Sunday, April 26, 2026

Magical Dragon Easel Shaker Card

If you love interactive cards with a touch of whimsy, this heart-shaped dragon shaker card is such a fun project to create! With layered hearts, vibrant ink blending, and sparkling shaker elements, this design is perfect for celebrating Mother’s Day—or any special occasion.


Hey there! I'm here today showing you how easy it is to put a card like this together! I love creating easel cards and thought it would be fun to add a shaker. It may look complicated, but it’s really not.




Step 1: Create the Card Base


Start with a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch square card. You can either leave it square or die cut a desired shape. This will be your card base. Score, fold and burnish at the center of the card front lengthwise. This will serve as the easel element.

Also, go ahead and cut 2 white cardstock panels slightly smaller than the card base. One will serve a the background on the card front. The other is for the inside.

Step 2: Ink Blend the Background


Using the In My Heart of Hearts Stencil, blend ink over one of the white cardstock panels. Focus the color around the edges for a soft, glowing effect while keeping the center lighter. This adds depth behind your shaker window.

Adhere the background panel to the lower half of the card base.

Add the other white panel to the inside of the card.


Adhere the background panel to the lower half of the card base.


Add the other white panel to the inside of the card.




Step 3: Build the Shaker Window

  1. Die cut a heart frame from deep purple cardstock.
  2. Adhere a piece of acetate behind the opening.
  3. Add foam adhesive around the back of the frame.
  4. Place Opalescence Confetti Embellishments and Wisteria Confetti Embellishments onto the center of the card background.
  5. Adhere the shaker over the confetti embellishments.


Step 4: Color and Prepare the Dragons

Stamp the adorable dragon images from the Greatest Treasure Stamps and color them with your favorite medium (alcohol markers or colored pencils work beautifully). Add a bit of shimmer to wings for extra sparkle, then fussy cut or die cut them out.



Step 5: Assemble the Focal Point


Arrange the dragons on top of the shaker window using foam adhesive for dimension.



Step 6: Prepare the Sentiment


Stamp “Happy Mother’s Day” from the Greatest Treasure  set onto a banner from the Banner Die Set with Versamark and heat emboss.


Step 7: Final Embellishments


Stamp the heart images from the Greatest Treasure set. Color, fussy cut and add glitter glue for a little extra sparkle. 

Lightly ink the edges of the sentiment banner. Adhere with foam tape to the inside of card near the center. This acts as the “stop” for the easel. I did also add a die cut heart beneath the sentiment.

Add the hearts to complete.










Recap of Supplies 


This dimensional heart card stands beautifully and is sure to bring a smile! The combination of soft stenciling, interactive shaker elements, and adorable dragons makes it a standout handmade creation.


Until next time…


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Linking up to:
613 Avenue Create - playing ATG
Daisy Chain Challenge - No Design Paper
Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Something Old(easel card die)/Something New(stamps)
A Place to Start - ATG/Ombre Twist


Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Uplifting Umbrella Shaker Card

Do you find that everyone, from time to time, needs a little encouragement and/or reminder that even a rainy, dark day can be turned around? Today I'm  here with my latest CutCardStock project. It is an uplifting umbrella shaker card that is sure to add a little sunshine to a rainy day!

This card features a textured brick background, soft floral accents, and a bold yellow umbrella. This design is full of dimension, movement, shaker bits and an encouraging sentiment that is sure to raise spirits.




Supplies for Uplifting Umbrella Shaker Card


Step 1: Create the Card Base

Cut a piece of Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock to 7 x 10 inches. Score at 5 inches on the 10 inch side, fold and burnish to create an A7 (5 x7 inch) card base. Set aside.


Step 2: Die Cutting for Uplifting Umbrella Shaker Card

Use a shape die to cut a window from the center of a 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inch piece of Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock. This will be the focal area for your shaker.




Die cut 2 floral corner pieces out of Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock.




Cut 2 umbrellas. One out of Bright Foil Silver 10 pt Cardstock and one out of DCS Canvas Textured Rubber Ducky Yellow Cardstock. The silver piece serves as the base of the umbrella. Trim the handle and top off of the yellow umbrella. Draw in sections and shading on the yellow piece. See photo for reference.




Step 3: Inking & Stamping Sentiment

Run the shaker window panel through your die-cutting machine using a brick embossing folder to create texture. Add ink with an ink blending tool to the raised areas.



Ink the floral borders to add color and adhere to the embossed panel.




Cut a piece of Lessebo Salt Water Blue Cardstock to 5 x 7 inches for the card background and base of the shaker. Stamp the sentiment so it will be seen through the shaker window. Adhere to the white card base.




Step 4: Build the Shaker

Attach acetate behind the window opening. Add foam adhesive to the back side.





Pour sequins or shaker mix onto the card base.



Adhere the panel to the card base.





Step 5: Finishing the Uplifting Umbrella Shaker Card

Assemble the umbrella pieces and adhere to the card.
Add sequins to complete.





You now have a bright and uplifting umbrella shaker card featuring texture, movement and a pop of sunny color! The combination of embossed detail, soft florals, and interactive elements makes this a standout design for any occasion.

Thanks so much for checking out my project. I hope you’ve enjoyed it.


For more inspiration join us over on the CutCardStock Facebook Page and the Facebook Group Creating with CutCardStock. And check out our CutCardStock YouTube Channel too!

And, find even more inspiration on the CutCardStock Creative Blog!


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Linking up to:
613 Avenue Create - April Showers
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Watercolor and/or Spring + Sentiment
A Place to Start - playing ATG
A Cut Above - at least 1 die cut
Daily Chain Challenges - No Design Paper
The Four Seasons - Anything Spring

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Create a Scalloped Border Card

 This scalloped border card is such a sweet mix of soft color, pattern, and uplifting sentiment—perfect for spring or just sending a little encouragement! Hey there! Judy V here with a step-by-step tutorial so you can recreate this look.


Stamp and Color the Image

Stamp the birds from Birds of a Feather Stamps onto white cardstock that had been die cut on both the top and lower edges with Scalloped Border Die.



Color them using alcohol markers or colored pencils in a variety of bright, cheerful shades. Prismacolor Pencils are my choice.


Trimming Cardstock

Cut a piece of teal cardstock to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches. Score at 4 1/4 inches along the 8 1/2 inch side. Fold and burnish. This forms an A2 card base.

A piece of coral cardstock is cut to 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches. 

Trim a piece of a plaid pattern paper from the Spring Plaids Paper Pack to approximately 2 7/8 x 3 inches.

Stamp the sentiment from the Birds of a Feather Stamps below the bird image



Die Cut Embellishments

Die cut a small accent using the Scalloped Circle Die out of teal cardstock.

Cut two small banners using the Pennant Dies (one coral, one teal).




Assemble the Card


Adhere the pattern paper panel to the lower portion of the coral piece. This adds a soft, colorful foundation and balances the brighter top section.

Add the white scalloped piece over the plaid paper leaving to top of the coral panel bare.

Then adhere this assembled panel to the card base.


Finishing touches

Cut the scalloped circle die cut in half. Tuck under the white scalloped panel on the upper left side.

Add the 2 pennant pieces up under the lower left side.

Opalescence Confetti Embellishments are added randomly to the top half of the card to complete the design.




Final Thoughts


This design is a great way to combine patterned paper with clean stamping and soft die-cut details. The bright birds paired with the encouraging sentiment make it perfect for sending a little happiness through the mail.

Feel free to switch up the color palette or papers to match different seasons or occasions!


Supplies Used


Get 10% off your entire Pajama Crafter Stamps order through 11:59 PM
April 20, 2026 with code JUDY10.

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Linking up to:
Cut It Up Challenge - Colors of Spring
Classic Design Challenge - ATG/Furry Friends Twist
Crafty Animals - ATG w/animals
Critter Crazy - ATG/w featured critters
A Cut Above - ATG with Die Cut
A Place to Start - playing ATG
613 Avenue Create - playing ATG




Saturday, April 18, 2026

Home Sweet Home Jar Decor

 There’s something so special about creating decor pieces that bring a warm, handmade touch to your space—and today’s project does just that! Judy here sharing this adorable altered mason jar featuring beautiful Clear Scraps chipboard embellishments and a soft, homey color palette.



This project is perfect for spring decorating or as a thoughtful handmade gift for someone special.

Project Details

I started with a simple plastic jar and transformed it into a charming décor piece using patterned paper, soft florals, and layered chipboard elements.

Using: Home Chipboard Punchout EmbellishmentsMason Jar Wooden Covers



Lid Assembly

Let’s start by assembling the lid cover.

Layer and glue 3 of the included rings together. 


Next, add the piece with the hole in the middle.



Finish with the last ring and paint.




Next, choose chipboard pieces for the lid tops.



Paint the tops white and add color to the chipboard pieces.



Adhere chipboard to the tops and embellish with mini flowers.


Front Design

I cut a piece of patterned paper to add to the jar.



Color is added to 2 more chipboard pieces for the front of the jar.



The focal point of the jar is the “Home Sweet Home” chipboard embellishment. I love how dimension from chipboard instantly elevates a project! I layered the piece onto a white die cut circle to make the sentiment stand out against the patterned background.

To bring everything together, I added a mix of dimensional flowers in soft blues, creams, and peaches along the bottom. These little details add texture and make the design feel cozy and inviting.



Why I Love This Project

What I love most about this piece is how versatile it is. You can:

  • Use it as home décor
  • Turn it into a gift container
  • Fill it with seasonal items
  • Display it on a shelf or craft space

Clear Scraps chipboard elements make it so easy to customize and layer for a polished, dimensional look.

Final Thoughts

This “Home Sweet Home” mason jar is a simple project with a big impact. With just a few supplies and some creative layering, you can turn an everyday item into something truly special.





If you give this project a try, I’d love to see how you make it your own!