Crop & Create Delivered Cardmaking

Apr 3

Spring 2026 Event

Scrapbook & Cards Today puts on some virtual events every year. They usually do a cardmaking-focused virtual event in the spring or fall, and often both! I typically go away for the weekend with a friend or two and we make it all about cardmaking - and good snacks, and lots of laughs, but this time it was on the same weekend as a retreat I also didn’t want to miss. So I did both! I ended up doing a couple of the classes real time, others I listened to but didn’t create along, and others I’m still working on going back to do. That is something great about these events. In addition to the product, classes, inspiration, and community, they set it up so we can each choose to do it in the way that works for us.

If you’re curious about these events overall, this blog post (from a previous event) shares more detail about the event itself and how I usually do it. Here’s the link to their event page, because signup is going on now (at the time of this post) for the Fall 2026 event.

I’ll share a look at the cards I created for each class. Keep in mind that sometimes I follow along, but more often than not I do try to add my own spin to it, while still being respectful of the techniques and designs that are taught.

NOTE: All ink and cardstock colors listed are from Concord & 9th unless I specify otherwise.

Concord & 9th

This class, taught as usual by Cathy Zielske, is always a fun time. “CZ on Sunday Morning”… IYKYK. The kit included dies (for stitching and cutting), stamps, stencils, and 4 ink cubes.

Card 1:

This one is similar to the class card, except that I changed the colors and sentiment.
colors: Pimento, Creamsicle, and Lakefront ink. Sorbet cardstock base.
The card panel is attached to the base panel with 1”w x 1/16” thick foam tape from Altenew, and I used the 1/4”w x 1/16” behind the die cut sentiment. (I love that 1/16” foam tape.)

Card 2:

This layout is also very much like the class, but I changed up the colors again.
colors: Starfruit, Tidepool, Blueberry, and Midnight ink. Cardstock: Lemongrass, Midnight.
The outline is stamped in Midnight. I stamped the stamp also on the Lemongrass panel in the Starfruit ink to create a subtle pattern. Rotating that stamp in different directions keeps it looking more interesting and less like a direct duplicate of the focal image.
The sentiment is stamped and embossed in white on Midnight cardstock, repeating the Midnight from the outline.
I added Blueberry enamel dots, and the 1/16” thick foam tape behind the sentiment circle.

Card 3:

This card is more of a departure, and definitely evolved as I worked on it. (I do that often. I start with something and see where it takes me. Always be open to ideas!)
colors: Wildberry, Pink Lemonade, and Watermelon ink. Cardstock: Dragonfruit.
I gold embossed the main stamp, like in card 1. I then blended the background from Watermelon to Wildberry. While the smooth blend was gorgeous, I wanted some pattern for interest, so spritzed it with water for that reaction. Once it dried, I also spattered it with gold.
I die cut it using an oval die (in the supplies list) which brings the focus in to the flowers and let me do something different with the card base background.
I embossed a white panel, and inked the embossing folder just a light bit with Pink Lemonade just on the top surface. Usually with that technique it takes a few passes of inking to smooth out, but in this case I liked the almost dot pattern I got and left it. I splattered that with the gold also.
The greeting is die cut out of white, with the shadow out of Dragonfruit. I stacked the Dragonfruit shadow layer a few thick to create some dimension.