Tag: Birthday Card

Purse theme handmade card. Spellbinders November 2025 Large Die of the Month – Charmed to Know You
cardmaking · Die cutting

Spellbinders November 2025 Large Die of the Month – Charmed to Know You

Karen BrownLeave a comment
2 handmade purse theme cards created with Spellbinders November 2025 Large Die of the Month Kit.

Today I’m sharing two darling purse-themed cards using the Spellbinders November 2025 Large Die of the Month Kit – Charmed to Know You. This set is pure cuteness with so many ways to personalize your bag design. Think mini luxury handbag boutique… but in cardstock form!

This die kit creates a fabulous purse with dangling charms, handles, layered details, and all the embellishments your fashionable heart could want. While it’s designed for 5” x 7” cards, I also made a 4” x 6” version because these purses are just too cute not to size-down and play.

💡 Crafter tip: I keep a clear pouch full of scrap cardstock and it was PERFECT for cutting the tiny charms. Little paper leftovers finally had their big couture moment!

💜 Card 1 – Cream & Lilac Glam

Feminine birthay card featuring a die cut handbag with three cute charms dangling from the handle.

For my first card, I created a Alabaster cream purse with brown leather straps and brushed gold hardware — classic and chic!

I paired it with a lilac background (ColorWheel cardstock) and added a darling mini change purse, a pink scarf, and two charms:
✨ a sweet little bear with a matching pink neck kerchief
🍒 happy smiling cherries

The finishing touch? A gorgeous La Dolce Vita hot foil sentiment on lilac cardstock:

Make it a Day to Remember

And yes — this purse absolutely feels like it’s ready for brunch, shopping, and maybe a macaron or two.

🖤 Card 2 – Chic Neutrals & Lucky Charms

Fun girly birthday card featuring a gray and gold handbag with three charms hanging from the gold hardware: two dice and a pink pig.

My second purse fits a 4” x 6” card base and features granite and anchor gray cardstock with a brushed gold chain handle — sleek and modern!

I got playful with my charms:
🐷 I turned the Caboodle Bonus Gift pig into a charm
🎲 and added two dangling dice on each side

A sweet mini pink bow sits above all three — because even edgy handbags deserve a touch of sweetness.

The sentiment is a dainty Glimmer-foiled “Happy Birthday” — perfect for the girly-girl in your life who loves a little luxury and whimsy.

2 handmade die cut cards featuring cute charms and purses created from the November 2025 Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Kit.

🌟 Final Thoughts

This month’s Large Die of the Month is a handbag lover’s dream — charming (pun absolutely intended), customizable, and so much fun to style. Try different color palettes, charm combos, and sizes to create purses for every personality.

Interested in my other November Card Kit Creations?

Helpful Links:

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Spellbinders | Classic Cool: Masculine Birthday Card with a Retro Speedometer

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Buckle up, cardmakers—because today we’re putting the pedal to the cardstock with a sleek and fun masculine birthday card featuring the Speedometer from 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.

Die cut birthday card featuring a retro-style speedometer in aqua, teal, and silver cardstock with a coral needle. Background is white cardstock embossed with a script design. Sentiment reads “Cruisin' by to say Happy Birthday"

🛠️ 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!

Masculine die card retro Speedometer card with scribbled embossed background. Cardstock colors of teals, aquas, white and silver

💬 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!

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! ☀️🪁

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?

cardmaking · Die cutting · Hot Foiling

Spring Whimsy with Hero Arts: Bold Colors, Butterflies & Birthday Cheer

Karen Brown2 Comments

Spring is in the air, and so is a burst of bold color and whimsy! Today, I’m taking a closer look at the new Hero Arts Spring Whimsy Collection with four vibrant cards featuring hot foiling, ink smooshing, ink blending, heat embossing, and die cutting. Let’s get crafty!

>>> You may also be interested in my recent video and blog post: Easy and Festive Cardmaking <<<

Card 1: Hot Foil Butterfly Elegance

This card is all about shimmer and movement! I started with an aqua ink-smooshed background—the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous, hot-foiled butterfly. The butterfly itself was hot foiled onto an ink-blended panel of soft pinks, corals, and oranges before being die cut and centered on the background.

A hot-foiled butterfly in pink, coral, and orange, die-cut and placed on an ink-smooshed aqua background.

My Process for Creating This Foiled Butterfly Card:

✨ Pro Tip: Ink smooshing is a great way to create organic, watercolor-like backgrounds.

Gorgeous Hot Foil Glimmer Butterfly card on a dreamy aqua ink smooshed background.

Card 2: Striking Ink-Blended Background & Black Butterfly

A bold ink-blended background in Fruit Punch, Creamsicle, and Taffy with a striking black die-[cut butterfly as the focal point.

For a dramatic look, I ink blended a bold background using Fruit Punch, Creamsicle, and Taffy inks. These warm hues set the stage for a striking black die-cut butterfly, creating a high-contrast, modern design.

Key Product: Delicate Butterfly Fancy Die (also used on card #1 and #3)
Bold pink, coral and orange ink blended background with a lovely die cut black butterfly focal element. Hero Arts Delicate Butterfly Fancy Die.

Card 3: Heat Embossed Floral Background + Die Cut Butterfly

A white heat-embossed floral background over a vibrant coral and pink ink-blended panel, accented with a small black butterfly and a die cut “hello” sentiment. Hero Arts Whimy Floral Bold Print Stamp.

This card keeps the same coral, pink, and orange hues but introduces texture with the Whimsy Floral Bold Print background stamp. I heat embossed the pattern in white over my ink-blended panel and added a small black die-cut butterfly and a “hello” sentiment for balance.

Key Products Used:

Hero Arts Floral Bold Print Stamp heat embossed over an ink blended gradient from soft orange to hot pink.

This next photo shows two cards I created with the Delicate Butterfly Fancy Die.

2 handmade cards featuring Hero Arts Delicate Butterfly Fancy Dies. Both cards have an orange to pink gradient color scheme with black die cut butterflies.

Card 4: Elegant Window Birthday Card

A birthday card featuring a 9-pane Hero Artd Elegant Window Die with small, Copic-colored birthday images and a stamped “cheers” sentiment with Mist blue cardstock.

For a completely different vibe, I created a charming birthday card using the Elegant Window Fancy Die. The die creates a beautiful 9-pane window, which I die cut from Mist cardstock. Each pane features a tiny, Copic-colored stamped image from the Spring Bunny Stamps, Our Day Messages, and Birthday Animal stamp sets. A simple “cheers” sentiment ties it all together.

Charming 9 window pane stamped and die cut birthday card featuring small stamped images of cake, party hats, balloon animal, duck, butterflies and flowers.

This collection is packed with so much creative potential! Whether you love hot foiling, ink blending, or stamping, there’s something here for every cardmaker. I hope these designs inspire you to play with color and try new techniques!

Four beautiful handmade cards created with Hero Arts Spring Whimsy Collection + hot foiling, ink blending, stamping, ink smooshing and die cutting.

Thank you for stopping by!

Cardmaking Video

Video Hop | Easy, Fun & Festive Birthday Cardmaking: Color, Shine, Celebrate!

Karen Brown1 Comment

Can you ever have too many birthday cards? I think not! Today, I’m sharing a fun, modern, and eye-catching birthday card featuring the Hero Arts Celebrate Stamp & Stencil Set—perfect for anyone on your list!

Click link to see the Hero Arts Spring Collection.

You can watch the video above, or you can click the link HERE to watch on YouTube.

Plus, this video is part of a Video Hop, so be sure to check out the other fabulous creators linked below.

A vibrant handmade birthday card featuring four colorful stenciled banners with flowers, created using the Hero Arts Celebrate Stamp & Coloring Stencil Set and Glitz Inks.

Bold Colors & Easy Techniques

For this card, I started with a large focal stamp of four birthday banners—such a fun and festive design! Instead of traditional coloring, I brought in Glitz Inks and Color Layering Stencils to add French Pink, Naples Yellow, Byzantine Green and Egyptian Blue to the banners. These inks add beautiful shimmer that makes the design pop without needing extra embellishments (but you know I couldn’t resist a few black enamel dots in the flower centers!). This is totally optional, but I used my Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies to round the corners and trim down my panel.

Pro Tip: Glitz Inks are not only stunning, but they’re also super easy to clean up! A quick rinse, and your brushes are good as new.

Festive Birthday card perfect for men, women and children. The card features 4 birthday banners stamped and colored with layering stencils in pink, yellow, aqua and green.

Organizing My Stamps & Dies

I also wanted to share a quick tip on storing stamps and dies. I use Hero Arts Magnetic Sheets and Storage Sleeves, which help keep my dies neat, tidy, and easy to find. No more hunting for that one missing die—it’s all in one place and ready for my next crafting session! I also love their Stamp Storage Sleeves. More details in the video.

Key Products Used:

Join the Celebration! Blog Hop Order:

This card was a joy to make, and I hope it inspires you to break out your Glitz Inks and stencils! Be sure to check out the Video Hop and leave a comment on my video—I’d love to hear what you think! And tell me… do you think it’s possible to have too many birthday cards? (Spoiler: I don’t!) 🎉

cardmaking · Die cutting · Tutorial

Make a Splash: Postage Collage Summer Beach Card

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Nothing says “happy birthday” like a burst of bright colors and a little beachy fun! Fresh off a trip to the shore, I felt inspired to bring the ocean breeze into my craft room—minus the sand in my die-cutting machine. Today’s card features stenciled beach balls, a fun postage stamp collage, and plenty of shimmer and shine. Let’s dive in!

Bringing the Beach to Paper: Creative Ways to Use Layering Stencils

A vibrant beach-themed birthday card featuring stenciled beach balls in yellow, green, and blue with a touch of shimmer.

To set the seaside scene, I stenciled a flurry of yellow, green, and blue beach balls bouncing across the card. But what’s a day at the beach without a little shimmer? I used Glitz Inks to add a splash of shimmery shine.

Key Products Used:

Ink Blending Tips for a Seamless Look

  • Easy to Use 3 Layer Stencil: I started by stenciling my background with the fun Beach Ball Stencil. To keep my paper and stencil in place, I used my Sticky Grip Mat, which worked perfectly.
    • Click HERE to read my review on Sticky Grip Mats.
  • Use a circular motion: This prevents harsh lines and gives a softer, airbrushed effect. I also like to change direction frequently.
  • Let the shimmer do its thing: Glitz Inks add an extra pop. I used two shimmery Glitz Inks + Summer Sky for a really beachy vibe.

Postage Perfection

Nothing elevates a card quite like a postage stamp theme, so I pulled out my Waffle Flower Postage Collage die and stamp set to bring in some postal flair. Here’s what I included:

  • Postage-style die adds a fun and playful focus to your project, allowing pops of the orange mat to peek through the holes.
  • Stamped details like “sending hugs”, “50 cents”, “hugs inside”, and classic cancellation squiggles for that perfect mail-ready touch.
  • A crisp white scripty “Happy Birthday” sentiment with a black shadow, keeping it bold and readable amidst all the beachy goodness.
The Waffle Flower Postage Collage die-cut panel with stamped details like "sending hugs" and cancellation marks, framed by an orange mat. Fun Beach Ball themed Birthday card with blue, yellow and green layered stencil ink blending.

The Final Splash

With the main panel matted in orange, this card bursts with sunny energy—perfect for anyone’s birthday, no matter their age! The beachy vibe, vibrant colors, and postal elements make it a playful, happy way to celebrate.. ☀️📬✨

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Royal Inspiration: Playing Card-Themed Cards | Spellbinders

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Die-cut handmade cards featuring The Queen of Hearts and King of Hearts with a playing card theme. The dies are from Spellbinders Jack of All Trades Collection: Royal Court and Pip and Rank.

Welcome, welcome! Today, we’re diving into the world of handmade cards inspired by the regal charm of playing cards. Our stars of the show? The Queen of Hearts and King of Hearts, reimagined with a dreamy color palette of lavender, plum, and aqua. These cards are extra special because they’re personalized to look like my daughter and son-in-law, making them a true celebration of love and individuality. These cards are perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, or any occasion that calls for a touch of royal flair.

Key Products Used:

King and Queen of Hearts playing card theme die cut handmade cards. Wonderful customizable ideas for Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays and more.

These cards were so fun to make! You can personalize the peeps in so many different ways…favorite colors, hair and eye color, props….

I used Cardstock in the following colors: Passion Flower, Amethyst, Plum, Antique Ivory, Cup O Joe, Periwinkle and Meadow plus Brushed Gold accents.

Queen of Hearts: Elegance in Lavender

Queen of Hearts handmade card from Spellbinders Reversible Royal Court die set. Great for Birthdays, Anniveraries or Valentines Day.

This Queen of Hearts card is a tribute to my daughter, featuring elements that reflect her grace and personality.

King of Hearts: Bold and Regal

King of Hearts handmade card from Spellbinders Jack of All Trades Collection. Great masculine card for birthdays or Valentines.

Inspired by my son-in-law, this King of Hearts card brings a bold and charismatic vibe to the design.

Crafting these playing card-themed designs has been such a delightful journey of personalization and creativity. Whether you’re celebrating a couple you adore or channeling your own inner royalty, these projects are a great way to share the love. So, what will your Queen and King of Hearts look like?

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting

A Birthday Card Full of Whimsy: Winnie the Pooh and Piglet Scene

Karen Brown1 Comment
Whimsical blog post showing how I created a charming Winnie the Pooh (and Piglet too!) die cut birthday card from Spellbinders Classic Pooh Collection.

Sometimes, a handmade card can transport us to a place of pure nostalgia and joy. That’s exactly what this Winnie the Pooh-inspired birthday card does! With die cuts, soft ink blending, and a cheerful color palette, this whimsical creation captures a moment straight out of the Hundred Acre Wood.

Key Products Used:

You might also enjoy reading my recent post: Cozy Little Hello Cards with BetterPress | Winnie the Pooh Scene Cards.

A handmade Winnie the Pooh-inspired birthday card featuring Pooh and Piglet holding hands, an orange balloon, a honey pot, and a soft green grass background framed with a periwinkle postage stamp border.

Creating the Scene

This card brings to life a heartwarming scene of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet holding hands, walking side by side. The duo is accompanied by a playful orange balloon on a string, gently floating above. A honey pot rests on the ground, completing the sweet and simple vignette. The background features softly ink-blended green grass, framed by a charming postage stamp-style border in periwinkle blue, adding just the right touch of whimsy.

Techniques for Dimension and Charm

The die cuts are the stars of this card, and a touch of light ink blending adds depth and dimension to each element. Winnie the Pooh’s honey-colored body gets a subtle gradient to make him pop, while Piglet’s pink details are gently shaded for softness. The balloon shines bright in orange, with its string creating a delightful sense of movement.

The grass is ink blended in gentle greens, giving the scene a soft, storybook feel. Meanwhile, the periwinkle frame ties everything together with its postage stamp shape, reminiscent of a cherished letter from the Hundred Acre Wood.

Winnie the Pooh (and Piglet too!) handmade die cut birthday scene card in periwinkle blue, honey yellow and Piglet pink.

Why This Card is a Classic

This Pooh-themed birthday card is more than just a greeting; it’s a tiny piece of nostalgia wrapped in creativity. Perfect for anyone who loves the timeless tales of Winnie the Pooh, this card is sure to bring a smile to their face and a touch of magic to their special day.

Today’s card is for a friend’s birthday, but I think it would also be great as a Get Well Card.

Happy crafting and see ya next time!