Hello again, crafty friends! I am delighted to join Spellbinders again as a guest designer featuring their new “Sweet Serenade Notecard” collection.

This collection is really a no-brainer set of dies which make the loveliest notecards you’ve ever seen. All you need is cardstock to create something jaw-dropping. The dies are so intricate, extra embellishments aren’t even necessary. However, I’m not here to show you the obvious. I came to play! So, let’s get started…

Step 1: Cut It

The first thing you’ll want to do is cut your card bases using the “Scalloped Symphony Notecard” die set. Be sure to use the scoring die included to transform the slimline background into a folding note card. (Isn’t that so genius?!)

Die cut a couple pieces of patterned paper with the square die in the set as well as the square or circle flourish in solid colors. (Note: If you find your patterned paper is competing too much with all the scrolls & swirls, try layering a piece of vellum under the flourish piece to soften the look like I did.)

I used the “Sweet Sayings Notecard Sentiments” die set to cut out “Hello” and “Thanks” from white cardstock, which will serve as a shadow layer once we start assembling later.

Step 2: Ink It

If you’d like an ombre background like mine, you’ll want to do your ink blending at this point. I used a similar, but deeper shade than my cardstock. The blending doesn’t need to be perfect because you’ll be layering over this piece later.

I also ink blended a couple scraps of coordinating cardstock, and die cut my sentiments. (I opted to die cut after ink blending this time because the dies were so delicate. I didn’t want to risk tearing anything.)

Step 3: Sew It

If you’d like to add a bit of stitching on your note cards, now is the time. I really don’t like my stitching to show through on the inside of my cards. I think it looks too messy, so I almost always sew my card front elements before adhering to the card base.

It was here, I also thought my project needed some more color variety, so I added an additional 1.5” strip of patterned paper across the belly of each die cut square.

(Note: I never put adhesive in areas where my sewing needle will go through, so it won’t’ gunk up my machine. I use the tiniest bit of dry adhesive to tack the piece in place to ensure it won’t move during sewing.)

Step 4: Stick It

At this point, you are all ready to start adhering all the pieces together.

I layered foam under the square pieces of patterned paper, and everything else is simply glued on top.

Step 5: Embellish It

For the final touch, I added a few “Gold Mix” Color Essentials Gems, a bit of Glaze & Glue over the die cut sentiments, and tied a bit of jute around the top of each card.

To keep the jute from sliding down, I threaded it through one of the eyelet holes on each end of the card. (So convenient!)

Well, that does it for me again. I hope you’ve been inspired by this set of note cards I made for you today. If you’d like to check out more of my crafty creations, please join me over on my Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube. For more photos and a detailed supply list for this card set, please visit my gallery post HERE.

Until next time… stay crafty! – Laura Evangeline