Category: Christina Rannow

Frosty & Festive Christmas
by Christina Rannow

Hello! Christina here, and today I’m sharing a festive and frosty Christmas card featuring three Block Print Petal Ornaments on a highly textured background that I created using the Simple Evergreen Sprigs. I chose a more modern color palette of pink and red with just a touch of green, and for some sparkle and shine, I incorporated some glitter and matte silver cardstocks. Let’s take a look at how this card came together.

My first step was to create the background panel. I started with a piece of blush cardstock trimmed to 3.75 x 5 inches and used Lumberjack Plaid Distress Ink to lightly ink the edges and to add splatter to the panel. Next I die-cut multiple Simple Evergreen Sprigs from white glitter cardstock and adhered them to the panel with a liquid adhesive. Once the glue set, I trimmed whatever sprigs were overhanging the edges with a large pair of scissors. Finally, I popped the panel up onto a 4.25 x 5.5 inch blush cardstock panel using foam tape.

Next, I die-cut the components for the ornaments. I chose red and white glitter cardstock for the base of the ornaments and added subtle shading to the red pieces before assembling them. Then I topped each ornament with a matte silver cap and tucked in small leaves from the Block Print Poinsettia Vase die set. I attached the ornaments to the background panel with thin foam squares and then tied bows onto each one using silver metallic cord.

To finish up my card design, I die-cut the Merry Christmas Festive Serif from red and matte silver cardstocks, and after assembling the text to the shadow piece, I attached it to my card front using thin foam squares. My last step was to attach my card front to a top-fold card base.

Thank you so much for reading about my frosty and festive Christmas card featuring the Block Print Petal Ornaments. See you again soon!

57679 Merry Christmas Festive Serif
57655 Block Print Petal Ornament
57691 Block Print Poinsettia Vase
57656 Simple Evergreen Sprigs

September 21, 2026
Warm Winter Wishes
by Christina Rannow

Hello, friends! It’s Christina, and today I’m sharing a cozy card, featuring the Block Print Heart Cardinal die set, which is perfect for the holiday season or just a wintery hello. I love cardinals, especially at Christmas time and when paired with a contrasting mint green color. I used that combination for this card design, tucking the cardinal in some winter greenery with glittery berries and framing everything with a Loop Stitch Frame. Let’s take a look at how this wintery card came together.

My first step was to create the background panel. I started with mint green cardstock and die-cut it using the largest Loop Stitch Frame. Then I used Pine Needles Distress Ink and blended in color just around the edges of the frame to create a lighter center area. To give this frame panel a frosty, snowy effect, I spattered it with both an opaque white and a glitter splatter medium. Finally, I popped this up onto a 4.25 x 5.5 inch mint green cardstock panel with foam tape.

My next step was to die-cut all the other elements for my design. I started with colored cardstock for the components of the cardinal and the greenery and, using a small blending brush, added subtle shading to each piece with a darker coordinating ink color. Then I assembled the cardinal and the holly leaves, securing the pieces with a liquid adhesive. I chose a white glitter cardstock for the berries and the sentiment but used mint green cardstock to die-cut the shadow piece for the sentiment. Before gluing the glittery sentiment onto the shadow piece, I very lightly added color to the edges with whatever color was leftover on my green blending brush.

Before assembling my card design, I spattered the greenery pieces with the same splatter mediums I used to spatter the Loop Stitch Frame panel. I let this dry before layering the greenery onto my card front, starting in the bottom left corner and securing the pieces with either a liquid adhesive or thin foam squares depending on their placement and if they overlapped another element. Generally, the elements in the very background are secured with a liquid adhesive, and the elements in the foreground are attached with foam squares. When I was happy with the placement of the greenery, I attached the cardinal, popping it up with regular foam squares in the lower left corner. Finally, I added the glittery berries and the sentiment before adhering the card front to a top-fold card base.

Thank you so much for reading about how this cozy wintery card featuring the Block Print Heart Cardinal came together. See you again soon!

57688 Loop Stitch Frames
57681 Block Print Heart Cardinal
57636 Block Print Holly Sprig
57656 Simple Evergreen Sprigs
57653 Warm Wishes Dapper Script
57561 Rosebud Arch Contour Layers

September 18, 2026
Autumn Kitty
by Christina Rannow

Hello crafty friends! I can tell the seasons are changing, although it is still quite warm where I am. While I wait for cooler weather and fuzzy sweaters, I have a warm and cozy autumn-inspired card to share with you today featuring the Block Print Kitty craft dies. I gave this handsome kitty an arched window to perch in and surrounded him with a flurry of fall leaves. Let’s take a closer look at how this card came together.

My first step was to create the background and window scene for the kitty. Using basic nesting arched dies, I die-cut a medium-sized arch from a white A2 cardstock panel. Next I created an arched frame by die-cutting two of the larger arches from black cardstock, and finally I die-cut the larger arch from an A2 kraft woodgrain cardstock panel. Before assembling the layered background, I blended Gathered Twigs Distress Ink into the woodgrain panel for a darker, richer woodgrain. Then I layered the woodgrain panel onto the white panel before finally inlaying the black frame along the woodgrain arch. I secured all the layers with a liquid adhesive and then attached them using thin foam squares to a piece of buttery yellow cardstock trimmed to 4.25 x 5.5 inches. Attaching the panels with foam squares gave more dimension to the window and gave the kitty a place to perch.

My next step was to die-cut and assemble the other elements of my card design. I chose gold, orange, and rust-colored cardstock for die-cutting the leaves and added shading to them with a darker coordinating ink color. I die-cut the pieces for the kitty from a dark gray cardstock and used Black Soot Distress Ink for adding more color and shading to the pieces before assembling him. Then, to finish the kitty, I added some facial details. I used a Copic marker for his green eyes and a white gel pen for his whiskers and the highlights in his eyes.

Now it was time to bring it all together. I attached the leaves to the yellow background with a liquid adhesive, tucking them under the arches and trimming them if needed. Then I perched the kitty in the center, securing him in place with thin foam squares. I heat-embossed a sentiment on a black sentiment strip with white embossing powder and attached it to my scene with more thin foam squares. The finishing touch was a few matte gold pearls.

Thank you for stopping by to read about my autumn-inspired card featuring the Block Print Kitty and the Fall Leaves craft dies. Happy crafting!

57580 Block Print Kitty
57698 Fall Leaves

August 28, 2026
Forest Mushrooms
by Christina Rannow

Hello! Christina here to share a charming fall-inspired thank you card featuring the new Block Print Tall Mushrooms craft dies. I paired these mushrooms with the Block Print Round Mushrooms and plenty of greenery to create a forest floor scene using rich and vibrant colors. I chose a simple sentiment and a few clear droplets to finish my card design. Stick around and I’ll walk you through how this card came together.

My first step was to create the background panel, starting with white cardstock trimmed to 4.25 x 5.5 inches. Then, using Distress Inks and large blending brushes, I blended in browns and greens for the forest floor and bold teals and blues for the sky. I concentrated the most intense color around the edges of the panel and lightened the color using a lighter hand as I moved in to the center.

Next I moved on to die-cutting the other elements for my design. I started with colored cardstock for my die cuts, including what might read as white cardstock, which is actually ivory. Before assembling the pieces and securing them with a liquid adhesive, I added plenty of contrast and shading, especially to the mushrooms, with darker, coordinating ink colors.

After die-cutting and assembling the elements for my design, I arranged them onto my background panel. I secured the elements set in the background with a liquid adhesive and the elements either in the foreground or overlapping another element with thin foam squares. After securing everything, I trimmed anything overhanging the card front.

Finally, I added a simple “thanks” sentiment and a few clear droplets for embellishment before attaching the card front to a top-fold card base.

Thank you so much for reading about my charming, fall-inspired card design featuring the Block Print Tall Mushrooms craft dies. Happy crafting!

57672 Block Print Tall Mushrooms
57610 Block Print Round Mushrooms
57628 Sea Kelp and Mini Fish
57148 Thanks Sugar Script

August 19, 2026
Festive Joy
by Christina Rannow

Hello! I’m excited to finally share a little “Christmas in July” with you. I chose a non-traditional color palette for this card and used the recently released Block Print Festive Joy and Poinsettia Vase craft dies. The layered debossed leaves of the poinsettias are gorgeous, giving the flowers plenty of depth and dimension. And they pair perfectly with the delicate stitching of the new Loop Stitch Frames that I layered to create the background panel. I finished my card design with the Festive Joy word dies, which uses a classic serif font that will look wonderful on any of your holiday crafting projects. Let’s get started!

I started by die-cutting and assembling the poinsettias and the word “joy.” There are two sizes included in the set, and you can layer the petals and leaves as many times as you want. I chose to use two layers of petals for both of my flowers and die-cut them from two shades of red cardstock. For something a little different, I chose aqua cardstock for the leaves and layered them under the flowers after die-cutting them. I secured all the layers with glue and then finished up the flowers by adding the yellow centers. Next I die-cut the word “joy” from aqua cardstock and the layering pieces from red and yellow cardstock. I assembled the pieces and secured them with glue before moving on.

The background panel is simple to create. I started with a yellow A2 cardstock panel and then layered on two of the Loop Stitch Frames, one white and one a pale aqua. Then I arranged the poinsettias and the word “joy” onto the panel, securing them with glue, and finished my card design with a few yellow enamel dots.

Thank you for reading about this festive card design that I created using some of the recently released craft dies. See you again soon!

57694 Block Print Festive Joy
57691 Block Print Poinsettia Vase
57688 Loop Stitch Frames

July 28, 2026
Sleek Birds
by Christina Rannow

Hello, Christina here. Today I’m sharing a card that combines the Block Print Sleek Bird and the Stems and Berries die sets for a simple yet whimsical design. I chose a complementary color palette of yellow and blue for dramatic contrast and a big bold greeting to balance the design. Let’s take a look at how this card came together.

My first step was to die-cut and assemble the elements for my design from colored cardstock. I chose two shades of yellow and black for the birds. For the stems and leaves, I chose traditional brown and green cardstocks, and for the berries, blue cardstock.

Before assembling the pieces and securing them with glue, I added subtle shading to the pieces with a darker coordinating ink color, applying them with a small blending brush. To finish the die-cuts, I added a black pearl for the eyes of the birds and white gel pen highlights to the berries.

Next, I trimmed a piece of light blue cardstock to 4.25 x 5.5 inches to be the background panel. Then I created a simple rectangular frame, slightly smaller than the background panel, using basic nesting rectangle dies and more of the light blue cardstock. Before attaching the frame to the panel, I arranged the stems and berries in the lower half, and once I liked their placement, I trimmed them to fit within what will be the framed area and secured them with glue. Then I secured the birds amongst the stems and berries, slightly overlapping the frame, using thin foam squares.

My last step was to add a die-cut greeting and a stamped subsentiment. I chose bold, contrasting black and white cardstock for the “hello” greeting and stamped the subsentiment with black ink.

Thank you for reading about this simple yet whimsical card design featuring the Block Print Sleek Bird and Stems and Berries die sets. See you again soon!

57599 Block Print Stems and Berries
57696 Block Print Sleek Bird
57201 Big Hello Sugar Script

July 22, 2026
Graceful Fuchsia
by Christina Rannow

Hello! Christina here. Today I’m sharing a beautiful floral card featuring the new Block Print Fuchsia Spray dies. This set creates graceful, detailed blooms for an elegant card design full of depth and dimension. I paired the set with a simple sentiment and a basic frame to showcase the beauty of these fuchsia blooms. Let’s take a closer look at how this card came together.

I started by die-cutting the fuchsia pieces from colored cardstock. I chose a trio of pinks for the blooms and a vibrant sea green for the leaves. Before layering and assembling the pieces, I added shading to each piece with a darker coordinating ink color using a small blending brush. After assembling them, I set them aside while I worked on the background panel.

For the background panel, I started with a mint green A2-sized piece of cardstock. Then I blended in a darker sea green color on just the top half of the panel. Next, while leaving space for the sentiment, I played around with the arrangement of the fuchsia blooms and greenery until I liked the layout. Before securing the die-cuts to the background panel, I first stamped the sentiment with a coordinating green ink. Then I secured the die-cuts with either glue or, for added dimension, thin foam squares. I left the space around the perimeter of the background panel free of die-cuts so I could add a frame. I ended up having to trim just a couple of stems and the top of a bloom to accommodate the frame.

To create the look of a matted frame, I used two basic nesting rectangle dies. I die-cut the larger one from sea green cardstock and the smaller one from white cardstock. Before layering these together, I blended a darker coordinating ink color around the inside edge of the sea green frame. Then I popped up the layered frame on my card front using foam tape and attached everything to a top-fold card base. The finishing touch was to add a few translucent green embellishments.

Thank you for reading about my elegant card design featuring the graceful Block Print Fuchsia Spray die set. See you again soon!

57661 Block Print Fuchsia Spray
CL8168 Vintage Everyday Greetings

June 30, 2026
Summer Garden Snapshot
by Christina Rannow

Hello, Christina here! Summer has arrived, and there’s an abundance of inspiration in our gardens right now. Flowers are in full bloom and butterflies are fluttering about, the perfect combination for a lovely “Thinking of You” card. To create this garden snapshot, I paired the Daisy Flower dies with the Scallop Butterfly dies inside a wide frame and tucked in plenty of greenery. This card design is all die-cutting except the stamped sentiment, so it comes together easily. Let’s get started!

My first step was to die-cut the elements for my design from colored cardstock and assemble them. I chose fuchsia and yellow for the daisies and turquoise, black, and yellow for the butterfly. For the greenery, I chose two shades of green.

Next, I die cut a wide frame from a white cardstock panel using a basic rectangle die. Then, I popped the frame up on a soft blue cardstock panel using thin foam squares. With the frame panel complete, I started to arrange my die-cut elements within the frame. Once I was happy with the layout, I attached them with either liquid glue or, for added dimension, small foam squares. I let some of the elements overhang the frame so it looked like the scene was popping out towards you.

My final steps were to add a stamped sentiment banner and attach my card front to a top-fold card base.

Thank you so much for reading about my summer garden-inspired card design featuring the Daisy Flower and Scallop Butterfly die sets. See you again soon!

57588 Foliage Bunch

57602 Block Print Scalloped Butterfly

57634 Block Print Daisy Flower

June 16, 2026
Sardine Delights
by Christina Rannow

Hello! Today I’m sharing something a little different. This delightfully quirky card features the Block Print Sardines die set, and using vintage sardine tins as inspiration, I created something reminiscent of those brightly colored tins. These little guys look right at home nestled inside rounded rectangle frames with a couple of sentiment banners splayed across them. Stick around and I’ll walk you through my process for creating this card.

My first step for this project was to create the sardines. These little fish just spoke to me, and I knew I could create something fun and different with them. I chose a light blue cardstock for the heads and tails and added some shading to them with a darker blue ink color and a small bending brush. For their bodies, I started with white cardstock and ink-blended them with yellow and orange inks. Finally, I assembled the pieces and finished them up with a shiny black pearl for each eye.

My next step was to create the background. I wanted something that would mimic the look of a tin, so I used nesting rounded rectangle dies to die-cut royal blue and warm gray cardstock panels. I die-cut a larger rectangle from the royal blue cardstock and a smaller one from the warm gray and then layered the frames together. Then I attached the frames to an A2 royal blue cardstock panel with foam squares to give them some height and dimension.

With the background panel completed, I was able to nestle the sardines into the center area, securing them with glue. If you look at vintage sardine tins, there’s a lot of text, banners, and icons on them, so I chose two sentiment banners, stamped them with sentiments, and attached them to my card with more foam squares. The finishing touch was to add a hexagram starburst that I die-cut from chartreuse cardstock to each corner.

Thank you so much for reading about this quirky card I created using the Block Print Sardines die set. See you again soon!

57619 Block Print Sardines

May 29, 2026
Proud Seahorse
by Christina Rannow

Hello friends! It’s Christina, and I have an under-the-sea-themed birthday card to share with you featuring the Proud Seahorse craft dies from the Block Print Collection. This handsome guy looks right at home tucked into some aquatic plants with a deep blue underwater backdrop. I love how this card design turned out, and I can’t wait to tell you how it came together! Let’s get started!

My first step was to create the under-the-sea background panel. I used my darkest blue ink and blended it onto the bottom of a cobalt blue cardstock panel, gradually getting lighter near the top of the panel. Then I used a stencil with small circles and more of the dark blue ink and stenciled them across the panel for tone-on-tone bubbles.

Next, I die-cut the components for the seahorse and the seaweed from white cardstock. Before assembling them, I added color with ink and blending brushes. I chose chartreuse and apple green ink for the seaweed and sunbeam, honey, and creamsicle ink for the seahorse. Then I arranged the die-cuts on the background and attached them with glue.

To finish things up, I die-cut a free-form watercolor shape from white cardstock, and before layering it onto the background panel to frame up the scene, I stamped “Happy Birthday” with coordinating blue ink along the bottom. The finishing touch was a few cobalt blue gems for embellishment.

Thank you so much for reading about my under-the-sea-themed birthday card featuring the Proud Seahorse craft dies. See you again soon!

57616 Block Print Proud Seahorse
57628 Sea Kelp and Mini Fish
CL8167 Plain and Simple Birthday Greetings

May 18, 2026