Buckle up, cardmakers—because today we’re putting the pedal to the cardstock with a sleek and fun masculine birthday card featuring the Speedometerfrom the Classic Road Legends collection by the incredibly talented Mindy Eggen! This is Mindy’s debut collection with Spellbinders, and it’s already racing to the top of my favorites list.
The star of the card? A bold, retro-inspired die cut speedometer with some of the coolest sentiments I’ve seen in a while.
🛠️ Building this Masculine Birthday Card
I wanted to create something unique and masculine with a fresh, modern color palette—so I went with monochromatic aquas and teals, using Adriatic, Paradise, and Arctic cardstocks from Hero Arts. To give the speedometer some shine and dimension, I added silver cardstock accents, and then for a bit of unexpected flair, I die cut the needle in coral cardstock—it’s just the right pop of contrast!
This die set includes tons of clever sentiments like:
“Have a Classic Day”
“Another Year in the Fast Lane”
“Enjoy Your New Adventure”
I chose “Cruisin’ by to say Happy Birthday” for this card
Perfect for Father’s Day, birthday cards, or anyone who appreciates a good throwback moment.
Once I finished assembling the speedometer, I mounted it onto a clean white background embossed with the Spellbinders Scribbled Letters Embossing Folder. The subtle texture adds just enough interest without taking the spotlight off the die cuts.
This card is headed straight to my brother for his birthday—he’s a car guy, and I think he’s going to love it!
💬 Why I Love It
Masculine cards can be a bit of a creative challenge, but this design was a total joy to put together. The bold shapes, retro vibes, and clever details made this one of my favorite guy cards I’ve ever made!
Today, we’re soaring high with a sweet and sunny scene card, perfect for celebrating birthdays or welcoming a baby boy into the world! 🌤️🎈
This design features a playful little boy flying his kite beneath a big smiling sun and a puffy white cloud—an instant mood-lifter in card form. All the elements were crafted using the brand-new Up and Away die set from the Sky is the Limit collection by none other than the crafting wunderkind himself, Simon Hurley.
Color Me Happy
The card showcases a bright and breezy color palette, with Waterfall and Teal Topaz cardstock stealing the spotlight. These shades of aqua and teal give off major sky-blue vibes that feel both fresh and fun.
Background with a Breeze
For the sky, I created a soft, dreamy wash using Pool Party Reactive Inkon watercolor paper. I used a flat brush for that gentle sweep—like a serene spring sky just waiting for a kite to dance across it.
Die Cut Delight
Every piece on this card—from the kite and the boy to the sun and cloud—is die cut and carefully layered for a dimensional scene that really pops. The clean lines and whimsical style of the dies make them a joy to work with. And let’s be honest: the Up and Away set is pure magic!
Perfect for…
Baby showers (especially for little boys!) The repeating aqua and teal color palette reinforce the baby theme.
Kiddo birthdays
Or just sending sunshine and smiles on a cloudy day
This one’s going into my “make again soon” pile—because how can you not love a card that makes you want to run outside and fly a kite?
Happy crafting, and may your skies stay sunny! ☀️🪁
Talented cardmaker Yana Smakula has done it again! Her new Yana’s Daisies collection for Spellbinders is a fresh take on classic florals, and I was thrilled to get my hands on a few advance products for this launch.
Sunflower Yellow Cardstock petals: Using my Platinum 6, I Die-cut the trio from Sunflower Yellow Cardstock and lightly ink-blended with two shades of golden brown for dimension.
Wrought Iron Raw cardstock: Used for the intricate daisy outlines and leaves.
Vellum shadow layer: Softens the look and adds elegance.
Paper shim tip: These dies are beautifully intricate! Adding a paper shim while die-cutting ensures crisp, clean cuts.
🌼 Layered, Not Inlaid! After debating between inlaying or layering, I chose to layer the Sunflower Yellow petals onto the Wrought Iron Raw outlines—and I LOVE the result! I used Bearly Art Glue and a Ninjasticky wand for precision placement.
📜 Background Paper: I wanted something special, so I chose Blue Confetti Wildflower paper from my paper subscription. It’s 100% recycled and embedded with wildflower seeds—a perfect pairing for this floral design!
Leaf BetterPress Ink: I tapped, twisted, and generously inked the BetterPress plate before running it through my Platinum 6 machine SUPER SLOW (pro tip: slow rolling = perfect impressions).
Coordinating stencils: I added shading in Lemon Drop and Granite to bring the design to life.
White daisies (un-inked): Letting the design speak for itself.
For my third card, I experimented a bit. I wanted to try a BetterPress fade, so I inked my plate with Hydrangea BetterPress ink, but added less ink at the top and bottom. I used Taffy Reactive Ink and the coordinating stencils for my pink accents.
Final Thoughts
This collection is an absolute must-have if you love florals with a modern, sophisticated edge! The detailed etched dies are perfect for paper piecing, and the BetterPress plates create stunning impressions with minimal effort.
Which card do you love most—the layered daisy trio or the bold graphic BetterPress look? Let’s chat in the comments! 💛🌿
Once upon a time, in a land filled with ink and creativity, a whimsical cardmaker (that’s me!) discovered the Hero Studio April Release and its magical Tranquil Terrarium Kit. With a wave of my die-cutting wand and a splash of watercolor, I crafted a dreamy terrarium scene—one fit for a fairy tale!
Step into a Paper Fairy Tale: A Lush, Layered Terrarium
Picture this: a tiny enchanted world encased in glass (well, cardstock), teeming with lush leaves, charming red and tan mushrooms, green grass, rustic rocks, and a tiny tree stump. Perched on a delicately curled leaf is a radiant orange butterfly, completing this little forest wonderland.
Die-cut magic: Every element was cut from watercolor paper, allowing for beautifully blended, organic colors.
Coloring adventure: I used brightly colored reactive inks to hand-paint each die cut piece, adding depth and dimension. I enjoyed painting each piece individually, but you could also paint several card panels and then die cut the elements. Reactive inks used: Green Apple, Key Lime Fizz, Blue Hawaii, Granite, Purple Galaxy, Fawn, Fruit Punch,
Serene background: I put a light Pool Party watercolor wash on the rounded terrarium panel. It shows up better in person and adds a lovely subtle dimension.
Vintage charm: The background panel features a subtle Script Stencil in tan ink, lending a storybook feel to this enchanted setting. Stencil Used: Script Stencil
Rounded elegance: To echo the terrarium’s shape, I rounded the corners of both the panel and card base using Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies.
The final touch: Layered on a dreamy Mist blue card base, this card is a burst of color, depth, and whimsy.
✨ Pro Tip: When layering die-cut scenes, use thin foam squares on select elements (like the butterfly) to create a natural sense of depth without overwhelming the design.
What’s Inside the April 2025 Hero Studio Card Kit?
20 Terrarium Fancy Dies
Terrarium Clear Stamp Set, 6″ x 8″
16 Terrarium Coordinating Dies
Clear Hero Enamel Dots
3 Clear Card Panels, 4.25″ x 5.5″
9 Sheets of Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″ (Poppy, Peridot, Rainforest, Fern, Alabaster, Fawn, Truffle, Fog, Anchor)
The Whole Studio includes ALL 5 of the monthly subscriptions in one discounted bundle. Cling of the Month, Stamp & Cut of the Month (new name for the subscription!), Layering Stencil of the Month, Fancy Dies of the Month, and the Card Kit of the Month.
This month, receive a FREE adorable “froggy” stamp & die set when you purchase The Whole Studio!
Hero Arts has many different Monthly Kits that you can subscribe to including:
The WHOLE Studio – All 5 Kits ($130 subscription + Free Shipping)
For my second card, I embraced bold color and graphic design with the Fancy Dies of the Month Kit. This set features five striking leaf dies and a scripty “hello” with a shadow layer.
Hand-painted beauty: Each leaf was die cut from watercolor paper and hand-painted in vibrant greens and blue-greens. Reactive Inks Used: Splash, Key Lime Fizz, Blue Hawaii, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple. I started with the lightest color and then layered on darker shades.
A pop of fun: To contrast the cool tones, I painted the “hello” with Fruit Punch Reactive Ink-blended cardstock, giving it a lively coral-red pop.
Artful splatter: I added Licorice Reactive Ink splatters for an artsy, organic touch. I simply dabbed the ink on an acrylic block and flicked splatters on my die cuts with a fine wet watercolor brush. I turned my splatter box for even splatter distribution.
Design balance: The leaves are arranged in a radiating composition, leading the eye toward the bottom-right hello.
Crisp and clean: Everything is anchored on an Adriatic blue card base, making those greens pop!
🎨 Pro Tip: When adding splatters, dab the ink on an acrylic block and flick splatters on the die cuts with a fine wet watercolor brush. Thie results in controlled yet artistic splatters. Don’t forget to rotate your splatter box to get an even, natural distribution!
BLOG HOP!
Don’t forget, this is part of a blog hop, so there’s plenty more enchanting inspiration ahead! Be sure to follow along for more crafty adventures. ✂️✨
Giveaway:
Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, April 6 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!
These cards brought to life the whimsy of a storybook forest and the bold beauty of botanical art, all with the magic of the Hero Arts April Release. Whether you love layered die cuts, ink blending, or just an excuse to play with paint, this kit delivers endless creative inspiration!
I’d love to hear your thoughts—which card is your favorite? Let’s chat in the comments!
Spring is in the air, and so is a burst of bold color and whimsy! Today, I’m taking a closer look at the new Hero Arts Spring Whimsy Collection with four vibrant cards featuring hot foiling, ink smooshing, ink blending, heat embossing, and die cutting. Let’s get crafty!
This card is all about shimmer and movement! I started with an aqua ink-smooshed background—the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous, hot-foiled butterfly. The butterfly itself was hot foiled onto an ink-blended panel of soft pinks, corals, and oranges before being die cut and centered on the background.
My Process for Creating This Foiled Butterfly Card:
I liberally inked an 6×6″ acrylic block with Pool Party and Paradise inks. This is the panel I used for my background. I was going for a sky-like background and I like the color variation you achieve with ink-smooshing.
I “smooshed” the block onto a piece of Luxe watercolor paper
I weighted the inked block with a book for 5 minutes
I uncovered my panel. If the ink pooled, I dabbed with a paper towel.
I made a “second generation” panel for a future product by taking a piece of Bristol Cardstock and soaking up the excess ink on my work space.
I assembled my card with foam squares and craft foam.
✨ Pro Tip: Ink smooshing is a great way to create organic, watercolor-like backgrounds.
Card 2: Striking Ink-Blended Background & Black Butterfly
For a dramatic look, I ink blended a bold background using Fruit Punch, Creamsicle, and Taffy inks. These warm hues set the stage for a striking black die-cut butterfly, creating a high-contrast, modern design.
Card 3: Heat Embossed Floral Background + Die Cut Butterfly
This card keeps the same coral, pink, and orange hues but introduces texture with the Whimsy Floral Bold Print background stamp. I heat embossed the pattern in white over my ink-blended panel and added a small black die-cut butterfly and a “hello” sentiment for balance.
For a completely different vibe, I created a charming birthday card using the Elegant Window Fancy Die. The die creates a beautiful 9-pane window, which I die cut from Mist cardstock. Each pane features a tiny, Copic-colored stamped image from the Spring Bunny Stamps, Our Day Messages, and Birthday Animal stamp sets. A simple “cheers” sentiment ties it all together.
This collection is packed with so much creative potential! Whether you love hot foiling, ink blending, or stamping, there’s something here for every cardmaker. I hope these designs inspire you to play with color and try new techniques!
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
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.
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.
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 orangemat 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 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.. ☀️📬✨
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!
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.
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 Colorsused: 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
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 Stampstamped 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!
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!
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!
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 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:
I started by die-cutting all my components with my Platinum 6 System.
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!
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.
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
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.
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:
Subscribe to my channel to catch more creative tutorials.
Leave a comment on the video—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Visit the other channels in the hop for more inspiration:
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!
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″.
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?
kennyscards.com 