Twirl Into Christmas with the Dancin’ Penguin | Spellbinders

The Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop is all about getting your holiday cards done early — which is such a lifesaver when the season gets hectic. 

For my card this month, I couldn’t resist creating a card featuring the adorable Spellbinders Dancin’ Penguin die. I recently treated myself to this little gem with some prize winnings, and it was the perfect excuse to make something interactive and fun.

What makes this penguin so special? Its ice skates move back and forth as you turn the card, bringing a playful sense of motion that makes the scene feel alive. I die-cut the penguin pieces in assorted colors and patterns to give it a whimsical, cheerful personality.

To build the scene, I started with a white stitched rectangle panel (3.75" x 5") and layered it onto a yellow-green card base cut with the Alex Syberia Designs Nested Scalloped Frames Die Set. For extra dimension, I die-cut some stitched clouds from La-La Land Crafts and snow drifts from Honey Bee Stamps using teal polka-dotted paper. I then stamped the sentiment directly onto the snow drift.

As I assembled the card, it was so much fun to watch the penguin “dance” across the snowy landscape. There’s something about seeing that little skater in motion that makes the card feel truly magical — it’s like the holiday spirit literally slides into your hands!

If there’s a lesson here, it’s that sometimes the simplest interactive element can bring the biggest joy. This penguin isn’t just cute — it’s a tiny winter performance, ready to spread smiles. And as for me… I think I might have officially skated into the holiday season with this one!

Products featured:

❄️ Dancin’ Penguin – @teamspellbinders
❄️ Stitched Sun & Clouds Die @lalalandcrafts
❄️ Snow Drift Die  @honeybeestamps
❄️ Pattern Paper @waffleflowercrafts
❄️ Sentiment @heroarts

CHALLENGES:

ABC Christmas Card Challenge - X *Stitched panel/Clouds

Christmas [or not] Bingo - N *Christmas - Free - Stars

Word Art Wednesday - #726-727

I Spy with my Little Eye - #32

Peace on Earth - #100

Craft Rocket Challenge - #131

52 Christmas Card Throwdown - November

Hedgehogs, Holiday Cheer, and Tape Runner Magic

Start your holiday card projects with smooth, clean layers using Tape Runner Adhesive! I created this adorable card featuring the Lili of the Valley digital image Kissing Hedgehogs, and the Tape Runner made adhering all the layers effortless and precise.

Step 1: Prepare Your Image and Add Background Detail

I printed and die-cut the “Kissing Hedgehogs” image using a stitched circle die and layered it onto a Zig Zag Circle cut from smoke gray cardstock. The Tape Runner held it perfectly in place—no mess, no shifting, and completely secure for easy handling. I then colored the image with Copic markers.

To add a subtle brick wall behind the hedgehogs, I printed the image on copy paper, fussy cut it, applied Tape Runner Dots Adhesive, and blended soft pink ink through the La-La Land Crafts On the Wall Layering Stencil. The adhesive worked beautifully—when I removed the mask, there was no residue at all, leaving a clean, professional look. This made adding the background a breeze without disturbing the hedgehogs or their layers.

Step 2: Build the Background

I trimmed a patterned paper from La-La Land Crafts to 3 x 5 inches and rounded the corners on one end. After adhering it to a gray panel using Tape Runner, the base of the card was ready for the focal image.

Step 3: Add the Focal Image

The die-cut hedgehogs were popped up in the center of the panel with Tape Runner, keeping everything aligned and secure. This adhesive is ideal for layered designs like this, giving you confidence that your pieces will stay perfectly in place.

Step 4: Add the Sentiment and Embellishments

The sentiment was heat embossed and placed below the image, and I finished the card with a few gray sequins for a subtle sparkle. Again, Tape Runner made placement easy and clean.

I also created a reel where you can see the tape runner in use during the layering steps — it keeps everything clean, quick, and perfectly aligned.

✨ Black Friday Sale! ✨

Tape Runner is offering 30% off ANY products now through December 3rd. Use code CARRIANNE10 at checkout to get the discount.

Products Used:

Tape Runner Adhesive

Lili of the Valley - Kissing Hedgehogs

La-La Land Crafts - Here Comes Santa Paper Pack 

Pink and Main - Zig Zag Circles Dies 

Simon Says Stamps - Tiny Words Christmas 

CHALLENGES:

ABC Christmas Challenge - X is for Stitching *Circle Die

Christmas [or not] Bingo - #16 - N *Christmas-Free-Masking & Stenciling

Crafts Galore - #142

Creative Inspiration - #32

Classic Design - #11-2025 AG

Passion for Markers - #815

As You Like it Challenge - Favorite embellishment is sequins for added sparkle

Craft Rocket Challenge - #131

Peace on Earth - #99

Love Those Pretty Papers - November

I Spy with My Little Eye - #32

A Place to Start - Nov *New digital image

Zero-Waste 3D Floral Cover Die | Altenew Ambassador + Giveaway

Hi friends! I'm so excited to share today's card a part of my journey as an Altenew Ambassador! Being part of this inspiring community has been such a rewarding experience, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to create and share my love of paper crafting.

Today's Card Features: 

• Zero-Waste 3D Floral Cover Die 
• Caps Bold Alphabet Die Set 

For this project, I used the Zero-Waste 3D Floral Cover Die as the foundation. This die is brilliant because it lets you use both the positive and negative pieces creatively, ensuring nothing goes to waste. I started by blending Warm Sunshine Fresh Dye Ink through the negative of the floral cover die. The result is a soft, radiant background that highlights the delicate shapes of the flowers—like a watercolor effect but with more control and precision.

Pro Tip: Keep all your negative die cuts—they’re perfect for backgrounds, stencils, or even for future layered projects. Nothing goes to waste!

Next, I focused on the sentiment. Using Bold Alphabet Dies, I layered the letters with a subtle shadow effect. This small step makes a huge difference, giving the words depth and making them really pop against the floral background. To balance the composition, I added a heat-embossed sub-sentiment slightly below the center—this small detail adds elegance without overpowering the main focal points.

Finally, I added the positive floral pieces on top of the blended background. Layering them gives the card a tactile, 3D effect that’s so satisfying to touch and see in person.

💛 Giveaway Alert! 💛
Want to get your hands on some of these gorgeous supplies? Head over to my Instagram to enter the giveaway!

I'm so thankful for this opportunity with Altenew and for all of you who support my creative journey. 

Happy crafting!

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.

La-La Land Crafts November Kit of the Month

Howdy, crafty friends! 

Today I’m excited to share a fun and totally armadillo-approved card I created using the La-La Land Crafts November Kit of the Month! This kit is overflowing with charm, and I couldn’t resist spotlighting the adorable duo from the Roll With It Clear Stamp Set. These little armadillos have so much personality—they practically build the scene for you!

Copic details:

Armadillo's: W0-W1-W2-W3-W5-W7

Additional Products:

Inverted Scallops Square Die

Ornate Frame Die

Double Stitched Stars Die

Celebration Layering Stencil Set

Grass Borders Die

The November Kit of the Month is only available through December 4th — so scoot your boots on over and pick up your kit before it moseys off into the sunset! Grab yours HERE 

I loved every minute of crafting this one—the November Kit makes it easy to mix, match, and let your creativity roll right along.

Y’all, this kit is a true treat for anyone who loves playful characters and cozy, country-inspired designs!

Thanks for stopping by, and happy crafting!

~ Carrianne ~

Merry, Bright, and Metallic | Just One Color Instagram Hop

Hi Crafty friends! 

My card today was inspired by the Just One Color Instagram Hop, a fun monthly challenge where creators design cards using only one color as the focus. Neutrals can be added as supporting tones, and each month introduces a new twist or extra-credit theme to keep things creative and fresh. It’s a great way to stretch your supplies and explore color in a more intentional way.

This month’s challenge color is METALLIC, and the extra credit theme is ONLY WORDS, which gave me the perfect excuse to build a card that’s all shine, texture, and typography.

For my card, I reached for the Merry Medley Stamp from Stampin' Up! I heat-embossed the entire stamp in silver embossing powder onto gray cardstock, letting the metallic details become the focal point. After embossing, I trimmed the panel to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8".

Instead of centering it on my darker gray card base, I shifted the panel all the way into the top-left corner. This allows the deeper gray to peek out from the right and bottom edges for an eye-catching, offset design.

To add more metallic texture, I wrapped a small bundle of silver metallic twine around my fingers and secured it to the panel with Tape Runner adhesive. It gives the card a soft shimmer without taking away from the embossed words.

To finish the card with something special, I melted a few Pearl White Wax Beads and pressed them with the Berrywood Bird Wax Seal from Altenew. The pearly wax has its own subtle metallic glow, and the impression adds elegance without overpowering the design. And because the Merry Medley stamp already forms a complete sentiment story, no additional wording was needed—the medley says it all.

I love how this card came together—a little shine, a little texture, and a whole lot of metallic magic, all while keeping the design clean and simple.

CHALLENGES:
Christmas [or not] Bingo - G *Metallic, Free, Sentiment Main Focus 

Crafty Gals Corner - #272

Let's Craft & Create - #225 *Twine

As You Like It - Favorite is wax seals - classy and elegant

Simply Clean & Simple - November

Stacked with Joy: Lili of the Valley’s Penguin Party Holiday Card

Have you ever seen a stack of penguins celebrating the holidays? Because I just did—and it instantly made me grin from ear to ear! Lili of the Valley’s Penguin Party digital stamp is pure joy! I knew I had to turn this delightful image into a card that spreads some festive cheer.

I began by printing the image on white cardstock and coloring it with Copic Markers. I love how Copics make blending so effortless, giving each penguin a soft, cuddly look. Once colored, I trimmed the panel to 5 x 3 ¾ inches to keep the penguin stack as the main focus.

To make the image pop, I layered it onto a slightly larger black mat. The contrast really makes the penguins stand out, especially against the snowflake patterned paper I chose for the background. It adds a gentle holiday touch without taking attention away from the star of the show—the penguins themselves!

For the sentiment, I reached for the Holiday Greetings Clear Stamp Set by Creative Worship, stamping in black ink for a clean, classic look. The simple sentiment perfectly complements the playful design, keeping the card cheerful yet elegant.

I love how this card came together with a clean and simple approach. Sometimes, less really is more—letting a whimsical image shine while keeping the layout easy and approachable. It’s a perfect card for sending holiday smiles to friends and family, and it’s a reminder that a little joy can stack up beautifully, just like these penguins! 

I hope this card brings as much joy to your crafting table as it did to mine! Sometimes the simplest designs, paired with a playful image like these stacked penguins, are all you need to spread a little holiday cheer.

CHALLENGES:

SSS Monday Challenge - Thinking of You 

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Holiday World

Crafty Gals - #272

Pammies Inky Pinkies - #2545

Passion for Markers - #814

Simply Clean & Simple - November

November Kit of the Month | La-La Land Crafts

Get Ready to Saddle Up with the November Kit of the Month from La-La Land Crafts!

This month’s kit had me smiling the second I opened it — it’s packed with western charm, adorable characters, and so many fun elements to play with. I loved creating my cards with this kit, and I think you’re going to fall for it just as hard as I did!

Included in this kit:

Cowgirl Marci Rubber Stamp
Roll With It Clear Stamp Set
Guitar Die
Cowboy Boot Die
Wheat Die

This kit is only available through December 4th, so make sure you grab it before it rides off into the sunset!

Copic details:
Skin: E000-E00-E02, R20 
Hair: E50-E51-E53-E55-E57 
Top: Y21-Y23 
Shorts: B93-B95-B97 
Boots: B000-B00-B01, E35-E37
Hat: E30-E31-E33-E34-E37

Additional products:

Life Documented Paper Pack

Spring Has Sprung Paper Pack

Grass Borders Die

Copic details:
Armadillo 1: W-W1-W2-W3-W5-W7, 

Guitar: C1-C2-C3-C4
Armadillo 2: E50-E51-E53-E55-E57 

Additional Products:
Life Documented Paper Pack

Grass Borders Die

Fern Leaf Die

Tree Log Die

Stitched Sun & Clouds Die

Scalloped Sentiment Labels Die

Playing Along with Newton’s Nook Sketch Challenge!

Hi crafty friends! 

I couldn’t resist joining Newton’s Nook’s latest sketch challenge with the adorable Newton Loves Coffee even though I’m not much of a coffee drinker! Luckily, this stamp set is really about the fun little cat (and maybe a hint of coffee) moments that make creating cards so enjoyable.

For this card, I stamped Newton (because obviously, who doesn’t love a caffeinated cat?) and colored him in with my trusty Copic Markers. Fussy cutting him out was totally worth it — though, full disclosure, there are matching dies available, which is a total lifesaver if you’re short on patience like me (haha).

To follow the sketch, I pulled a few patterns from the Coffee House Stories Paper Pad. I especially loved the mix of cat patterns and even the dog prints — it felt like my two favorite things in one place!

For a bit of texture and charm, I added a felt bow to the top of the tag and finished with a fishtail tag die for the sentiment. The panel came together beautifully on a purple card base — a fun pop of color that really makes Newton stand out!

I had so much fun creating this card, and I hope it inspires you to join the sketch challenge too! Whether you love cats, dogs, or just love cute patterns, it’s a great way to combine your favorite stamps with a little creativity.

CHALLENGES:

Newtons Nook Sketch Challenge #246

2025 Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Park Hopping My Happy Place - November *Secret Lives of Pets

Allsorts - #836 AG

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2545

Love those Pretty Papers - November

One Line Santa from The Rabbit Hole Designs

Hi crafty friends!

It’s that magical time of year when twinkling lights, cozy colors, and holiday cheer find their way into our craft rooms. I absolutely love Christmas — so when I got my hands on The Rabbit Hole Designs One Line Santa and the Holiday Background Builder Stencil, I knew I was in for some festive fun!

This card came together with a clean and simple design, letting Santa truly take center stage. Sometimes it’s those minimal layouts that allow the personality of the image — and a bit of shimmer — to really shine!

I started by using the Holiday Background Builder Stencil to blend the Santa hats in bright red and blue. Next, I added a stitched hill die for a snowy base and die cut the whole scene with a stitched circle. I popped that circle onto a background twinkling with stars — created with the same stencil and used silver shimmer paste for extra sparkle and movement.

I stamped the One Line Santa on white cardstock, colored him with alcohol markers, then fussy cut and popped him up with foam tape on top of the snowy hill for a fun bit of dimension. To finish, I heat embossed the sentiment in white on black cardstock, trimmed the panel to 4" x 5.5", and adhered it to a red card base to tie everything together.

Santa may be a simple one-line image, but he has so much charm and personality — he doesn’t need a busy background to shine!

If you’d like to recreate this project, you can find both the One Line Santa and Holiday Background Builder Stencil at The Rabbit Hole Designs.

Use my exclusive code CRAFTICARRI at checkout to receive a FREE gift with your order!

Thank you so much for stopping by! Happy crafting!

CHALLENGES:

ABC Christmas Challenge - X - stitched circle/snow drift dies

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Santa's Land

Allsorts - #836

Crafty Gals Corner - #272

Inspiration Station - #79 Inspired by the red poppies

So Thankful For You

Hello friends!

It’s time for another Stencil Fun Instagram Hop, and I’m so excited to share my project for this month’s optional theme — THANKS! With the leaves changing and the air feeling just a little crisper, I thought it was the perfect time to play with warm autumn tones and one of my favorite stencils from Pretty Pink Posh.

I reached for the Fall Words Stencil and started with a panel of crisp white cardstock. Using a mix of yellow, orange, and red Distress Inks, I blended a soft gradient to create that cozy fall glow. Once I was happy with the blend, I placed the stencil over my background and added deeper shades from the same color family. This gave the words a subtle layered effect — almost like they’re glowing right off the card! A few dark splatters added some extra movement and texture.

To tie everything together, I trimmed the panel to 4" x 5¼", matted it with a dark brown layer for contrast, and attached it all to a cheerful yellow card base. The adorable bear from Not Too Shabby’s Hello Bears set was the perfect focal point. I colored him up with Copic markers and popped him up in the center using foam tape to bring him to life.

For the finishing touches, I heat-embossed a sentiment in white on black cardstock — it really pops against those warm tones — and scattered a few gold sequins for a little sparkle and shine. 

I hope you love this card as much as I enjoyed making it. Thanks for visiting!

CHALLENGES:

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Thank You

Critter Crazy - #104

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Country bear Jamboree

Sweet Bouquet Inspiration | Altenew Ambassador + Free Gift

I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity Altenew has given me to be part of their Ambassador program for the next three months! I can’t wait to share new projects and ideas throughout this creative journey! 

Today’s project features:

• Sweet Bouquet Stamp Set
• A Love for Stripes Paper Pack

I heat embossed the Sweet Bouquet image in gold on white cardstock for a simple and elegant look. The soft gold detailing gives the florals a timeless shimmer that feels perfect for any occasion. For the background, I chose a lavender striped panel from the A Love for Stripes Paper Pack, trimming it to 2 ½" x 5 ½" for a clean and balanced design.

To tie everything together, I heat embossed the sentiment in gold on black cardstock for contrast and added a few gold sequins for just the right touch of sparkle. 

Exclusive Discount Code for You: 

CARRIFREE

From November 12, 2025 at 12:00 am EDT to November 19, 2025 at 11:59 pm EDT

FREE Perfect Picker ($9.99 value) on every order over $89

Add the Perfect Picker to your cart and use the code CARRIFREE at checkout to get it for free.

Link to Use: https://altenew.com/discount/CARRIFREE?sca_ref=8220313.qLUMLsORyQ 

One-time use only

Cannot be combined with order codes

I’m so grateful to share this creative journey with all of you and can’t wait to bring more Altenew inspiration your way over the next few months. Stay tuned — I have plenty of floral fun and elegant designs coming soon!

Merry Christmas Cupcake

You know that feeling when you’re walking through town on a chilly winter morning, and the smell of coffee and cinnamon rolls hits you? You’re holding a warm cup, the holiday music’s playing, and suddenly everything just feels merry and bright. That’s exactly what I wanted to capture in today’s card — a cozy little cup of Christmas joy that smells like cocoa, cookies, and pure holiday spirit.

For this project, I combined two of my favorite things — cupcakes and Christmas! My card features the Jaded Blossom Sweet Christmas Wishes paired perfectly with the La-La Land Crafts August Kit of the Month Big Coffee Cup Die.

The Santa Cupcake was colored with Copic markers, then fussy cut and popped up with foam tape for dimension. He looks like he’s sitting right on top of a warm cup of cocoa, ready to deliver some sweetness.

I trimmed a piece of red striped patterned paper to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" and used it as my background. The stripes instantly gave that festive candy-cane café feel!

The Big Coffee Cup was die-cut from kraft cardstock, and I used a black sleeve accented with gray snowflakes for a cozy, wintery touch.

For the sentiment, I stamped one from the Sweet Christmas Wishes set onto white cardstock, then die-cut it using a stitched circle die and adhered it right to the center of the coffee cup — it’s the perfect spot for a cheerful holiday message!

To finish it all off, I die-cut three white glitter snowflakes from Waffle Flower Crafts Small Snowflakes Die and scattered them around the panel for that magical holiday sparkle! I added diamond accents to the centers of each snowflake for a little extra shine. Finally, I adhered the completed panel to a white card base to complete my cozy Christmas coffee card.

This design was such a fun mix of sweet treats and seasonal sips! Between the festive stripes, the glittery snowflakes with diamond centers, and that adorable Santa cupcake, it feels like a warm hug in card form.

That’s it for today’s cozy cocoa fun! I hope this Santa cupcake brings a smile to your day. Until next time, stay warm and crafty, my friends!

CHALLENGES:

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge #47

2025 Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Santa's Land

Allsorts - #836 

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2545

Inspiration Station - #79 *inspired by the colors (red)

Crafters Cafe - #324

Jaded Blossom November Challenge - AG