Author Archives: amysolovay

February Crafts: Fun Ideas for Valentine’s Day Crafts and Other Crafts to Make This Month

February Garden Journal Pages for Discbound Planners Such As Happy Planner, Tul and Arc

February Garden Journal Pages for Discbound Planners Such As Happy Planner, Tul and Arc

Happy February, crafty friends!


Are interested in finding creative, unique, engaging and useful craft ideas for the month of February? There are SO MANY possible things you could be making — and I couldn’t even begin to list them all here in this short blog post. However, I’ll offer an overview of the pages that my typical readers tend to visit most frequently in the month of February. These suggestions are the most relevant February craft ideas I’m currently aware of. If you have other suggestions to add to this list, I invite you to post a comment at the end letting me and the other readers here know about them.

February Holiday Crafts

Valentine’s Day Crafting in the Month of February

Valentine's Day Crafts -- You're invited to check out these free crochet patterns for heart and flower motifs.

Need Valentine’s Day Craft Ideas? You’re invited to check out these free crochet patterns for heart and flower motifs.


Valentine’s Day is one of the more prominent February holidays on the Gregorian calendar. Many people celebrate this day by making Valentine’s Day crafts. It’s popular to exchange Valentine’s Day cards with your friends and loved ones; it’s also a day when couples take time out to spend a day, or at least an evening, together celebrating their romance.


Slimline Valentine's Day or All-Occasion Card Making Idea Featuring Paper Flowers; the Flower Stamps Are Made by Gina K Designs

Slimline Valentine’s Day or All-Occasion Card Making Idea Featuring Paper Flowers; the Flower Stamps Are Made by Gina K Designs

If you like to make fun Valentine gifts to give to your significant other or your friends / family, February is a fantastic time to work on these projects. You can tap here to find our ideas for Valentine Cards to Make, or tap here to find our main directory of Valentine’s Day craft ideas.


You can click or tap here to view our main directory of card making ideas.


If you want more info on how to make the floral slimline card pictured above, go HERE.

February Planner Crafts and DIY Calendars

If you maintain a physical planner, junk journal, scrapbook, or art journal, you might want to decorate your February calendar pages, journal pages or scrapbooking layouts with seasonal stamped images or embellishments. I invite you to check out the following pages for ideas:

Winter Craft Ideas

We’ve put together a list of winter crafts that are seasonally appropriate for February crafting in many regions of the Western hemisphere.


We hope these ideas are useful to you as you start on your February crafting. Thanks so much for your interest!


Posted By: Amy Solovay


This page was last updated on 2-11-2024.

January Garden Journal Pages for the Happy Planner or Other Discbound Planners

January Garden Journal Pages for Happy Planner or Other Discbound Planners

January Garden Journal Pages for Happy Planner or Other Discbound Planners

Happy January, Crafty Friends!


In most of the United States, it’s now the dead of winter. Even if you’re an avid gardener, gardening might be the last thing on your mind. However, this month is a fantastic time to start planning this coming year’s garden — and making a garden journal to track your gardening successes and failures. If you haven’t already started a garden journal, now is the ideal time to do it.


When I am actively gardening, I habitually make garden journal pages to keep a record of what I did well (so I can repeat those successes) and about what went wrong (so I can tweak my approach the following year and hopefully fix whatever went wrong). I also like to keep a record of what I planted where, so that I can be sure to rotate crops effectively the next year. My garden journal also incorporates to-do lists that keep me on track on what needs to be done in the future.


If garden journaling is of interest to you, I invite you to check out more of my garden journal pages and read more about my process for making them.


If you maintain a garden journal, I’d love to know more about what you record in it and how it has helped you achieve your gardening goals. What do your garden journal pages look like? The floor is open for comments, so please feel free to ask questions or share insights in the comments area below.


Thanks so much for visiting! I truly appreciate your presence here.

More Winter Crafts

Posted By: Amy Solovay

How to Make a Wedding Card With a Gift Card Holder Inside: Free Step-By-Step Tutorial

Check Out These Free Step-By-Step Instructions for Making a Wedding Card With a Gift Card Holder Inside!

Hello, creative friends!


Today I’m guest designing for my super talented friend, Emily Moore. It’s possible that perhaps y’all already “know” Emily, too; her work is outstanding, and you’ve likely seen it posted around the internet at places like A Cherry on Top Crafts, where Emily is a design team member.


Another interesting fact about Emily: She recently decided to launch the Emily Moore Designs collection of paper craft supplies. So far, the collection includes dies, papers and stamps. If you’d like to try all of the above, you’ll want to check out her Card Maker’s Essential Bundle which enables you to get a “Happy Mail” package delivery of all Emily’s most popular items.


As part of my commitment to be a guest designer at Emily Moore’s website, I made three new wedding cards using her dies. Today, I’m sharing step-by-step instructions for the A2-sized, love-themed wedding card pictured below, but I hope you’ll check out the others, too (I’ve shared a pic of the others at the end of this post plus links to where you can find them on the internet).

Love Themed, A2-Sized Wedding Card With a Gift Card Holder Inside

Love-Themed Wedding Card Making Idea; This Wedding Card Features a Gift Card Holder Inside. You Can Make the Gift Card Holder Using a Die by Emily Moore Designs.

Love-Themed Wedding Card Making Idea; This Wedding Card Features a Gift Card Holder Inside. You Can Make the Gift Card Holder Using a Die by Emily Moore Designs.

The Wedding Card Interior Featuring a Gift Card Holder:

Handmade Wedding Card With Gift Card Holder and Gift Card Inside

Handmade Wedding Card With Gift Card Holder and Gift Card Inside

Supplies Needed for Crafting a Wedding Card Like This One

Die Cut Images Made Using the Card Sentiments Die Set by Emily Moore Designs

Die Cut Images Made Using the Card Sentiments Die Set by Emily Moore Designs


Craft Supplies You'll Need for This Card Making Project Include a Die Cutter, Dies, Patterned Papers, Paper Flowers, and Adhesive. I've Used Patterned Papers From Graphic 45's PS I Love You Collection.

Craft Supplies You’ll Need for This Card Making Project Include a Die Cutter, Dies, Patterned Papers, Paper Flowers, and Adhesive. I’ve Used Patterned Papers From Graphic 45’s PS I Love You Collection.

I recommend the following craft supplies for making these cards:

  • Patterned Papers: To get the look pictured here, use patterned papers from Graphic 45’s “PS I Love You” paper collection; however, be aware that there are many other paper collections available that could also give you amazing results.


  • Dies: To make the card front, you’ll need the Card Sentiment Die Set by Emily Moore Designs; for the card interior, you’ll need Emily Moore’s Gift Card Holder Die.


  • Korker Ribbon: I bought the curly ribbon, known as “Korker ribbon,” from a vendor that sells supplies for making little girls’ hair accessories. I don’t think that particular supplier is still in business, but you can find plenty of similar korker ribbons for sale on Etsy. Also, you do not specifically need the curly ribbon for this card design; if you already have ordinary ribbon stashed, you can use what you have.


  • Black Ink Pad and / or Black Marker: I used black marker and / or Tim Holtz’s Distress Oxide in the Black Soot color for inking and drawing around most of the edges of my die-cut shapes and cut-out paper pieces on this card.


  • Flower and Butterfly Embellishments: You’ll need some flower embellishments and a butterfly embellishment to emulate the card design pictured here. There are many ways to achieve this look; you can stamp and die cut your butterfly, or you can buy a ready-made butterfly. For your flowers, you can die cut and assemble three-dimensional flowers, or you can buy pre-made flowers. If you want to go with the exact butterfly and flowers I used, check out Graphic 45’s PS I Love You flower assortment and paper flowers by 49 and Market.


  • Adhesive: I used Cherry Tape and Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive to make this card, but you can use any adhesive intended for paper.


  • White or Solid-Colored Cardstock: To make the gift card holder, you could use either patterned paper from your paper collection, or you could use white or light-colored cardstock that matches your patterned paper.


  • A border die, OR decorative scissors with a scalloped edge

How to Make This Wedding Card:

  • Using the tag die from Emily Moore’s Card Sentiment Die set, cut out 3 different tags, positioning the dies so that you get an appealing pattern from each.
  • Using the decorative scissors or a border die, cut out a border design to use along the lower edge of the card. Ink around the edges of the die cut shape with contrasting but matching ink.
  • Ink around the edges of your tags with an ink color that complements the colors of your patterned papers. Let the inky embellishments dry before using them.
  • To make your card front, cut one rectangle of patterned paper measuring 5 1/2″ by 4 1/4″, and a second, smaller rectangle in a contrasting color measuring 5″ x 3 3/4″. Ink around the edges of all these rectangles with a coordinating ink color to add visual interest. Then set the pieces aside in a spot where they will be undisturbed while the ink is drying, and move on to the next step: creating the card bases.
  • For each card base, cut a piece of patterned paper measuring 11″ x 4 1/ 1/2″. Score and fold down the middle so you end up with a card base measuring 5 1/2″ by 4 1/4″.
  • When the inked edges are dry, layer your patterned paper rectangles on top of each other and attach them to the card front with adhesive.
  • Attach your gift card holder shape inside the card.
  • Arrange your tags, flowers, butterfly, ribbon and other elements on your card front. When you’re happy with the placement, attach them to the card front with adhesive.
  • If you know who the card recipient is, personalize the card and place the gift card inside it. It is ready for giving.

Where to Buy Emily Moore Designs Dies and Other Craft Supplies:

There are two places I know of where you can buy Emily’s craft supplies:

So that’s one possible wedding card making idea you can try. I’ll leave you with a picture showing this one plus a couple of other similar wedding card making ideas.


Handmade DIY Wedding Cards

Handmade DIY Wedding Cards

Find More Wedding Card Making Ideas From This Series:

You’ll find the free step-by-step instructions for making the “Congratulations” A2-sized wedding card posted at Emily’s blog:

Wedding card making idea with “Congratulations” sentiment and gift card holder inside, plus ideas for maximizing your craft supplies stash

Please check back here tomorrow morning (Thursday, 12-21-2023) if you’d like to read the free tutorial on how to make the slimline wedding card pictured above.


For an overview of these projects, and more details on why you might want to select a gift card as a wedding gift instead of selecting a gift from the happy couple’s gift registry suggestions, you’re invited to check out the following post at my other website:


Wedding Card Making Ideas Featuring Sentiment Dies by Emily Moore Designs and Patterned Papers from Graphic 45’s PS I Love You Collection

The floor is open for comments! So if you have questions or insights to share, you’re invited to drop us a comment and let us know what’s on your mind.


Thanks so much for your presence here, and for your interest in these projects.

More Paper Craft Projects Featuring Craft Supplies by Graphic 45:

Posted By: Amy Solovay


This page was last updated on 12-31-2023.

How to Make a Slimline Wedding Card

There Are Zillions of Possible Ways You Could Make a Slimline Wedding Card. In This Post, I Offer Free Step-By-Step Instructions for Making a Slimline Wedding Card Using Emily Moore’s Card Sentiment Dies, Plus Patterned Papers From Graphic 45’s PS I Love You Collection.

Hello, crafters!


Today I’m sharing a project I created as part of a guest design gig I worked on for my super talented friend, Emily Moore.


Emily’s brand new collection of paper craft supplies is amazing! Emily’s product line consists of a versatile grouping of dies, papers and stamps. If you’d like to try all of the above, you’ll want to take a look at her Card Maker’s Essential Bundle, which enables you to easily receive all Emily’s most popular items.


As part of my commitment to be a guest designer at Emily’s website, I made three new wedding cards using her dies. Today, I’m sharing step-by-step instructions for the slimline wedding card pictured below, but I hope you’ll check out the others, too (I’ve posted a photo of the other card designs at the end of this post plus shared web links to where you can find these craft project ideas).

Slimline Wedding Card

Slimline Wedding Card Making Idea

Slimline Wedding Card Making Idea

Supplies Needed for Crafting a Wedding Card Like This One

Die Cut Images Made Using the Card Sentiments Die Set by Emily Moore Designs

Die Cut Images Made Using the Card Sentiments Die Set by Emily Moore Designs


Craft Supplies You'll Need for This Card Making Project Include a Die Cutter, Dies, Patterned Papers, Paper Flowers, and Adhesive. I've Used Patterned Papers From Graphic 45's PS I Love You Collection.

Craft Supplies You’ll Need for This Card Making Project Include a Die Cutter, Dies, Patterned Papers, Paper Flowers, and Adhesive. I’ve Used Patterned Papers From Graphic 45’s PS I Love You Collection.

I recommend the following craft supplies for making these cards:

  • Patterned Papers: If you have your heart set on getting the look pictured here, use patterned papers from Graphic 45’s “PS I Love You” paper collection; otherwise, feel free to choose other patterned papers that you love.


  • Dies: To make the card front, you’ll need the Card Sentiment Die Set by Emily Moore Designs.


  • Mini Slimline Scalloped Frame Die by Pinkfresh Studio


  • Black Ink Pad and / or Black Marker: I used black marker and / or Tim Holtz’s Distress Oxide in the Black Soot color for inking and drawing around most of the edges of my die-cut shapes and cut-out paper pieces on this card. The Black Soot color looks fantastic with the papers and embellishments from Graphic 45’s PS I Love You collection, but if you are using a different paper line, you’ll want to use an ink color and marker that complement the papers and embellishments you’re using; in that case, Black Soot might not be the right choice for that.


  • Flower Embellishments: You’ll need some flower embellishments to create a card similar to the one pictured here. If you want to use the exact flowers I used, check out Graphic 45’s PS I Love You flower assortment and paper flowers by 49 and Market.


  • Adhesive: I used Cherry Tape and Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive to make this card, but you can use any adhesive intended for paper.


  • Cardstock: You’ll need a paper to use for making your card base. This can be light colored, not-too-busy patterned paper or cardstock. I used Neenah Solar White 110 lb. Classic Crest Cover cardstock, which I highly recommend getting if you do not already have suitable cardstock or paper available in your craft supplies stash. There are many different cardstocks and papers that would work well for this, so use what you have if you have one that’ll work.

How to Make This Wedding Card:

  • Using the tag die from Emily Moore’s Card Sentiment Die set, consider where you will position the die on your patterned paper to get an appealing design. Emily’s tag die is designed with a “window” on it that allows you to see through to the paper underneath. This empowers you to easily place the die right where you want it, without having to guess if it’s in the right spot. I recommend moving the die around on your paper to get an idea of how your tag will look. Graphic 45’s cut-apart patterned papers give you many amazing options for making eye-catching tags.
  • Once you’ve selected a suitable design to be the tag’s focal point, cut out a tag.
  • Ink around the edges of your tag with an ink color that complements the colors of your patterned papers.
  • Use the other Card Sentiment Dies to cut other shapes and embellishments from patterned paper. Then ink around the edges of the die cut shapes with contrasting but matching ink. Let the inky embellishments dry before using them.
  • Die cut the mini slimline scalloped rectangle frame from patterned paper. You will use the inside piece and the middle piece, but not the outer piece; save that for some other project. When you attach these to the card front, you’ll turn the middle piece over to the back so you can use the contrasting designs together.
  • To make your card front, cut one rectangle of patterned paper measuring 3.5″ x 8.5″. Ink around the edges of the rectangles with a coordinating ink color to add visual interest. Then set the piece aside in a spot where the ink can dry undisturbed.
  • Cut another rectangle measuring 3″x8″ out of contrasting patterned paper. Ink around the edges and set the piece aside so the ink can dry.
  • For the card base, cut a piece of patterned paper measuring 7″ x 8.5″. Score and fold down the middle so you end up with a card base measuring 3.5″ x 8.5″”.
  • Layer your patterned paper rectangles on top of the card base and attach them both to the card front with adhesive.
  • Arrange your tag, flowers and other elements on your card front. When you’re happy with the placement, attach them to the card front with adhesive.
  • If you know who the card recipient is, personalize the card. It is ready for giving.

Where to Buy Emily Moore Designs Dies and Other Craft Supplies:

There are two places I know of where you can buy Emily’s craft supplies:

So that’s one possible wedding card making idea you can try. I’ll leave you with a picture showing this one plus a couple of other similar wedding card making ideas.


Handmade DIY Wedding Cards

Handmade DIY Wedding Cards

Find More Wedding Card Making Ideas From This Series:

You’ll find the free step-by-step instructions for making the “Congratulations” A2-sized wedding card posted at Emily’s blog:

Wedding card making idea with “Congratulations” sentiment and gift card holder inside, plus ideas for maximizing your craft supplies stash

Yesterday’s blog post here at KnittingCrochetCrafts.com gives you step-by-step instructions for how to make a wedding card with a gift card holder inside.


For an overview of these projects, and more details on why you might want to select a gift card as a wedding gift instead of selecting a gift from the happy couple’s gift registry suggestions, you’re invited to check out the following post at my other website:


Wedding Card Making Ideas Featuring Sentiment Dies by Emily Moore Designs and Patterned Papers from Graphic 45’s PS I Love You Collection


Over to You:


The floor is open for comments! So if you have questions or insights to share, you’re invited to drop us a comment and let us know what’s on your mind.


Thanks so much for your presence here, and for your interest in these projects.

More Paper Craft Projects Featuring Craft Supplies by Graphic 45:

Posted By: Amy Solovay


This page was last updated on 12-21-2023.

Black Friday Deals for Scrapbookers, Card Makers and Paper Crafters

Happy Black Friday, Crafty Friends! If you are here hoping to get the inside scoop on where to find the best Black Friday deals on paper craft supplies for card making, scrapbooking, planner crafts, etc., you’re in luck — because this post is loaded with info on all my best Black Friday finds!

Black Friday is one of my favorite days of the entire year because it’s a fantastic day to buy stamps, patterned paper, cardstock, stickers, dies, and other craft supplies on sale at amazing discounts. For example, one of my favorite stamp and ink suppliers, Gina K Designs, is having a huge Black Friday sale where you can get 25% off ALMOST her entire store! (A few things like gift cards, clearance items and doorbuster specials are excluded from the sale).
WOW!


Even at full price, I think Gina K’s stamps, inks, cardstock and other supplies offer an outstanding value for the money you spend on them. I willingly pay full price for her craft supplies, and even at full price, I always feel like I’m getting my money’s worth. So to my way of thinking, a discount off her regular prices amounts to a really, truly, stellar, AMAZING deal.


Let’s take a look at an example of Gina K’s supplies you can pick up during her amazing Black Friday sale today:

I made this card using Gina K’s Fancy Florals stamp set:

Slimline Card Idea Featuring Paper Flowers; the Flower Stamps Are Made by Gina K Designs

Slimline Card Idea Featuring Paper Flowers; the Flower Stamps Are Made by Gina K Designs

This stamp set is one of my all-time favorite, most-used sets. I highly recommend it, and you can get 25% off if you buy it today or any day before they sell out or the sale ends on 11/27/2023.

A Cherry on Top’s Black Friday Sale and Deals

In 2022, I spent pretty much my entire crafting budget for November and December at A Cherry on Top’s Black Friday sale. They had the best deals out of ALL the places that I shop. I have no idea what their Black Friday deals will be like this year, but if you are a paper crafter, artist, crocheter, knitter, needleworker or any other type of crafter, I definitely recommend checking them out. An email I got from them a few days ago mentioned a discount code offering 15% off everything in their store excluding gift certificates/cards, Cherry Box subscriptions, shipping, and taxes. You can click or tap here to get the code for that.


On Black Friday, they have planned to offer 80+ amazing Black Friday bundles featuring amazing deals on some of their most popular craft supplies. Be aware that you have to get there FAST to take advantage of those, because they sell out SUPER FAST. Last year I had my credit card ready and scored a bunch of amazing supplies by buying several of their bundles!!! I highly, highly recommend paying them a visit!! Click or tap here to check out A Cherry on Top’s Black Friday Sale and Deals

Scrapbook.com’s Black Friday Sale and Deals

I just checked to see what’s new at Scrapbook.com, and right now they have several amazing freebies available plus 10% off their entire store.

So there you have it: Those are the best Black Friday Deals I’m currently aware of that would be of interest to scrapbookers, card makers, planner crafters and other papercrafters. Happy holidays to you and yours, and happy shopping!