One Die, Two Seasons: Winter & Summer Card Inspiration (+ Video Tutorial)

Did you know you can control the seasons? I wish it were that easy…

Do you have a favourite season? What if I told you that you can recreate that vibe any time you want… with just one die set?

Here’s a sneaky peek at today’s cards…

Two cards made with the same maple tree layering die set showing winter and summer scenes by Therese Calvird

Would you like to see how these seasons come together? Click HERE to watch the video at YouTube.


This post is part of my Take 2 Series with Altenew, which means you get double the inspiration, and if you want to see MORE ideas like this, CLICK HERE.

I use affiliate links, which means if you click on a product and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you. This helps support my channel and the shops we love 🥰!



#SEASONS

Who says you have to wait for the calendar to tell you what season it is? With a little crafty genius, you can have winter, summer, or whatever season you’re craving – anytime you like!

One die set doesn’t have to be one look. By changing a few colors, layering pieces differently, or adding little scene details, the same die can take on a totally new personality. It’s all about stretching your stash, experimenting, and having a bit of fun pretending you’re the boss of the seasons. Who knew your crafty supplies could take you to your favourite season so easily? 😉

SEASONAL-TIPS: Stretch One Die Set for Every Season

SUMMER – Hot vibes
Colors & Feel:
Green leafy trees, bright blue skies, sunny and warm.
Scene Ideas:
Add a lake, picnic blanket, or camping scene. Include chairs or a hammock to relax with a lemonade. Playful pets or critters soaking up the sun add extra charm.
Tip:
Keep colors bold and vibrant, and use minimal layering to maintain a fresh, sunny vibe.
AUTUMN – Warm vibes
Colors & Feel:
Falling leaves in oranges, reds, and golden browns, cozy atmosphere.
Scene Ideas:
Add books under the tree, a squirrel gathering nuts, or pumpkins and scarves for a whimsical touch. Make leaves look like they’re drifting for extra movement.
Tip:
Layer die-cut leaves and small embellishments to create depth.
WINTER – Cool vibes
Colors & Feel:
Snowy whites, icy blues, rich greens, soft greys.
Scene Ideas:
Bare trees with snow, red birds or owls perched on branches, lanterns or Christmas lights, and a tiny snowman or frosty lake scene.
Tip:
Use glitter, white shimmer paste, or vellum to give a frosty effect and make snow sparkle.
SPRING – Colorful vibes
Colors & Feel:
Pastels and fresh greens, cheerful and bright.
Scene Ideas:
Add blooming flowers, butterflies, bees, or birds around the tree. Consider a picnic or garden bench, or subtle clouds with a rainbow.
Tip:
Layer colors lightly with inks or watercolors for a soft, joyful look.


Want to see how the seasons inspired me?
I picked my least favourite and my favourite season for these cards… think you can guess which is which?

Card #1: Winter

This layering tree is huge and makes a real statement on a card. It’s so satisfying to use one die and get a totally unique look – and Winter is here!

I went with an icy blue blend for the cloudy background. The trunk is grey, the tree is loaded with evergreen, and the shadow layer at the back is actually a deep purple.

Winter maple tree card with snow and stencil cloud background by Therese Calvird

The top layer of “leaves” has been turned into snow, and if you want to step it up even more, a little dusting of glitter, shimmer paste, or some extra ink blending adds another layer of depth.

Winter maple tree card with snow and stencil cloud background by Therese Calvird

PRO TIP: Those snowbanks? They’re actually the base layer of the tree die, cut in white – sneaky, right?

Winter maple tree card with snow and stencil cloud background by Therese Calvird

Card #2: Summer

Are you hot? Yes, I say bring it on! We’re coming out of Winter here, and I am so ready for some warmer weather… yep, you’ve probably guessed by now which is my favourite season! 😉

Summer floral bush card with two chairs and stencil cloud background by Therese Calvird

I went for a brighter, more cheerful blue for the cloudy sky – you could also swap this for an ombre blend or just plain colored cardstock.

Instead of a full tree, I used the foliage only to create a large, leafy shrub. The leaves are bright and cheerful, and a few cute flowers add a fun, happy touch.

Summer floral bush card with two chairs and stencil cloud background by Therese Calvird

To complete the scene, I added two woodgrain chairs – perfect for sitting out on a sunny evening, enjoying the cooler air and a glass of… lemonade, or a cool beverage of your choice.

Summer floral bush card with two chairs and stencil cloud background by Therese Calvird

Which Season Will You Try First?

Winter’s icy charm and Summer’s sunny vibes, I picked my least favourite and my favourite season for these cards. Are you feeling inspired to stretch your dies into different seasons?

I’d love to hear which season is your favourite – share your thoughts in the comments below!

Happy crafting,

PS This set is perfect for those with a Genealogist in their family! 😉 And if you want more inspiration for this die set check out these cards here.

Special thanks to my crafty assistant, Chad (aka ChatGPT), for helping me stay on track with my Gemini brain, grammar, and spelling… well, all the things!


P.S. Need supplies? Here are the links to the products I used today (some of these are affiliate links, so I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase – thanks for supporting my channel 🥰)!

*Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon, this content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Other Supplies: SHOP THE NEW RELEASE HERE
Altenew Inks: Iceberg | Sea Breeze.
Altenew Cardstock: Morning Frost | Andromeda | Lavender Fields | Bamboo | Olive | Evergreen.
Altenew Artist Markers: Y003

Affiliate links are used
Majestic Maple Tree
Majestic Maple Tree

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Fireside Escape
Fireside Escape

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Cloud Scene Stencil
Cloud Scene Stencil

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Enchanted Roses
Enchanted Roses

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Zero-WAste Field of Flowers Die
Zero-WAste Field of Flowers Die

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Altenew Cardstock
Altenew Cardstock

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Neenah Solar 110
Neenah Solar 110

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Neenah Solar 80
Neenah Solar 80

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Obsidian
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Deep Blue Seas
Deep Blue Seas

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Lapis Lazuli

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Mini Blending Brush Set
Mini Blending Brush Set

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Tweezers
Tweezers

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Stampwheel
Stampwheel

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Bone Folder
Bone Folder

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Score Board
Score Board

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Platinum 6
Platinum 6

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9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer

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Bearly Art Glue
Bearly Art Glue

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Glue Tape
Glue Tape

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Foam Tape NEW sizes!
Foam Tape NEW sizes!

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Satin Masking Tape
Satin Masking Tape

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8 thoughts on “One Die, Two Seasons: Winter & Summer Card Inspiration (+ Video Tutorial)

  1. Your ideas are brilliant, Therese. Using part of the tree for snow drifts and adding snow to the tree really made a great winter card. Then you made a flowering bush. So cute and a great place to nestle those chairs. Thanks for the inspiration.

  2. I’ll be looking forward to seeing the other two seasons, Therese! Your darling Adirondack chairs are calling to me! Two fabulous cards… wish you could come watch my Maple change its colors this Fall!
    =]

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