Sip Into Summer with This Sweet Window Card!

Hi friends! Rick here, and I’m excited to be sharing a fun and fruity card design on the Pixi Dust Designs blog today. If you’re like me, once summer rolls in, your cardmaking brain shifts into sunshine mode—bright colors, playful themes, and of course, anything lemonade-inspired. That’s exactly where this card started. I wanted something cheerful and interactive that felt like a refreshing glass of strawberry lemonade on a hot day.

A Sketch-Inspired Summer Twist

This design was sparked by this month’s Pixi Dust Designs Sketch. I love working from sketches because they take the guesswork out of layout and let you focus on all the fun parts—like mixing colors, layering dies, and adding just the right finishing details. Instead of following the sketch to the letter, I gave it a seasonal twist by turning one of the main focal elements into a shaped window, using the die-cut glass from the Strawberry Lemonade Die Set.

The moment I cut the opening, I knew I was onto something. It gave me the perfect spot to tuck in a layered drink on the inside of the card that peeks through the front. It’s a subtle interactive element that’s easy to create but adds a lot of visual interest.

Building the Look with Layered Details

For the front panel, I reached for the Clouds & Grass Slimline Die Set to add a soft, decorative border to my bright yellow cardstock. It’s a small detail, but it frames the card beautifully and sets the tone for a playful summer scene. Then I got to work layering all the delicious details from the Strawberry Lemonade and Lemonade Jar Die Sets—fruit slices, a striped straw, even a tiny cocktail umbrella. These sets are full of charming little elements that bring the drink to life and make the entire design feel cohesive.

Pro tip: When working with lots of small die-cut pieces, I like to use a piece of scrap paper or press-n-seal to lay out my elements first. It helps me see the full picture before I commit to gluing anything down—and it saves me from peeling things up later.

A Peek Inside: Dimension Made Easy

Once I had all the parts assembled, I adhered the glass of lemonade on the inside of the card, lining it up with the front window. It’s such a fun surprise when you open the card, and it really shows off all the layered detail from the die sets. I even added a few extra lemon slices around the window to balance things out.

To finish it off, I used the “Fresh” word die from the Strawberry Lemonade Die Set and paired it with the “lemonade” sentiment from the Lemonade Jar Die Set. It felt like the perfect pairing to complete the theme and tie the design together.

Wrapping It Up

This card is one of those designs that looks more complicated than it actually is—and that’s always a win in my book. The dies from Pixi Dust Designs make it easy to create something with layers, texture, and personality without a lot of extra effort. Whether you’re following the sketch exactly or just using it as a jumping-off point like I did, this is a fun way to stretch your supplies and make something that feels fresh for the season.

Thanks so much for joining me today. I hope this project inspires you to dig into your die stash and try something new.