BetterPress · cardmaking

Spellbinders | Every Occasion Floral Alphabet | BetterPress Letter Press Cards

Karen Brown1 Comment
BetterPress Letterpress monogram K thank you notes in various shades of blue.

Spellbinders just released the lovely Every Occasion Floral Alphabet and I had so much fun handcrafting a pile of cards. Each kit comes with the floral uppercase letter + a separate corresponding sentiment. You can buy the complete alphabet or individual letters.

It’s my birthday today and I wanted to create some elegant thank you notes. I love the beauty and texture of letterpress so I used the Floral K to make a set of monogrammed cards in various shades of blue. The K also comes with a sentiment, You Are So Kind, but I did not use it on my cards.

I inked the plates well and rolled just one time through my BetterPress Machine for a nice crisp impression.

I have another post “9 Tips, Tricks and Insights for Spellbinders BetterPress Machine” that you can read HERE.

Products Used on My Monogram K Cards:

Versatile “For You” Card

Spellbinders Every Occasion Floral Alphabet F For You BetterPress letterpress card.

I love how versatile the “F For You” plates are so I pressed Clay ink onto creamy Bisque cardstock panel. In person, the ink is a beautiful copper color. I used the December 2022 Die of the Month Kit for the background. The mat is from PaperTrey’s Perfect Match cardstock sampler.

Elegant With Sympathy Card

Elegant With Sympathy BetterPress letterpress card.

I like to keep Sympathy cards on hand and the “W With Sympathy” plates are so elegant. I used Mulberry Ink on Bisque panels and added Crystal Gems to some of the flower centers.

Best Supplies for BetterPress Projects:

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · Mixed Media · Tutorial

Hero Arts | 2 Fun Mixed Media Cards

Karen Brown1 Comment
Hero Arts Mixed Media Cards using CM740 Vintage Postmarks and Tickets CM739 Vintage Maps and Ledger stamps.

Hero Arts Spring Catalog Release is live and I love all the new Mixed Media products that they added to their line. I used a bunch of them on these two cards.

Today is the last day for Hero Art’s Blog Hop, which you can find HERE.

Hero Arts Mixed Media card using Vintage Maps and Ledgers stamps.

My Recipe:

Products Used:

Other Tools:  Acrylic Stamping Block

Additional Products Used On Second Card: White Wax + SA263 Mandala Flower Pattern Stencil, Blue Iridescent Embossing Powder

I am so glad you dropped by!

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Spellbinders Scene Card | Windows With A View

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Spellbinders Windows with a View + Backyard Haven die set + Vista View Window card for a baby shower.

I love a good scene card and when I saw Tina Smith’s Windows With A View Collection, I was immediately smitten! I needed a baby shower card and I knew the tire swing in this kit would be perfect. 

Special Scene Card for a Baby Shower

Spellbinders Windows with a View + Backyard Haven die set + Vista View Window card.

Spellbinder’s Backyard Haven View has 16 adorable dies that include the tree, tire swing, squirrel, owl, bird house, fence, bird bath + some other adorable details. So many possibilities that allow you to design a card for most any occasion….baby shower, new home, friendship, birthday etc.

The Vista View Window kit includes the 9 pane window + window box, window sill.

Friendship Card

Scene card with a brick house, window and a tree with a tire swing.

I made a second friendship card and used a “Friend” chipboard sentiment from Autumn Chipboard Stickers that I thought went well with my scene.  I love this chipboard set with its beautiful substantial elements.

Products Used:

I am so pleased you stopped by!

Karen

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!