Welcome to our September Designer Challenge with a theme of CASCADE. I challenged the team to use the new Cascade Pop-up and their cards are simply marvelous!

For my card and video I took inspiration from Halloween costumes of the 1970s. Back then they sold molded plastic masks with big eye holes. They were hot and uncomfortable with poor visibility and at some point they stopped making them, but in honor of nostalgia, I've recreated the look with paper.

Learn how I made this card by watching this video:

My card measures 5" x 5" when closed and can be mailed in an A7 envelope. The background of the front and interior panels is made by combining Squares - Crosshatch with Slim Pattern Plate - Bats, using shimmer black cardstock. The costumes are made using several of our animal and character dies and the greetings are from Halloween Phrases clear stamps.

As the card opens the doubled Cascade Pop-up starts to expand.

Inside the card the Cascade has been doubled to create a bunch of different levels and angles to decorate. I used the Square Cascade Add-ons to create the stitched square frame sets for the trick-or-treaters. The trick-or-treaters are made with the Paper People set and the costumes are made from several die sets - Skeleton and Bat, Witch and Cauldron, Cat and Dog, Feathered Animals and glasses from Tiny Accessories 1.

This generic multi-level platform can be decorated for any theme. 

Ready to give this card a try? Here are the dies and supplies used in the video:

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Now let's take a look at the amazing ideas from the Design Team. In each case you can click on the designer's name to go to their blog post. On their blogs you will find additional photos, supply lists and, in some cases, full video or photo tutorials.

Before we jump into the Design Team cards, we want to send our very best well wishes to Sue Small-Kreider, who has stepped down from the design team. Sue's first Designer Challenge was in August 2022 so we were fortunate enough to have her on the team for four years. From the start Sue impressed us with her clever adaptations of the dies. She combines dies in new and unique ways and will often create full video tutorials for her cards on her YouTube channel. We wish Sue the best in all her future crafty endeavors and we highly recommend subscribing to her channel so you can keep up with all of her clever creations. Thank you, Sue!

Nicky Foden made a wonderful back to school card featuring the Bookworm on the Cascade Pop-up. The bright colors are so fun and happy and I love all the details she packed into this card. As usual, you can see a full photo tutorial for this card on Nicky's blog, so be sure to click over. Amazing!

Suzanne Smit combined a bunch of different decorator dies and two Cascade Pop-ups with Square add-ons for an amazing illustration of the Weasleys shop from Harry Potter. You'll want to check out all the fun details, from the cauldron of love potion to the chocolate frogs. So clever!

Jen Webster shows off her amazing coloring skills once again on this stunning fall-themed square Cascade card. The Autumn Elements, Woodland Animals and Fall Phrases clear stamps are the perfect cozy companions. Be sure to click over to Jen's blog to see the front of this wonderful card.

Lois Bak has a wonderful card dedicated to one of her favorite movies - The Wizard of Oz. She's used the Cascade with the Movie Night Charms for a delightful birthday card. If you click over to her blog you can see the card front and card back. Love it!

Sandy Diller created a wonderful bowling-themed birthday card using the Cascade. The different levels are perfect for animating the final strike in a perfect 300 game! Way to go, Jim! The stars sprinkled throughout the scene are a great touch as well. See a video of this card on Sandy's blog. Fabulous!

Well we hope you feel inspired to use the Cascade Pop-up for your next card. Join us next month on October 7, 2026 for Designer Challenge 110 with a theme of HEY, PUMPKIN! We will be making cards featuring pumpkins.

Happy Crafting!