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Hello everyone! I am absolutely thrilled to finally share my brand new collection with Spellbinders called Whimsical Village. When I sat down to design this collection, I wanted to create something completely fun and unique. We all love creating houses with dies, but this time I wanted to design houses with a playful twist. These houses are quirky, wonky, and packed with personality!

I designed this entire collection with cardmakers and art journalers in mind. The pieces are incredibly forgiving and so easy to mix and match. Even though there are many pieces included, it never feels like a puzzle to put together; it is just pure fun. You can use the elements separately for a simple card or group them together to build a whole village! Let me walk you through the five new SKUs in this collection and show you how they work together.

Whimsical Houses Die Set

This 22-piece die set is the absolute star of the show. It features wonky houses where you can mix and match the roofs and doors to build your very own custom homes. They are perfect for sending a simple hello or a sweet note for any occasion throughout the year.

My biggest tip for getting that signature quirky look is to play with color. You can go completely crazy with vibrant, bold colors, or you can opt for a softer, pastel palette for a sweet and cozy look. The possibilities are endless!

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Whimsical Blooms Die Set

To accompany the houses and make them look even more magical, I created the Whimsical Blooms set. This set includes 15 dies featuring funky flower designs with extra-long stems.

You can use these whimsical flowers all by themselves on a card layout, or you can tuck them right behind the houses. Having the houses look tiny next to those giant, beautiful stems creates such a fun, fairytale look!

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Village Companions Die Set

If you want to bring your little scenes to life instantly, this is the set you need. It includes an adorable little cat and dog, along with elements like a sun, a moon, and fluffy clouds.

Just adding one of the pets to your doorstep completely changes the story of the card. Plus, choosing between the sun and the moon lets you easily set the mood, whether you want a bright day scene or a romantic night sky.

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Whimsical Wishes Sentiment Dies

Every great card needs a great sentiment! This set features a beautiful, simple font that matches the playful vibe of the collection perfectly. It is highly versatile and can be used all year long.

The phrases cover everything from a quick hello to lovely quotes that work beautifully for your art journaling pages too.

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Whimsical Skies 3D Embossing Folder

Last but certainly not least is the Whimsical Skies 3D embossing folder. This folder adds the absolute perfect background texture to your cards. The design was heavily inspired by the swirling, magical sky in Van Gogh's Starry Night painting. It gives so much movement and depth to the background before you even start adding your houses!

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I cannot wait to see the unique villages you create with these sets! Which of these new items is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below, and make sure to follow me on social media, where I will be sharing many more examples using this collection. Thank you so much for your love and support!

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Hello, crafty friends! This June, Spellbinders is celebrating an exciting milestone - our 23rd birthday! To mark the occasion, we've created something extra special for our crafting community: the adorable Party Time Dragon Etched Dies, an exclusive gift with purchase available only during our anniversary celebration.

From June 1–30, 2026, customers who spend $150 or more on the Spellbinders website (after discounts and coupons, before shipping and taxes) will receive the Party Time Dragon Etched Dies (S3-570) absolutely free while supplies last. This cheerful little dragon is ready to party with balloons, birthday wishes, and endless creative possibilities.

To celebrate, we've invited several talented designers to create projects featuring this exclusive die set. From whimsical birthday cards and colorful scenes to elegant designs and creative color combinations, you'll discover plenty of inspiration to spark your own ideas. Scroll down to explore these beautiful creations and see just how versatile the Party Time Dragon can be. We can't wait to see what you create with this special birthday gift!

Cheers To Another Year Dragon from Gaylynn

Greetings! I’m Gaylynn Martling, sharing an adorable project for the Spellbinders birthday celebration. Take a look at this cutie framed inside of a layered background. I decided to make an outdoor scene for the dragon, using complementary colors and lacy edges. How to make this Party Time Dragon birthday card:

1. Cut and score a vertical card base with a side fold from white Colorwheel cardstock.
2. Die-cut the pieces from the Party Time Dragon onto white cardstock. Also, cut an additional balloon set.
3. Ink blend the die-cut layers using dye ink pads in shades of arctic, fawn, antique ivory, and field greens, passion flower, black, and raspberry jam, along with blending brushes.
4. Assemble the dragon using liquid glue.
5. Press and die-cut the sentiment using Birthday Wishes Sentiments BetterPress Plate & Die Set and Iris Betterpress ink.
6. Die-cut a white scalloped rectangle background layer, a medium purple rectangle frame layer, a smaller light blue rectangle layer, and three landscape pieces, all from Open Lace Frame and Landscapes Etched Dies.
7. Build a background scene by layering onto the light blue rectangle panel with three landscape pieces in different colors of Colorwheel Cardstock.
8. Build the card front by layering and adhering the three background panels, the scene layers, the assembled dragon, two balloons, and the sentiment. For added dimension, add small adhesive squares behind the dragon and the sentiment.

TIP:  Ink blending is optional.  Another option is to cut the dragon from different shades of cardstock. Ink blending adds softness and added detail with or without color cardstock.

Happy Birthday Dragon from Marie Nicole

Hello, I'm Marie Nicole. To assemble this card: first, cut out all the pieces for the dragon. This dragon features green for his body, yellow for his belly, and some greenish-blue for his wings and horns on his head. Once all the pieces are assembled and glued together, add some detail elements by coloring in the embossed spots from the die with a white gel pen, and then add some green spots to his nose with a green alcohol marker. The balloon in his mouth is cut from some purplish cardstock, shaded with some blue ink, and highlighted with white gel pen. Blend a sky background with some blue and teal hues and splatter on some sparkle using some Sparkle Splatter Effects. Cut some cloud panels from plain white cardstock using the Landscape Edges dies, and layer them onto the ink blended background, the top layer with foam adhesive. Then, add the dragon in between the two cloud layers. Add a sentiment. This card features a birthday sentiment using some of the ephemera pieces from a past Spellbinders collection, Rosie’s Studio Breakfast in Bed. That finishes the card!

Happy Birthday Dragon from Rachel

Hello crafty friends! It’s Rachel here with a fun birthday card featuring the adorable Party Time Dragon Etched Dies Set.  To start my card, I die-cut the pieces of my images from some Neenah Solar White 110lb card stock. I die cut all the pieces one time except for the balloons and balloon strings, which I die cut three times. I die cut the balloon strings from some Silver Mirror card stock. Copic Colors Used:  Teals: G000, G00, BG34, BG75; Purples (on dragon and first balloon on the left): BV000, BV01, BV04; Dragon’s cheeks: R30, R21; Purples (balloon on the right): V000, V01, V04, V15, V09 For my background, I trimmed a piece of Waterfall ColorWheel Cardstock to 4.25” x 5.5” and die cut an arched window in the center of it using the fifth largest arch die from the Essential Arches Etched Dies. Next, I die cut another arch from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock using the 7^th largest arch die and blended it with both Shaded Lilac and Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide Inks. I die cut two 4.25” strips of puffy white clouds from some white card stock using the cloud die from the Landscape Edges Etched Dies. For added contrast, I lightly blended the tips of the clouds with more Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide Ink and then adhered them behind my arch window. Next, I stamped my “Happy Birthday” sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto the front of my clouds and adhered this entire panel to a top-folding white A2 card base with White Foam Adhesive Strips for extra dimension. I attached my dragon and balloons with more 3D adhesive tape and added some white accents using a white gel pen.  Lastly, I adhered a few Aquamarine Color Essential Gems for added sparkle and texture.

Happy Birthday Dragon from Michelle

Hello there, Michelle Short here and I am delighted to be sharing a card using Party Time Dragon with you. How cute is he? I love him! As you can see, I kept my palette to pink and aqua today, adding in a few flowers for a feminine touch. How to make this card:

1. Die cut Party Time Dragon Etched Dies from Seaside, Waterfall, Blush, Classic White, and Raven ColorWheel Cardstock. I cut double layers for the snout and tummy for added dimension.
2. Assemble the dragon and adhere pieces together using Bearly Art Glue.
3. Die cut the balloon from Tutu ColorWheel Cardstock twice for the balloon itself, and Fog ColorWheel Cardstock for the string.
4. Stamp sentiment from Summertime Sentiments Clear Stamp Set onto an A2-sized card base, made from Chiffon ColorWheel Cardstock, using black ink.
5. Adhere dragon onto card using foam squares.
6. Adhere balloon (two layers, one on top of another), followed by the string using Bearly Art Glue. I cut the string in half to add the smaller part below his mouth, so he looks like he is holding it.
7. Die cut flowers from Mini Blooms and Sprigs Etched Dies from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock for the petals, and Beeswax ColorWheel Cardstock for the centres. Die cut the leaves from Peridot ColorWheel Cardstock.
8. Adhere them to the card using Bearly Art Glue.
9. To finish, embellish with Pink Color Essentials Gems.

Happy Birthday Dragon from Lisa

Hello crafty friends! It’s Lisa Tilson here with you today to share a card using the Party Time Dragon Etched Dies. What an exciting month it is as Spellbinders celebrates its 23^rd anniversary! Congratulations to all the lovely people at Spellbinders who work tirelessly to bring us not only fantastic products, but gorgeous inspiration, every single day of every single month. I am honoured to be here on the blog today to share a card with you using this free with purchase Party Dragon die set – isn’t he simply adorable? So, let’s get started with the card.

1. Start off by taking the Party Time Dragon Etched Dies and using the Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine to die-cut the different elements from Seaside, Waterfall, Teal Topaz, Lavender, Lilac, Raven and Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock.
2. Adhere the Seaside mouth and tummy die cuts onto the main body piece using Bearly Art Glue.
3. Next adhere the black eyes onto their white base and glue that behind the eye area.
4. Adhere the Lavender wings and horns behind the body.
5. Adhere the bottom of the balloon string behind the mouth.
6. Glue the longer balloon string to the balloon and set it to one side.
7. Next, take the Color Block Accent Arches Etched Dies and die cut the second largest arch from Lavender ColorWheel Cardstock.
8. Take the Essential Arches Etched Dies and die cut the coordinating size arch from Lilac ColorWheel Cardstock. Adhere both purple die cuts together.
9. Take a smaller arch from Essential Arches Etched Dies and die cut it from Raven ColorWheel Cardstock.
10. Add some Splatter White Opaque Watercolor onto it using a No.2 round paintbrush. Let this dry and then adhere it onto the purple arches piece.
11. Add some Black Foam Adhesive Squares onto the back of the dragon and place him down onto the black arch.
12. Add Black Foam Adhesive Squares to the back of the balloon and adhere that, making sure the string tucks in behind the dragon.
13. Take the Hero Arts Hello Friend Clear Stamp Set and stamp the “Happy Birthday” sentiment onto Raven ColorWheel Cardstock using Versamark Ink and the MISTI.
14. Add Hero Arts White Detail Embossing Powder and heat set it.
15. Trim it into two parts using a Guillotine Paper Trimmer and then add some Black Foam Adhesive Squares onto the back and add it to your card.
16. Add the purple arches onto a panel of Raven ColorWheel Cardstock measuring approximately 4” x 5.25”.
17. Add that onto a top-folding A2 white note card (11” x 4.25”, scored and folded at 5.5”)
18. Add some white gel pen to the balloon to finish the card.

Happy Birthday Dragon from Pam

Hello, I'm Pam Sparks. Have fun creating with this super cute Party Dragon! The possibilities are endless! I thought having it pop up in a flower patch would be cute since we’re all enjoying flowers this time of year!

• Die cut the Party Dragon, Balloons, Petal Fresh, and ovals in your choice of cardstock colors.
• Adhere together using the Assembly guides on the Spellbinders store website
• Cut an A2-size card base, arrange pieces, and adhere.
• Stamp and heat-emboss the sentiment and die-cut.

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Hello crafters! I’m Lisa Tilson and I am back with the next installment of the beginner’s guide to cardmaking. Today we are going to be focusing on tools – specifically those that are essential for new card makers. Some technique specific tools have been covered in previous posts. However, this post covers some extras that need a mention. Whether you are into stamping, die cutting, colouring, foiling or pressing, there are some essential tools that you will need to get you started.

Basic Tools

No craft desk would be complete without these basic items! You will find yourself reaching for them time and time again.

• Pencil – whether you are making a sketch or maybe working out how to evenly space items on your project, a pencil will always need to be close at hand.
• T-Square Ruler - an invaluable tool when adhering anything which needs to be perfectly straight, especially sentiments.

• Metal ruler – very handy if you are cutting a straight edge using a craft knife.
• Bone Folder – this is essential for creating crisp professional folds on your projects. A good teflon bone folder is an investment but will serve you well as it won’t crack the fibers of the paper or leave shiny lines on it when used.
• Sand eraser – a sand eraser is an abrasive eraser that works really well for removing small ink smudges or marks on your cardstock. Use a light hand when erasing and gradually that ink will disappear.
• Anti-Static Powder Bag – an essential tool for clean, crisp heat embossed results. Before stamping your sentiment or image, lightly dust your cardstock with the powder. This removes static and oils from the surface, helping to prevent stray embossing powder from clinging where you don’t want it. The result is a much neater, more professional finish.
• Self-healing Cutting Mat/Glass Mat – these sit on your work surface and protect it from damage. They often come with imperial and metric measurements that are etched or printed on them.
  • A glass mat is very helpful for mixed media projects as the slick surface cleans easily.
  • A self-healing mat is useful when you are cutting with a craft knife, sharp edge etc. Not only does it help to keep your blades sharp, but the mat’s material also closes after being cut, which helps to keep its surface smooth.
• Tweezers – useful for picking up die cuts, embellishments etc. They are also great for removing the backing from foam squares or foam tape. You can use them to hold cardstock when embossing, spraying, or even adding glue. It’s often a personal preference for which tweezers you find easiest to use.
• Tool ‘n One – this tool has many functions. It has a brush end which can be used to clean paper bits (chads) from your dies. It also has sharp piercing tips (straight or angled) which can be used to pop out individual chads left in your metal dies or die cuts. It can also be used for paper piercing projects, lifting adhesive gems from their acetate sheet etc.

• Foam Mat – a very handy little tool for collecting all the little paper pieces that come out of your die cuts when using a brush to release them. Used in conjunction with a Tool ‘n One, simply place your die cut onto the foam mat and run the brush over it. This will help pop out the chads. These little pieces of discarded card will stay on the foam mat and allow for a quicker and simpler clear up.
• Handy Craft Tool Set – this combined set contains four essential tools. A Precision Tool which is like the Tool ‘n One but without the brush end. It also contains a Nudger which is helpful when you need to reposition a press plate after inking. There is also a Pick Up Tool that helps you to pick up small objects/embellishments and place them onto your project. This set includes two replacement rubber tips for the Pick Up Tool. Last of all is a pair of detail tweezers which have an angled top and sharp edges which is great for picking up the smallest of items. You’ll find all of these items super helpful for almost any project you are working on.
• Scoring Board – A scoring board is an essential tool for creating clean, accurate score lines and folds. It comes with a scoring tool - often called a bone folder or stylus - and allows you to add multiple score lines quickly, as well as score and fold your card bases with precision. Most boards feature grooves spaced at ⅛‑inch intervals across the top edge, giving you plenty of flexibility for different projects. You’ll usually find a ruler along the left side too, which helps with alignment and quick measuring. Scoring boards come in a range of sizes, but a 12" × 12" board is especially versatile. It handles all the standard cardmaking tasks with ease and gives you the space you need for creating envelopes and other projects.
• Craft Stax – not technically a traditional tool but they will help you solve the problem or challenge of storage/staying organised. These boxes provide very handy and robust storage for die cuts, die sets, stamp sets, pre-made sentiments, embellishments, projects that you are currently working on etc. The world is your oyster with these storage options! They come in medium and large sizes and are stackable so they save space. If you want to stay super organized, you can even get colorful bands which can help colour code different projects. Also available are magnetic sheets that fit inside the boxes and these are the perfect insert for holding your dies in place.
• Other storage options include stamp/die pockets, larger boxes, tins for your inks, and lockable boxes for embellishments as well as boxes for transporting your craft supplies. All of these will help to keep your supplies organized and make it easier for you to find what you need when inspiration strikes!

• Ink Blending Tools – ink blending will be covered in a later post, but it’s a technique you’ll find yourself using often in your cardmaking. There are many blending tools available, from brushes and pouncers to square or round tools with flat or domed foam pads. Many crafters like to keep a selection of blending brushes in different sizes for different techniques.

Die Cutting Machine

Even if you aren’t a die-hard die cutter, you will almost certainly find that you need a die cutting machine when starting out. There are many choices available to you depending on budget, space or your preferred use. You can get manual or electronic die cutting machines and they come in various sizes. Die cutting machines were covered in the Die Cutting For Beginners post, but here is a brief reminder.

• Platinum SIX Machine with Universal Plate System - This size can be used for most dies available on the market. It is also used in conjunction with the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System.
• Platinum Machine with Universal Plate System – 8.5” platform. This larger size machine is ideal for cutting larger dies or cutting a lot of dies in one pass.
• Platinum Scout Die Cutting Machine with Universal Plate System – 3.5” platform – this machine is great for cutting smaller sized dies. Because of its compact size, many crafters keep this permanently on their desk or even take it to workshops.

Stamping Tools

It’s more than likely that one of the first things you will do as a beginner card maker is stamp an image or a sentiment. To do this you will need some form of stamping tool.

• Stamp positioning tools are a revelation if you want easy, efficient stamping. There are many stamp positioners on the market for you to choose from (MISTI, StampWheel), again, depending on your preference and budget. They can be used for multiple stamping techniques and are a huge time saver if you want consistent impressions and accurate stamping.
• Acrylic blocks – acrylic blocks can be handy for when you want to stamp a quick sentiment or image and don’t have your stamp positioner to hand. They are also great for some forms of repeat stamping as you don’t need to keep repositioning your stamp within your stamp positioner. Just add the stamp to the acrylic block, ink it up and stamp it down. Repeat with ease!

Cutting Tools

There are lots of tools to help you cut cardstock, paper and other materials cleanly and accurately. A good cutting tool helps you achieve clean edges, consistent layers, and professional looking results - especially when you’re preparing card bases, mats, or decorative elements.

• Scissors – you will find you need a variety of different pairs of scissors depending on what you are cutting. Detail scissors come with a fine point and are great for fussy cutting and cutting into small areas. Larger scissors are more heavy duty and used for larger projects. Both the 4” Detail Scissors and 9” Pro Shears cut like a dream and can be used for almost all materials including foil! A non-stick coating will enable you to cut double-sided adhesive tape and foam tape without any residue sticking to the blades and you will get a clean cut every time.

• Paper Trimmer – You have a couple of options with paper trimmers. For cardmaking most crafters use either a guillotine paper trimmer or a rotary trimmer. All trimmers come with measurements and often have extendable arms to allow you to cut 12” sheets of paper/cardstock. But if you don’t want a large trimmer, there are smaller ones around. Many crafters have a few sizes and keep the smaller trimmer on their desk. Some trimmers also contain options for scoring cardstock.
  • A guillotine trimmer comes with a drop-down lever blade which sits on one side of the base. They have a slicing motion and can be used to cut several pieces of paper at a time.
  • A rotary trimmer has a blade which sits in a carriage that slides along a track. These are great for cutting single sheets and are very safe to use as the blade is shielded within its carriage. You can get replacement blades for these trimmers.
• Craft Knife – these knives cut a variety of materials and often have a retractable blade for safety reasons. The small blade allows for precision cutting.
• Metal Snippers - these can be used to separate metal dies and snip off the little tabs that remain. The fine sharp point gets into the smallest of places!

Adhesives

Although adhesives are not strictly a “traditional tool”, more a material or supply, they do function as a solution to creating depth and they bond one thing to another, so many consider them to be a “tool” within their craft room and they are probably worthy of a mention here.

• Low Tack Tape – easily removable and used extensively in cardmaking for many reasons, whether that be holding dies in place when running them through your machine, taping cardstock to your work surface whilst working on it. Used extensively in different masking techniques it allows you to get creative with your inks and stamped images. You’ll use low‑tack tape on almost every project for one reason or another!
• Liquid Adhesive – especially good to use when you may need a little extra time to reposition something on your project. Popular with card makers are those adhesives that come with a precision tip as they allow for applications on small intricate areas. Bearly Art Glue dries to a matt finish so it’s less visible if it strays outside of where it was applied.

• Adhesive Tape Runner – a tool that applies double-sided adhesive strips and is often used to adhere panels to a card base. This tape is quick and easy to apply, and you can often purchase refills for it.
• Removable Tape Runner – like the above adhesive tape but this is temporary and removable simply by running your finger over it. Very helpful for when you are working on a design and are not quite sure where you want to position your different elements. You can easily move them around until you are happy with their final position and then use permanent adhesive to secure them in place.
• Double-Sided Tape – an alternative to liquid glue. Simply add it to the back of your cardstock, remove the backing/release paper and stick in place.
• Adhesive Foam Squares – these are found in different sizes and thicknesses. They are often sold in white or black and both have a place in the craft room. They provide dimension and extra interest on any project and will be a staple in your craft room.
• Double-Sided Adhesive Foam Tape – available in many widths, lengths, and thicknesses, and most often sold on a roll. Like foam squares, this foam adhesive enables you to create dimension without bulk on your projects. Foam tape is especially helpful for adding dimension to larger areas and you can cut it to your preferred size.
• Masking Sheets - widely used for masking techniques. They are ultra-thin, low tack, adhesive backed sheets that don’t leave a sticky residue on your cardstock or tear your project when you are removing it. Pieces of masking paper can often be re-used over several projects.
• Double-sided adhesive sheets – useful to use with intricate die cuts, glitter or word dies etc when liquid glue might be a little bit trickier to apply. Apply the sheet to your cardstock, cut your die and then remove the backing from the die cut piece.

That brings us to the end of this post. I hope you’ve found it helpful as you start thinking about the tools you might want in your cardmaking toolkit. As you continue creating, you’ll naturally adapt and expand your collection as you discover the styles and techniques you enjoy most. Next up, we’ll be looking at simple design procedures for creating a handmade card. I hope you’ll join us for that.

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