy of creating. Sometimes the best projects come when we give ourselves space to just make something because we feel like it, not because we have a deadline or a plan.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope this inspires you to pull out a stamp you love, forget the rules for a bit, and just make something that brings you joy.

CHALLENGES:
SSS Wednesday Challenge - Pink

Word Art Wednesday - #718-719

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Halloween Party

Die Cut Divas - October AG

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2539 Halloween

Di's Digi Challenge - Hand Colored Image

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge - AG

As You Like it Challenge - My favorite is A2 size but I do tend to create square cards