Cardmaking Kit

Hero Studio Blog Hop | Hello, May Blooms!

Karen Brown22 Comments
Hero Studio May 2025 Club Kit floral cards with soft gray sentiment strip backgrounds.

It’s time to celebrate all things fresh, floral, and fabulous with the Hero Arts May Release called Flower Shoppe! This month’s Card Kit of the Month is bursting with blooming potential, and I couldn’t resist crafting a set of cards that range from bold and beautiful to clean and graphic.

Big Bouquet Energy

Lovely pink layering stenciled and die cut floral card with a stamped sentiment strip background that is perfect for Mother's Day, Birthday or Get Well cards.

Let’s start with some floral drama (the good kind). For this card, I created a lush bouquet of die-cut and stenciled flowers in soft, springy shades of pink, all arranged in a granite gray can-style vase. The vase gives it that perfect rustic-meets-modern vibe!

  • The background features a subtle stamped design using Granite Ink for added texture without stealing the show.
  • For details on how I created my background, see my second card.
  • The sentiment? Just one fabulous French word: Fleurs. Because everything sounds fancier in French, right?

✨ Pro Tip: Use low-tack tape to hold your stencil and dies in place when layering florals for crisp, clean shapes every time.

Pink and Gray stenciled and die cut floral bouquet card for birthdays, Get Well, Mother's Day etc.

What’s inside the May Card Kit?

          • Vintage Blooms 6×8 Clear Stamp Set
          • Vintage Blooms Die Set
          • Flower Delivery Truck Die Set
          • BoHo Bouquet Layering Stencils
          • BoHo Bouquet Stencil Frame Cut
          • 9 Sheets of Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″

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 sentiment stamp set when you purchase The Whole Studio! See this bonus gift in action below.

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

Sentiment Spotlight: Stamping Sentiment Strip Backgrounds

Easy gray sentiment strip background for a clean and classic card design with two die cut floral embellishments.

For this second card, I wanted to let the background shine—literally. I used the same Granite stamped design from Card 1, but this time made it the focal point. What makes it special? The bonus gift from the Whole Studio Kit!

  • The bonus set includes 17 sentiment strip stamps with messages like:
    • “Hi Gorgeous”
    • “You are Amazing”
    • “Merci Beaucoup”
  • I left the stamps on their acetate and placed on my Sticky Grip Mat (which was inside my MISTI) and stamped them all at once using Granite Ink. I used Washi tape to adhere my cardstock to the lid! This method kept the sentiments straight and evenly spaced.
  • For embellishments, I added two sweet little die cuts: a hanging plant and a planter box. Clean, simple, and full of charm. These die cuts are from the May Fancy Die Kit. I want to use the entire Fancy Die Kit soon!
  • You can never have too many sentiment strip stamps! Pre-stamp them in neutrals like black, gray, or navy to always have the perfect sentiment ready to go.
Handmade Card with an easy neutral gray sentiment strip background + 2 floral die cut embellishments that add a fun pop of color.

Hop Along!

This post is part of the Hero Arts May Release Blog Hop, so don’t forget to visit the other amazing creators linked below for more floral inspiration, clever techniques, and paper-crafting joy. Let’s keep those crafty blooms growing all month long!

GIVEAWAY 

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Tuesday, May 6 at 11:59pm PDT, 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!
  

BLOG HOP ORDER:


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

Which card is your favorite—the bold bouquet or the sentiment showstopper? Let me know in the comments!

cardmaking · Die cutting

Spellbinders | Up, Up, and Adorable!

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Spellbinders card using the Up and Away die set to create a scene card with a boy flying a kite.

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.

Handmade card featuring a die-cut boy flying a kite, with a die-cut sun and cloud above. Background is a soft aqua watercolor wash. Card uses teal and aqua cardstock in a playful, kite and sky-themed scene.

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 Ink on 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!

Die cut scene card with a boy flying a kite. Spellbinders Up and Away die set - S4-1433.

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! ☀️🪁

papercrafting · Rainbow Colors

Exploring Spellbinders’ 48 Colors – A Swatching Adventure!

Karen Brown2 Comments
Swatching Spellbinders 48 colors of cardstock was relaxing and stimulated my creativity.

Oh my goodness, I just got my new Spellbinders Color Wheel Cardstock, and I am having so much fun! If you’ve ever wanted to truly get to know your cardstock colors, swatching is the way to go. Not only is it an incredibly helpful reference for future projects, but I also found the process to be calming, relaxing, and—bonus!—it sparked my creativity in ways I didn’t expect.

Products Used:

48 hues of Spellbinders cardstock awatched and organize on a ring in rainbow order. Also shown: a card created using my new inspirational cardstock swatches.

Swatching Setup: Let the Color Journey Begin!

I ordered the 48-pack sampler to start, and I used the Spellbinders Color Swatch Petal Dies along with color name stamps to create my swatches. I decided to organize them in rainbow order, making it easy to compare shades and find the perfect hues for my future projects. There’s something so satisfying about seeing all the colors lined up in perfect harmony!

For organization, I put my swatched colors on a ring, which makes flipping through them a breeze. I also documented my process in a reel showing my die-cutting, stamping, and assembly. If you’re on the fence about swatching, trust me—it’s worth it!

New Friends & Old Favorites

There are some shades I already know and love, but this swatching process introduced me to some stunning new favorites. I’m still deciding whether to order the 5-pack of each shade or just stock up on my must-haves. Either way, I now have a better sense of which colors I’ll be reaching for the most!

A Fun Card Example

Vintage mixed media handmade card with a lovely die cut hat box luggage piece. Travel theme, hello card with floral accents.

To put my swatches to use, I created a card using my newly organized colors. You might recognize this one—it’s the Hero Arts Suitcase & Florals Card that I recently shared in another blog post. Seeing the colors in action really drives home how valuable swatching is!

Click HERE to read my blog post about creating this Vintage Suitcase & Florals Card.
Process photo showing how I created my Spellbinders Color Wheel Cardstock swatches with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine.

Final Thoughts

Swatching might seem like a simple task, but it’s an absolute game-changer for crafting. Not only does it help you choose colors with confidence, but it also makes designing so much easier. Have you ever done a cardstock swatch? If not, I highly recommend it! Let me know in the comments which Spellbinders colors are your favorites!

Happy crafting! 🎨✨

BetterPress · cardmaking

Bursting with Smiles: Celebrating with the Hero Arts Starburst LetterPress Plates

Karen BrownLeave a comment
2 festive Hero Arts Starburst BetterPress letterpress cards in aquas, greens and pinks.

Today I’m sharing two bright and happy cards featuring the brand new Starburst LetterPress Plates from the Hero Arts Lovely LetterPress Collection. These four festive plates are perfect for birthdays, graduations, congratulations, or any occasion that calls for a little extra cheer. If you love fun pops of color and crisp, luxurious impressions, this set is a must-have!

Key Products Used:

Best BetterPress Celebratory Card

Sending Smiles Starburst card in bright happy shades of green, aqua and pink.

For the first card, I chose a vibrant Leaf Green BetterPress Ink for the sentiment, which reads “sending smiles” from the Best Wishes LetterPress Set. To surround it in celebratory style, I pressed three starbursts in Hydrangea and Wild Berry.

  • The layout features a large starburst in the top right, with two smaller bursts dancing below the sentiment.
  • I trimmed my Porcelain BetterPress panel with the Hero Arts Rectangle Infinity Dies, giving it clean, crisp edges.
  • A coordinating green matting layer ties the whole palette together.

The end result? A card bursting with joy and perfect for any feel-good occasion!

Bright Happy BetterPress LetterPress card with 3 large starbursts in aqua and pink with a large pressed "sending smiles" sentiment in green, perfect for birthdays, graduations or Get Well.

Aqua Cheers

Aqua, green and coral starburst BetterPress LetterPress card from Hero Arts Lovely LetterPress Collection.

My second card flips the color focus for a totally different feel using the same design.

  • This time, I pressed the “sending smiles” sentiment in beautiful Hydrangea ink (a soft aqua blue).
  • The starbursts are done in cheerful Leaf Green and Azalea, creating a fresh springy vibe.
  • Once again, the design features a top-right burst and two bottom bursts, echoing the layout of the first card.
  • I framed this one with a coordinating aqua matting layer to match the pressed sentiment.

Whether you love greens, blues, pinks or berries, these plates play so well with all your favorite BetterPress Inks.

Best BetterPress LetterPress Birthday and Graduation card in festive aqua, green and coral.

Tools of the Trade

These cards were made using the Spellbinders BetterPress System with Porcelain BetterPress Paper, and inked with vibrant shades of BetterPress Inks. My Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine helped apply perfect pressure, and the Hero Arts Rectangle Infinity Dies made trimming panels a breeze.

Pro Tip: You don’t need to overload the ink! These plates are so well-designed that a light inking creates beautifully crisp results every time.

Want More BetterPress Magic?

Be sure to check out my 9 Tips and Tricks for Your BetterPress System blog post for all my favorite ways to get flawless results with every press.

And don’t forget—these colorful cards are part of an Instagram Hop! Follow along for even more creative inspiration and enter for a chance to win: Instagram Hop Link.

Which version is your favorite: Wild Berry Smiles or Aqua Cheers? I’d love to know in the comments!

Happy pressing, friends! 🌟

cardmaking · Rainbow Colors · Stamping

Hero Arts Balloon Bash! Stamping, Ink Blending and Stenciling

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Ready to party? I had a blast creating this bright and festive birthday card using brand-new goodies from the Hero Arts Let’s Celebrate Collection! This project is perfect if you’re looking for a quick, colorful card that makes a big impact.

A handmade card with seven colorful stenciled balloons in rainbow colors, layered with foam tape. Balloons feature squiggles, dots, and stripes. Sentiment reads "It’s Your Day!"

Card Details: Rainbow Balloons That Pop (Literally!)

This card features a happy cluster of seven stamped, ink-blended, and die-cut balloons, made with three coordinating products:

The process was pure fun:

  • I started by placing the cover plate die in my stamp positioner and aligning the large balloon stamp (a cluster of five balloons) over the die. Once perfectly placed, I closed the lid so the stamp was now on the positioner lid, removed the die, and was ready to stamp and die cut with precision. There is a process photo below.
  • Since I wanted seven balloons, I stamped, inked, stenciled, and die-cut the design twice.

Color & Stencil Party

Each balloon got its own personality with Hero Arts Reactive Inks in cheerful rainbow shades. I blended two shades per balloon, adding darker ink toward the bottom for dimension. The layering stencils let me add playful squiggles, dots, and lines to five of the balloons for extra party vibes.

Reactive Inks Used: Taffy, Berry Smoothie, Lemon Drop, Creamsicle, Key Lime Fizz, Green Apple, Pool Party, Blue Raspberry, Splash, Blue Hawaii, Thistle and Grape Slush.

Two balloons are adhered flat to the background, and five are popped up with foam squares so they practically float off the page! 🎈

I finished the design with a stamped “It’s Your Day!” sentiment from the Party Fans Stamp Set.

Festive rainbow hued balloon card featuring Hero Arts Balloons stamp, cover plate die and layering stencils. CM790, DF241, SA299.

Pro Tips for Balloon Perfection:

  • Use two coordinating ink colors per balloon to make them feel round and full.
  • Add stenciled patterns after ink blending for clean, vibrant detail.
  • Pop some balloons up on foam tape to add playful movement and dimension.
7 stamped, rainbow ink blended, stenciled and die cut dancing and floating balloons on a handmade card perfect for Birthdays, Graduation or any festive occasion.

This design is fast, festive, and beginner-friendly—but has that pro finish thanks to the coordinated stamps, dies, and stencils.

Stenciled and stamped card with 7 rainbow colored balloons floating across the background.

What would you celebrate with this set? Birthday? Graduation? Just-because balloon-o-rama?

BetterPress · cardmaking · Die cutting

Spellbinders | Yana’s Daisies

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Two handmade daisy-themed cards side by side—one with die-cut florals and the other with a bold BetterPress letterpress design.

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.

I created two stunning daisy-themed cards using:
🌼 Daisy Trio Etched Dies – A gorgeous, detailed die set perfect for layering.
🎨 Daisy Trio BetterPress Plates & Stencil Bundle – For an elegant, high-contrast letterpress effect. (Link for BetterPress Plates without stencils.)

Card 1: Layered Die-Cut Daisies with Wildflower Background

Layered Die-Cut Daisy Card: A handmade card featuring three yellow die-cut daisies with dark outlines, mounted on a blue wildflower-seeded specialty paper background from Your Paper Insider Subscription Box.

For this card, I used Yana’s Daisy Etched Dies and three premium papers from my Your Paper Insider subscription—because who doesn’t love a little happy mail surprise?

✂️ The Process:

  • 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 Ninja sticky 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!

Layered and die cut Daisy Sunflower handmade card created with Spellbinders + Yana's Daisy Etched dies.

Card 2: Bold, Graphic BetterPress Daisies

A high-contrast BetterPress letterpress card with white daisies, Leaf Green inked background, and a foiled black "Hello" sentiment. Framed in white with three enamel dots.

For my second card, I wanted to go for high contrast and a bold graphic style, so I turned to the Daisy Trio BetterPress plates. You might be interested in my post: 9 Tips, Tricks and Insights Into Spellbinders BetterPress System

🎨 The Process:

  • I used my BetterPress System.
  • 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.

📏 The Frame: I die-cut a white stitched frame (November 2024 Stitching Die of the Month) twice and stacked them for dimension.

✉️ Finishing Touches: A black foiled “Hello” (BetterPress sentiment) and three white enamel dots added the perfect crisp, modern touch.

Bold graphic green and white Daisy BetterPress card finished off with a white die cut frame.

Card 3: Aqua and Pink Sunflower Card

Aqua, White and Pink Better Press + stenciled handmade card using Yana | Spellbinders Daisy Trio Better Press plates and Hydrangea ink.

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.

Bright happy aqua, pink and white hello card with giant BetterPress daisies.

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! 💛🌿

Cardmaking Kit · papercrafting

Spellbinders April Club Kit Release – Snail Mail, Vintage Letterboxes & Stitched Stationery!

Karen Brown1 Comment
Spellbinders April 2025 Club Kit handmade cards that are watercolored and hand stitched.

Spellbinders’ latest Club Kit Release is here, and this month’s dies are packed with charm, nostalgia, and creativity! I created three unique handmade cards using the Large Die of the Month, Small Die of the Month, and Stitching Club of the Month. Each design brings something different to the crafting table—from vintage-inspired letterboxes to whimsical mail carriers and stitched stationery.

Let’s get started!

Card 1: A Vintage Farmhouse Letterbox

Vintage farmhouse letterbox card – A handmade card featuring a minty vintage-style letterbox with a die-cut letter, pink flowers, and a gold key, mounted on ribbed white paper that resembles house siding.

First up, the Large Die of the Month – a stunning vintage-style letterbox that feels straight out of a charming countryside home.

  • I custom-mixed my colors using Hero Arts Reactive Inks, blending 50% Fog and 50% Pool Party for the perfect minty vintage hue on the letterbox. Other Reactive Inks Used: Taffy, Fruit Punch, Green Apple, Blue Raspberry and. Grape Slush. The key, sentiment frame and keyhole were painted with Gold Metallic Watercolor.
  • Inside the mail slot, a sweet die-cut letter with a heart and a cluster of pink flowers peeks out, adding a touch of romance.
  • A gold letterbox key is placed on the box for extra detail.
  • I mounted everything on Stellar White Groove ribbed paper (from a Your Paper Insider subscription box) to mimic the look of house siding.

I’m a bit of a paper hoarder, so this specialty paper subscription is right up my alley! 😄

Spellbinders April 2025 Large Die of the Month vintage farmhouse letterbox Hello card.

Card 2: You’ve Got (Snail) Mail!

Snail mail delivery scene – A die-cut snail with a mail pouch and hat, holding a tiny letter with a heart seal, alongside a pink worm, tulips, and a mailbox. Sentiment reads "sending" + an enamel heart.

For the Small Die of the Month, I couldn’t resist creating a playful “snail mail” scene! This one was so much fun to put together.

  • The star is a cute little snail, delivering happy mail in style. She holds a tiny envelope with a heart seal and wears a mail pouch and hat as she crawls along.
  • I started by doing my die-cutting and then I watercolored each die cut for my happy cozy scene. I watercolored with Reactive Inks : Creamsicle, Fruit Punch, Taffy, Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Pool Party, Blue Hawaii, Splash, Granite and Fawn.
  • She’s accompanied by a pink worm and surrounded by red and orange tulips and a mailbox—a cozy little world in miniature.
  • The sentiment is a scripty “sending” + an enamel heart.
  • I finished the card with diluted white acrylic paint splatters, adding a touch of whimsy.

The theme? A punny “You’ve Got (Snail) Mail”—a crafty nod to the classic rom-com! 💌 🐌

Spellbinders April 2025 Small Die of the Month "Snail Mail" scene card that is die cut and then watercolored with Reactive Inks and splattered with white paint.

Card 3: Stitched Notebook Paper & Die-Cut Page Tabs

Snail mail delivery scene – A die-cut snail with a mail pouch and hat, holding a tiny letter with a heart seal, alongside a pink worm, tulips, and a mailbox. Sentiment reads "sending" + an enamel heart.

For my final card, I used the Stitching Club of the Month to create a notebook-inspired stitched background—a must for any stationery lover!

  • The stitched blue horizontal lines and pink vertical margin line replicate lined notebook paper.
  • I have a Stitching Tutorial that you might find helpful.
  • The top edge is die-cut to look like it was torn from a wirebound notebook for extra realism.
  • The sentiments are die-cut page pointers die cut from ColorWheel Cardstock, reading:
    • Hello (pink)
    • Friend (blue)
    • A Note (lime)
    • For You (teal)
  • To add movement, I included a pink and teal kite, die-cut from last summer’s Fly Away Kite Kit.
  • I stitched with two pieces of floss for extra texture and die-cut the background twice (and glued together) for a sturdy base. I used DMC #162 (light blue) and #776 (pink) floss.

This design is a fun way to send a cheerful, handwritten-style note in card form!

Spellbinders April 2025 Stitched Die of the Month Kit Card featuring a background that looks like notebook paper with die cut page pointer sentiments and a die cut kite.

Helpful Links:

Final Thoughts

This month’s Spellbinders Club Kits are filled with endless creative possibilities—from elegant vintage letterboxes to playful snail mail and nostalgic stitched stationery.

Which card is your favorite this month? Let me know in the comments! 💌 ✂️

cardmaking · Hot Foiling

Elegant Wedding Cards | Spellbinders Copperplate on Your Wedding Day Collection

Karen Brown1 Comment
Elegant and romantic Glimmer hot foiled handmade wedding card in soft peach with a scripty embossed background and darling die cut floral accents.

A few months ago, a follower asked me for wedding card inspiration, and I couldn’t resist diving into the timeless elegance of Spellbinders’ Copperplate on Your Wedding Day Collection by Paul Antonio. This collection, featuring gorgeous calligraphy BetterPress plates, was the perfect starting point for creating romantic, foiled wedding cards.

Monochromatic Elegance in Peach

Elegant wedding card with 'On Your Wedding Day' sentiment foiled in peach satin and then die-cut with a Scallop Labels die. Embossed Bellini cardstock background and soft floral accents complete the design

For both cards, I used Peach Satin Matte Foil on smooth white cardstock. I embossed Bellini cardstock, creating a soft, monochromatic look that feels warm and sophisticated. The large, scripty sentiments—”Always and Forever” and “On Your Wedding Day“—take center stage, adding a touch of calligraphic artistry.

To enhance the elegance, I embossed the backgrounds with the Scribbled Letters Embossing Folder—a new favorite in my craft room! The subtle texture adds depth without overpowering the delicate foiling.

Handmade wedding card featuring 'Always and Forever' in peach satin foil. Bellini cardstock embossed background adds texture, with delicate die-cut flowers in Bellini and Chiffon cardstock.

Finishing Touches

For the “On Your Wedding Day” card, I die-cut the sentiment using the Scallop Labels Die, which frames the lettering beautifully. I also added a few die-cut flowers in Bellini and Chiffon cardstock, softening the design with delicate floral accents.

Foiling Tips for a Flawless Finish

✨ Trim and round the edges of the foil before using a Glimmer Machine to prevent unwanted over-foiling marks.
✨ Roll slowly through the Platinum 6 Machine for even pressure and a crisp foiled impression.

These simple steps make a huge difference in achieving that professional, high-end look!

Key Products:

Final Thoughts

I love how these cards turned out—elegant, timeless, and perfect for celebrating love. Whether you’re making wedding cards for a special couple or building your card stash, this collection is a dream for anyone who loves calligraphy and foiled details.

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting

Blog Hop: Enchanted Paper Gardens with the Hero Studio April Release!

Karen Brown18 Comments
Hero Arts Studio: April 2025 - two whimsical die-cut cards: one featuring a lush, layered terrarium full of mushrooms, leaves, and a fluttering butterfly, and another with bold, hand-painted leaves and a cheerful “hello” sentiment. Both are packed with watercolor magic, intricate details, and playful techniques!

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

A handcrafted die-cut card featuring a whimsical terrarium scene with mushrooms, leaves, rocks, and an orange butterfly, all watercolored in bright, vivid hues. The background has a vintage script stencil effect, and the card base is soft Mist blue

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.

Botanical terrarium card full of lush leaves, adorable red and tan mushrooms, green grass, rocks, a tree stump with a beautiful orange butterfly perched on a gently curling leaf. I die cut my pieces from watercolor paper and then watercolored the components with brightly colored reactive inks. Card created with Hero Studios April 2025 Card Kit of the Month

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:

Card 2: A Bold, Botanical Hello

A bold, colorful handmade card with die cut watercolored leaves and fronds on a creamy white background. Uses Hero Studio April 2025 Fancy Dies kit.

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!

A bold handmade card with hand-painted die-cut leaves in vibrant greens and blue-greens. The sentiment "hello" stands out in a coral-red shade. The leaves have black ink splatters adding artistic detail. The background is clean white on a deep Adriatic blue A2 card base making the colors pop.

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!


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

A Fairy-Tale Ending? Or Just the Beginning?

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!

cardmaking · Stamping

Spellbinders: Healing Thoughts – A House Mouse Get Well Card

Karen Brown1 Comment
Spellbinders House Mouse Healing Thoughts Stamped and colored Get Well card,

There’s nothing quite like sending a little handmade kindness when someone isn’t feeling their best. Today’s card features the always-adorable House Mouse stamps in a sweet and simple Healing Thoughts Get Well design. With its soft monochromatic colors and heartwarming scene, this card is as charming as it is easy to make!

Need a little Get Well card inspiration? My latest House Mouse creation, "Healing Thoughts," features an adorable scene of a juvenile mouse signing a cast with a giant purple crayon! This clean and simple design keeps the focus on the heartwarming stamped image, enhanced with soft monochromatic coloring and a soothing lavender card base. House Mouse cards always bring a smile, making them the perfect choice for cheerful, heartfelt greetings. Stop by the blog to see more and find links to my other House Mouse designs!

A Look at the Design

The stamped image showcases an adult mouse with a cast on his left leg, while a juvenile mouse signs the cast with a giant purple crayon—adding a little heart for extra love. It’s a scene that captures both the innocence and warmth of these stamps so well!

To keep the design clean and simple, I used the Nesting Postage Stamp Infinity Die to cut out the panel and mounted it on a Passion Flower lavender card base. The soft lavender hue adds a soothing touch, making this card perfect for lifting someone’s spirits.

The sentiment, “Sending Healing Thoughts,” ties everything together beautifully—because sometimes, a thoughtful card is just the thing to brighten someone’s day.

Close-up of House Mouse Get Well card showcasing the adorable illustration of mice, framed with a Nesting Postage Stamp die for a clean and simple look

Why I Love House Mouse Stamps

There’s just something irresistible about House Mouse stamps! 🐭💜 These little critters bring so much warmth, charm, and personality to every card. Whether they’re getting into mischief, sharing a sweet moment, or—like in today’s card—spreading a little cheer, they always manage to bring a smile.

I love how these stamps work for so many occasions. Their soft, sketchy details make them a joy to color, whether you go for bold tones or a simple, monochromatic look like I did here.

House Mouse cards are always a hit with recipients, and I can’t wait to share more of my little mousey creations with you!

Copic Colors Used

  • Mice: W0, W3, W5, E00, E50, R000, R20
  • Crayon: V01, V15, V17
  • Cane: E31
  • Shadows: BV0000
Adorable handmade Get Well card featuring stamped and Copic colored House Mouse design.

Final Thoughts

Having a few Get Well cards on hand is always a great idea, and this quick and easy House Mouse design is perfect for the job! Sometimes simple is best, and this card proves that a heartfelt sentiment and a sweet image can go a long way in brightening someone’s day.

Do you love House Mouse as much as I do? Let me know in the comments! And if you’re looking for more inspiration, check out these previous House Mouse creations: