3 Playful Ways to Celebrate with the Sending Hugs Collection

Hey crafty friends! Welcome back to another cardmaking post. Today I’m sharing three fun cards created with the Simon Hurley Sending Hugs Collection from Spellbinders.

This adorable collection features three character die sets — Congrats Cat, Darling Dog, and Birthday Bear. Each set includes sweet, playful images that are perfect for celebration cards, encouragement, and everyday happy mail. I love how easy these dies are to mix with simple backgrounds while still creating cards with lots of personality.

If you’d like to see the dies up close, be sure to check out the YouTube video linked below. I walk you through how I created all three cards and share tips for assembling and layering the die cuts.

Congrats Cat Card

This first card features the Congrats Cat die set and was designed to be bright, playful, and perfect for celebrating accomplishments. I positioned the cat front and center with its arms raised to really emphasize that “you did it!” feeling.

To keep the design fun without overwhelming the focal image, I paired the die-cut cat with a simple patterned background. The repeating pencil pattern adds visual interest while still keeping the focus on the character. Small embellishments were added around the background for a touch of shine and dimension.

The graduation cap is a fun detail that makes this card especially great for graduations, school achievements, or any congratulatory occasion. I finished the card with a bold “Congrats!” sentiment strip along the bottom to ground the design and clearly communicate the theme.

This layout is easy to recreate and works well if you want to swap out colors, patterns, or sentiments to fit different occasions. It’s a great example of how these character dies can really shine with a clean and simple card design.

Puppy Love Card

This card features the adorable Puppy Love die set and was designed to be sweet, whimsical, and perfect for sharing a little affection. I positioned the pup front and center with its arms wide open to really emphasize that “sending you a hug” feeling.

To keep the design cohesive without overwhelming the focal image, I paired the die-cut dog with a romantic heart-patterned background. The repeating stenciled hearts add a soft, playful touch while still keeping the focus on the character. I also added several glittery heart accents around the pup’s head for a touch of sparkle and dimension.

The tiny heart-sealed envelope and festive headband are fun details that make this card especially great for Valentines, anniversaries, or “just because” notes. I finished the card with a clean “I LOVE YOU” sentiment strip along the bottom to ground the design and clearly communicate the theme.

This layout is easy to recreate and works well if you want to swap out the background patterns or use different colors for the pup’s accessories. It’s another great example of how these character dies can really shine with a clean and layered card design.

Birthday Panda Card

This third card features the playful Birthday Panda die set and was designed to be cheerful, celebratory, and perfect for birthdays. I positioned the panda front and center with its arms outstretched to really emphasize that “surprise and delight” feeling.

To keep the design energetic without overwhelming the focal image, I paired the die-cut panda with a soft, wavy blue background. The subtle, shimmering paper add visual interest while still keeping the focus on the character. I also included a small, brightly colored gift box and a shiny party hat to add a touch of sparkle and dimension.

The tiny blue gift with its yellow bow is a fun detail that makes this card especially great for birthday parties, surprise celebrations, or any festive occasion. I finished the card with a dainty “Happy Birthday!” sentiment tucked into the upper corner to let the panda take center stage while clearly communicating the theme.

This layout is easy to recreate and works well if you want to swap out the accessory colors or use different patterned papers for the background. It’s a wonderful example of how these character dies can really shine with a clean and festive card design.

Bringing it All Together: Character-Driven Creativity

Whether you are celebrating a graduation with a scholarly cat, sending love with a festive pup, or wishing someone a happy birthday with a party panda, these character die sets make it easy to create impactful, professional-looking cards.

By following a consistent layout—positioning your character centrally, pairing them with simple patterned backgrounds, and adding small dimensional accents—you can create a cohesive set of cards for any occasion. These designs prove that you don’t need complex techniques to make something truly special; just a few thoughtful layers and a clear sentiment are all it takes to let these charming characters shine!.

Now it’s your turn! I’d love to see how you use these layouts to bring your own paper characters to life. Grab your favorite die set, pick a playful background, and start creating. Tag me on Instagram or share a link to your project in the comments below so I can cheer you on!