cardmaking · Video

Craft Lounge Live #4 Video Recap | Great Sentiment Stamps

Pink baby card with die-cut tags, bows, and flowers made using Hero Arts Just Because Stamp & Cut set.

Hello crafty friends! Karen Brown here with a fun recap from Craft Lounge LIVE #4! If you missed our live session, no worries — you can still catch the replay right here 👉 Watch the rerun on Facebook.

The Hero Arts Collective Facebook group is the place to stay connected, share inspiration, and see what’s new in the Hero Arts world.

Channin, Natasha, Michelle, and I had such a great time chatting and crafting together! We all worked with products from the Best Ever Collection, and even though we started with the same collection, our projects turned out completely different:

  • 🎁 Channin created a beautiful stack of gift boxes.
  • 🎨 Natasha made a stunning mixed media background.
  • 🧝‍♀️ Michelle designed an adorable “peeking elf” card.
  • 👶 And I crafted a sweet pink baby card!

My design features two stamped and die-cut tags and bows, embellished with three dainty die-cut flowers. The sentiment — “Just a little something for baby” — comes from one of my favorite sets this season, DC329 Just Because Stamp & Cut. I die cut the tags and a soft pink frame from Tutu ColorWheel Cardstock, then stamped in crisp black ink for a clean, cheerful look.

Screen shot of 4 Hero Arts Creative Team members participating in Craft Lounge LIVE #4,
Screenshot

I’ll be taking this card to a baby shower later this month, and I know I’ll be reaching for these sentiments again and again. The “birthday,” “thank you,” and “just because” options in this set are so versatile — perfect for every occasion!

Screenshot collage of Channin, Natasha, Michelle, and Karen (Kenny's Cards) from Craft Lounge LIVE #4.
Screenshot

Thanks to everyone who joined us live — and if you couldn’t make it, grab your favorite drink, tune in to the replay, and enjoy an hour of crafty conversation and inspiration. 💕

Link to: Craft Lounge LIVE #4

Photo of handmade Baby card with stamped tags with black sentiment reading “Just a little something for baby."
cardmaking · Die cutting

Spellbinders | Up, Up, and Adorable!

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! ☀️🪁

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · papercrafting

Spellbinders | Club Kit Cards | February 2025

Spellbinders February 2025 Club Kit Cards:  Large Die of the Month, Small Die of the Month and Stitching Die of the Month die cut handmade cards.

Get ready to fall in love with the Spellbinders February 2025 Club Kits! This month’s releases are packed with charm and creativity, and I’m thrilled to share two whimsical scene cards that will have you reaching for your die-cutting machine in no time.

Easy Stitched Die Cut Bunny Card Full of Charm

A handmade card featuring a die-cut bunny in a spring green dress holding a flower, framed with a stitched border. The background is soft blues and warm yellows, creating a fresh and cheerful scene.  Spellbinders Stitching Die of the Month + Large Bunny Die of the Month.

This first card features the Stitching Die of the Month paired with the Large Die of the Month, creating a darling stitched frame. Inside the frame, a sweet die-cut bunny dressed in a spring green dress steals the spotlight. She’s holding a delicate flower, making this design ideal for Easter, baby showers, or even get-well cards. The soft blues, vivid greens, and warm yellows lend a fresh spring vibe, while the stitched frame adds texture and an elegant touch.

Key Products Used:

Notes About This Card:

Darling Spring die-cut bunny handmade card with hand stitched frame using Spellbinders February 2025 Large Die of the Month  + Stitching Die of the Month Kits.

Step Into Spring with This Floral Shoes Card

 A whimsical handmade card featuring olive green die-cut shoes with blue and olive anklet socks, with bright spring flowers tucked inside. The sentiment reads "Hello."  Spellbinders Small Die of the Month, February 2025.

The second card takes a playful turn with a pair of olive green shoes, complete with stylish blue and olive anklet socks. The Small Die of the Month works its magic, letting you create a unique scene where die-cut flowers are tucked into the patterned socks. You’ll spot the calves of a lady walking confidently into spring, and the sentiment “Hello” ties everything together. Perfect for birthdays, get-well wishes, or just saying hi, this design showcases the versatility of these dies.

Quick Notes About This Card:

  • I started by looking through my patterned paper for some fun “sock material”. I chose this eye-catching circular pattern, but a small floral or plaid would also work great!
  • Once I had my socks, I pulled together other colors that would work well for my scene. I frequently use my Color Cubes when selecting my color palette.
  • I die cut my Small Die Kit components with my Platinum 6 System.
  • I assembled my scene with Bearly Glue, Foam Squares and Craft Foam.
  • The hello sentiment is from my January Small Die of the Month Kit.
  • I cut the buckle and bows from Brushed Gold Cardstock.
Spellbinders February 2025 Small Die of the Month handmade card complete with a pair of shoes, patterned anklet socks and die cut floral blooms.

Helpful Links:

Handmade cards created with Spellbinders February 2025 Club Kits.

Why These Cards Shine

Both cards highlight the magic of die-cutting, with intricate details and stitching that bring each scene to life. Whether it’s the textured frame around the bunny or the whimsical floral shoes, these designs are sure to inspire intermediate and advanced crafters alike.

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Spellbinders Scene Card | Windows With A View

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

cardmaking · papercrafting

Spellbinders | Embossing Folder of The Month | August 2022 | Intertwined Lattice

Spellbinders August Embossing Folder of The Month Kit + Baby Card.
Intertwined Lattice 3D Embossing Folder

Blue Card for a Baby Shower

I LOVE the Spellbinders August Embossing Folder of the Month! It is called Intertwined Lattice, is very versatile and will work with so many designs. For my baby card, I “debossed” my panel which means the design is pressed below the paper’s surface. I then paired my debossed panel with one of my new favorites: Balloon Party Animal (S3-450). The blue print background is from Spellbinders Cheerful Occasions Paper Pad and I used Craft Foam under the top panel for dimension.

Debossing with Spellbinders August 2022 Embossing Folder of the Month Kit + Balloon Party Animal Die Kit (S3-450) handmade baby card.

I think this is an adorable baby card.

Blue handmade die cut card for a Baby Shower featuring Spellbinders Intertwined Lattice 3D Embossing Folder.

Hello You Strawberry Card

Spellbinders Intertwined Lattice 3D Embossing Folder.

For my second card, I used the “embossed” side of the panel. Embossing means the design is raised above the panel. The August embossing folder is beautiful embossed (below) and debossed (card #1 above)

Spellbinders August 2022 Card Kits:  Embossing Folder of the Month, Strawberry Patch Large Die of the Month and Outlined Sentiments Small Die of the Month.

I love the texture that the embossing adds to cards. For this card I used three of Spellbinders August 2022 Subscription Kits: Large Die of the Month called Strawberry Patch, Small Die of the Month and Embossing Folder of the Month. The sentiment was die-cut from Brushed Gold Cardstock using Outlined Sentiments dies and I love the bit of glow it adds to the card.

Hello You Strawberry Card featuring Spellbinders August 2022 Club Kits.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Sweet Card for a Baby Shower

Layering your card backgrounds + Spelllbinders Origami Folds 3D Embossing Folder

Layering Card Backgrounds to Add Focus

Last week I made a couple of cards using Spellbinders new Birthday Collection. My balloon animal was so cute, that I knew I wanted to use the die kit to make a card for a baby shower that I was attending. For this card, I went with a layered background to showcase my die cut focal element. I knew I wanted to add texture too so I used Spellbinder’s beautiful new 3D Embossing Folder: Origami Folds.

Products Used:

Baby Shower handmade card featuring Spellbinders:  Balloon Party Animal, Origami Folds 3D Embossing Folder, and Cheerful Occasions paper pad.

If you would like to see my first balloon animal card, please click HERE.

I am off to the baby shower….thanks for stopping by!

Karen