Spellbinders Chess and Checkers Easel Birthday Card and SALE info!

August 21, 2026August 21, 2026 Pam Sparks1 Comment

Hi everyone! One of our grandsons just turned 20! HOW?! They grow up so fast! Our daughter found an antique chess table for him for his gift so then I knew I had to buy this collection for a birthday card! It can be checkers too so I know I’ll be able to use it some more.

Fortunately I saw some other cards made by Spellbinder cardmakers and was able to pretty much copy the set up. I know nothing about Chess!

The sentiment set that coordinates is really great too! I love that! Sometimes I get so bogged down trying to figure out sentiments! haha

I recommend doing the embossing folder first then stenciling in the colors. I used woodgrain paper to start with so I didn’t have to add a lot of ink to the lighter brown.

I cut the embossed, stenciled panel and the smaller portion worked out perfect for the bottom inside corner! So happy how that worked!

Easel cards are so easy to make. Make your top panel, then cut a card base and score the top in half. Glue the full top panel to the bottom of the card base (below the score) and boom, that’s it!

Here it is laying flat. Fits perfectly flat in an envelope and mail as usual.

One last close up photo…

Here’s a simple video showing it finished… (it doesn’t show the colors right but it gives you an idea for construction) Click the bottom right corner for full screen.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I appreciate it!

Here’s the dies and supplies I used to make this easel card. Email if you have any questions.

A GREAT SALE @ Spellbinders right now! Remember the Baking sets I just used? IT’S ON SALE 40% off!

HERE!

The Checkmate Collection that I used for my easel card is part of the sale too!!!

13% OFF @ Scrapbook.com. Click/Tap SBC below.

$5 OFF your next order @ Simon Says Stamp with code FRESH.

Spellbinders – Checkmate Collection -… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Spellbinders Layered Harlequin 3D… [ SSS ]	Chess & Checkers Etched Dies \| Hero… [ SPL \| SSS \| SBC ]
Well Played Sentiments Clear Stamp &… [ SPL \| SBC \| SSS ]	harlequin embossing folder [ SPL \| SBC \| SSS ]	Layered Harlequin Stencil \| Hero Arts… [ SPL \| SBC \| SSS ]
Scor-Pal MINI SCOR-BUDDY Scoring… [ SSS \| SBC ]	Scor-Pal 12×12 INCH MEASURING AND… [ SSS ]	Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Self-Adhesive… [ STR \| SSS \| SBC ]
Versafine – Onyx Black – full-sized… [ STR \| SBC \| SSS ]	MISTI TEAL PRECISION STAMPER Stamping… [ SSS \| SBC ]	MISTI Stamping Tool – The Most… [ SBC \| SSS ]
MISTI Stamping Tool – The Most… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Tonic Studios Tim Holtz 8.5 Inch… [ SBC \| SSS ]	Memory Box – SH44004 Black Glossy… [ STR ]
Simon Says Stamp 10 Sheets Great for… [ SSS ]	Lawn Fawn VANILLA MALT Cardstock LF1576 [ SSS ]	Lawn Fawn LIGHT BROWN WOODGRAIN 8.5 x… [ SSS \| SBC ]

All Occasion · Birthday · cards · Die Piecing · Fall · Flowers · Memory Box · Poppystamps · Summer

poppystamps Cottage Terrarium Card…

August 14, 2026August 15, 2026 Pam Sparks5 Comments

Hello everyone! I went a little Fall-ish today for this card. Pulled out a couple dies I hadn’t used yet and some Fall pattern papers.

This card reminds me of the fairy garden trend. The little house invites you in to imagine what could be living in there! lol

Basic die cutting and gluing. I die cut in white cardstock and ink blended the colors on with Distress inks and mini ink blending tools.

This is a little larger than an A2 size card. I will probably use an A6 or A7 envelope to mail it in.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Have a lovely weekend and keep making! (collecting ideas and products) hoho!

Dies and supplies I used to make this card… (I added some other dies from the series that complement the two dies I used.)

Poppystamps – 2648 Cottage Terrarium… [ STR ]	Poppystamps – 2663 Simple Floral… [ STR ]	Poppystamps – 2661 Mini Forest Plants… [ STR ]
Poppystamps – 2657 Forest Stump craft… [ STR ]	Poppystamps – 2655 Large Mushroom… [ STR ]	Memory Box – 94818 Mysterious… [ STR ]
Memory Box – PP1034 Nutmeg Forest 6×6… [ STR ]	Memory Box – PP1033 Nutmeg Plaid 6×6… [ STR ]	Lawn Fawn LARGE STITCHED RECTANGLE… [ SSS ]
Spellbinders Bayfair Nested Postage… [ SSS ]

All Occasion · Birthday · Bookmaking · Die Piecing · Spellbinders dies

Turn the Page Collection by Spellbinders…

August 10, 2026August 12, 2026 Pam Sparks8 Comments

Hi everyone! Spellbinders sent me the dies to this NEW collection but not the whole collection so this is what I came up with using other products I’ve purchased this year! Very fun and I didn’t begin to use all of the options! Yay for timeless though! (Watch for tags coming soon!)

Photo heavy post…

Cookies! Measure, Weigh, Mix, Bake, Cool, ENJOY! And the word RECIPES and rectangle on the front and under Cookies on the next page, as well as the main pages and hole reinforcements are all from the Keepsake Capsule Page Die Set.

I made a video and it’s posted on Instagram HERE. I tried to load it here but I couldn’t get it to work! grrr

The ticket under the word RECIPES is from the Page With Flap Pocket Die set.

The tag with the two cookies at the top and the ENJOY tag at the end are from the Keepsake Capsule Page Die Set.

Everything else is from the Tina Smith baking line of dies and stamp set. I’m just going to link below because it’s pretty easy to see what I used where.

If you have questions be sure to contact me through my email link here. I will answer!

I’m thinking to some challenge blogs…

Can You Handle the Pressure? – anything goes using embossing folders

A Cut Above – anything goes with a die cut (I didn’t do the optional twist)

NBUS #89 – Never Before Used Stuff

Thank you so much for stopping by! TTUL!

Dies and Supplies I used to make this little book…

Spellbinders has the Make it Bake it Collection on sale right now! Scrapbook. com has 12% off right now!

Spellbinders and Simon Says Stamp are out of stock on the Turn the Page Collection BUT Scrapbook. com has them in stock and I linked to them below! YAY!

SBC takes you to Scrapbook. com, SSS takes you to Simon Says Stamp, SPL takes you to Spellbinders! Thank you so much for shopping through my links. I appreciate the help paying for my blog to have NO ADS and to pay for Linkdeli to bring you these links to find products easier!

Spellbinders – Make It & Bake It… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Spellbinders – Make It & Bake It… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Spellbinders – Make It & Bake It… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]
Spellbinders – Make It & Bake It… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Spellbinders – Make It & Bake It… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Spellbinders – Make It & Bake It… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]
Spellbinders – Make It & Bake It… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Spellbinders – Turn The Page… [ SBC ]	Spellbinders – Turn The Page… [ SBC ]
Spellbinders – Turn The Page… [ SBC ]	Spellbinders – Turn The Page… [ SBC ]	Spellbinders – Turn The Page… [ SBC ]
Spellbinders – Turn The Page… [ SBC ]	Spellbinders – Turn The Page… [ SBC ]	1.5″ Book Rings – 12 pack \|… [ SPL ]

All Occasion · Birthday · cards · copics · Easel · Simon Says Stamp · Summer · Thinking of You

Simon Says Stamp Every Happiness Blog Hop Easel Card…

July 25, 2026July 25, 2026 Pam Sparks54 Comments

Hi everyone! It’s time to hop and be inspired by the NEW Simon Says Stamp Every Happiness release, a Free Gift AND a chance to win! SSS is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop from the blog comment sections. The winners will be posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog where the winners can find out how to redeem their prize. YAY! I hope you’ll comment!

Here’s my card from the release. SSS sent me the Woodland Friends stamp set.

So I had to get coloring! I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black Copic friendly ink and colored with Copic Sketch Markers. Mostly E 30’s but the stump is E40’s.

A totally charming set of cute critters, sentiments and accessories.

I masked off the bottom and ink blended Gathered Twigs and Mowed Lawn Distress ink. Then I moved the mask and ink blended the top with Tumbled Glass Distress ink.

Here it is from the side. I die cut the largest panel with Spellbinders Emerald Cut Labels and Tag die set in kraft cardstock, then inked it good with Gathered Twigs Distress ink.

I cut a top fold cardbase, scored at 5 ½ in then one side at 2 ¾ in for the easel. I cut the corners of the cardbase off with a scissors to match the top Emerald Cut panel, then I inked it up too.

After I adhered everything together with glue, I tied on the thin cord from May Arts.

When I cut out the mushroom image, by hand, I left a piece at the bottom so I could score and make a stopper.

Here it is A2 size, folds flat and ready to go in the envelope.

I added some dots with a copic marker and a white gel pen. I used a die cut heart and glossy accents to glam up the heart on the stump.

Here’s a short video of how it fits in an envelope and how it sets up! (if a thank you comes up, just tap/click on the CC or subtitles and turn it off. I have no earthly idea how it got on there!)

Have you seen the Simon Says Stamp gallery? It’s awesome! You are welcome to share your creations there also! Check it out HERE!

Here’s the HOP LIST…not sure I really need to post it since I’m the last one on the list! lol

Simon Says Stamp Blog
Nina-Marie Trapani
Emily Midgett
Cathy Zielske
Keisha Charles
Sandi MacIver
Suzy Plantamura
Mindy Eggen
Nichol Spohr
Alberto Gava
Caryn Davies
Rachel Alvarado
Rosemary Dennis
Susan Valle
Pam Sparks

Thank you so much for visiting my blog! So glad you made it this far! Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win!

Shopping links to Simon Says Stamp and the products I used to make this easel card…thank you for shopping through my links! I appreciate it!

Every Happiness – Simon Says Stamp [ SSS ]	Simon Says Stamps and Dies Woodland… [ SSS ]	Simon Says Clear Stamps Woodland… [ SSS ]
Simon Says Stamp Woodland Friends… [ SSS ]	Hammermill WHITE 100 LB SMOOTH… [ SSS ]	Tsukineko Memento TUXEDO BLACK INK… [ SSS ]
copic sketch markers at Simon Says… [ SSS ]	May Arts NATURAL Twine String Burlap… [ SSS ]	Tonic Deluxe Adhesive Nuvo Glue 200N [ SSS ]
Tim Holtz Distress Gathered Twigs Ink… [ SSS ]	Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Gathered… [ SSS ]	Tim Holtz Distress Reinker Gathered… [ SSS ]
Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad… [ SSS ]	Tim Holtz Distress Mowed Lawn Ink Pad… [ SSS ]	Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Mowed Lawn… [ SSS ]
Tim Holtz Distress Reinker Mowed Lawn… [ SSS ]	Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad Mowed… [ SSS ]	Tim Holtz Distress Tumbled Glass Ink… [ SSS ]
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Tumbled… [ SSS ]	Tim Holtz Distress Reinker Tumbled… [ SSS ]	Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad… [ SSS ]
Uni-Ball Pen Signo Gel WHITE UM-153 [ SSS ]	Ranger Mini Glossy Accents Glue… [ SSS ]

BetterPress · Birthday · cards · Embossing Folders · Hot Foiling · Spellbinders dies · Summer · Thinking of You

Spellbinders Magical Fuchsia Card…

July 23, 2026July 23, 2026 Pam Sparks12 Comments

Hi cardmakers and friends! Have you tried coloring with layering stencils yet? Do you like it? At first I felt challenged but I’ve persevered and with a few little tricks I feel confident to keep purchasing them because I love the look and I do enjoy doing it!

For this focal point I used the fuchsia plate, which can be used as a betterpress plate or a hot foil plate, with gold hot foil and the hot foil system.

Then I colored with inks and the coordinating layering stencils! Keep scrolling because I have some of the experiments photographed to show you!

I didn’t feel like I found the ideal position for the card photos so I’m just posting more!

I used the Nested Postage Labels & Tag die set for the panels.

The sentiment is from the same set as the fuchsia, the Magical Fuchsia Press and Foil Plate & Die set.

I used my favorite thin foam mounting tape to adhere the postage layer to the cardbase and the fuchsia to the pink panel.

Linking to some card challenges…

AAA Cards #319 – Color Challenge, use 3 of the 4 colors. Look close and you’ll see the orange!

Try it on Tuesday – Summer Blooms

Just Add Ink #790 – Stencils and or Dies, I used both

Tic Tac Toe #297 – first or second vertical rows

NBUS #88 – Mutual Appreciation Celebration!

Now for the practice pieces…

This one I stenciled first then tried to run it through the embossing folder. It shifted. I think I decided it’s better to emboss first, then stencil because you can move the stencil.

It looked pretty bad so I thought why not just use my gathered twigs mini blending tool and give it the aged look! I think I need to do this over because I do like this browning effect! haha, not a surprise to some of you who know my past of making everything brown for a few years!

This one turned out better on the coloring, embossing lining up but then I didn’t get the die lined up well for cutting it out!

I think I embossed this one after coloring with the stencils too… better than the purple one but still getting out of the lines made the die cutting look worse.

Die cutting the foiled image is definitely easier and a better result, the image on my card.

All in all, our cards are handmade which makes them more valuable, right?! lol

Thank you so much for clicking over and I hope you enjoyed this floral break from fishing cards! I do have another fishing card coming for sure and probably some from the past I haven’t posted. Some other cards too! I’m having fun! Happy Summer!

Looking or shopping links to what I used to make this card…

Spellbinders Magical Fuchsia… [ SBC \| SPL ]	Spellbinders Magical Fuchsia Press… [ SSS ]	Spellbinders Magical Fuchsia… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]
Spellbinders – Magical Fuschia… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Spellbinders Magical Fuschia Stencils… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Nested Postage Labels & Tag Etched… [ SPL \| SSS ]
Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Foam Tape… [ STR ]	Nuvo Deluxe Clear Drying Adhesive;… [ STR \| SBC \| SSS \| ACH ]	Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive Precision… [ STR \| SSS ]
Spellbinders – BetterPress Collection… [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Spellbinders – Glimmer Hot Foil System [ SBC \| SSS \| SPL ]	Spellbinders – Glimmer Hot Foil Roll… [ SBC \| SPL ]