Drifted Into Elegance

 Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

This elegant look came together completely by accident. I was planning to color the image with colored pencils, but after stamping and masking, I fell in love with the soft look of it just as it was. So instead, I reached for my Pitt Pastel pencils and gave them a try. The result feels dreamy and effortless, like a salty breeze drifting through a quiet coastal morning. This beachy scene was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Supply List:

Life's Too Short Chair

Fence Posts

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Additional Supplies: Grey Pitt Pastel Pencil, White China Pencil, Cloud Stencil

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Coffee Because Murder Is Wrong.

 Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

“Coffee Because Murder Is Wrong” might just be the crown jewel of snarky stamping, and without question, one of my favorite stamps from Crackerbox Stamps. I think we’ve all had days where coffee felt less like a beverage and more like a public service announcement. 

For this card, I paired that hilariously sharp sentiment with the soft elegance of the Wild Foliage Silhouette, and honestly, the contrast is what makes it work so well. You see the gentle botanical vibe first… then BAM, the snark lands like a caffeine catapult. Unexpected combinations are the confetti cannons of cardmaking.

To finish it off, I used a vintage coffee grinder image as a background stamp, which adds just the right amount of cozy café nostalgia and ties the whole theme together beautifully.

Supply List:

Wild Foliage Silhouette

Coffee Murder

Coffee Set 3

Memento Luxe Wedding Dress Ink

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Additional Supplies: Yellow, Orange and Blue inks, white embossing ink, white embossing powder, border dies, book pages

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Coffee, Cocoa & Crafty Deals!

  Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

Hola, coffee lovers! Maybe your cup is filled with tea leaves, cinnamon, cocoa, or espresso strong enough to wake the neighbor’s cat. Whatever your cozy potion of choice, now is the time to stock up because all coffee, tea, and cocoa-themed stamps are currently 25% OFF at the Crackerbox Stamps store!

And yes... that includes Coffee Set #3, the newest addition to the coffee-themed clear sets family. This card was brewed with that set plus a few extra goodies that are also on sale right now, making the whole project feel like a crafty café table exploded in the best possible way. 

Warm drinks, inky fingers, and stamp sets with personality? That sounds like a pretty delicious combo to me.

Supply List:
Coffee Cup Top View
Coffee Cup Top View Heart
Coffee Set 3

Additional Supplies: Embossing Powders (golden and black iridescent), die-cuts, bulb pin, circle dies, ribbon, pattern paper, Pitt pastel pencils, ephemera, and blender brush.

Card No. 2 features the new Coffee Lovers #3, and I am absolutely loving the vintage charm of this design. I used one of the larger sentiments to create a full background across the entire card panel, giving it lots of texture and interest. The finishing touches of paint splatters, washi tape, and vintage trims brought everything together like the perfect cup of aged espresso. 

CLOSE UP for card No. 1

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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From Sun Stamp to Bloom: Where New Ideas Take Root

Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

This is the card where the Sun Drawing Stamp first quietly reinvented itself as a blooming flower!

I used a Candy Hearts sentiment as the center, and from there, everything else just unfolded like petals deciding they wanted to be something new. Once that shift happened, the ideas didn’t just appear, they sprouted—one after another—until the whole design felt like it had been waiting for this transformation all along.

That’s the magic of a single stamp: it’s never just one thing. It’s a seed with a thousand possible directions, and sometimes it only takes a small twist to watch an entirely new garden begin to grow.

Supply List:

Sun Drawing

Candy Heart Big Sweet Sayings Set of 3

Additional Supplies: Yellow ink, Pink Ink, border dies, pattern papers, gauze, and wall tape

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Sunshine Simplicity

   Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

Sometimes simple cards carry the brightest glow. This card features the beautiful sun drawing stamp from Crackerbox Stamps. I am absolutely loving the carved, print-block feel of the design. The warm ink colors against the peach cardstock layers feel like bottled sunshine on paper.

To finish it off, I stamped the “Day Filled With Sunshine” sentiment in Versafine Nocturne ink, heat embossed it for that crisp shine, and added a few pearls for the final little sparkle. Clean, cheerful, and ready to brighten someone’s mailbox.

Supply List:

Sun Drawing

Day Be Filled With Sunshine

Versafine Nocture Ink

Additional Supplies: Yellow, Green, Orange, and Pink Inks, and Black Embossing Powder

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Sending Hugs to You, Moms!

Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

A brand new Mother’s Day card filled with sunshine and love. This one uses the Mother’s Definition background, the Sun Drawing stamp, and the Candy Sentiments to create a card bursting with color, texture, and tiny little details. Every layer was added with the hope of bringing a smile to Mom’s face and making her feel extra loved. 

Supply List:

Sun Drawing

Candy Heart Big Sweet Sayings Set of 3

Mother Definition

Versafine Nocture Ink

Additional Supplies: Purple and Navy Ink, Black Embossing Powder, watercolors, bling, and blender brush.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Turning Sunshine Into Sunflowers

  Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

Mother’s Day is peeking around the corner like a deadline in glitter-covered shoes, and I am still over here making cards that actually need to survive the postal system. 

This one, though, might be one of my favorites. I made it especially for my mom, and I really hope she loves it as much as I loved creating it. I used the sun stamp from Crackerbox Stamps in a completely different way, turning it into a bright sunflower for the focal point. The center uses a sentiment stamp, while the background is filled with the Mother’s Day definition stamp, adding layers of meaning and texture.

A little bit floral, a little bit vintage dictionary page energy, and fully made with love.

Supply List:

Sun Drawing

Candy Heart Big Sweet Sayings Set of 3

Mother Definition

Versafine Nocture Ink

Additional Supplies: Purple and Navy Ink, Black Embossing Powder, watercolors, bling, and blender brush.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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When Die Cuts Meet Stamps Magic Happens

  Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

Sometimes stamps are the perfect way to spruce up a die cut. I got this balloon cover plate as a gift from a friend, and I LOVE it… but how many times can I really use patterned paper for the balloons before it starts feeling a little “been there, done that”?
Today I switched it up and stamped my own balloon designs instead! Now I can make them elegant, bold, or totally custom, depending on who the card is for.
My sister’s birthday is coming up, and even though pink is definitely not her favorite color, I know she’s going to love this card because it’s unique… just like she is. 
I used the Single Bloom stamp from Crackerbox Stamps to give the balloons a more elevated, almost grand feel, and finished it off with my favorite Birthday sentiment.

Supply List:

Single Bloom

Birthday 1

Additional Supplies: Brown Ink, Balloon Coverplate, pearls, blue ink, cloud stencil, and blender brush.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Low Key Spring, WHAT?!?!?

   Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

Chocolate is my first love… snarky, sassy stamps are a very close second. So when I spotted the Bunny Butt & Ear stamp, I went from giggling to “add to cart” in record time. No hesitation. No regrets. 

I colored the bunnies like classic chocolate treats because obviously… priorities. From there, the card basically made itself, just a simple sketch paired with some playful spring papers. Light, cheerful, and just the right amount of sass.
The sentiment brings it all together, a little nod to gardens and friendships, because this one is heading straight to my sweet friend Sylvia.

Supply List:
Bunny Butt & Ear
Gardens and Friendships

Additional Supplies: Pattern paper, ribbon, stapler, and blender brush.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Louise’s Egg-stra Playful Spring Background

  Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

Louise is back and dressed for the Easter and spring season, bringing all the fresh, playful vibes with her. 

For this card, I built the background using both the solid and outline egg images, layering them to create a fun and lively pattern. To keep things from feeling too structured, I added some Dot Splatter across the background, giving it that extra movement and texture.

Once everything was in place, I brought back a bit of contrast with some loose black ink doodling around the design. A few subtle touches of distressing here and there helped soften the edges and tie all the elements together, creating a beautifully balanced mix of clean stamping and artsy detail.

Supply List:
Chicken Standing ~Louise
Egg Solid & Outline
Don't Scare me
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Additional Supplies: Pattern paper, pen, bling, and alcohol markers.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Who Let the Bag of Idiots Open.... AGAIN?

 Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

Who let the bag of idiots open?! Honestly… might be the greatest sentiment ever. Crackerbox Stamps nailed it again, and Helen is the perfect partner in crime.

I almost went for a shaped card, but Miss Helen (in her fabulous larger-than-life version) had other plans—she just wouldn’t fit on the purse. So I flipped the script and added the purse to the front instead, keeping that bold, oversized vibe front and center.

Supply List:

Who left the bag

Helen with Coffee (large variation)

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Additional Supplies: Cricut, pattern paper, and alcohol markers.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Little Critter, Big Attitude

Hi Everyone, Dalis HERE!

There is something magical about rescuing a book that looks like it has been gently set aside by the world. Finding a Little Critter treasure by Mercer Mayer in the discard pile at the thrift store felt like destiny tapping me on the shoulder.

I honestly stood there wondering how on earth it ended up there. Into my cart it went, and yes, I absolutely whispered to it that it was about to be loved and given a brand-new chapter in its life. 

This is the second project I have made with it, and I have to say, upcycling a childhood classic has a special kind of sparkle. I paired those sweet, nostalgic images with a few Crackerbox Stamps sentiments to give Mom a slightly… upgraded way to express her feelings. Let’s just say it might be the version of motherhood that includes raised eyebrows and perfectly timed side eye. LOL!!!

There is something so fun about blending innocent storybook charm with a sentiment that has just a pinch of sass. It feels like giving Little Critter a grown-up sense of humor while still keeping that cozy heart intact.

I hope you like this second life project as much as I loved rescuing and reinventing it. Sometimes the best art starts in the discard pile.

Supply List:

FYI Saying

Additional Supplies: Mercer Mayer illustration, brown chalk ink, embossing ink, and white embossing powder.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Kraft Cardstock Glow-Up

 Hi Everyone, Dalis Here!

Kraft cardstock can be a little sneaky. It drinks in color and sometimes leaves your pencils looking like they forgot their vitamins. But every crafty curveball has a workaround.

Years ago, I learned a tiny trick that feels almost like a primer for paper. Lay down a soft layer of white colored pencil first. Just a light base. Nothing heavy. Then add your colors on top. Suddenly, those shades pop like they packed a suitcase full of sunshine. 🌈

Look at how vibrant those colors turn out! And the best part? It takes very minimal coloring to get that brightness. No overworking, no muddy blends. Just smooth, controlled layers doing their thing.

I kept this card simple on purpose. Clean layout. Classic feel. Let the technique be the star. Sometimes kraft plus a whisper of white is all it takes to turn tricky into terrific

Supply List:

Shamrock Open

Crazy In Love

 Hug My Shamrock

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink 

Additional Supplies: Color Pencils, kraft colored cardstock, and golden thread.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Purple Reign of Sass

Hi Everyone. Dalis Here!

Prissy has officially had enough of the lovebirds and their parade of hearts and roses. If she’s going to step into Valentine’s season, she’s doing it with attitude intact. This sentiment feels exactly like something she would say, bold, unapologetic, and just the right amount of snark.

I kept this as a one-layer card, which makes her personality shine even more. No extra layers, no distractions. Just Prissy front and center, delivering her perfectly timed remark. Sometimes, simple really is stronger.

And this one is for my purple lovers out there. While the world leans into pink and red, Prissy chooses something richer and a little dramatic. Purple gives it that regal, confident energy that fits her so well.

A one-layer design, a splash of purple, and a whole lot of sass. Honestly, it feels very on brand for her. 

Supply List:

Miss Prissy

Love Pen

Life is Not A Fairytale

Candy Heart Big and Snarky Sayings

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink 

Additional Supplies: Metallic Watercolors, white acrylic paint, purple cardstock for stamping and layering.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Feelings? Absolutely Not.

 Hi everyone!  Dalis Here! 

You walked the line between anti and adorably unhinged and honestly… that’s a power move!

You’re right, it is cute, but it’s the kind of cute that’s slightly feral. The raining hearts set the trap. Sweet, romantic, very Valentine-coded. Then bam, Frog Being Crazy enters the scene, actively disrespecting a love letter with a full-body hissy-fit. That contrast is exactly what gives it anti-Valentine energy. It’s not “I hate love,” it’s “love showed up uninvited, and I reacted accordingly.”

Stepping on the letter is the key detail. That one choice flips the narrative from whimsical to rebellious. Without it, you’d have a quirky Valentine. With it, you have a tiny green manifesto against forced romance. The masking and stencil work disappearing into the background is actually a compliment to your design, because the story reads instantly, even though there’s a lot going on under the hood.

So did I succeed? Yes.
Is it still usable as a Valentine’s card? Also yes.
That’s the sweet spot.

It feels like an Anti-Valentine for people who still like hearts but refuse to behave about them. And honestly, that’s a whole demographic.

Supply List:

Candy Hearts Med. Words set of 4

Candy Heart Big and Snarky Sayings

Frog being Crazy

Letter with Rose

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink 

Additional Supplies: Clear ink and embossing powder, glitter paste, 3D paste, stencils, stapler, metal embellishments, bling, and ribbon.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Sssomeone’s Feeling the Love

 Hi Everyone, Dalis here! 

Puns make my heart skip a beat, and when you add a snake into the Valentine’s Day mix? That’s a done deal. This card started with the pun because, honestly, when a sentiment is this good, the rest of the design just has to keep up. It’s no surprise this image and sentiment come as a bundle. They were clearly meant to live their best pun-filled life together.

I’ll admit, I was not in the mood to color for this one. Instead, I leaned fully into mixed media and let the background do the talking. Layers of texture, ink, and a little controlled chaos created the perfect surface to stamp the snake image directly on top. The result feels bold and a bit edgy, which pairs beautifully with the humor. Sometimes skipping coloring opens the door to a completely different kind of creativity, and I loved letting the background take center stage here.

This card is playful, punny, and just the right amount of unconventional for Valentine’s Day. It’s proof that love cards don’t always need hearts and flowers. Sometimes all you need is a clever pun, a sassy snake, and a mixed media background that says, “Yes, I meant to do that.”

Because really… if you can make someone laugh on Valentine’s Day, you’ve already won.

Supply List:

Snake Hug & Main Squeeze Set of 2

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink 

Additional Supplies: Embossing Ink, gold embossing powder, bling, ribbon, and thread.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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Emotionally Unhinged, Artistically Sound

Hello Everyone, Dalis here today.

I’m grinning over here already, so that tells you something. The humor lands exactly where you aimed it: delightfully off-kilter, not just cute-for-cute’s-sake.

The choice to dodge the expected “MAD about you!” and lean into weird feelings all around was the right call. It gives the focal stamp room to be unapologetically itself, like it’s leaning back in a chair saying, “Yeah, I’m strange. Sit with that.”

That ornamental die cut is doing some serious heavy lifting too. It grounds the image visually, but the “behind bars” vibe adds an extra layer of narrative. It feels intentional, like the character is contained but still very much in charge of the scene. Almost a playful tension between structure and chaos, which fits the humor perfectly.

Overall, it reads as confident and clever, not random. The weird is curated. 🖤
If this card were a person, it would make eye contact while telling the joke.

Supply List:

Weird Stalker

Crazy In Love

** BUNDLE DEAL ** Mad About You & Crazy In Love

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink 

Additional Supplies: Embossing folder, inks, stapler, metal embellishments, ornamental dies, and thread.

Until next time— Stay colorful, stay crafty! -- Dalis

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