Spellbinders Blog

Hello crafters! It’s Lisa Tilson here with you today to share a card using the Whimsical Village Collection by Vicky Papaioannou. I am going to be doing a step-by-step photo tutorial showing you how to create this simple scene using the Whimsical Houses Etched Dies, the Village Companions Etched Dies and the Whimsical Wishes Clear Stamp Set. Also included in this collection is a super fun floral die set called Whimsical Blooms which you can use in conjunction with the houses or on its own. There is also a 3D embossing folder which creates a beautiful swirly design for your projects. This new collection is full of whimsy and quirkiness, and you’ll enjoy creating with these playful sets.

So, let’s get started with my card for today.

No Place Like Home

For all the die cutting, use the Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine with the die cutting sandwich as follows (from bottom to top):

• Plate A – Platform Base
• Plate B – Platform Top
• Plate C – Cutting Plate
• Plate C – Cutting Plate

The cardstock/die will be inserted between the two cutting plates with the die sitting on top of the cardstock, cutting edge down.

Die Cutting

In this photo, the dies have been turned cutting edge side up so that you can easily see which die relates to which cardstock. When die cutting, you will need to flip the dies over, so the cutting side is directly in contact with the cardstock.

1. Take the Whimsical Houses Etched Dies and die cut the two houses using Blush and Bellini ColorWheel Cardstock.
2. Die cut the roof and door for each house using Coral and Tutu ColorWheel Cardstock.
3. Die cut the windows and fence from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock. The fence will need to be die cut twice.

4. Flip the dies over and tape them in place on your cardstock using small pieces of Best Ever Craft Tape.

NOTE: try to keep an even space between the outline die and the solid house die.

5. Place the dies onto your cutting plate and then run them through the Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine using the sandwich at the top of this post.

6. Take the Village Companions Etched Dies and die cut the dog from Anchor as well as from Raven ColorWheel Cardstock. The resulting tiny black die cut will just be used for the nose!
7. Die cut the cat from Fog ColorWheel Cardstock.
8. Die cut the clouds from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock. These will need to be die cut twice. You won’t use all the clouds, but you will use two of the smallest one.
9. Die cut the sun from Beeswax and Saffron ColorWheel Cardstock.
10. Run the dies through your die cutting machine.

TIP: it’s helpful to use a Medium Craft Stax to keep all your die cuts and dies in one place on your desk.

11. Take the Linear Touch Rectangles and Tag Etched Dies and die cut the largest linear die from Seaside ColorWheel Cardstock.
12. Die cut the largest rectangle die from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock.

Assembling The Die Cuts

1. Using Bearly Art Glue and Tweezers, adhere the Tutu door onto the Blush house and the Coral door onto the Bellini

2. Using small dabs of liquid glue, adhere two small pieces of Spellbinders Vellum to the back of the window openings on both houses. Add glue sparingly around the openings. You don’t want it seeping onto the vellum.

3. Cut off any excess vellum from the sides of the houses using 4” Detail Scissors.
4. Add small dabs of liquid glue onto the backs of the window frames. Dab off any excess glue so that it doesn’t seep onto the vellum when you add them into the window openings.

5. Pop all the windows in place.

6. Add a small amount of liquid glue around the top of each house and adhere each roof.

7. Add liquid glue to the Beeswax sun die cut and adhere the Saffron sun die cut on top.

8. Adhere the centre of the sun.

NOTE: To help you with placement of the dogs nose, see the pre-assembled dog on the left-hand side of the photo.

9. This is the trickiest part of assembling your die cuts. Add a small dab of glue onto the back of the dog’s nose area and then, using a pick-up tool, place the small black nose die cut onto the dog. You will probably need to wiggle the die cut into place, and you will only see a tiny fraction of it when you turn the dog over and look at it. There is only one way that it lines up behind the snout area. It might take a few attempts!

Assembling The Card

1. Temporarily tape the pink house to your white rectangle panel and then adhere the Coral house to the right-hand side of it. Avoid putting any glue onto the vellum that can be seen from the front.

2. Add glue behind the pink house. Again, make sure to avoid getting any glue near the vellum which will be visible from the front.

3. Place the pink house down. The roof just slightly overhangs the Coral house, but only by a tiny fraction.

4. Adhere the two fences either side of the houses. Slot them just under the sides of your houses.

5. Place a small White Foam Adhesive Square onto the back of the sun and adhere it just above the pink house.

6. Adhere the three clouds using liquid glue. A small cloud is placed behind the sun on the left-hand side as well as one just to the left of the pink roof edge. The medium-sized cloud is placed over to the right side of your white panel.

7. Flip your panel over and then cut off the overhanging cloud using 9” Pro Shears.

Creating and Adding Your Sentiment

1. Pop a piece of Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock into your MISTI/stamping tool.
2. Take the Whimsical Wishes Clear Stamp Set and place the “no place like home” stamp onto your white panel.
3. Pick up the stamp using the MISTI

4. Ink up the stamp using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.

5. Bring the MISTI door back over and press the stamp down onto your cardstock. Repeat if necessary.

6. Trim the sentiment to size using a Guillotine Paper Trimmer.

7. Add small White Foam Adhesive Squares onto the back of your sentiment and add some dabs of liquid glue on top of them.

TIP: Adding liquid glue to the foam squares will enable you to wiggle the sentiment in place more easily should you not get it quite right first time!

8. Adhere your sentiment in place.

Finishing the Card

1. Put small pieces of foam square onto the back of the dog and cat.

2. Pop them in place so they are sitting on the top edge of the sentiment.

3. Add liquid glue onto the back of your white panel and adhere it onto the Seaside

4. Add glue onto the back of your Seaside panel and adhere it onto an A2 side folding white note card created from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock. (8.5” x 5.5”, scored and folded at 4.25”)

5. For the door handles, add a small Spectrum AB Color Essential Gem onto the area indicated on the door of each house.

I hope you find today’s tutorial helpful. There are lots of ways you can create scenes with this collection, as there are four different house designs, some quirky flowers which can be positioned around the houses or even used on their own for a floral card. You can also create a night-time scene and include a moon instead of a sun. Whatever you decide, I hope you have fun! If you would like to see more of my cards, I would love to have you join me over on my blog, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. In the meantime, thank you so much for joining me here on the Spellbinders blog today. I hope that you have a wonderful day! [spellbinders-supplies]S2-456,S5-746,STP-270,S5-721,SCS-267,SCS-151,SCS-167,CS-8-148,CS-8-110,CS-8-109,CS-8-146,CS-8-104,CS-8-103,CS-8-147,CS-8-115,CS-8-116,CS-8-145,CS-8-123,T-056,T-066,T-024,T-042,T-043,T-098,PCGO2E,SCS-123,PE-104,MISTI[/spellbinders-supplies]

Other Supplies

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

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Hello everyone! I am absolutely thrilled to finally share my brand new collection with Spellbinders called Whimsical Village. When I sat down to design this collection, I wanted to create something completely fun and unique. We all love creating houses with dies, but this time I wanted to design houses with a playful twist. These houses are quirky, wonky, and packed with personality!

I designed this entire collection with cardmakers and art journalers in mind. The pieces are incredibly forgiving and so easy to mix and match. Even though there are many pieces included, it never feels like a puzzle to put together; it is just pure fun. You can use the elements separately for a simple card or group them together to build a whole village! Let me walk you through the five new SKUs in this collection and show you how they work together.

Whimsical Houses Die Set

This 22-piece die set is the absolute star of the show. It features wonky houses where you can mix and match the roofs and doors to build your very own custom homes. They are perfect for sending a simple hello or a sweet note for any occasion throughout the year.

My biggest tip for getting that signature quirky look is to play with color. You can go completely crazy with vibrant, bold colors, or you can opt for a softer, pastel palette for a sweet and cozy look. The possibilities are endless!

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Whimsical Blooms Die Set

To accompany the houses and make them look even more magical, I created the Whimsical Blooms set. This set includes 15 dies featuring funky flower designs with extra-long stems.

You can use these whimsical flowers all by themselves on a card layout, or you can tuck them right behind the houses. Having the houses look tiny next to those giant, beautiful stems creates such a fun, fairytale look!

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Village Companions Die Set

If you want to bring your little scenes to life instantly, this is the set you need. It includes an adorable little cat and dog, along with elements like a sun, a moon, and fluffy clouds.

Just adding one of the pets to your doorstep completely changes the story of the card. Plus, choosing between the sun and the moon lets you easily set the mood, whether you want a bright day scene or a romantic night sky.

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Whimsical Wishes Sentiment Dies

Every great card needs a great sentiment! This set features a beautiful, simple font that matches the playful vibe of the collection perfectly. It is highly versatile and can be used all year long.

The phrases cover everything from a quick hello to lovely quotes that work beautifully for your art journaling pages too.

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Whimsical Skies 3D Embossing Folder

Last but certainly not least is the Whimsical Skies 3D embossing folder. This folder adds the absolute perfect background texture to your cards. The design was heavily inspired by the swirling, magical sky in Van Gogh's Starry Night painting. It gives so much movement and depth to the background before you even start adding your houses!

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I cannot wait to see the unique villages you create with these sets! Which of these new items is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below, and make sure to follow me on social media, where I will be sharing many more examples using this collection. Thank you so much for your love and support!

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Hello, crafty friends! This June, Spellbinders is celebrating an exciting milestone - our 23rd birthday! To mark the occasion, we've created something extra special for our crafting community: the adorable Party Time Dragon Etched Dies, an exclusive gift with purchase available only during our anniversary celebration.

From June 1–30, 2026, customers who spend $150 or more on the Spellbinders website (after discounts and coupons, before shipping and taxes) will receive the Party Time Dragon Etched Dies (S3-570) absolutely free while supplies last. This cheerful little dragon is ready to party with balloons, birthday wishes, and endless creative possibilities.

To celebrate, we've invited several talented designers to create projects featuring this exclusive die set. From whimsical birthday cards and colorful scenes to elegant designs and creative color combinations, you'll discover plenty of inspiration to spark your own ideas. Scroll down to explore these beautiful creations and see just how versatile the Party Time Dragon can be. We can't wait to see what you create with this special birthday gift!

Cheers To Another Year Dragon from Gaylynn

Greetings! I’m Gaylynn Martling, sharing an adorable project for the Spellbinders birthday celebration. Take a look at this cutie framed inside of a layered background. I decided to make an outdoor scene for the dragon, using complementary colors and lacy edges. How to make this Party Time Dragon birthday card:

1. Cut and score a vertical card base with a side fold from white Colorwheel cardstock.
2. Die-cut the pieces from the Party Time Dragon onto white cardstock. Also, cut an additional balloon set.
3. Ink blend the die-cut layers using dye ink pads in shades of arctic, fawn, antique ivory, and field greens, passion flower, black, and raspberry jam, along with blending brushes.
4. Assemble the dragon using liquid glue.
5. Press and die-cut the sentiment using Birthday Wishes Sentiments BetterPress Plate & Die Set and Iris Betterpress ink.
6. Die-cut a white scalloped rectangle background layer, a medium purple rectangle frame layer, a smaller light blue rectangle layer, and three landscape pieces, all from Open Lace Frame and Landscapes Etched Dies.
7. Build a background scene by layering onto the light blue rectangle panel with three landscape pieces in different colors of Colorwheel Cardstock.
8. Build the card front by layering and adhering the three background panels, the scene layers, the assembled dragon, two balloons, and the sentiment. For added dimension, add small adhesive squares behind the dragon and the sentiment.

TIP:  Ink blending is optional.  Another option is to cut the dragon from different shades of cardstock. Ink blending adds softness and added detail with or without color cardstock.

Happy Birthday Dragon from Marie Nicole

Hello, I'm Marie Nicole. To assemble this card: first, cut out all the pieces for the dragon. This dragon features green for his body, yellow for his belly, and some greenish-blue for his wings and horns on his head. Once all the pieces are assembled and glued together, add some detail elements by coloring in the embossed spots from the die with a white gel pen, and then add some green spots to his nose with a green alcohol marker. The balloon in his mouth is cut from some purplish cardstock, shaded with some blue ink, and highlighted with white gel pen. Blend a sky background with some blue and teal hues and splatter on some sparkle using some Sparkle Splatter Effects. Cut some cloud panels from plain white cardstock using the Landscape Edges dies, and layer them onto the ink blended background, the top layer with foam adhesive. Then, add the dragon in between the two cloud layers. Add a sentiment. This card features a birthday sentiment using some of the ephemera pieces from a past Spellbinders collection, Rosie’s Studio Breakfast in Bed. That finishes the card!

Happy Birthday Dragon from Rachel

Hello crafty friends! It’s Rachel here with a fun birthday card featuring the adorable Party Time Dragon Etched Dies Set.  To start my card, I die-cut the pieces of my images from some Neenah Solar White 110lb card stock. I die cut all the pieces one time except for the balloons and balloon strings, which I die cut three times. I die cut the balloon strings from some Silver Mirror card stock. Copic Colors Used:  Teals: G000, G00, BG34, BG75; Purples (on dragon and first balloon on the left): BV000, BV01, BV04; Dragon’s cheeks: R30, R21; Purples (balloon on the right): V000, V01, V04, V15, V09 For my background, I trimmed a piece of Waterfall ColorWheel Cardstock to 4.25” x 5.5” and die cut an arched window in the center of it using the fifth largest arch die from the Essential Arches Etched Dies. Next, I die cut another arch from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock using the 7^th largest arch die and blended it with both Shaded Lilac and Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide Inks. I die cut two 4.25” strips of puffy white clouds from some white card stock using the cloud die from the Landscape Edges Etched Dies. For added contrast, I lightly blended the tips of the clouds with more Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide Ink and then adhered them behind my arch window. Next, I stamped my “Happy Birthday” sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto the front of my clouds and adhered this entire panel to a top-folding white A2 card base with White Foam Adhesive Strips for extra dimension. I attached my dragon and balloons with more 3D adhesive tape and added some white accents using a white gel pen.  Lastly, I adhered a few Aquamarine Color Essential Gems for added sparkle and texture.

Happy Birthday Dragon from Michelle

Hello there, Michelle Short here and I am delighted to be sharing a card using Party Time Dragon with you. How cute is he? I love him! As you can see, I kept my palette to pink and aqua today, adding in a few flowers for a feminine touch. How to make this card:

1. Die cut Party Time Dragon Etched Dies from Seaside, Waterfall, Blush, Classic White, and Raven ColorWheel Cardstock. I cut double layers for the snout and tummy for added dimension.
2. Assemble the dragon and adhere pieces together using Bearly Art Glue.
3. Die cut the balloon from Tutu ColorWheel Cardstock twice for the balloon itself, and Fog ColorWheel Cardstock for the string.
4. Stamp sentiment from Summertime Sentiments Clear Stamp Set onto an A2-sized card base, made from Chiffon ColorWheel Cardstock, using black ink.
5. Adhere dragon onto card using foam squares.
6. Adhere balloon (two layers, one on top of another), followed by the string using Bearly Art Glue. I cut the string in half to add the smaller part below his mouth, so he looks like he is holding it.
7. Die cut flowers from Mini Blooms and Sprigs Etched Dies from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock for the petals, and Beeswax ColorWheel Cardstock for the centres. Die cut the leaves from Peridot ColorWheel Cardstock.
8. Adhere them to the card using Bearly Art Glue.
9. To finish, embellish with Pink Color Essentials Gems.

Happy Birthday Dragon from Lisa

Hello crafty friends! It’s Lisa Tilson here with you today to share a card using the Party Time Dragon Etched Dies. What an exciting month it is as Spellbinders celebrates its 23^rd anniversary! Congratulations to all the lovely people at Spellbinders who work tirelessly to bring us not only fantastic products, but gorgeous inspiration, every single day of every single month. I am honoured to be here on the blog today to share a card with you using this free with purchase Party Dragon die set – isn’t he simply adorable? So, let’s get started with the card.

1. Start off by taking the Party Time Dragon Etched Dies and using the Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine to die-cut the different elements from Seaside, Waterfall, Teal Topaz, Lavender, Lilac, Raven and Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock.
2. Adhere the Seaside mouth and tummy die cuts onto the main body piece using Bearly Art Glue.
3. Next adhere the black eyes onto their white base and glue that behind the eye area.
4. Adhere the Lavender wings and horns behind the body.
5. Adhere the bottom of the balloon string behind the mouth.
6. Glue the longer balloon string to the balloon and set it to one side.
7. Next, take the Color Block Accent Arches Etched Dies and die cut the second largest arch from Lavender ColorWheel Cardstock.
8. Take the Essential Arches Etched Dies and die cut the coordinating size arch from Lilac ColorWheel Cardstock. Adhere both purple die cuts together.
9. Take a smaller arch from Essential Arches Etched Dies and die cut it from Raven ColorWheel Cardstock.
10. Add some Splatter White Opaque Watercolor onto it using a No.2 round paintbrush. Let this dry and then adhere it onto the purple arches piece.
11. Add some Black Foam Adhesive Squares onto the back of the dragon and place him down onto the black arch.
12. Add Black Foam Adhesive Squares to the back of the balloon and adhere that, making sure the string tucks in behind the dragon.
13. Take the Hero Arts Hello Friend Clear Stamp Set and stamp the “Happy Birthday” sentiment onto Raven ColorWheel Cardstock using Versamark Ink and the MISTI.
14. Add Hero Arts White Detail Embossing Powder and heat set it.
15. Trim it into two parts using a Guillotine Paper Trimmer and then add some Black Foam Adhesive Squares onto the back and add it to your card.
16. Add the purple arches onto a panel of Raven ColorWheel Cardstock measuring approximately 4” x 5.25”.
17. Add that onto a top-folding A2 white note card (11” x 4.25”, scored and folded at 5.5”)
18. Add some white gel pen to the balloon to finish the card.

Happy Birthday Dragon from Pam

Hello, I'm Pam Sparks. Have fun creating with this super cute Party Dragon! The possibilities are endless! I thought having it pop up in a flower patch would be cute since we’re all enjoying flowers this time of year!

• Die cut the Party Dragon, Balloons, Petal Fresh, and ovals in your choice of cardstock colors.
• Adhere together using the Assembly guides on the Spellbinders store website
• Cut an A2-size card base, arrange pieces, and adhere.
• Stamp and heat-emboss the sentiment and die-cut.

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