Get ready to unleash your creativity with the soon to be released August 2024 Layering Stencil Monthly Mini Card Making Kit! Dive into a lush paradise of tropical foliage as you create stunning, multi-dimensional cards that burst with vibrant blues and greens. All of Hero Arts August kits release on Monday, so stay tuned!
Today, Hero Arts is hosting their Day 2 Countdown Blog Hop and Giveaway that you can find HERE. The Day 1 Countdown Hop is HERE.
I love bright fun colors and this layering stencil background was perfect for aqua blues and greens. I used a few items from my August Card Kit to embellish my card and continue with the jungle foliage theme.
This may be my favorite Spellbinders kit of 2024! The August 2024 Stitching Kit of the Month is perfect for cardmakers, artists or anyone that loves a colorful card. I truly love rainbow cardstock and floss….put them together and you have a real keepsake.
Spellbinders has 9 great Club Options that you might want to check out + their Deluxe Caboodle, which includes all 9 kits + a bonus gift, all at a 60% savings.
Rainbow Craft Theme Card Kit:
Tips and Tricks for Stunning Stitched Cards:
I started by die cutting my Stitching Kit pieces with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. When I got to the smaller pieces, I found it easiest to use my desktop cutter: Scout. I used leftover colorful cardstock scraps for my paint palette. Since it was long and thin, I die cut the paintbrush twice and then glued it together for a substantial base. I die cut the other pieces once.
Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. Today, I used used DMC 776, 725, 745, 772, 504, 800, 211, 828, 646 and metallic gold floss. I have been buying and collecting floss for decades, so some of these are vintage.
When I started stitching, I took two strands of floss, separated them one at a time, brought them together and then stroked and lengthened them until they seemed tame and ready to use.
I used thin double sided tape to secure my floss to the die cuts. I like that this tape is easy to hide behind the die cuts and I don’t even bother to take the top release paper off the tape.
Remember to keep your floss taught as you stitch.
When I move from one area to the next, I run the floss through the just finished stitched area to keep the thread secure. This gives a nice look on the finished project.
Don’t stitch with threads that are too long or they are likely to knot.
When I was done, I added a bit of Bearly Glue to the ends so that they would stay in place.
Club members can cancel, upgrade or change clubs from the 1st-5th of each month. Popular Clubs frequently sell out during this period so club members get first dibs on everything.
NEW for 2024: Club Members get EARLY access to new releases on the 6th!
On the 6th, Clubs become available to non-members.
On the 27th, Club registration closes for the current month.
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.
This month, Spellbinders Stitching Die of the Month Kit allows us to create a very eye-catching gift bow. The kit is perfect for creating Christmas cards and decor or you can also use it all-year-round for birthdays and other celebrations. I chose to make a birthday card as I have a lot of friends with summer birthdays.
I think bows are so eye-catching on cards and if you’d like to see another I card I created featuring a die cut bow, click HERE.
Stitching On-The-Go
Stitching kits are great when you want a crafting project “on-the-go”. I am on vacation in Colorado and I really loved stitching on the patio while I enjoyed the view of the mountains. I included a photo of my al fresco stitching below. I die cut my components before I left home and then packed my supplies in a zipper bag. My stitching went quickly and took about 30 minutes to complete.
Tips and Tricks for Stunning Stitched Cards:
I started by die cutting all my Stitching Kit pieces with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. I used Arctic cardstock for my bow. I die cut the elements I was going to stitch 2 times and then glued them together for a substantial base.
Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. I used used a buttery yellow (DMC #745) today.
When I started stitching, I took two strands of floss, separated them one at a time, brought them together and then stroked and lengthened them until they seemed tame and ready to use.
I changed things up this month and used good ol’ Scotch tape to attach my floss to the die cut.
Remember to keep your floss taught as you stitch.
When I move from one area to the next, I run the floss through the just finished stitched area to keep the thread secure. This gives a nice look on the finished project.
Don’t stitch with threads that are too long or they are likely to knot.
When I was done, I added a bit of Bearly Glue to the ends so that they would stay in place.
To make my bow a little more stable, I added one vertical and two horizontal braces (3/8″ wide) on the back of my bow.
To finish my project I found some old printed paper to act as my gift wrap which I glued to an A2 Top Fold Card Base.
I adhered my bow to the background with Bearly Glue and Foam Squares.
Club members can cancel, upgrade or change clubs from the 1st-5th of each month. Popular Clubs frequently sell out during this period so club members get first dibs on everything.
NEW for 2024: Club Members get EARLY access to new releases on the 6th!
On the 6th, Clubs become available to non-members.
On the 27th, Club registration closes for the current month.
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.
Do you have a dog lover in your life? There’s nothing more delightful than receiving a card that perfectly captures the charm and whimsy of an adorable dog. Enter the cutest die cut handmade dog card— Big Pug Etched Dies – a perfect blend of creativity and cuteness that is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. And, there is a super fun accessory set so you can dress up your little creatures! The scarf and bow are in the accessory kit. I used Rainbow Wood Designer Paperfor my background, scarf and bow.
Bibi Cameron and Spellbinders just released a fun Cats and Pugs Collection that is going to be a longtime favorite in the Brown family. I really enjoyed creating this darling card. I added an easy but fun puffy sticker sentiment to finish my card.
I created an extra special big showy 5″ x 7″ (A7) card. Isn’t the expression on the Pug just precious?
Handmade die cut cards are more than just greeting cards; they are keepsakes that recipients will cherish. The thought and effort put into creating such a card make it a meaningful gesture, perfect for any occasion.
In a world filled with digital messages and mass-produced cards, a handmade card stands out as a unique and personal way to connect with others. So, why not try your hand at crafting one? Spread a little Pug love and make someone’s day with the cutest die cut Pug dog card!
Creating a handmade sympathy card is a thoughtful way to express your condolences, showing the recipient that you care enough to make something special. An embossed card is particularly elegant, yet it can be surprisingly quick and simple to create. Here’s a guide to making a beautiful embossed sympathy card that’s both fast and easy.
The first is that the folder embosses and die cuts with just one pass through the machine. This is a real timesaver!
The second, is that there are 3 templates on the folder so you create 3 components each time! YAY for 3 Fers!
How I created this card:
Using my paper trimmer, I cut a white card panel that was 8 3/4″ x 5 3/4″. I think white on white is always lovely for a sympathy card.
I wanted to tape my dies to the embossing folder to ensure there would be no shifting during the die-cutting. Using my Best Tape Ever, I tacked the 3 dies to the inside front cover with the cutting edge toward the interior of the sandwich. Then I added my pre-cut paper panel. I also taped the folder closed at the bottom to ensure everything stayed in place.
I ran the sandwich through my machine and viola, 3 cut and embossed elements with one pass through my machine!
I wanted to keep the card simple so I mounted the largest embossed die cut on an A2 top folding card with Bearly Glue and Craft Foam.
TIP FOR SUCCESS: Keep it Simple – Elegance often comes from simplicity. Stick to a few well-chosen elements rather than overloading the card with decorations.
Creating a handmade embossed sympathy card is a meaningful way to show your compassion and support. With a few simple steps and materials, you can craft a card that is not only fast and easy to make but also elegant and deeply personal.
Welcome to the July Hero Studio release, where we are bringing a summery beach theme in Hero Arts signature style and quality! Get ready to ignite your creativity and elevate your crafting experience with the brand new lineup of the July Hero Studio cardmaking kits. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your crafting journey, these 5 cardmaking kits offer something for everyone.
Summer is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate the sunny season than with a couple of beach-themed handmade cards. Today I’ve created two delightful designs that I hope will help inspire your crafting adventures.
Tropical Underwater Scene Card | Extraordinary Extra
Today, we’ll dive into making a vibrant, underwater-themed card featuring a stenciled background and beautifully Copic colored die-cut tropical fish. This project is perfect for celebrating summer or simply brightening someone’s day with a splash of color.
This aquatic card was fun to create!
I tried a new trick for stamping and it worked great! I put the acetate sheet with the Tropical Fishes (SB406) stamps on the sticky mat in my StampWheel and taped my cardstock to the lid and stamped away. This was a real timesaver. So much faster than peeling each stamp off and positioning it.
The July Studio Card Kit of the Month has SO many wonderful elements to create Heroscape Victornian beach themed cards. There are endless combinations and possibilities!
KIT INCLUDES: • Victorian Seaside Clear Stamp Set, 6″ x 8″ • 22 Coordinating Dies • Sand Castle Fancy Dies • Rock Cling Stamp, 6″ x 6″ • Victorian Seaside Reactive Palette Ink Pad • 2 Sheets Map Hero Transfers (Rub-ons), 6″ x 8″ • 2 Sheets Each of Blue, Purple, Green Vellum, 5.5″ x 8.5″ • 2 Sheets Each of White Lava Holographic, White Rainbow Holographic Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″
Kit Cost:
$46 with Subscription + FREE SHIPPING $49.99 One-Time Purchase While Supplies Last
I then used Splash, Blue Hawaii and a tiny bit of Indigo for the water. I used my Blending Brush on the stamp to soften the color transitions prior to stamping.
I ink blended Fawn ink for the sand, using a heavier hand along the edges.
I created with three new Hero Studio kits and Extras in this blog post, but there are 5 kits and 6 Extraordinary Extras altogether. You can also buy The Whole Studio!
The Whole Studio (Includes all 5 kits! $120 with Subscription. $138.95 One-Time Purchase, While Supplies Last)
Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, July 7th at 11:59pm Pacific, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.
What better way to celebrate the summer season than by creating charming die cut scene cards? These delightful creations bring a touch of whimsy and cheer, perfect for sending a bit of sunshine to friends and loved ones. Today, I used Vicky Papaioannou’s lovely new Spellbinder’s collection called Tunnel Scapes.
Let’s dive into crafting our two designs: one featuring a kite soaring amid fluffy clouds, and another with two birds perched on blooming branches.
Tunnel Clouds Die Kit
I always love a good scene card, so I was so excited to create with the Perched Birds die set. To really add interest and dimension, I set the stage with Vicky’s delightful Tunnel Clouds background dies which include three unique stacking backgrounds dies + the adorable sun and other celestial elements. This entire collection is so fun and creative! And, the die cuts have so much lovely detail. I used a bunch of my favorite cardstock colors for these two companion cards.
2-Fer Backgrounds
Another wonderful benefit of the Tunnel Clouds die set is that you get “2-Fer backgrounds” each time you die cut! I created my second scene with The Fly Away kite die set. They work great with the Tunnel Clouds dies or you can use them by themself. The die set also includes a plane that would be perfect for a masculine card. I thought the “oh happy day” chipboard sentiment was perfect for this card.
Hello fellow crafters, Karen Brown here with a new How-To Video! I am excited to dive into the world of layering stencils, specifically focusing on how to select analogous colors that will bring harmony to your designs. Do you struggle selecting colors? Taking a quick peek at your color wheel can assist in making cardmaking projects that are both visually pleasing and polished. So let’s get started!
If you are having trouble viewing the video, please click HERE.
Today we will be using Hero Arts beautiful new Color Layering Tile Stencils. This set comes with 4 stencils that are extremely easy to line up. I thought it would be fun to use two different analogous color palettes and I added in some Hero Paste for added interest.
Both cards are perfect for summer! Card 1 is bright and festive and Card 2 is calm and serene. It’s interesting how color selection can change the tone of your cards. To see all my tips and process details, please watch the video.
Spellbinders has a wonderful NEW release called Out and About that is chock full of wonderfulness! Spellbinders is introducing their new compact die cutting machine called “Scout”, along with a fun collection of small but adorable die sets that work well with the pint-sized Scout. I love having a small light weight die cutting machine for smaller dies and sentiments. It allows me room to die cut, glue and assemble without having to tidy up in between steps.
I die cut Luna 3 times from Island Blue cardstock and then glued the layers together for a beautiful 3D focal point.
Using a Scallop Labels and Tags die, I die cut my background and THEN embossed the panel. If you emboss in this order, you will have more texture and dimension on your embossing. (If you emboss and then die cut, the die cutting process will smoosh the raised embossing.)
I added white accents with a thin Posca paint pen and added a black enamel dot for the eye.
I think little Luna is so cute! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.
As a passionate crafter, I’m always on the lookout for tools that make the creative process smoother and more enjoyable. Recently, I had the pleasure of testing out an updated re-released product that gently holds cardstock and stencils in place for stamping and ink blending— Waffle Flowers new and improved Grip Mats.
This innovative mat has been specifically designed to keep your cardstock firmly in place, eliminating the need for pesky adhesives or awkward hand placements that can often lead to smudges or uneven ink application. After putting the sticky Grip Mat through its paces, I’m excited to share my experience and why I believe it’s a must-have for any serious crafter.
Previously, I purchased a Grip Mat for both my Misti and Mini Misti and I found them invaluable. Waffle Flowers recently asked it they could send me two NEW mats, no strings attached. I was happy to test and play with two sizes of the new mats.
👉 TIP:With Grip Mats, there is no need to use magnets anymore when using my Misti Stamp Positioners!
To truly test the Sticky Grip Mat’s capabilities, I decided to embark on an colorful project: ink blending six small rainbow-colored panels, which I would then assemble into a vibrant card. Here’s a step-by-step look at how the mat performed throughout the process:
Securing the Cardstock: The Sticky Grip Mat held each piece of cardstock firmly in place, preventing any slipping or movement. This was a game-changer for achieving precise, even ink blending. Small panels and die cuts are difficult to work with so I die cut 6 small windows with Waffle Flower Window Scene Diefor my testing purpose. I have a process photo below. I tested both the 7.5″ x 11″ mat (easily holds half letter size paper) and 4″ x 4″ mat for ink blending. The 4″ x 4″ mat was also very handy for holding my ink pads in place.
Ink Blending: As I blended various rainbow hues onto the panels, I noticed how smoothly the ink applied. I used Hammermill’s smooth cardstock, which worked extremely well. I selected my favorite Hero Arts ink colors for my project. The stability provided by the mat allowed me to focus entirely on the blending process without worrying about the cardstock shifting. This resulted in beautifully blended panels with seamless color transitions.
Stamping: Stamping on the secured cardstock was equally impressive. The mat kept the cardstock in place, ensuring crisp, clear impressions every time. I didn’t have to reposition or realign the cardstock, which saved me a significant amount of time and frustration. I stamped longtime favorite Warm Wishes using my Mini Misti Grip Mat.
Assembly: After completing the six panels, assembling them into a card was a breeze. I used Waffle Flowers Window Scene Die to finish my card. The consistent, high-quality ink blending and stamping made the final product look professional and polished.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Excellent Grip: The mat’s adhesive surface effectively holds cardstock in place, allowing for precise and effortless ink blending and stamping.
Reusable and Durable: After several uses, the mat maintained its tackiness and showed no signs of wear, making it a long-term investment for any crafter.
Easy to Clean: Any residual ink or debris wiped off easily with a damp lint free cloth, restoring the mat to its original condition.
Cons:
Initial Tackiness: The mat is extremely tacky when first used, which might cause lighter weight cardstock to tear upon removal. None of my panels tore during my testing process.
Notes:
To minimize cardstock warping, peel the mat off the cardstock. I didn’t touch the cardstock but gently bent the ends of the grip mat and slowly pulled away from my inked panel.
The mats each come with two guides that you can add above or below the mat. To prevent the print from transfering to your mat, apply the guide to the mat with the reverse side facing away from the grip mat.
The new mats are a bit cloudier than the 1st generation.
Air bubbles are expected and fine.
If the mat starts to lose it’s cling, clean with water or photopolymer safe cleaner.
Store your Grip Mats on the transparent sheets.
Do not stack heavy items on top of your grip mats.
I have another blog post and video coming this month that demonstrate using two sizes of Grip Mats in action for ink blending with layering stencils.
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