World Card Making Day 2025 | Merry & Joy

G’Day Friends,

Today I’m sharing Project #5 which I created especially for  World Card Making Day.  I am so late in sharing this with you.  This day was a Christmas Edition where we dived into the festive spirit early with a Christmas Edition celebration — because it’s never too soon for a little merry & joy!

For this project, I created with the Mintay Merry & Joy collection and I have to say, these Christmas papers are absolutely stunning — think rich reds, cozy green and just the right touch of sparkle.  Perfect for those heartfelt handmade cards that make the season extra special.

Whether you’re crafting for family, friends or planning to gift a handmade card set, this design makes it easy to spread cheer.  Add a few embellishments, a dash of glitter and you’re ready to make someone’s mailbox very merry indeed!

VIDEO AVAILABLE:
Be sure to check out the cardmaking video tutorial below — I’ll walk you through how to layer your Christmas papers, add dimension and finish your cards with festive flair.

PDF Tutorial & Sketch Layout Book

Want to recreate this design?  We’ve created a PDF tutorial that walks you through the process step by step.  It also includes a sketch layout book, packed with ideas to help you design cards quickly and confidently.

Purchase the PDF Tutorial HERE.

Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!

Vicky
Inspiring Heartfelt Creations, One Beautiful Layer at a Time

Across the Waves | Creating with Pattern Paper

G’Day Friends,

There’s something quietly beautiful about sitting down with a piece of patterned paper and seeing where the moment takes you.  Today’s project is all about soft florals, worn textures and that unmistakable vintage charm.

Be sure to check out what Robbie has created!

A Palette of Calm

I reached for hues of blue and green — gentle, muted shades that feel both nostalgic and calming.  Together, they evoke the feeling of faded garden postcards and weathered pages in an old scrapbook.  There’s a softness to these tones that makes every piece feel timeless.

Chopping It Into Pieces

The heart of this project lies in a simple technique: cutting the patterned paper into pieces. It’s such a satisfying way to create balance and rhythm in your layout.  Each section tells its own story while still feeling part of a whole.  Layering them for cardmaking adds instant depth and interest.

Embracing the Vintage Feel

I’ve always loved that slightly aged aesthetic — the look of paper that’s been handled, faded and loved.  Add a stamped sentiment or a few die-cut leaves or shapes and suddenly it all feels like a memory you can hold.

A Creative Pause

There’s no rush when crafting pieces like these.  It’s a gentle, mindful process — the kind of creativity that feels as soothing as it looks.  A few scraps of paper, a good cup of tea and a quiet afternoon can go a long way.

So if you’ve got a stash of patterned papers waiting for their moment, try chopping them into pieces and see what stories unfold.  You might just find a bit of vintage magic hiding in the layers.

Watch the Tutorial

If you’d like to see the process step-by-step, there’s a video tutorial available on my YouTube channel.  In the video, I walk through how I select the papers, trim them into pieces and layer each piece to achieve that vintage-inspired look.  It’s relaxed, simple and perfect for an afternoon of crafting.

Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!

Vicky
Inspiring Heartfelt Creations, One Beautiful Layer at a Time

Easy Handmade Birthday Card for Her | Pattern Paper

G’Day Friends,

If you love creating handmade birthday cards but prefer a clean and simple style, this project is perfect for you!  Using just a few supplies — pattern paper, ribbon, embellishment and some creativity — you can make a beautiful, feminine card that looks store-bought but feels wonderfully personal.

Be sure to check out what Robbie created for Across the Waves using Pattern Paper too.

 Why You’ll Love This Card Design

This card combines elegance and simplicity.  The patterned paper gives it personality, while the ribbon & embellishment add a soft, classy touch.  It’s a quick project that doesn’t require fancy tools — just basic supplies and your imagination.

 Supplies You’ll Need

  • White or pastel cardstock (for the base & a layer or 2) – white smooth, light brown on today’s card

  • Coordinating pattern paper – Mintay’s Elodie 6 x 6 paper pad

  • Ribbon (satin or organza works beautifully) – organza from my stash

  • Adhesive (glue stick or double-sided tape)

  • Paper trimmer or scissors

  • Sentiment stamp or printed greeting (like “Happy Birthday”) – Uniquely Creative Cheers & Wishes stamp set

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Base
Cut and fold your cardstock to create your card base.

2. Choose Your Pattern Paper
Select a design that feels feminine — florals, pastels or subtle geometric prints are lovely choices.  Trim it slightly smaller than your card base for a framed look.

3. Add Your Sentiment
Stamp or print your birthday greeting onto white smooth cardstock prior to adhering it to card front with dimensional tape

4. Add Ribbon/Embellishment
Tie a small bow with ribbon prior to adhering to sentiment panel

5. Assemble Your Card
Attach the patterned panel to your card base.  Add small embellishments like pearls or sequins if you want a little sparkle — but keep it simple!

Design Tips

  • Stick to two or three colors for a clean, coordinated look.

  • Use contrasting ribbon to make it pop against the pattern paper.

  • If you’re gifting it, decorate or line the inside with light cardstock for a neat message area.

Watch the video tutorial by clicking on the graphic below.
See each step in action and learn how to layer your pattern paper, tie the perfect ribbon bow and finish your card with a clean, professional look.

Final Thoughts

This easy female birthday card is proof that sometimes less is more.  With just a bit of pattern paper, ribbon & embellishment you can create something elegant, heartfelt and quick — perfect for someone special in your life.

If you enjoyed this project, don’t forget to share it or pin it for later! ?

Until next time – stay inspired & keep creating!

Vicky

Easy Square Card | Across the Waves | Elodie Paper Collection

G’Day Crafty Friends!

It’s time for another fun installment for our Across the Waves where we’ve been playing with Stripes or Dots for our monthly theme.  Once again, I’m creating with the soft and serene papers from the Elodie 6 x 6 Paper Pad Collection by Mintay Papers.

Click HERE to see what Robbie has created.

For today’s cardmaking session, I created an easy square card using delicate patterned papers in pinks and blues, along with the sweetest bird and nest motifs.  These designs feel gentle and uplifting – perfect for a baby card, a thinking-of-you note or simply to brighten someone’s day.

Here’s what makes this project special –

  • Soft, pretty papers – The pastel colour palette creates a peaceful vibe
  • Birds and nest elements – Symbolic and heartwarming, perfect for cozy handmade sentiments
  • Stripes and dots – Subtle background textures that add visual interest without overwhelming
  • Square format – A refreshing change from the usual card shapes – compact, balanced, and elegant
  • Beginner-friendly – No complex techniques, just simple layers and sweet embellishments

This is a great example of how a few beautiful supplies and a soft colour story can come together to create meaningful cards in no time.  Whether you’re working from a kit or using what’s already in your stash, this theme is all about playing with gentle patterns and shapes to make something special.

Click the graphic below to watch the full tutorial on YouTube!

Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more easy cardmaking ideas!

What do you prefer – stripes or dots?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Thanks for joining me today and stay tuned for more soft and simple card inspiration next week.

Happy crafting!

Vicky

Anything Goes Saturday | Cards by Design with Soft Blues & Pinks

Happy Anything Goes Saturday, crafty friends!

Today I’m sharing a sweet and simple sketch layout that’s perfect for any theme or photo. The best part? It uses the gorgeous Elodie 6 x 6 Paper Pad by Mintay.  This Collection is full of soft blues and pinks with touches of greys — perfect for a calming, gentle look that works beautifully for baby pages, spring themes, or simply capturing tender memories.

To see what Robbie has created, click HERE.

Why I Love This Layout

Sometimes you just need a layout that’s easy to put together without sacrificing style.  That’s where this sketch comes in.  It offers structure and balance, while still letting your creativity shine.  Sketches take the guesswork out of where to place things – which is especially helpful when you’re short on time or just want to get create without overthinking it.

The Details

For this layout, I used a mix of soft blue and blush pink patterned papers, layered to create a subtle, dreamy vibe.  I kept the embellishing minimal – some die-cuts, soft florals and soft subtle embellishemt — to let the papers shine.

Here’s what I used –

  • Elodie 6 x 6 Paper Pad – Mintay Papers
  • Elodie Die Cuts – Mintay Papers
  • Basic White Smooth Cardstock for the base – Paper Rose Studio
  • Coloured Cardstock for layering – My Stash
  • Clear Crystal Sequins – Paper Rose Studiio
  • All Occasions Sentiments – Paper Rose Studio

Quick Tips –

  • Stick to one or two main colours, eg soft blue/pink for a cohesive feel.

  • Use a sketch as a guide, but don’t be afraid to change it up!

  • Layer your papers with a little bit of distressing or dimension to keep it interesting.

  • Let the papers be the star – keep embellishments clustered and intentional.

Final Thoughts

I love how gentle and pretty this layout turned out – perfect for “Anything Goes Saturday” where you can just create freely with what you love.  If you’ve got a stash of pretty pastel papers, I highly recommend giving a sketch layout a try.  It’s quick, it’s fun and oh-so-satisfying to see it come together.

Click the graphic below to watch the full tutorial on YouTube!

Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more easy cardmaking ideas!

Do you use sketches in your cardmaking or scrapbooking?  Let me know in the comments -and feel free to share your layout if you try something similar!

Until next time, happy crafting!

Vicky