Brightening the January Blues with a Golden Sunflower

Hello, crafting friends!

The third Monday of January is often referred to as “Blue Monday,” a time when many of us feel a temporary slump in energy and motivation as the holiday magic fades and the winter chill sets in. To help shake off those winter blues, I am participating in the January Blues Card Hop on Instagram!

The goal for this hop is simple: to brighten your day and remind you to take care of yourself. You are important, and the world is truly better with you in it.

I started by die-cutting the Sunflower Duo dies by Kat Scrappiness. To get that perfect glow, I used Spellbinders Beeswax Cardstock for the petals and Environment Honeycomb Cardstock (a beautiful dark kraft) for the centers.

To add depth, I did some ink blending using Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks:

Petals: A blend of Citrine and Sherbet.
Center: A touch of Mocha and Woodsy.
Extra Detail: I also tucked in some petals cut from Lemon Yellow Vellum to add a soft, airy texture to the bloom.

I wanted a background that felt like a crisp winter evening. I chose Sapphire Colorplan cardstock and cut it using the A2 Postage Rectangle Frames die by SSS. The decorative edge of the postage die adds a clean, finished look to the “Clean and Simple” design.

The sentiment, “You brighten my day,” comes from the Mod Plants stamp set by SSS. It felt like the perfect message for anyone needing a little extra love this month. Finally, I added a bit of sparkle with Sparkling Clear Hexagon Confetti Sequins by KS to mimic the look of ice crystals or morning dew.

I hope this card serves as a little ray of sunshine in your feed today. If you are feeling the weight of the season, please remember to be gentle with yourself and find joy in the small things—like a bit of paper, ink, and a bright yellow flower.

Be sure to head over to Instagram to follow the rest of the January Blues Card Hop for more inspiration!