Something exciting is coming to your craft corner! 🎉
I’m thrilled to be participating in the very first Hero Arts Craft Lounge, a fun and interactive live virtual crafting event packed with inspiration, tips, and creative conversation. ✂️✨
This is your all-access pass to hang out, learn, and craft along with fellow makers—no mystery, just crafty fun! Channin, Michelle, Rosie and I will be sharing some behind-the-scenes tips, design inspiration, and answering questions live.
Join the Hero Arts Collective on Facebook, and come say hi in the comments during the live! I’ll be looking for you!
Buckle up, cardmakers—because today we’re putting the pedal to the cardstock with a sleek and fun masculine birthday card featuring the Speedometerfrom the Classic Road Legends collection by the incredibly talented Mindy Eggen! This is Mindy’s debut collection with Spellbinders, and it’s already racing to the top of my favorites list.
The star of the card? A bold, retro-inspired die cut speedometer with some of the coolest sentiments I’ve seen in a while.
🛠️ Building this Masculine Birthday Card
I wanted to create something unique and masculine with a fresh, modern color palette—so I went with monochromatic aquas and teals, using Adriatic, Paradise, and Arctic cardstocks from Hero Arts. To give the speedometer some shine and dimension, I added silver cardstock accents, and then for a bit of unexpected flair, I die cut the needle in coral cardstock—it’s just the right pop of contrast!
This die set includes tons of clever sentiments like:
“Have a Classic Day”
“Another Year in the Fast Lane”
“Enjoy Your New Adventure”
I chose “Cruisin’ by to say Happy Birthday” for this card
Perfect for Father’s Day, birthday cards, or anyone who appreciates a good throwback moment.
Once I finished assembling the speedometer, I mounted it onto a clean white background embossed with the Spellbinders Scribbled Letters Embossing Folder. The subtle texture adds just enough interest without taking the spotlight off the die cuts.
This card is headed straight to my brother for his birthday—he’s a car guy, and I think he’s going to love it!
💬 Why I Love It
Masculine cards can be a bit of a creative challenge, but this design was a total joy to put together. The bold shapes, retro vibes, and clever details made this one of my favorite guy cards I’ve ever made!
It’s time for another fabulous Spellbinders Club Kit Release—and the May 2025 kits are full of personality, charm, and creative possibilities! I’m sharing three handmade cards using the Small Die of the Month, Stitching Die of the Month, and Large Die of the Month — and each one captures a completely different vibe. From graduation parties to cozy reading nooks to retro kitchen fun, this release has a little something for every cardmaker.
Let’s take a closer look!
🎓 Card 1: Graduation Card with Die of the Month Kit
What’s smarter than an apple a day? An apple with a diploma! I used theSmall Die of the Month to create this fun and festive graduation card starring a smiling, die-cut apple with a mortarboard and black-rimmed glasses—clearly top of the class! I set the scene using the April Stitching Die of the Month notebook die as a background, die cut from white cardstock to resemble lined memo paper.
The bold color palette—bright red, kraft, and bold black—really makes the design pop. A giant “hey there” die cut adds a cheerful greeting, and the clever “Congrats” book spine die is the perfect finishing touch. This kit is full of potential for customization, and I love how easy it is to personalize that adorable apple with different accessories and expressions.
🛋️ Card 2: Cozy Vibes with the Stitching Die of the Month
This card might be my favorite cozy scene yet! The May Stitching Die of the Month features a darling stitched armchair and hanging light fixture, and I couldn’t resist building a peaceful nook complete with a lazy orange tabby cat and a friendly potted plant.
To create soft wallpaper texture, I stamped the background with the Hero Arts May Cling of the Month in mint ink on Mint cardstock—it’s subtle, soothing, and so stylish! The stitched chair in cream looks extra plush, and the palette of burnt orange, mint, and cream gives the whole card a warm retro-modern vibe. I die cute the chair and lamp twice and glued together for nice sturdy stitching. I used DMC #437 and #746 floss for this card.
Card 3: Retro Fridge Fun
I had so much fun with this Large Die of the Month card—it’s a whole scene right out of a retro kitchen! The adorable die cut refrigerator (cut from Mint cardstock) is the star of the show, and it’s covered in tiny fridge magnets, a grocery list, a die-cut Polaroid, and the best part: rainbow-letter fridge magnet sentiments!
I used the included mini alpha dies to spell out “hello hello” in bright colors, but the possibilities are endless—Happy Birthday, Thanks, You’re Cool, or whatever punny fridge note you dream up. This one’s a joy to customize and would make a great card for a neighbor, teacher, or foodie friend. There are even cute Food Staples that you can put inside your fridge.
Whether you’re celebrating a graduation, sending cozy vibes, or just saying “hi,” the Spellbinders May 2025 Club Kits have you covered. These dies are fun to use, easy to personalize, and full of storytelling charm. Which card is your favorite this month?
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
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.
• 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:
The WHOLE Studio – All 5 Kits ($130 subscription + Free Shipping)
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.
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!
Today, we’re soaring high with a sweet and sunny scene card, perfect for celebrating birthdays or welcoming a baby boy into the world! 🌤️🎈
This design features a playful little boy flying his kite beneath a big smiling sun and a puffy white cloud—an instant mood-lifter in card form. All the elements were crafted using the brand-new Up and Away die set from the Sky is the Limit collection by none other than the crafting wunderkind himself, Simon Hurley.
Color Me Happy
The card showcases a bright and breezy color palette, with Waterfall and Teal Topaz cardstock stealing the spotlight. These shades of aqua and teal give off major sky-blue vibes that feel both fresh and fun.
Background with a Breeze
For the sky, I created a soft, dreamy wash using Pool Party Reactive Inkon watercolor paper. I used a flat brush for that gentle sweep—like a serene spring sky just waiting for a kite to dance across it.
Die Cut Delight
Every piece on this card—from the kite and the boy to the sun and cloud—is die cut and carefully layered for a dimensional scene that really pops. The clean lines and whimsical style of the dies make them a joy to work with. And let’s be honest: the Up and Away set is pure magic!
Perfect for…
Baby showers (especially for little boys!) The repeating aqua and teal color palette reinforce the baby theme.
Kiddo birthdays
Or just sending sunshine and smiles on a cloudy day
This one’s going into my “make again soon” pile—because how can you not love a card that makes you want to run outside and fly a kite?
Happy crafting, and may your skies stay sunny! ☀️🪁
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.
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
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.
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!
Today I’m sharing two bright and happy cards featuring the brand new Starburst LetterPress Platesfrom 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!
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!
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.
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:
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.
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.
This design is fast, festive, and beginner-friendly—but has that pro finish thanks to the coordinated stamps, dies, and stencils.
What would you celebrate with this set? Birthday? Graduation? Just-because balloon-o-rama?
Talented cardmaker Yana Smakula has done it again! Her new Yana’s Daisies collection for Spellbinders is a fresh take on classic florals, and I was thrilled to get my hands on a few advance products for this launch.
Sunflower Yellow Cardstock petals: Using my Platinum 6, I Die-cut the trio from Sunflower Yellow Cardstock and lightly ink-blended with two shades of golden brown for dimension.
Wrought Iron Raw cardstock: Used for the intricate daisy outlines and leaves.
Vellum shadow layer: Softens the look and adds elegance.
Paper shim tip: These dies are beautifully intricate! Adding a paper shim while die-cutting ensures crisp, clean cuts.
🌼 Layered, Not Inlaid! After debating between inlaying or layering, I chose to layer the Sunflower Yellow petals onto the Wrought Iron Raw outlines—and I LOVE the result! I used Bearly Art Glue and a Ninjasticky wand for precision placement.
📜 Background Paper: I wanted something special, so I chose Blue Confetti Wildflower paper from my paper subscription. It’s 100% recycled and embedded with wildflower seeds—a perfect pairing for this floral design!
Leaf BetterPress Ink: I tapped, twisted, and generously inked the BetterPress plate before running it through my Platinum 6 machine SUPER SLOW (pro tip: slow rolling = perfect impressions).
Coordinating stencils: I added shading in Lemon Drop and Granite to bring the design to life.
White daisies (un-inked): Letting the design speak for itself.
For my third card, I experimented a bit. I wanted to try a BetterPress fade, so I inked my plate with Hydrangea BetterPress ink, but added less ink at the top and bottom. I used Taffy Reactive Ink and the coordinating stencils for my pink accents.
Final Thoughts
This collection is an absolute must-have if you love florals with a modern, sophisticated edge! The detailed etched dies are perfect for paper piecing, and the BetterPress plates create stunning impressions with minimal effort.
Which card do you love most—the layered daisy trio or the bold graphic BetterPress look? Let’s chat in the comments! 💛🌿
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
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 Insidersubscription 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! 😄
Card 2: You’ve Got (Snail) Mail!
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! 💌 🐌
Card 3: Stitched Notebook Paper & Die-Cut Page Tabs
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.
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!
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! 💌 ✂️
kennyscards.com 