Spellbinders Blog

A huge welcome to the Beginners Guide to Cardmaking Series here on the Spellbinders Blog. My name is Lisa Tilson, and we are thrilled to have you join us for what we hope will be an informative and fun way to get you started on your creative cardmaking journey. This series is going to take you through the basic tools and techniques that you need to become a card maker. Skills such as die cutting, hot foil stamping, stencilling, and letterpress will be covered in detail. You may not know what tools you might need to get started or even how to begin making a handmade card. This series will guide you along the way, whether it is covering simple design principles that you can apply to all cards or how to fix common mistakes. Everyone makes them, and far more often than you might think! This series was created for you—the beginner—in mind. It’s here to spark your interest and give you that little nudge to reach for a piece of cardstock and start creating. Peppered throughout this post are some samples of what you will be able to make when you dive into this wonderful hobby.

What Is Cardmaking?

So, what is cardmaking? In its simplest terms, it’s the design and creation of a unique handmade work of art. You take some cardstock, create your design, pop a message inside, and mail it to someone special.  Not only is there the pleasure and fun of creating something unique for your friends or family, but there is that unexpected joy for the recipient when they open their letterbox and find it inside. It may just be a card, but it will feel like a gift. You can, of course, expand your skills even further and head into other forms of papercrafting. This can include making tags, gift boxes, gift card pockets, and scrapbooking, to name but a few. They are all ways you can create with cardstock, and the world is your oyster! What better reason to start?

When Might You Send A Card?

Handmade cards can be sent for many occasions, whether it’s celebratory (birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, baby births, congratulations, new job, New Year etc). They can also be sent in support of those not-so-happy times (sympathy, loss, ill health). Sometimes you just want to send a card to someone to tell them they are in your thoughts; that you love them, believe in them, are thankful for their friendship and kindness. Let’s not forget Christmas, Hanukkah, Halloween, Father’s Day, and Mother’s Day! So many reasons to create a card and mail it to family or friends. Whatever the occasion, you will find stamps, dies, sentiments, and more that will help you create that personalised touch to your handmade card.

What Does Cardmaking Give Back to You?

For many, it is the simple joy of creating and sharing. Sending a card is an act of kindness, and it can enhance a relationship or even build a bridge. For some, cardmaking can be an escape. A way to switch off from things going on in their lives. Like many hobbies, it can help improve your mental health. You can simply lose yourself in the process and allow yourself to be distracted for however long you need. Furthermore, it’s a hobby that is accessible to anyone, whether you’re just starting out or already have some experience. If you want to be a part of a cardmaking community and meet new like-minded friends, you can do that! You might prefer it to be something you enjoy on your own. It really can be whatever you want it to be.

Where Can You Get Help To Make A Card?

Whether you are just starting out or are years into this hobby, there are many ways to gain inspiration and learn new techniques. It can be via blogs, YouTube videos, short inspirational reels, or classes – whether held online or face-to-face. They all have something to offer. The Spellbinders Blog is full of inspiration and ideas, whether you are looking for detailed step-by-step tutorials or you simply want a little help to kickstart your creativity. There is no right or wrong way to make a card. Yes, there are simple design principles that will almost certainly help, but really, cardmaking is an expression of YOU, and you bring your own style and uniqueness to it. It can be as simple or as intricate as you want it to be.

What Techniques Can You Learn Along The Way

There are many ways to turn that little piece of blank cardstock into something special. Here are a few:

• Stamping
• Colouring/Watercolouring
• Stenciling
• Hot Foiling
• Drawing
• Mixed Media – pastes/waxes
• Die Cutting
• Heat Embossing
• Embossing
• Stitching
• Letterpress
• Wax Sealing

You may find yourself focusing on one or two of these techniques, or you may dabble in all of them. Whatever your preference, enjoy it! Be proud of what you create, as it can be worth so much more than just a piece of paper. You can look forward to more coming your way in the weeks and months ahead, and we hope you’ll join us as you start your cardmaking journey. We can’t wait to help you open the door to a whole new world!

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Hi there, wonderful crafters! Tina here from Cards and Coffee Time. I hope you’re having an awesome day! I am thrilled to introduce my brand new collection with Spellbinders called Make It & Bake It! This collection is a true passion project, combining two of my favorite things in the world: baking and papercrafting. My love for baking started when I was just a child and was introduced to my first oven... the tiny plastic pink oven that was heated with a lightbulb. You know the one!

That early start took me on a delicious journey. My husband and I opened our first professional bakery in 2007, and we expanded to a second, larger location in 2012. While the pandemic eventually led us to close that chapter, it paved the way for my paper crafting adventure, and here we are today. Putting my love of both together? How sweet is that!

Inside the Make It & Bake It Collection

The entire Make It & Bake It Collection is designed from my heart to yours. It features everything you need to create wonderful baking-themed cards, tags, or scrapbook layouts. Everything in the collection is scaled to work beautifully with almost any size card base. The Make It and Bake it Collection has 5 Etched Die sets, a fabulous 3D Embossing Folder, and a Stamp set with some punny coordinating greetings. Let's take a closer look at each item!

Fluff, Frost & Roll Etched Dies

This set includes five essential baking utensils, a pastry/piping bag, and a unique "hello" greeting with a shadow that looks like it was piped onto the page! I also included a delicate flower for that extra touch of charm.

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Cool It Cookie Rack Etched Dies

Get ready to customize some treats! This set features five sweet cookies that you can decorate with "frosting," along with dies to create four different cookie cutters. The adorable cooling rack can be placed inside the cookie sheet die or used on its own. This set also includes a flower accent and an "enjoy" word die with its shadow.

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Magic Mixer Etched Dies

This set will have you twisting and turning with excitement! The Magic Mixer features a decorative mixing bowl where you can add "batter" or use the clever insert to add chocolate chips or fun mix-ins. The mixer has options for one or two beaters, a complete plug-in cord, and chunky batter accents. A "sweet" sentiment and shadow die are also included.

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Measure Mates Etched Dies

Precision is key in baking, and this set helps you craft it perfectly! You get dies for measuring spoons, measuring cups for dry ingredients, and one for liquid ingredients. I even included a scale! Lastly, there's a cookie jar complete with a cookie accent—the word "cookie" is removable, so you can use it as a flour or sugar canister, too.

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Made with Love Etched Dies

The final die set in my collection features a customizable apron with a removable front pocket. You can use the included cupcake and cookie to "stuff" them in the pocket or use them elsewhere on your project. There are two layerable oven mitts (because you need both hands to remove those sweets safely!). This set is finished with a "made with love" sentiment and shadow die that pairs perfectly with the entire collection.

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Confection Companions 3D Embossing Folder

Need the perfect background? This folder features all things baking in mini sizes that coordinate with the items in the die sets. It adds incredible dimension and texture to any project!

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Sugared Expressions Stamp Set

Last but not least, this 11-piece clear photopolymer stamp set offers two styles of fonts for variety. Some greetings even look like they have been created using a piping bag! Each punny greeting coordinates perfectly with the entire Make It and Bake It collection.

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Start crafting your sweet creations! I had so much fun creating this collection, sharing my love of baking and cardmaking with all of you. I hope you enjoy this collection as much as I do—I know any project you create will send sweet smiles...and will get you in the baking mood! For more inspiring projects and ideas using the Make It & Bake It Collection, be sure and check out my YouTube Channel! Have a delicious day and happy crafting!

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Hello there, Michelle Short here, and I am delighted to be back on the Spellbinders blog sharing three cards using the Make It & Bake It Collection by Tina Smith. This wonderful collection is perfect for anyone who loves baking and sweet treats! There are lots of fabulous punny sentiments in the collection too, to work well with the focal points, so these cards are really fun to make! I created 3 cards today using an aqua colour palette inspired by the aqua silicone spatula that I have and love!

MADE WITH LOVE

My first card uses Fluff, Frost & Roll Etched Dies to create a simple card where the kitchen utensils are the star of the show. I thought this card would work well if I gave some handmade treats to a friend or family member, or just to someone who loves baking. To make this card:

• Die cut rolling pin from Fawn and Waterfall ColorWheel Cardstock.
• Die cut whisk from Seaside ColorWheel Cardstock and Metallic Silver Matte Cardstock.
• Die cut spatula from Fawn, Seaside, Waterfall, and Teal Topaz ColorWheel Cardstock.
• Adhere pieces together using Bearly Art Glue.

TIP: I like to use either tweezers or an embellishment tool to help adhere die cuts together.

• Die cut flower petals from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock, flower centres from Beeswax ColorWheel Cardstock, and leaves from Peridot ColorWheel Cardstock.
• Adhere flower petals and centres together.
• Adhere utensils onto white A2-sized card base.
• Adhere flowers with thin foam tape and leaves with Bearly Art Glue.

• Die cut sentiment from Made with Love from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock for the base/shadow layer three times. Adhere one on top of another.
• Die cut word dies from Raven ColorWheel Cardstock and adhere on to shadow piece.
• Adhere to card using thin foam tape.
• Embellish with Aquamarine AB Color Essentials Gems.
• To finish, apply Glossy Accents to heart on spatula.

COOKIE DOUGH

My next card uses Magic Mixer along with Sugared Expressions for the sentiment. I thought this card would work perfectly just to put a smile on someone’s face! To make this card:

• Die cut mixer from Seaside, Waterfall, and Teal Topaz ColorWheel Cardstock. Die cut the beaters from Metallic Silver Matte Cardstock and the cord from Fog ColorWheel Cardstock.
• Adhere together using Bearly Art Glue.
• Die cut bowl from Seaside and Waterfall ColorWheel Cardstock and adhere together.

• Die cut cookie dough from Fawn and Truffle ColorWheel Cardstock. Die cut the layer with the holes again from Truffle, so that you have more chocolate chips to add to the rest of the cookie dough.
• Stamp sentiment from Sugared Expressions onto a white A2-sized card base using Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink.
• Adhere mixing bowl, cookie dough, and mixer to the card using thin foam tape.
• Cut off excess mixer from the side of the card using scissors.

• Die cut flowers and leaves from Made with Love from Classic White, Beeswax, and Peridot ColorWheel Cardstock. Assemble and adhere to the card with thin foam tape.
• Die cut the mixer again from Teal Topaz ColorWheel Cardstock three times. Adhere hearts to the card.
• Embellish with Aquamarine AB Color Essentials Gems.
• To finish, apply Glossy Accents to the heart on the mixer.

TIP: I had originally planned to have the design of the card be portrait, but I couldn’t fit the mixer, bowl and sentiment all on the card in that orientation, so decided to make a landscape card instead. This worked great for my design. If something doesn’t work first time, try different designs/layouts for cards, and maybe think of different shapes and sizes of card bases.

YOU BAKE THE WORLD BATTER

For my last card, I’m using the Made with Love set to create a card for a baking-loving friend. To make this card:

• Die cut apron from Seaside and Waterfall ColorWheel Cardstock.
• Adhere layers together, but only adhere pocket at the bottom and sides, and not at the top.
• Die cut bow from Waterfall ColorWheel Cardstock and adhere to apron.
• Die cut heart from Teal Topaz ColorWheel Cardstock and adhere to pocket.

• Die cut cupcake bottom/liner from Fawn ColorWheel Cardstock Die cut frosting from Alabaster and Blush ColorWheel Cardstock. Die cut two cherries from Poppy ColorWheel Cardstock.
• Assemble cupcakes.
• Pop inside pocket of apron and adhere in place.

• Stamp sentiment from Sugared Expressions onto white A2-sized card base using Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink.
• Adhere apron to card base using thin foam tape.
• Cut off excess from the side of the card using scissors.
• Embellish with Aquamarine AB Color Essentials Gems.
• To finish, apply Glossy Accents to the heart on the pocket, as well as the cherries on the cupcakes.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my projects today. I really love baking myself, but also have lots of friends who love to bake too, so I had a lot of fun making my cards with friends in mind! Thank you so much for visiting the blog today. I hope you have a wonderful day! [spellbinders-supplies]S5-726,S6-266,S5-728,STP-267,SCS-169,CS-8-142,CS-8-124,CS-8-123,CS-8-125,CS-8-148,CS-8-115,CS-8-118,CS-8-147,CS-8-145,CS-8-144,CS-8-141,CS-8-103,CS-8-100,SCSP-002,PE-104,T-042,T-066,T-023,T-095,PCGO2E[/spellbinders-supplies]

Other Supplies

Glossy Accents, thin foam tape, Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink.

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