Crafty Meraki ~ Best Wishes Hummer

Hello, crafty friends!  Happy Monday!

I’m so excited to share this vibrant and cheerful card I created using the Songbird Serenade press-plate, stencil, and coordinating die set from Crafty Meraki. This stunning hummingbird is full of grace and movement—perfect for sending a warm and heartfelt “Best Wishes”!

To bring this beauty to life, I started with the Songbird Serenade Press Plate. I colored and shaded all the details with Copic markers, and added finishing touches using Polychromos pencils to really make those feathers and petals pop.

The gorgeous floral cluster and dynamic pose of the hummingbird make this design truly sing. I framed the entire scene using the elegant Timeless Frame Dies, which add just the right amount of delicate interest to balance out the bold colors.

Whether you're a fan of birds, florals, or just love mixing coloring mediums like I do, this set is an absolute joy to create with!

Thanks so much for fluttering by—wishing you a day filled with creativity and color! 🌸✨

Hugs,

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ Best Friends FUR-ever!

Hey crafty friends!  Happy Monday!

Today I’m swinging by to share a bright and playful card made with some of the newest releases from Crafty Meraki—the "Timeless Frames Dies" and the absolutely a-peel-ing "True Chimpion" stamp set and coordinating dies! 🐵

I had such a blast creating this layered jungle scene. I used several of the Timeless Frames to build up a fun and dimensional background in a tropical mix of vibrant greens. These dies are so versatile and nest beautifully for a clean but detailed look!

The adorable monkeys from the True Chimpion set were colored with Copic Markers, and I couldn’t resist scattering them around the card—some hanging, some sitting, and all being their cheeky little selves! I added a bit of jungle flair with bananas, leaves, and a palm tree to tie it all together.

The background was blended using Ranger Distress Oxide inks, then finished off with a subtle splatter of metallic gold ink for a touch of sparkle and shine.

And of course, I had to include that punny sentiment—“Best friends FUR-EVER”—because these monkeys definitely bring the smiles! 🥰

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this card brings a little sunshine and mischief to your day!

Big hugs,

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ A Tweet-Worthy Congrats Card!

Hello, crafty friends!

Today I’m sharing a card that’s bursting with springtime joy and delicate detail—perfect for celebrating life’s special moments. I had so much fun creating this elegant "Congratulations" card using the gorgeous new Crafty Meraki "Songbird Serenade" stamp, stencil, and die set, along with the newly released "Timeless Frames Dies". Doesn’t that sweet hummingbird just make your heart flutter?

To set the stage, I created a beautifully subtle background using the "Parisienne Die"—a perfect touch of texture that adds interest without stealing the spotlight. The frame was cut using the elegant "Timeless Frames Dies", which perfectly complements the scene and adds a refined, polished look.

Let’s talk color! I reached for my favorite Catherine Pooler Designs inks to bring this dreamy scene to life:

• Matcha, Succulent, and Sage gave the leaves their vibrant, earthy tones.

• Wintergreen, Hot Tub, Skylight, and Sixteen Candles added that soft, ethereal glow to the hummingbird.

• Glam was the star for those deep purple blooms, and a touch of Over Coffee grounded the branches and details.

Everything was die-cut for a dimensional layered look, giving the entire card a dynamic, almost storybook quality.

I finished it off with a crisp, clean “Congratulations” sentiment to let the design shine while sending a joyful message.

If you’re looking to create an elegant card that’s full of color, texture, and charm—Songbird Serenade is an absolute must-have!

Happy crafting and inky hugs,

~ Ally ~

Crafty Merkai ~ A Songbird Serenade & an Instagram Hop *PRIZE*

The latest release from Crafty Meraki is here, and it’s bursting with beauty, elegance, and song!  I’m so excited to share a card I created using the brand new Songbird Serenade stamp, stencil, and die set—part of the Meraki Melody collection, already in the shop!

This delicate hummingbird is the star of the show, surrounded by blooming florals and soft greenery. I used Catherine Pooler Designs inks to bring the bird and blossoms to life with soft, layered blends and a touch of splatter for sparkle. 💙💛💜

The coordinating stencil made it a breeze to color in the flowers and leaves, while the matching die set allowed me to pop up each element with beautiful dimension on a slimline card layout. The soft ivory background and gently deckled edges let all that color shine!

 What I Used:

• Crafty Meraki – Songbird Serenade stamp, stencil & die

• Catherine Pooler Inks – for vibrant, blendable color

• Metallic sparkly splatter – for finishing touches

• “Thank You” sentiment – from the stamp set, for that elegant final touch

🎉 Join the Hop on Instagram!

We’re celebrating the Meraki Melody release with an Instagram Hop and you’re invited! There’s a ton of inspiration waiting for you—and maybe even some prizes! 😉

✨ Head to @crafty_meraki to start hopping and see the full release lineup!
✨ You’ll find my post over at @i_card_so_hard along the way!

This release is singing with joy and I can’t wait to see what you all create with it. Thanks so much for stopping by—and don’t forget to hop along!

💗 Stay crafty,

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ Sneak Peek for April!

🌸✨ Sneak Peek Time! ✨🌸

Say hello to the breathtakingly beautiful new "Songbird Serenade" collection from Crafty Meraki — a symphony of creativity featuring a press plate, stamps, stencils, AND coordinating dies! 🎶💐

We’re totally in love with the dreamy florals and the sweet hummingbird that’s perfect for spring cardmaking and beyond. 💜💚

Designed to let your creativity soar, this set is a must-have for all crafty songbirds out there! 🐦

🛍️ Available in the Crafty Meraki shop on April 7th — mark your calendars! 📅

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ Blooming Birthday Wishes

Hey crafty friends!

Today I’m sharing a soft and elegant birthday card that brings all the spring vibes, featuring some favorite products from Crafty Meraki. This card showcases the gorgeous Whimsical Magnolias Press Plate and coordinating dies, all beautifully colored with Copic Markers, layered over a dreamy die-cut background.

Let’s Talk Florals

The star of the show is the Whimsical Magnolias — these blooms are a floral dream! I used the Press Plate for crisp, letterpress-style detailing, then colored the magnolias in rich pinks with a pop of deep magenta and violet, using my trusty Copic Markers. The coordinating die made it a breeze to cut them out cleanly and arrange them around the sentiment.

Soft & Sophisticated Background

To add texture and dimension without overwhelming the florals, I die-cut the background using the Fern Lattice die in a soft blush cardstock. The stitched leaf-like pattern brings a subtle, elegant texture that pairs beautifully with the organic shapes of the flowers.

To ground the sentiment, I used the Background A2 Frame dies to create a horizontal band across the card. This helps draw your eye to the “Happy Birthday” greeting and adds a lovely layered touch.

Final Details

The sentiment itself is stamped on a smooth oval and popped up slightly for dimension. A little foam adhesive goes a long way to give that finishing touch! I kept embellishments minimal so the flowers could take center stage.

A Perfect Birthday Bloom

This design would work beautifully for a variety of occasions—just swap the sentiment and you’ve got a card for weddings, anniversaries, or even a thinking-of-you moment. The combination of crisp floral details and soft, textured background makes this card truly timeless.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this project inspires you to pull out your Crafty Meraki goodies and get creative with your floral cards.

Until next time,

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ A Thank You

Hello, crafty friends!  

I’m so excited to share a floral thank you card that highlights some of my favorite Crafty Meraki products. If you’re a fan of delicate florals and elegant texture, you’re going to love this one!

For today’s card, I pulled out the stunning Crafty Meraki "Petal Poetry" stamp and die set. These beautiful bold florals are a dream to color – I chose soft purples and fresh greens to keep things springy and serene. The detail in these blooms makes them perfect for center stage on any project.

To add some subtle texture and dimension, I used the "Fern Lattice" background die. I absolutely love how it adds interest without overwhelming the delicate lines of the flowers. I die-cut it from the same lavender cardstock as the card base to keep the design cohesive and elegant.

The bold gold foiled “Thank You” greeting comes from the "Gilded Greetings EAP". I love the mix of greetings in this set – the scripty font adds a touch of glamour and style to any sentiment. I popped up the sentiment with foam tape to give it a little extra dimension.

Supplies Used:

• Stamps & Dies: Crafty Meraki Petal Poetry Stamp & Die Set

• Background Die: Crafty Meraki Fern Lattice Die

• Sentiment: Crafty Meraki Gilded Greetings EAP

• Cardstock: Lavender, white

• Coloring: Copic Markers, Polychromos Pencils

I hope this card inspires you to mix texture with florals and to let your sentiments shine! Thank you for stopping by today – and as always, happy crafting!

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ Just a Note

Hello, crafty friends!

Today I’m thrilled to share a sweet and simple card that’s close to my heart, created with the brand new Petal Poetry stamp and stencil combo from the Meraki Harmony release by Crafty Meraki.

I absolutely adore how soft and elegant this set is — those florals are timeless and just perfect for building a heartfelt card like this one. Whether you’re sending a little love or a thoughtful “thinking of you” message, this set has you covered.

For this card, I started with the Petal Poetry coordinating stencil, blending the layers with my favorite Catherine Pooler inks to bring the blooms to life. The ink shades layer beautifully, adding depth and dimension with hardly any effort. I went for a delicate pink-and-green combo to keep things fresh and floral.

Once the flowers and leaves were stencilled, I used the coordinating Petal Poetry stamp set to add that perfect crisp detail, then I die cut all the elements to arrange around my card front. A soft watercolor-inspired background in pink tones adds a dreamy touch and lets the floral cluster shine.

To finish it off, I added a bold, foiled sentiment: “Just A Note”, framed with a sleek gold foiled border to ground the design. A few inky splatters around the card add a bit of dramtic elegance, without overpowering the soft floral vibe.

I hope this card inspires you to give the Petal Poetry collection a try — it's such a versatile set for so many occasions! Whether you’re new to layering stencils or a seasoned stamper, this combo will quickly become a favorite in your crafty stash.

Stay creative and keep sharing those beautiful handmade moments!

With inky fingers,

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ Magnolia Hugs

Crafty Meraki is celebrating a new Spring release.  Introducing the Meraki Harmony collection!

For today's card I used the new "Whimsical Magnolias" stamp set.  

I started by stamping the magnolia images with Distress Vintage Photo ink. and coloring them in using ZIG Clean Color Markers.

Once they were all colored, I die them all out using the coordinating "Whimsical Magnolias Dies".

I added them to my natural cardstock panel that I had splattered with gold metallic paint.

I paired them with a strip of kraft cardstock featuring the "Sahara Symphony Die" - which I love!

The final piece was to add a sentiment.  I chose the gold foiled "Hugs" greeting from the "Gilded Greetings ESP" paper.

I just love the final look of this card!  Have a great week everyone!

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ Meraki Harmony Release

Crafty Meraki is celebrating a new Spring release.  Introducing Meraki Harmony!

Today we're celebrating with a Instagram Hop.

BEGIN HERE:  Crafty Meraki Insta

The card I'm sharing on today's hop stars the beautiful new stamp, die and stencil set, "Petal Poetry".

I used the stamp set and then used stencil to add some of the leaf details on.  I also used some Copic Markers and Polychromos Pencils to add more depth and detail to the flowers and the leaves along with the stencil.

I combined it with the gorgeous and ornate "Fern Lattice Die" in purple to match the blooms. 

To finish the card off, I stamped the simple greeting from the "Petal Poetry" stamp set.

Such a fun and simple purple creation!

Don't forget to check out the Instagram Hop for your chance to WIN!

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ Rainbow of Kindness

Happy Monday all!  I'm back sharing another fun Crafty Meraki card I made this month.

Today's card stars the gorgeous "Crimson Charm" Press-tacular Plate.

If you weren't aware, a Press-Plate not only can be used in a Better Press machine to make an empression in your cardstock but these plates can also be used to FOIL too!  This is fantastic to work in 2 different methods. 

So with the "Crimson Charm" Press-tacular Plate today, I used some rainbow foil.

Then I took the "Crimson Charm Stencil" and my Copic Airbrush system and applied ink across the first stencil matching the colors of the foil and my Copic colors.

Then I took the second stencil and applied Copic across this stencil to deepen the previous colors of the more detailed layer.

I took the "Crimson Charm Dies" and cut out my bloom.

A quick spray of color across the card front and It was finished with a spatter of black acrylic paint.

Such a cool card!

Have a great week!

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ Plum Purple Blooms

Happy Tuesday all!  I'm back sharing another fun Crafty Meraki card I made this month.

Today's card stars the gorgeous "Crimson Charm" Press-tacular Plate.

If you weren't aware, a Press-Plate not only can be used in a Better Press machine but these plates can also be used to FOIL too!  This is fantastic to work in 2 different methods. 

So with the "Crimson Charm" Press-tacular Plate today, I used some purple foil.

After die cutting out the bloom with it's coordinating dies, I used some purple Copic Markers to color in to make my bloom cluster monochromatic.

Then I cut out 2 of the middle sized "Frame-worthy Background A2" die cuts and I applied them to the card base in a mismatched way.  I intertwined them. 

To add a final touch I die cut out the sentiment "Love You Mom" from the "Love Like No Other EAP" and added to the front panel.

And finally, I wanted a little bit of shimmer, so I added some round confetti from the "Twinkle Treats: Black Iridescent" sequin mix.

This card was so fun to make!

Have a great week everyone!

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ Bold Birthday

Happy Monday all!  I'm back sharing another fun Crafty Meraki card I made this month.

Today's card stars the festive "Lucky Lanterns Stencil".

I began my card by inking up my background.  I used a variety of red Distress Oxide inks and blended them together.  Then I took some white pigment ink and made some bokeh circles and splattered the whole thing with water and gold paint.

Then I took the repeating patterned "Lucky Lanterns Stencil" and used some Versamark ink and embossed it with Gold Embossing powder.

For my finishing touches, I die cut a black cardstock frame from the "Frame Worthy - Background A2 Dies" (must-have dies for me!!) and applied with foam tape.

Next I foiled a whole sheet of the bold "Gilded Greetings EAP" with some gold foil. I cut out the whole page with all of the greetings using the coordinating die set.

I applied the foiled greeting with an additional black cardstock die cut backer to make the greeting stand out a little bit better.

And for a little bauble and bling, I used some Gold Opal Gems on the card.

This was a bold and fun birthday card to create!

Have a wonderful week!

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki ~ Sending Hugs

Happy Monday all!  I'm back sharing another fun Crafty Meraki card I made this month.

Today's card stars the beautiful peony bouquet called "All My Love" stamp set.

I decided on a slimline cards to feature 2 of the bouquet images.

To finish off the card I stamped a greeting from the same "All My Love" stamp set and added some fun crosshatching and dots to my card front.

I love the vibrancy of the color palette of this beaut!

I hope you have a wonderful and creative week!

~ Ally ~

Crafty Meraki - All My Love

Happy Monday all!  Today I'm sharing one of the full cards from the Meraki Genesis for the January release from Crafty Meraki! 

Today's card features this bright and bold yellow bouquet called "All My Love".

I started by stamping this bouquet in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  Next I used the "All My Love Layering Stencil" set to colorize my image.  I actually used my Copic Air Brush System to color in the bouquet!  After coloring it in, I used it's coordinating die set, "All My Love Dies".

Next I die a background piece of paper for my card panel.  I used the beautiful "Sahara Symphony Background Die". 

Next I popped a frame from the "A2 Frame-Worthy Die" set and adhered my bouquet to the center of the panel.

To add the finishing touches on the card, I stamped out a few sentiments from the "All My Love" stamp set and adhered them to the card.   I also added some the black hearts from the "Black Iridescent Twinkle Treats Sequins".

Yellow is typically not my favorite color to create with so I decided that I wanted that challenge with this card.   I think it turned out pretty good!

Have a great week everyone!

~ Ally ~
 

Crafty Meraki ~ Introducing Meraki Genesis

 

Crafty Meraki is celebrating 5 years in business and I'm so happy to joining their amazing team of creative talent!

Today we're celebrating with a Instagram Hop.

BEGIN HERE:  Crafty Meraki Insta

The card I'm sharing on today's hop stars the beautiful new Press-tacular plate called "Crimson Charm".

 

I foiled today's "Crimson Charm Press-tacular Plate" with a simple gold foil and colored in the gorgeous Dahlia using a rainbow of soft Copic Marker colors. 

For my very subtle background, I also foiled a gorgeous background A2 die called "Sahara Symphony Background Die".  Yes... I foiled a die!  It gives you very fine lines but it still gives you a design!

For the final touch of my card, I foiled an entire sheet of the "Gilded Greetings EAP" with gold foil and die cut it using the "Gilded Greetings Dies" to cut the entire sheet out at once!  I love the concept of foiled a number of sentiments all at once and die cutting them all out at once!  So quick and easy!

Thanks for dropping by!  Don't forget to head on over to Instagram for your chance to WIN one of the gift certificates and also check out all the amazing new designs!

~ Ally ~