BetterPress · cardmaking

Best Supplies for BetterPress Letterpress Projects

Karen BrownLeave a comment
BetterPress letterpress Spring Bunnies in French Blue Ink.

I love classic letterpress elegance and think this single color Easter card evokes the vintage craftsmanship of years gone by. I used Simon Hurley’s new Spring Bunnies press plates for this card. The bundle includes 12 adorable press plates with corresponding dies. 

The key to letterpress is using a thick cottony paper and Spellbinders’s cotton cardstock panels work really well. I used Spellbinders BetterPress system in conjunction with their Platinum 6 machine. My ink is the lovely French Blue from the Nature Tones Set. I matted my card with a corresponding color of cardstock from PaperTrey’s Perfect Match cardstock. 

I also have a blog post about Tips and Tricks for Using Your Better Press System that you can read HERE.

Charming BetterPress letter press Easter Bunny Card.

Supplies Used on This Card:

Best Supplies for BetterPress Letterpress Projects:

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · Give Away · papercrafting

Hero Arts | Spring Catalog Collection Release + Blog Hop

Karen Brown53 Comments
Bright and colorful Smile Friend sentiment handmade card from Hero Arts.

I am so excited about Hero Arts Spring Catalog release, which goes live TODAY! There is so much wonderfulness that I can’t wait for you to see. To celebrate, Hero Arts is hosting a Blog Hop and Giveaway.

I wanted to start off with two fabulous new sentiment dies that I just love from Smile Friend Stamp and Cut XL. I went crazy die cutting a bunch so I will have them on hand for future cards.

Products Used on Smile Friend Card:

Flower Pattern Cover Die

Rainbow ink blending + Inlaid die cutting using Hero Arts Flower Pattern Cover Die.

I LOVE cover dies so I was excited to create with this Flower Pattern Cover Die, which is perfect for Spring and Summer. I started by ink blending a rainbow panel which I then die cut with the cover plate and then used the inlay technique to create a one layer background. This went more quickly than you would think because the die cuts fit like a good quality puzzle. My placement and gluing took about 20 minutes.

TIP: Keep your die-cuts in the panel until you start gluing so you know the orientation and position on your background.

Products Used on My Flower Pattern Cover Die Card:

Birthday Animals Stamps + Pointed Arches Infinity Dies

Fun and happy Copic colored Alligator Gator Birthday Card using Hero Arts Birthday Animal Stamps + Pointed Arches Infinity Dies.

Isn’t this Alligator the cutest? He is one 7 animal stamps included in the Birthday Animals Bundle. The set also includes 8 birthday/everyday sentiments. I combined the stamps with the Pointed Arches Infinity Dies. Infinity Dies are definitely staples in my craft room and I like the interest the arches add to projects. 

Products Used on The Gator Card:

Easy One Layer Sympathy Card

Easy one layer Sympathy Card Using With Sympathy Hero Rub-on Transfers.

I love everything about Rub-on transfers. I love how easy they are to use, the look they add to projects and how fun they are to apply! This Spring, Hero Arts included “Sympathy Transfers” in their release. I did some quick ink blending on my background and then added my Hero Transfers for a quick and easy card.

Products Used on My Sympathy Card:

Blog Hop and Giveaway Information:

Hero Arts will be giving away two $50 gift cards, drawn from the comments left along the hop. Comment on all the blogs for more chances to win! You have until Wednesday, February 21st at 11:59pm to enter. The winners will be announced on the Hero Arts blog.

Kailash Naidoo is next on the hop and I have links to everyone below.

Hero Arts
Hero Arts Creative Team:
Mindy Eggen
Natasha Vacca
Ilina Crouse
Charlene Madrid
Lydia Fiedler
Heather Ruwe
Natasha Polite
Seeka
Jeannie Lieu
Dana Joy
Pocono Pam
Rachel Kleinman
Michelle Short
Jennifer Kotas
Rosie Lopez
Karen Brown
Kailash Naidoo
Channin Pelletier
Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Ralph Tyndall
Laurie Willison
Cathy Zielske
Laura Bassen
Caly Person

I am so glad you could join this Hop!

Mixed Media · papercrafting · Tutorial

Colorful Cityscape Mixed Media Card | Hero Arts

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Cityscape Hero Arts Mixed Media Card

I recently attended Hero Arts Mixed Media Stamp Along and found it so informative! This card was inspired by @cheiron and her wonderful class. I used different products and colors so my card doesn’t look anything like Cheiron’s, but her class gave me the creative spark for my card. Sometimes it is fun to get inky and messy!

For this card, I was trying to simulate a Dove flying over a city at sunrise. I knew I wanted a bold background to contrast with the white Dove. 

My Process:

  • I put 5 sunrise colors of reactive ink (colors listed below) on my craft mat and spritzed with a bit of water and then painted bands of vertical color all over my watercolor cardstock panel. There is no right or wrong way just start painting! I dried and repeated two more times. During the process I also added drips of color.
  • I love Hero Rub-On Transfers and I added parts of the city map from Collage Backgrounds to three spots on my background.
  • Using Indigo and Splash Inks, I stamped the city grid from the Mixed Textures stamp set.
  • I added texture with the Cobblestone Stencil. In some places I used just Gold Hero Paste and on others I rubbed just a bit of Black Hero Wax on the Stencil and then added Gold Hero Paste. I really love the black wax and gold paste combined together.
  • Using a splatter box (for me a repurposed cardboard box) I added three layers of splatters and dried in between each color. White, Blue Shimmer and Orange Shimmer. I love the complexity the shimmer splatters add!
  • I trimmed my background using the Rounded Rectangles Infinity Die set and then lightly inked the edges with Indigo Core Ink.
  • I die cut my Dove and sentiment 3 times and then glued the components together.
Handmade Card with Dove and Olive Branch Die - DF192

Supplies Used:

This card has LOTS of layers, but it did not take as long to complete as I would have guessed….60-90 minutes.

What do you think?

Cardmaking Kit · stitching · Tutorial

Spellbinders | Stitching Die of the Month | February 2024

Karen Brown1 Comment
Spellbinders Stitching Die of the Month Club Card - February 2024

Stitched Floral Focal Card Front

I am so excited about today’s share, Spellbinder’s Stitched Floral Card Front. I used the February Stitching Club Kit, which is beautiful, and I think the finished card is so very special. This card is going to one of my closest friends for her upcoming birthday.

This Floral Focal Stitched Kit is now available for puchase without a membership.

New members can sign up for clubs today!

Floral stitched card

My Stitching Process:

  • The kit has 5 dies and I started by cutting all my pieces. The flower center is pink, the flower is papaya, the background is waterfall and the overlay is blue. There is a lot of stitching this month, so I die cut all the elements twice and then glued them together for a sturdy substantial panel. This die cutting didn’t take long, but I think the extra effort was worth it. I recently purchased a Platinum 6 die cutting machine, and I have to say, I pull it out instead of my Gemini Junior. I wish I had bought one earlier.
  • Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE.
  • 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 DMC Aqua 598, Orange 741 and Pink 818.
  • I like to use 1/8th inch double sided liner 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.
Stitched card in aqua, blue, orange, yellow and pink.

A Few Notes About Spellbinders Club Kits

  • Clubs Preview on the 1st of each month.
  • 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.

Helpful Links:

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · Cardmaking Kit

Hero Arts | My Monthly Hero February 2024 Release + Blog Hop

Karen Brown32 Comments
2 Hero Arts My Monthly Hero February 2024 Classic Kit cards.

Have you seen the wonderful new Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit for February 2024? The theme is Peace, Love and Kindness which are mainstays for my craft room. Today, I used the February Classic Kit for my Peace cards.

MMH Classic Kit Contents – February 2024

KIT VALUES
Classic Kit: $73 Value for $36.99
Premium Kit: $113 Value for $49.99

Subscription Options

The theme for my post is Indigo Blue, which I have been using a lot lately. I find the color beautiful and calming.

Lovely Peace Sympathy and Encouragement Cards
Peace Encouragement and Sympathy card with Peace Lily.

The stamp and dies in this months kit are so pretty so I made a duo of Sympathy/Encouragement cards. For both cards I ink blended a background using Indigo Core Ink and then stamped, die cut and Copic colored my images. I especially love the graceful sentiments in this month’s kit.

Floral Sympathy Card

Supplies Used:

I shared this third card in my “Countdown” post which you can read HERE.

Pattern stamping Get Well Card.

Hope and Hugs Encouragement Card

Hope and Hugs Encouragement and Get Well Card.

Have you ever wanted to send a card to a friend going in for medical testing? I think my crisp white and Indigo blue card is perfect for this situation.  I think the card is beautiful and it came together very quickly.

Last month, I made a card using the Valentine Wreath Bundle and I thought the round Hope and Hugs sentiment from the Peace and Love bundle would look so pretty in the center. 

I cut down an A2 Top Folding Card to 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″, then stamped and die cut my wreath in Indigo Ink. I added craft foam to the back and glued the wreath to the card base. Using the same Indigo Ink, I stamped and die cut my sentiment. I also die cut two additional circles and glued them to the back of my sentiment for added dimension. 

Products Used:

GIVEAWAY
Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, February 11th at 11:59pm PT, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.

Blog Hop Order + Links:

Hero Arts

Hero Arts Creative Team:

Lydia Fiedler

Jeannie Lieu

Pocono Pam

Natasha Polite

Rachel Kleinman

Mindy Eggen

Seeka

Heather Ruwe

Karen Brown You Are Here!

Charlene Madrid

Channin Pelletier

Rosie Lopez

Dana Joy

Kailash Naidoo

Natasha Vacca

Michelle Short

Jennifer Kotas

Ilina Crouse

Special Guests:

Emily Midgett

Nichol Spohr

Kelly Taylor

Essie

I am so glad you could join us for this hop!

cardmaking · Cardmaking Kit · Stamping

My Monthly Hero | Countdown to Creativity | February 2024

Karen Brown32 Comments
Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Classic Kit - February 2024

Hello and welcome to the February 2024 My Monthly Countdown! I must say, this kit is full of wonderful products that I know you will love. The kit goes live tomorrow, Monday, February 5th, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy some inspiration, sneak peeks and giveaways.

WIN A KIT BEFORE YOU CAN BUY IT: Just leave a comment on this (and every) Countdown to Creativity post. Hero Arts will randomly draw one lucky winner from comments left across all countdown posts on the Hero Arts blog. The winner will be announced first thing Monday morning, February 5th, before the kit launches at 10am Pacific. The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!

Pattern Stamping

Pattern Stamping + Copic Coloring

I really enjoy pattern stamping and the stamps in the Classic Kit are just perfect for this technique. There is something so therapeutic about coloring glass jars and vases.

Products Used:

Be sure to stop by and visit the Hero Arts Blog for more inspiration and then I will be back on Monday with another post featuring the Classic Kit + some great Add-On Products. 

cardmaking · Die cutting · Rainbow Colors

Hero Arts | Colorful Rainbow Mixed Media Card

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Hero Arts Vintage Bird Cage die cut on an rainbow ink blended background card.

Hello and welcome!  Karen Brown here and I have a very fun project to share with you today featuring this delightful Vintage Birdcage die. I love color and texture and I used lots of both on this card.

Colorful rainbow ink blended background over an Ode to Andy Warhol Script Bold Print Stamp on a handmade card.

Here is my recipe:

White vintage die cut bird cage on a bright rainbow colored background.

I thought the supplies were so pretty sitting on my art desk, so I took an additional photo of most of the supplies I used.

How to ink blend a rainbow colored handmade card background.

This card was to fun for me to make and I am so happy that you stopped by!

BetterPress · cardmaking · Wax Seals

Spellbinders Cards | Better Press Spring Collection

Karen BrownLeave a comment
BetterPress A Friend Like you card two ways.

I adore the timeless elegance of BetterPress letter press cards. Today I wanted to share two cards using the press plate – A Friend Like You. One card is pure letter press….no coloring or embellishment. The second card is loosely colored with Zig Watercolor Brush Markers. I love them both!

If you’d like to read my post on Tips, Tricks and Insights into the BetterPress system you can find it HERE.

A Friend Like You – Pressed Posey Collection

A Friend Like You - Pressed Posey Collection handmade card colored with Zig Watercolor markers.

My Process:

  • I taped a Porcelain cotton card panel to the top plate, inked my press plates (flower and sentiments are both included in the A Friend Like You press plate set) with Black BetterPress ink and ran the sandwich through my BetterPress system. 
  • For my watercolor card, I repeated step one using watercolor paper.
  • I cleaned the press plate and BetterPress platform with Ultra Clean.
  • I taped my watercolor panel to a hardboard with painters tape.
  • Using Zig markers, I applied watercolor along the etched lines and then used a water brush to move the color around. I did wet-on-dry painting. I also scribbled some watercolor on my work surface and using my water brush, I added additional color to some areas. I experimented with watercolor brushes and my round water brush and I found that I liked the result with the water brush best. 
  • I let my panel air dry.
  • For the watercolor panel, I made a card base using Stylish Ovals Nesting Dies.
  • I also used Stylish Ovals to cut down my watercolor panel.
  • For the black and white panel I die cut my letter press panel with Essential Rectangles, which unfortunately is retired. I matted with black and glued to an A2 top folding card base.
  • Zig Colors Used: cobalt, light blue, bright yellow, orange, yellow green, mid green, mustard, cool gray, light gray.
Black and white Spellbinders BetterPress letter press floral card.

Products Used on My “A Friend Like You” Cards:

Sealed Cord and Faux Seal Sentiments (BP-107)
Spellbinders Sealed Cord and Faux Seal Sentiments (BP-107) handmade card with a gold wax seal.

I wanted to make a traditional masculine card and I love how this one turned out. Minimalist yet elegant. The Sealed Cord press plates have 6 great sentiments, but I wanted to top my card with a wax seal. I used one of the included circular sentiments on a card that you can see HERE.

I love making and using wax seals. I have a blog post titled 18 Tips and Tricks For Making Wax Seals that you can read HERE. I used the wax beads and seal that were included in Spellbinders Wax Seal Starter Kit. I used a Posca Paint pen to highlight the sentiment. I haven’t tried it, but I think a Sharpie would also work.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting · Stamping

Spellbinders | Simon Hurley’s Big Hugs 5 Ways

Karen BrownLeave a comment
3 Simon Hurley Big Pug Hugs Birthday Cards.

Can you have too many dog stamps? I think not! I am loving Spellbinders + Simon Hurley’s new Big Hugs stamp and die bundle. These cute critters – Pug dog, Panda bear and Zebra – are sure to be favorites in my family. I love this set so much I went a little crazy making cards! 

Pug Dog Masculine Birthday Cards

Spellbinders Big Hugs Pug Birthday Scene Card

My first card is for my husband and I wanted to make a quick little scene. I stamped and Copic colored my Pug (complete with a festive party hat), embossed a brick wall, ink blended a background and heat embossed a cute sentiment.

Products Used:

Simon Hurley's Big Hugs Pug Birthday Card

This card is for my dog loving son-in-law. I think the Pug stamp has so much personality!

Products Used:

Quick and Easy Stamped Get Well Card

Sending Pug Hugs Handmade Card

I like to keep Get Well cards on hand and this card is sure to make the recipient smile.  This card came together very quickly. I stamped and Copic colored my Pug and added a blue mat for interest. Just two Copic markers!

Products Used:

Simple Pug Dog and Panda Bear Cards

I heat embossed my last two cards. Quick and easy but the heat embossing adds so much interest. 

Two Easy Pug Dog and Panda Bear Cards with Minimal Supplies

I added a quick die cut party hat to this simple card.

Simple Heat Embossed Pug Dog Card

Easy Beginner One Layer Panda Bear Card

Easy One Layer Panda Bear Card

Products Used:

Thanks for stopping by! I’d love to know which card you like best.

Karen

BetterPress · cardmaking · Tutorial

9 Tips, Tricks and Insights for Spellbinders BetterPress Machine

Karen Brown13 Comments
9 Tips, Tricks and Insights for Spellbinders BetterPress Letter Press Machine System.

Hello! I am so excited about my new BetterPress Letter Press machine! I had a very crafty Christmas and received a BetterPress Letter Press System, Wax Seal Starter Kit and a new Platinum 6 die cutting machine. Today I want to share two cards I made with the BetterPress. I feel like I am gushing, but I LOVE the look and results I achieved with my new toy. I adore the lovely elegant high-end stationary look. You get an engraved like impression combined with ink stamping. 

I wanted to share a few of my insights:

9 Tips, Tricks and Insights for BetterPress Printing

  • I started by using Best Ever Craft Tape to attach my BetterPress card panel to the top plate.
  • I tried several types of paper (BetterPress, Watercolor and Cardstock) and they all worked with the BetterPress. I liked cottony paper the best. My preferred paper would be the BetterPress cotton paper or a watercolor paper. 
  • The magnetic lower plate works really well to hold the BetterPress impressing plate in place. 
  • I was careful to ink the impressing plate really well. I did a “Tap and Twist” technique where I tapped the ink on the plate and then twisted the ink pad a few degrees. Don’t smash and smoosh or you will wind up with little pieces of ink pad on your plate and project. I ink well because I only like to roll through the press once for each panel.
  • For smaller sentiment plates, I tapped but didn’t twist. When I twisted smaller plates they tended to move out of alignment. If the plate moves it is easy to reposition with a pair of tweezers.
  • Roll your sandwich slowly through the die cutting machine. I think “Super Slo-Mo” while doing this to help me remember to go VERY slowly. 
  • You will want a good stamp cleaner for the BetterPress and plates. I’ve used Hero Arts Ultra Clean for years and it worked great.
  • Waterproof or Hybrid inks well. I used the specially formulated BetterPress Inks. Pigment ink is not recommended. You want a faster drying ink. 
  • I found that my guillotine paper trimmer worked better than my Fiskar’s SureCut on cotton paper.

Better Press Kaleidoscope Garden Cards – BP-119

Spellbinders Kaleidoscope Garden Better Press plate + Bark ink on a letter press handmade card..

Products Used:

Using Spellbinders BetterPress letter press system on regular cardstock.

Products Used:

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen