Author: Karen Brown

cardmaking · Die cutting · Tutorial

Make a Splash: Postage Collage Summer Beach Card

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Nothing says “happy birthday” like a burst of bright colors and a little beachy fun! Fresh off a trip to the shore, I felt inspired to bring the ocean breeze into my craft room—minus the sand in my die-cutting machine. Today’s card features stenciled beach balls, a fun postage stamp collage, and plenty of shimmer and shine. Let’s dive in!

Bringing the Beach to Paper: Creative Ways to Use Layering Stencils

A vibrant beach-themed birthday card featuring stenciled beach balls in yellow, green, and blue with a touch of shimmer.

To set the seaside scene, I stenciled a flurry of yellow, green, and blue beach balls bouncing across the card. But what’s a day at the beach without a little shimmer? I used Glitz Inks to add a splash of shimmery shine.

Key Products Used:

Ink Blending Tips for a Seamless Look

  • Easy to Use 3 Layer Stencil: I started by stenciling my background with the fun Beach Ball Stencil. To keep my paper and stencil in place, I used my Sticky Grip Mat, which worked perfectly.
    • Click HERE to read my review on Sticky Grip Mats.
  • Use a circular motion: This prevents harsh lines and gives a softer, airbrushed effect. I also like to change direction frequently.
  • Let the shimmer do its thing: Glitz Inks add an extra pop. I used two shimmery Glitz Inks + Summer Sky for a really beachy vibe.

Postage Perfection

Nothing elevates a card quite like a postage stamp theme, so I pulled out my Waffle Flower Postage Collage die and stamp set to bring in some postal flair. Here’s what I included:

  • Postage-style die adds a fun and playful focus to your project, allowing pops of the orange mat to peek through the holes.
  • Stamped details like “sending hugs”, “50 cents”, “hugs inside”, and classic cancellation squiggles for that perfect mail-ready touch.
  • A crisp white scripty “Happy Birthday” sentiment with a black shadow, keeping it bold and readable amidst all the beachy goodness.
The Waffle Flower Postage Collage die-cut panel with stamped details like "sending hugs" and cancellation marks, framed by an orange mat. Fun Beach Ball themed Birthday card with blue, yellow and green layered stencil ink blending.

The Final Splash

With the main panel matted in orange, this card bursts with sunny energy—perfect for anyone’s birthday, no matter their age! The beachy vibe, vibrant colors, and postal elements make it a playful, happy way to celebrate.. ☀️📬✨

cardmaking · Die cutting · Stamping

Vintage Charm & Soft Elegance: Hero Arts March 2025 Release

Karen Brown1 Comment

Welcome to another exciting Hero Arts release! For March 2025, I created two unique cards that highlight the versatility of the new products. One is a vintage-inspired die-cut design featuring the Suitcase and Florals Fancy Die, while the other is a beautifully blended, pastel-hued circular stamped card. Let’s jump into the details!

Key Kits and Products Used:

Card 1: Vintage Suitcase & Florals

A handmade card featuring a cream and tan die-cut hat box-style suitcase with a teal bow and florals, set against an aqua background of stamped vintage maps and postmarks.

This card is all about vintage charm! The focal point is a cream-colored hat box-style suitcase with tan trim, die-cut from the Suitcase and Florals Fancy Die. A lovely teal bow is tied to the handle, and delicate die-cut flowers add a soft floral touch.

Hero Studio Suitcase and Florals die cut handmade "hello" card with a charming hat box luggage, teal bow, and flowers in orange and red. The background is a mixed media postage stamp theme.

Design Details:

  • Color Palette: Teal, aqua, alabaster cream, marigold, and red from the Color Wheel Cardstock Collection .
  • Background: I loosely ink blended Splash ink on white cardstock and then added Splash ink splatters on the aqua panel and A2 cardbase. I then randomly stamped the panel in black ink using the Vintage Maps & Ledgers and Vintage Postmarks & Tickets stamps. Using my Nesting Postage Stamp Infinity dies, I die-cut stamp shapes that would serve as my background.
  • Framing: A vivid Blue Spruce mat behind the die-cut stamps makes the alabaster hat box pop.
  • Sentiment: A die-cut, scripty “hello” (Friend Words Sentiment Dies) that complements the vintage theme. Two black enamel dots in the center of the flowers continues the bold color palette.
Pro Tip: 
A deep Blue Spruce background mat is key to making lighter elements like the alabaster suitcase stand out.

Color Swatching:

To help with color coordination, I also swatched my cardstock colors using the Spellbinders Color Swatch Petal Dies—a handy way to visualize your palette before committing to a design!

Color Wheel Cardstock Colors used: Alabaster, Terracotta, Poppy, Cranberry, Carrot, Teal Topaz, Blue Spruce, Fern and Brushed Gold.

You can find the entire Color Wheel Collection HERE.

Card 2: Pastel Bow-Themed Circular Card

A round handmade card with a stamped and Copic-colored bow pattern transitioning from yellow to pink, coral, lavender, and blue. The card base is deep charcoal gray.

For my second card, I went with a soft, rainbow gradient-colored design that’s easy to recreate. This is a DIY card that’s great for beginner cardmakers, offering a fun way to experiment with color blending and shaped card designs. The 6 x 6″ Bold Print makes stamping so easy! The bows are already laid out perfectly, so no need to spend time arranging your dies.

Design Details:

  • Stamp: The “Bows” Bold Cling Stamp stamped on smooth white cardstock and colored with pastel Copic markers.
  • Color Gradient: Blends from creamy yellow at the top to soft pinks, corals, lavender, and blues at the bottom.
  • Card Shape: Using my Nesting Circle Dies, I die cut a circle from my Copic colored panel. To make my card base, I die cut two circles from Charcoal cardstock, scored the back one at 3/4″ and then glued the tops together. To make this card even easier, you could make a traditional A2 rectangular card, which would exclude using infinity dies.
  • Finishing the Card: I added a small “for you” heat embossed sentiment and some Clear Enamel Dots.

Pro Tip:

Use craft foam behind your card panels for a polished, professional look with added dimension!

An easy DIY stamped card with 10 girly bows of different shapes and sizes, Copic colored in a rainbow gradient.

Final Thoughts

Both of these cards showcase the March 2025 Hero Arts release in different ways—one with vintage textures and layers, the other with simple stamping and coloring. Whether you’re a fan of intricate die-cutting or quick, colorful stamping, there’s something in this release for you!

Let me know in the comments—which card style do you love most? And don’t forget to check out the full Hero Arts release for more inspiration!

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · stitching

Spellbinders March 2025 Club Kits – Two Cards, Endless Creativity!

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Die Cut handmade cards created with Spellbinders March 2025 Club Kits.

March is here, and with it comes Spellbinders’ March 2025 Club Kits, featuring some truly exciting club kits! This month, I crafted two very different—but equally fun—cards: one celebrating the great outdoors and another bringing stitched floral elegance to life. Let’s dive in!

Kits Used Today:

Card 1: A Fishing Adventure

Masculine fishing theme die cut card using Spellbinders March 2025 Small Die of the Month Kit. Two men are fishing on a dock, there is a "caught" fish on a line and the colors are primarily blue with the men wearing orange and green shirts and hats.

For my first card, I used the Die of the Month Club Kit – Fairways and Fish Tales, a perfect choice for masculine cards. This set brings all the charm of a peaceful fishing trip, complete with fishing rods, tackle boxes, and two friends casting their lines from a dock.

Since my husband is a fly-fishing enthusiast, this card is especially meaningful. The “Happiness is…” sentiment captures the joy of a day spent on the water. The color palette leans into lovely blues, accented with pops of orange and green, giving the scene a fresh and lively look. If you’re looking for a kit that’s perfect for the men in your life, this one is a winner!

For assembly, I used Bearly Glue, Foam Squares and Craft Foam. To finish, I added some Clear Enamel Dots to simulate water splashes.

Handmade die-cut card featuring two male friends fishing on a wooden dock with fishing rods, tackle boxes, and a 'Happiness is...' sentiment. The color scheme is blue with pops of orange and green.

Card 2: Floral Elegance with Stitching & Die Cuts

Elegant handmade stitched card with a gold-threaded white background and die-cut flowers in pink, orange, and white, accented with gold detail. Created with Spellbinders March 2025 Stitching Die and Large Die Club Kits.

For my second card, I combined the Stitching Club of the Month Kit with the Large Die of the Month, which offers three design options: floral, dog, and dinosaur. I chose the floral dies and paired them with the intricate stitching background for a stunning, textured effect.

The stitching panel was cut from white cardstock and hand-stitched with gold thread, giving it a luxe feel. Then, I added die-cut flowers in pink, orange, and white, accented with gold, to create a truly elegant design. Stitched cards always have that “WOW” factor, and this one is no exception—handmade beauty that recipients love!

One thing I love about the stitching die background is that it’s just as beautiful unstiched. I plan to use it that way in the future for a more subtle yet equally stunning effect.

Notes About This Card:

Two beautiful handmade and die-cut cards created with Spellbinders March 2025 Club Kits.

Helpful Links:

Final Thoughts

March’s Spellbinders release has something for everyone—whether you’re crafting for the outdoorsman in your life or making a stitched masterpiece. Which of these styles speaks to you the most? Let me know in the comments!

Die cutting · papercrafting · Video

VIDEO HOP | Bold Floral Die Cutting | Hero Arts

Karen Brown1 Comment
Bold colors, layered florals, and die-cutting magic—this card has it all! In this post, I’m sharing how I used the Hero Arts Small and Large Floral Layering Fancy Dies to create a vibrant, dimensional floral card with a striking meadow green background.

Welcome to a burst of bold color and creative inspiration! In my latest video, Bold Floral Die Cutting, I’m excited to share how I created a vibrant, layered floral card that’s both eye-catching and easy to make. This post is part of a fun Video Hop, so be sure to check out the other amazing creators linked below.

You can watch the video below or HERE on my YouTube Channel.

The Supplies That Make It All Happen

For this project, I used the Hero Arts Small and Large Floral Layering Fancy Dies from their new Friendship Blossoms Collection. These dies are incredibly versatile, offering a mix of intricate floral designs that layer beautifully to create dimension and texture. The combination of the small and large dies allowed me to build a dynamic floral arrangement that feels lush and full of life.

Crafting the Bold Floral Card

"Bold floral handmade card featuring die-cut coral, soft pink, navy, and white flowers layered on a rich meadow green background, with a 'Have a Lovely Day' sentiment

In the video, I start by selecting my color palette, focusing on bold, contrasting shades that complement the meadow green background. Then, it’s on to die cutting—lots of it! I show how to layer the floral die cuts to add depth and interest, arranging them into a cohesive design. Finally, I assemble the card, finishing with the sentiment “Have a Lovely Day” for a cheerful touch.

Handmade Floral card with Bold Layered Die-Cut flowers on a striking green background using Hero Arts Small and Large Floral Layering Fancy Dies

Join the Video Hop!

This video is part of a fun video hop featuring talented creators sharing their unique takes on cardmaking. I’d love for you to:

Handmade Die Cut floral card in Meadow Green, Coral, Papaya Orange, Peony Pink, Nautical Blue and Dove White Cardstock.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you feel inspired to create your own bold floral cards!

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Vintage Flower Shoppe Cart | Spellbinders

Karen Brown1 Comment
Handmade square card featuring a die-cut retro French inspired flower cart with a 'Fresh Flowers' sign, filled with coral, pink, blue and white blooms. Baskets of flowers surround the cart, and black enamel dots add detail to the wheels.

Today, I’m sharing a square card featuring the Flower Cart die set from Spellbinders’ Vintage Flower Shoppe collection. With a retro French inspired flower cart, coral, pink, blue and white blooms, and ink-blended details, this project is bursting with charm!

Key Products Used on This Card:

Bringing the Flower Cart to Life

Handmade square card featuring a die-cut retro French inspired flower cart with a 'Fresh Flowers' sign, filled with coral, pink, blue and white blooms. Baskets of flowers surround the cart, and black enamel dots add detail to the wheels. Dies are from Spellbinders Vintage Flower Shoppe Collection and the Flower Cart Die Set. S6-253

I fell in love with the Flower Cart die set the moment I saw it—there are so many creative possibilities! For this design, I started by die-cutting all the elements and then ink blending them to add depth and dimension. The soft shading makes the hand cart and baskets of coral, pink, blue and white blooms pop beautifully!

To give the cart a little extra personality, I added black enamel dots as the wheel nuts—a tiny detail that makes a big difference. And of course, the “Fresh Flowers” sign ties everything together with a market-fresh feel.

My completed card is 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ and the Teal Topaz background mat is 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″.

Charming handmade die card featuring a darling flower card surrounded by baskets of colorful flower blooms + a Fresh Flowers sign.

Try It Yourself!

The Vintage Flower Shoppe collection has so many ways to mix and match floral elements. What colors would you use for your dream flower cart?

BetterPress · papercrafting

Ranch-Themed BetterPress Art Projects: Meet Clover and Cotton Ball

Karen Brown1 Comment
Create your own BetterPress framed and watercolored art pieces of Clover the Cow and Cotton Ball the lamb.

There’s something special about bringing a little piece of the ranch indoors—especially when it comes in the form of charming letterpressed art. Today, I’m excited to share two BetterPress projects straight from my little hacienda, featuring Clover the cow and Cotton Ball the lamb from Spellbinders.

New To BetterPress?

If you’re new to BetterPress or want to refine your skills, check out my previous blog post, “9 Tips, Tricks and Insights for Spellbinders BetterPress Machine,” for helpful advice on how to achieve perfect impressions every time.

Key Products Used in This Post:

Meet Clover the Cow

Spellbinders Clover the Cow watercolored BetterPress Animal Art piece framed to display in home.

Clover isn’t just any cow—she’s inspired by a real-life, flower-munching culprit from my own yard. And yes, she was eating flowers from my garden!

The BetterPress version of Clover captures her mischievous spirit, complete with a whimsical flower wreath perched atop her head.

Inspiration photo for my Cow BetterPress framed art piece.

After BetterPressing Clover, I added soft watercolor washes that brought her to life, highlighting her gentle eyes and the delicate petals in her floral crown. What’s more, the print looks stunning even without the watercolor—just the crisp, tactile impression of the press is beautiful on its own.

Process photo showing my watercoloring technique for colorizing my Spellbinders BetterPress Cow print.

Introducing Cotton Ball the Lamb

Spellbinders Cotton Ball the lamb BetterPress watercolored and framed animal art piece.

Not to be outdone by Clover, Cotton Ball the lamb is equally charming with her own flower wreath. She’s the picture of pastoral sweetness, and the BetterPress captured every curl and detail of her woolly coat. Watercoloring Cotton Ball was a joy, blending soft pastels to match her gentle personality.

Framed with Love

Both prints sit in 4″ x 5″ easel frames that add a touch of ranch-inspired warmth to my home. The textures from the letterpress, the soft watercolor hues, and the rustic frames create an inviting, homey feel that reflects life on my little hacienda.

Try It Yourself

Whether you’re inspired by ranch life or just love the charm of whimsical animal art, BetterPress projects like Clover and Cotton Ball are a joy to create. The prints are beautiful whether you choose to watercolor them or leave them as crisp, letterpressed pieces.

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · papercrafting

Spellbinders | Club Kit Cards | February 2025

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Spellbinders February 2025 Club Kit Cards: Large Die of the Month, Small Die of the Month and Stitching Die of the Month die cut handmade cards.

Get ready to fall in love with the Spellbinders February 2025 Club Kits! This month’s releases are packed with charm and creativity, and I’m thrilled to share two whimsical scene cards that will have you reaching for your die-cutting machine in no time.

Easy Stitched Die Cut Bunny Card Full of Charm

A handmade card featuring a die-cut bunny in a spring green dress holding a flower, framed with a stitched border. The background is soft blues and warm yellows, creating a fresh and cheerful scene. Spellbinders Stitching Die of the Month + Large Bunny Die of the Month.

This first card features the Stitching Die of the Month paired with the Large Die of the Month, creating a darling stitched frame. Inside the frame, a sweet die-cut bunny dressed in a spring green dress steals the spotlight. She’s holding a delicate flower, making this design ideal for Easter, baby showers, or even get-well cards. The soft blues, vivid greens, and warm yellows lend a fresh spring vibe, while the stitched frame adds texture and an elegant touch.

Key Products Used:

Notes About This Card:

Darling Spring die-cut bunny handmade card with hand stitched frame using Spellbinders February 2025 Large Die of the Month + Stitching Die of the Month Kits.

Step Into Spring with This Floral Shoes Card

A whimsical handmade card featuring olive green die-cut shoes with blue and olive anklet socks, with bright spring flowers tucked inside. The sentiment reads "Hello." Spellbinders Small Die of the Month, February 2025.

The second card takes a playful turn with a pair of olive green shoes, complete with stylish blue and olive anklet socks. The Small Die of the Month works its magic, letting you create a unique scene where die-cut flowers are tucked into the patterned socks. You’ll spot the calves of a lady walking confidently into spring, and the sentiment “Hello” ties everything together. Perfect for birthdays, get-well wishes, or just saying hi, this design showcases the versatility of these dies.

Quick Notes About This Card:

  • I started by looking through my patterned paper for some fun “sock material”. I chose this eye-catching circular pattern, but a small floral or plaid would also work great!
  • Once I had my socks, I pulled together other colors that would work well for my scene. I frequently use my Color Cubes when selecting my color palette.
  • I die cut my Small Die Kit components with my Platinum 6 System.
  • I assembled my scene with Bearly Glue, Foam Squares and Craft Foam.
  • The hello sentiment is from my January Small Die of the Month Kit.
  • I cut the buckle and bows from Brushed Gold Cardstock.
Spellbinders February 2025 Small Die of the Month handmade card complete with a pair of shoes, patterned anklet socks and die cut floral blooms.

Helpful Links:

Handmade cards created with Spellbinders February 2025 Club Kits.

Why These Cards Shine

Both cards highlight the magic of die-cutting, with intricate details and stitching that bring each scene to life. Whether it’s the textured frame around the bunny or the whimsical floral shoes, these designs are sure to inspire intermediate and advanced crafters alike.

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · Rainbow Colors

Hero Studio | February Release and Blog Hop

Karen Brown9 Comments

Hello, crafty friends! It’s time to shake off those winter blues as we play with the new Hero Studio February Release!

Smile, It’s a Beautiful World

Bright and colorful handmade card with repeating die-cut 'smile' sentiments in rainbow colors, topped with a heat-embossed sentiment."

For my first card, I used the Hero Studio February 2025 Card Kit of the Month, which is packed with fabulous sentiments. My design features repeating die-cut “smile” sentiments in a rainbow of colors, arranged in perfect rainbow order.

How I Made This Repeating Die Cut Sentiment Card:

  • Each sentiment was die cut three times per color, stacked, and glued together for added dimension and impact.
  • I used my favorite Hero Hues Cardstock Colors: Ultra Pink, Papaya, Kiwi, Bermuda, Paradise, Peacock, Amethyst and Cherry.
  • I found the card layout worked best by gluing in the following order: pink, lime, orange, peacock, paradise, bermuda, red, amethyst.
  • To complete the design, I added a heat-embossed sentiment that reads “It’s a beautiful world”, which is also included in this month’s kit. The result is a bright and happy card that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face
Bright colorful die-cut handmade card created with the February 2025 Hero Studio Card Kit.

What’s Inside the February 2025 Hero Studio Card Kit?

February 2025 Card Kit of the Month: Tulips            
               • Tulip HeroScapes Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8”
               • Circling Clouds Cling Stamp, 6″x 6″
               • Messages Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″
               • 7 Tulip HeroScape Coordinating Dies
               • 4 Word Fancy Dies with Frame Cuts
               • 5 Messages Coordinating Dies
               • 4 Ink Cubes (Thistle, Azalea, Moss, Blue Raspberry

Rainbow color-themed sentiment card showcasing stacked die-cut 'smile' sentiments on a crisp white card.

February 2025 Hero Studio Kits:

The Whole Studio includes ALL 5 of the monthly subscriptions in one discounted bundle. Cling of the Month, Clear + Dies of the Month, Layering Stencil of the Month, Fancy Dies of the Month, and the Card Kit of the Month.

This month, receive a FREE adorable “bug” die set when you purchase The Whole Studio!

Hero Arts has many different Monthly Kits that you can subscribe to including:

A Planter Full of Blooming Delight!

handmade die-cut planter box card featuring wisteria, daffodils, and blue blossoms on a stenciled cobblestone wall background.

The February Fancy Die Kit is a gorgeous planter box brimming with vibrant spring flowers like wisteria, daffodils, and delicate blue blossoms.

How to Create a Cheerful Floral Scene Card:

  • The Kit die cuts are layered with care to create a dimensional, cheerful garden scene.
  • I used Hero Hues cardstock in the following colors: Charcoal, Amethyst, Passion Flower, Iris, Meadow, Periwinkle, Peacock, Mist, Mustard and Papaya.
  • To add texture and interest, I stenciled a Cobblestone background with white Hero Wax, placing it “here and there” for a soft, rustic touch. I love the pearlessence that the wax adds to my project and the crisp white background makes the floral colors—shades of purple, yellow, and blue—pop beautifully.
  • A sweet “My Friend” sentiment (February Card Kit) ties the whole design together, making this card perfect for brightening someone’s day.
  • I added a few Sunset Enamel Dots for flower centers.
Using White Hero Wax to stencil a subtle pearlescent background for a Spring die cut floral card.

These designs are packed with die-cutting fun and stenciled charm, making them perfect for crafters who want to try something fresh.

Two lovely spring die-cut cards in bright fun colors. One is floral and other has repeating smile sentiment sin rainbow color order.

Join the Blog Hop Fun!

Don’t miss out on the February Blog Hop—a celebration of creativity featuring incredible projects from the Hero Arts Creative Team. Be sure to hop along, leave a comment, and check out the other amazing designs. Who knows? You might just discover your next favorite crafting idea!

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Saturday, February 8 at 11:59pm PST, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week. Leave a comment on all stops for more chances to win!

Hero Arts
Hero Arts Creative Team:
Seeka
Rosie Lopez
Rachel Kleinman
Natasha Vacca
Natasha Polite
Mindy Eggen
Michelle Short
Michelle Lupton
Lisa Tilson
Karen Brown
Jennifer Kotas
Jeannie Lieu
Charlene Madrid
Channin Pelletier
Anna Mahtani
Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Rebecca Keppel
Kelly Taylor


Let’s spread some crafty joy—one handmade card at a time. Happy hopping!

cardmaking · Rainbow Colors · Tutorial

Rainbows & Glitter: Tips on Making Your Own Glitter Cardstock

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Tips and Tutorial on how to make a floral rainbow card with a custom tinted DIY glitter cardstock background.

Hi there! I’m so happy to share a card project that combines whimsical charm with vibrant color. If you love crafting as much as I do, you’ll want to stick around for all the dreamy details.

The Star of the Show: A Floral Rainbow

A handmade card featuring a colorful die-cut floral rainbow with fluffy white clouds, set against a sparkling custom glitter cardstock background and a bold scripty 'hello' sentiment

To me, Hero Arts Floral Rainbow and Clouds stamp and die bundle feels like a burst of happiness! I perched my rainbow and clouds on a custom background made of handmade glitter cardstock. By combining blue and green metallic shimmer sprays on watercolor paper, I created a sparkling, ethereal look that mimics a sunny sky. Now, let’s dive into the details of this colorful creation!

Key Products Used:

A colorful handmade card featuring Hero Arts Floral Rainbow stamp and die bundle.

At the heart of this design is a vibrant rainbow that I stamped and brought to life with Copic markers. The colors are rich yet soft, evoking a dreamy vibe that’s both uplifting and playful. After coloring, I used coordinating dies to cut out the floral arc, ensuring clean lines and perfect dimension. It’s not just a rainbow; it’s a celebration of color and joy!

Copic Colors Used: RV02, RV04, RV10, YR02, YR07, Y06, Y08, YG01, YG03, G43, BG11, BG45, B0000, B41, V01, V15

How To Make Your Own Custom Glitter Cardstock

Creative Process Photo: "An in-progress shot of painting blue and green shimmer sprays onto watercolor paper to create a custom glitter cardstock background."

Creating your own glitter cardstock is easier than you think and adds a personalized touch to your projects. Here is how I created my background:

  • I taped a panel of watercolor paper to a hard board and brushed water over the surface with a flat brush. I didn’t saturate the paper, but I did add a light coating of water.
  • Next, I mixed Blue + Shimmer Tone on Tone Metallic Spray with just a hint of Green + Shimmer Tone on Tone Metallic Spray in a paint palette and then painted the mixture on the wet watercolor paper with a damp flat brush. These sprays are very pigmented, so start with a little and add additional spray if you want more intense color, or more water if you want a more muted shade. I applied two layers but I didn’t bother to let it dry in between.
  • I let my shimmer panels dry overnight, but you could speed up the drying with your heat tool.

Experiment with different color combinations to make your custom glitter cardstock truly one-of-a-kind!

A shimmering custom-made glitter cardstock background in blue green hues, adding sparkle and dimension to the card design.

To finish my focal point, I heat embossed the beautiful scripty “hello” sentiment that is included in the bundle.

Glitter can be tricky to capture on camera, but I hope you can see shimmer and sparkle in this close-up photo.

Close up shot of DIY handmade glitter cardstock to use in cardmaking, papercrafting and scrapbooking.

Who wouldn’t love a little rainbow magic in their mailbox? Let’s keep spreading those handmade vibes, one card at a time! 🌈✨

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · papercrafting

Spellbinders | Large Die of the Month Kit | Colorful Floral Card

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Hello, hello! Today’s card features Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Kit for January 2025. The Botanical Atrium, is a die-cut lover’s dream with gorgeous floral details, a luxurious gold frame, and a fresh aqua-and-coral palette.

Creating With the Large Die of the Month Kit | January 2025

I used shiny gold cardstock to make the atrium stand out against a crisp white background, and wow—does it ever pop! Inside the frame, delicate coral and aqua florals cascade in a lush arrangement, creating a playful yet refined design. I’ll be using the florals on loads of future cards!

Key Products Used:

It’s a great time to buy paper because Spellbinders is having a Paper Party Sale until January 26th!

Textured Touches: The Brick Background

To add a subtle yet striking detail, I stenciled a brick pattern on the white background using grit paste. Just here and there, mind you—like peeking through a garden wall. This little bit of texture gives the card depth without taking attention away from the gorgeous die-cut elements. It’s understated but oh-so-effective!

January 2025 Papercrafting Kits and Blog Posts

This year, I’ll be creating with 3 Spellbinders Kits each month. I’ve already published two posts that you might enjoy reading:

  1. Hello Gorgeous! Crafting with Spellbinders Die of the Month Kit (Dragonfly)
  2. Spellbinders | Stitching Die of the Month | Ladybug

Helpful Product Links:

If a club did not sell out, you can buy under “Shop Past Clubs”. Past kits are available on the 10th of the FOLLOWING month.

The January Card Kit is both timeless and modern, and is a must-have for your stash. I hope you enjoyed my little creation!