So Many Sentiments for Birthday Fun!

Hi, Dina Kowal here with a fun birthday suite! New this month is a collection of sentiment stamps and coordinating dies with abundant options for birthday greetings. Each of the products in the All the Sentiments release is interactive, with multi-step greetings, a gift card holder, and an innovative envelope die set that can even be used to make a cute gift box!

I started off with a birthday card and a matching envelope. I really wanted to highlight the A2 Gift Card Holder and Envelope Dies here because I think this set is so clever! The set includes some mix-and-match word dies which can be combined for birthdays or other gift-giving occasions. There is an envelope base and 2 rounded rectangles – the larger rectangle completes the envelope and also can be used as a layer on an A2 card. Finally, there’s a die that cuts a gift card holder that nestles into the fold of a card as a pop-up element.

The outside of my card is pretty simple in design. I embossed an oval die cut, and used some of the elements from the All The Sentiments stamp/die set for my greeting. The cupcake is cut from watercolor paper and colored with Copic and OLO markers. On the envelope, I used a slightly larger oval with die cut words. The candle is also cut from watercolor paper and colored with Copic and OLO markers. I cut and colored a second candle, and fussy cut a little drippy wax to add some interest.

For the inside of my card, I cut the pop-up gift card holder from the same cardstock as my base and aligned it with the fold of my card, gluing the tabs to hold it in place. I used the larger rounded rectangle to cut two layering pieces that covered up those tabs on either side. I love the thoughtfulness of this design, which gives the inside of the card a finished look.

The die-cut sentiment inside the card is cut from the same paper I used on the card front. I added a sentiment below on a white panel, with room for a signature.

For my second card, I used similar elements and matching papers in a 4-¼” square format. I love that these sentiments are large enough to star as the focal point on a card. I embossed a circle die cut for this sentiment, which is fabulous for a belated birthday greeting.

The background is made with die cuts, again cut from watercolor paper and colored with Copic and OLO markers. TIP: to create a die-cut background like this, arrange the pieces as you like them on the card panel, then lay repositionable tape or contact paper over the pieces and lift them up together. Add glue, and replace them on the panel. When the glue dries you can easily peel the repositionable tape away. Trim off the edges where they overhang the panel.

For a final project, I thought it would be fun to make a box using the envelope die – I always like finding ways to stretch the products I have! I cut 4 of the envelope bases, and glued them together side by side, lining up the folds. The die is designed so that the envelope can be horizontal or vertical, with a wider tab on one short and one long side. I glued the wider tabs on the outside of the box, and the narrower tabs inside. Gluing them both ways made for very sturdy corners.

When the glue dried, I connected the ends to create a box shape. For the base I cut two 4-1/4” squares, and glued one inside and one outside (wider tabs created more structure for the base). I folded the narrow top tabs down and glued them to the inside of the box. It’s a really nice size for a dimensional gift! You could try gluing the short sides together too, for a shallower box with longer sides.

I used the rounded rectangles to reinforce the sides, and layered just one side with a decorated birthday panel – I stamped and masked the image, brushed Distress Oxide ink over the image, and then colored her with pencils.

This was such a fun bundle to work with! Since the sets are rich with sentiments, they are a great addition to other birthday images and die sets you may already have!

You can find more of my work on my blog at Dina Kowal Creative or on Instagram at @dinakowalcreative!

Spellbinders Supplies:

Other supplies

Accent Opaque 100# cardstock, Fabriano Studio 140# hot press watercolor paper, DCWV Textiles paper pack, Kaisercraft Flowering Natives paper pack, matte white enamel dots, foam sheet, and tape, wide masking tape, blender brush, Copic markers, corner rounder punch, scoring board, ball stylus, Caran d’Ache Pablo colored pencils, battery eraser