Saturday, December 13, 2025

Turning Tinfoil into a Beautiful Christmas Card Background


 

Sometimes the most unexpected supplies create the most beautiful results — and this project is proof of that. Today’s card uses a simple household staple most of us already have on hand: tinfoil. Paired with an embossing folder, it becomes a stunning, textured background that feels festive, elegant, and perfect for Christmas cards.

This is one of those techniques that makes you stop and say, “Why didn’t I try this sooner?”

Why Tinfoil Works So Well

Tinfoil has a natural shine that catches the light in all the right ways. When it’s embossed, the raised areas reflect light beautifully, instantly adding depth and interest without needing extra layers, inks, or embellishments.

For Christmas cards especially, that subtle shine feels just right — reminiscent of snow, frost, or metallic holiday dΓ©cor.

The Magic of Embossing Folders

Running tinfoil through an embossing folder creates bold texture with very little effort. Snowflakes, winter patterns, or classic designs all translate beautifully onto foil, giving you a professional-looking background in seconds.

This technique is:

  • quick and beginner-friendly

  • budget-conscious

  • perfect for batch cardmaking

  • easy to adapt for different styles

Keeping the Card Design Simple

Because the background has so much texture and shine, the rest of the card can stay clean and uncomplicated. A simple sentiment, a focal image, or a touch of greenery is often all you need to finish it off.

This is a great reminder that sometimes letting one element shine is all a card needs.

Make It Your Own

If you’re inspired to try this technique, here are a few ideas:

  • use different embossing folders for varied looks

  • pair foil with classic Christmas colours like red, green, navy, or white

  • try smaller foil panels for accents instead of full backgrounds

  • layer foil over cardstock for added stability

Each variation gives the technique a whole new personality.

A Technique Worth Revisiting

This is one of those ideas you’ll come back to again and again — not just for Christmas, but for winter cards, elegant occasions, and even modern designs throughout the year.

It’s simple, creative, and a wonderful reminder that beautiful cardmaking doesn’t require fancy supplies — just a little curiosity and a willingness to experiment.

I hope this inspires you to look at everyday items with fresh eyes and turn the ordinary into something special in your craft room.


smiles,

Laurie

Friday, December 12, 2025

From Fall to Christmas: Stretching the More Than Autumn Stamp Set



 

One of my favourite things about cardmaking is discovering just how versatile a stamp set can be. A simple change in colour, texture, or supporting images can completely transform the feel of a card — and today’s projects are a perfect example of that.

The More Than Autumn stamp set is often thought of as purely seasonal for fall, but that wonderful cup image has so much potential beyond pumpkins and leaves. With a few thoughtful choices, it moves beautifully right into Christmas.

The Fall Version: Warm, Cozy, and Familiar



For the fall card, the coffee cup takes centre stage, paired with softly stamped leaves and warm autumn tones. The design leans into everything we love about the season — cozy drinks, rich colours, and simple layers that let the images shine.

This style of card is perfect for:

  • fall greetings

  • thank-you cards

  • thinking-of-you mail

  • or just sending a little warmth to someone’s mailbox

It’s a reminder that sometimes less really is more — especially when the stamps themselves do the storytelling.

The Christmas Version: Pine Cones, Snowflakes & Tradition

Using the same coffee cup image, the card shifts effortlessly into Christmas by adding elements from Delicate Pines. Pine cones, snowflakes, and winter greenery instantly change the mood.

Classic Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive bring that timeless Christmas feel — cozy, traditional, and full of warmth. The result is a card that still feels inviting, but now whispers Christmas mornings, evergreen branches, and mugs wrapped in both hands on cold days.

This is one of my favourite ways to design:

  • reuse the focal image

  • change the supporting stamps

  • let colour do the seasonal work

Why This Matters in Your Craft Room

Stretching your stamp sets isn’t about limiting creativity — it’s about unlocking it.

When you look at an image and ask:

  • What season could this become with different colours?

  • What supporting stamps would change the story?

You start seeing possibilities everywhere.

One cup. So many seasons. Endless options.

Try This in Your Own Crafting

If you’re inspired to try this yourself:

  • Keep the layout the same

  • Swap colours and accents

  • Pull in seasonal textures (leaves vs. pine cones, warmth vs. sparkle)

It’s a wonderful exercise in creative confidence — and a great reminder that you already have more than enough supplies to make something beautiful.

Thanks for crafting along with me. I hope this inspires you to look at your stamp sets with fresh eyes — and maybe a warm drink close by.


smiles, 

Laurie

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

☕ Quick & Cozy — A Simple Fall Card You’ll Love


 

Sometimes the best cards come together with just a few simple elements — a favourite stamp, a cozy colour, and a touch of texture. That’s exactly what happened with today’s card, featuring the coffee cup from the More Than Autumn stamp set and a few softly stamped leaves.

This one came together easily, and I have to say — I love how warm and inviting it feels.


🍁 A Little Colour and a Lot of Cozy

The coffee cup was coloured quickly using Stampin’ Blends in Pumpkin Pie. Making it feel like your favourite latte on a chilly day.

Then, I added a few stamped leaves for that classic autumn look. The beauty of this design is in its simplicity — the soft layering of colour and the way everything coordinates naturally.

To make the whole card pop, I added a back layer of contrasting cardstock and ran that through an embossing folder. It’s amazing how a simple mat layer can make your design look complete and polished — like a frame for your artwork!


✨ Why I Love This Card

This project is a reminder that you don’t need complicated techniques or tons of supplies to make something special. Sometimes, a simple stamp set, a few favourite inks, and 15 minutes are all it takes to create a handmade card that makes someone’s day.

It’s quick, cozy, and perfect for fall — whether you’re sending a note to a friend, a thank-you, or just a little hello.


Do you enjoy making cozy coffee-themed cards too? Tell me your go-to fall colour combo in the comments — I love hearing what everyone’s crafting this season!

And if you try this layout, don’t forget to tag me at #ActOfStamping so I can see your beautiful fall creations. 


smiles,

Laurie

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Cozy Coffee and Texture _ a Fall card You'll love


Easy fall card idea using a 3D embossing folder! Add texture and warmth to your handmade cards with this cozy coffee-themed project from #ActOfStamping.

When the air turns crisp and the leaves start to fall, I always find myself reaching for warm colours, rich textures, and a good cup of coffee. This card is inspired by that cozy fall feeling — the kind that makes you want to craft with a latte by your side.

For today’s card, I paired a 3D embossing folder with coffee cup stamps to create a warm and layered background that’s full of texture and dimension. The embossing folder adds instant “wow”

Pin it to keep the idea for later when you're crafting your own Just for You Fall card!

smiles,

Laurie



Friday, October 3, 2025

Sparkle Twice: One Cut = Two Christmas Cards!


 


One of the best parts about holiday crafting is finding little tricks that save time — without sacrificing the sparkle. Today I’m sharing a fun way to stretch your Christmas glimmer paper: cut it once, and you’ll have enough to make two beautiful cards!

(Confession time: if you follow my instructions you’ll get it right… if you follow what I did in the moment, you might end up with a laugh instead of two perfect cards. πŸ˜‰ But that’s part of the fun of crafting, isn’t it?)

Why You’ll Love This Trick

✨ Double the cards from one cut
✨ Gorgeous shimmer without waste
✨ Quick and easy for holiday cardmaking marathons
✨ Perfect for mass-producing Christmas cards


I’ll walk you through the cutting trick step by step in my video tutorial, then show you how to put together two pretty, sparkly Christmas cards that are ready to mail or gift this season. A little shimmer goes a long way — and with this method, you’ll see just how far your glimmer paper can stretch.

Ready to Try?

Grab your glimmer paper, your favorite holiday stamps, and a paper trimmer. With one quick cut, you’ll be on your way to two fabulous Christmas cards — full of shine, texture, and that special handmade touch. Watch past my first cut to get to the correct (perhaps obvious) way to cut the two pieces at the same time for a perfect match.

Let’s make this season sparkle — one card (or two!) at a time. πŸŽ„πŸ’Œ


smiles, 

Laurie

✨ Pin this idea for later! If you’re looking for handmade Christmas card ideas, this glimmer paper hack is perfect for saving time. Learn how one cut can create two beautiful holiday cards that sparkle and shine — quick, easy, and oh-so festive!

Monday, September 29, 2025

Add Depth, Texture, and Wow Factor with Embossing Folders


 


One of the quickest ways to add instant wow to your handmade cards is with an embossing folder. With just a simple pass through your machine, you can transform plain cardstock into something full of texture, detail, and dimension. Panels of embossed paper can give even the most basic layouts a polished, professional look. Sometimes all it takes is the right texture in the right place to make your card really pop!

In today’s project, I’m sharing two ways to use a 3D embossing folder. Simple enough and you can completely transform your cardmaking. I’ll show how these techniques achieve very different looks. And take your Embossing folders from background enhancers to Focus point!

What you’ll see in this tutorial:

  • Simple card layouts that let your embossed panels shine

  • A few techniques to highlight those gorgeous raised details

  • How the right paper + ink + embossing combo delivers maximum impact

Whether you’re brand-new to embossing or looking for fresh ideas, these cards will inspire you to pull out your folders and give them another look. They’re the perfect way to stretch your supplies and step up your cardmaking with very little effort.

So grab some cardstock, your favorite embossing folder, and let’s get crafting — you’ll be amazed at how quickly your cards go from simple to stunning!


smiles,

Laurie 

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Versatile Variegated Leaves for a Crisp Fall card


 Add a lot of punch with just a little daub of deeper coloured ink to create pretty leaves. Achieve a variety of inked images which adds depth to your card as you create your own custom background of "Designer Paper" 

Falling leaves from the Textured Notes was never more easy to achieve.


smiles,

Laurie