I love a die set that gives me options. Especially when it has all those little pieces that are way too cute to use only one way. The new Summertime Collection by Lisa Horton from Spellbinders inspired these two floral cards, and they are such a fun reminder to stretch your dies a little.
Just A Minute {JAM} Session Videos are quick videos with simple ideas or techniques to help spark your creativity. Watch it on YouTube.
Featured Supplies
 Garden Planter SB |
 Decorative Lattice SB |
 Ripped Edge Circles SB |
 Open Lace Frame and Landscapes SB |
 Love & Hugs Stamp & Die SB |
 Puffy Hearts Folder SB |
 ColorWheel Cardstock 48 HA | SB |
 Intens-ified Black Ink Pad SB |
Some links include affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for the referral but at no cost to you. I greatly appreciate the support should you choose to shop via my links. Full list of supplies at the bottom of this post.
Stretch Those Dies
- Start with the Full Design: Use the die set as intended first. It helps you see how the pieces work together before you start pulling out smaller elements for another card.
- Look at the Extras Differently: Tiny leaves, flowers, and accent pieces can become vines, borders, clusters, or little details around a sentiment.
- Give Small Pieces a Place to Land: Frames, circles, tags, and lattice backgrounds help tiny dies feel intentional. They give the pieces structure so they do not look scattered.
- Repeat the Small Dies: Cutting several of the same flower or leaf helps small pieces feel fuller and more connected across the card.
- Make Another Card While the Pieces Are Out: Once everything is already cut, it is a great time to try a second idea. Sometimes the leftover pieces are what spark the best design.
Fully Layered Garden Planter
The little planter was the natural place to start. It felt like the sweetest way to use all those tiny leaves and blooms together. I kept all the floral colors in fresh teal, yellow, and white, then moved the pieces around until the planter felt full but still light. I love how it all came together in that little planter without making the card feel crowded.
The embossed heart background adds some texture behind the planter, and the vellum circle helps create a delicate background. That little bit of softness made all the difference. It gives the die cuts a pretty place to land while still letting the background show through. The finished card feels fresh, sweet, and just right for a little “for you” moment.
Lattice Card with Tiny Florals
This card skips the planter and goes straight for the little floral bits. The white lace and lattice layers created the perfect base, with all those little openings ready for leaves and flowers. It is such a pretty way to spread out the small dies so they come together as one bigger floral design.
I tucked the leafy pieces into the lattice first so they felt like little vines growing through the frame. Then the flowers added those sweet pops of color. It has a completely different feel from the planter card, but the connection is still there in the tiny florals and the same fresh color palette. The birthday sentiment fits right in the center and gives everything a clean, finished look.
I hope this gives you a fresh way to look at the smaller pieces in your die sets. Build the main image first, then pull out a few of those little extras and see where else they might work. It is such an easy way to stretch your dies and get more from your supplies.
Deals Going On
Thank you for joining me today. I sincerely hope that today’s project inspires you. If you create something, feel free to tag me, @dahlhousedesigns, on social media. I would be thrilled to see it and leave you some love.
Supplies
Some links include affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for the referral but at no cost to you. I greatly appreciate the support should you choose to shop via my links.
Please Note: Product names with ** are suggested supply substitutions if I use something discontinued or hard to find.
Colorwheel Cardstock Colors: Seaside, Waterfall, Spruce, Peridot, Rainforest, Beeswax, Saffron
Garden Planter SB | SBC |
Decorative Lattice SB | SBC |
Ripped Edge Circles SB | SBC |
Open Lace Frame and Landscapes SB | SBC |
Love & Hugs Stamp & Die SB | SBC |
Puffy Hearts Folder SB | SBC |
 Hammermill Cardstock AMZ |
ColorWheel Cardstock 48 HA | SB | SBC |
 Vellum SBC |
Intens-ified Black Ink Pad SB | SBC |
 Cream, Gold, Silver Pearls AMZ |
Most Used Tools
 1.5″ block SB | OTH |
 Big Shot SB |
 Black Stamping Tool SB |
 Blending Brushes AMZ |
Blending Brushes Large AMZ |
 Blending Brushes Medium AMZ |
 Blending Brushes Mini AMZ |
 Blending Brushes Small AMZ |
 Connect Glue SB |
 Cutter Bee Scissors SB | SSS |
 Die Cut Envelope AMZ |
 Foam Roll – 2 Inch SB |
 Foam Roll Combo Pack SB |
 Grip Mat 4.75×6 AMZ |
 Grip Mat 6.5×8.5 AMZ |
 Grip Mat 6×6 AMZ |
 Media Mat Mini SB | SSS |
 Mini Blending Brushes AMZ |
 Mini Stencil Mat** SB |
 Mini Trimmer SB |
 MISTI – Mini SB | SSS |
 MISTI – Original SB | SSS |
 MISTI – Original – Black SB |
 MISTI Corners SB | AMZ |
 Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive SB |
 Post It Note Tape AMZ |
 Reverse Tweezers SB |
 Sticky Mat SB |
 Triangle Trays AMZ |
 White Gel Pens SB | AMZ |
 White Glass Mat SB | OTH | AMZ |
 Adhesive Roll SBC |
I love these, Lisa. I must say I have enjoyed you branching out and designing for others besides just Unity. It’s been a pleasure to watch! Thanks for all your contributions and the time it takes.
Awww, thank you so much, Cindy. That truly means a lot. Unity will always have my full heart, but it’s been really fun branching out in new ways. It really does something good for the creative soul. I appreciate you noticing and cheering me on so much.