Tag: Birthday Card

Cardmaking Kit · stitching · Tutorial

Spellbinders | Stitching Die of the Month | February 2024

Karen Brown1 Comment
Spellbinders Stitching Die of the Month Club Card - February 2024

Stitched Floral Focal Card Front

I am so excited about today’s share, Spellbinder’s Stitched Floral Card Front. I used the February Stitching Club Kit, which is beautiful, and I think the finished card is so very special. This card is going to one of my closest friends for her upcoming birthday.

This Floral Focal Stitched Kit is now available for puchase without a membership.

New members can sign up for clubs today!

Floral stitched card

My Stitching Process:

  • The kit has 5 dies and I started by cutting all my pieces. The flower center is pink, the flower is papaya, the background is waterfall and the overlay is blue. There is a lot of stitching this month, so I die cut all the elements twice and then glued them together for a sturdy substantial panel. This die cutting didn’t take long, but I think the extra effort was worth it. I recently purchased a Platinum 6 die cutting machine, and I have to say, I pull it out instead of my Gemini Junior. I wish I had bought one earlier.
  • Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE.
  • When I started stitching, I took two strands of floss, separated them one at a time, brought them together and then stroked and lengthened them until they seemed tame and ready to use. I used DMC Aqua 598, Orange 741 and Pink 818.
  • I like to use 1/8th inch double sided liner tape to attach my floss to the die cut.
  • Remember to keep your floss taught as you stitch.
  • When I move from one area to the next, I run the floss through the just finished stitched area to keep the thread secure. This gives a nice look on the finished project.
  • Don’t stitch with threads that are too long or they are likely to knot. 
  • When I was done, I added a bit of Bearly Glue to the ends so that they would stay in place.
Stitched card in aqua, blue, orange, yellow and pink.

A Few Notes About Spellbinders Club Kits

  • Clubs Preview on the 1st of each month.
  • Club members can cancel, upgrade or change clubs from the 1st-5th of each month. Popular Clubs frequently sell out during this period so club members get first dibs on everything.
  • NEW for 2024: Club Members get EARLY access to new releases on the 6th!
  • On the 6th, Clubs become available to non-members.
  • On the 27th, Club registration closes for the current month.
  • If a club did not sell out, you can buy under “Shop Past Clubs”. Past kits are available on the 10th of the FOLLOWING month.

Helpful Links:

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting · Stamping

Spellbinders | Simon Hurley’s Big Hugs 5 Ways

Karen BrownLeave a comment
3 Simon Hurley Big Pug Hugs Birthday Cards.

Can you have too many dog stamps? I think not! I am loving Spellbinders + Simon Hurley’s new Big Hugs stamp and die bundle. These cute critters – Pug dog, Panda bear and Zebra – are sure to be favorites in my family. I love this set so much I went a little crazy making cards! 

Pug Dog Masculine Birthday Cards

Spellbinders Big Hugs Pug Birthday Scene Card

My first card is for my husband and I wanted to make a quick little scene. I stamped and Copic colored my Pug (complete with a festive party hat), embossed a brick wall, ink blended a background and heat embossed a cute sentiment.

Products Used:

Simon Hurley's Big Hugs Pug Birthday Card

This card is for my dog loving son-in-law. I think the Pug stamp has so much personality!

Products Used:

Quick and Easy Stamped Get Well Card

Sending Pug Hugs Handmade Card

I like to keep Get Well cards on hand and this card is sure to make the recipient smile.  This card came together very quickly. I stamped and Copic colored my Pug and added a blue mat for interest. Just two Copic markers!

Products Used:

Simple Pug Dog and Panda Bear Cards

I heat embossed my last two cards. Quick and easy but the heat embossing adds so much interest. 

Two Easy Pug Dog and Panda Bear Cards with Minimal Supplies

I added a quick die cut party hat to this simple card.

Simple Heat Embossed Pug Dog Card

Easy Beginner One Layer Panda Bear Card

Easy One Layer Panda Bear Card

Products Used:

Thanks for stopping by! I’d love to know which card you like best.

Karen

Best Of · cardmaking · Die cutting

Spellbinders | Best Cards of 2023

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Best Spellbinders Cards of 2023

I enjoy looking back through my projects, and as we end the year, I wanted to write a post about my most popular Spellbinders cards. I loved so many of my creations, but these are the crowd favorites for 2023.

Fan Favorite 2023 Card

By far, my most popular card on Instagram, Pinterest and my blog was this pink Be Bold Blooms Hello card. I wrote a blog post on how to use this kit three ways, and all the cards were well received. You can read my original post HERE.

Be Bold Blooms Hello Card

Products Used:

Simon Hurley’s Snow Globe Christmas Card

Best Christmas Card

My most popular Christmas card in 2023 was my Simon Hurley teal Snow Globe. I call it a CAS Die Cut Card….limited color palette but high visual impact. You can read my original post HERE.

Products Used:

Awesome Oval Shaped Cards

Best Shaped Card

Shaped dies can really change the look of your cards and projects so I loved Spellbinders Stylish Ovals Collection. You can see 4 cards I created with this collection HERE.

Products Used:

Unique Bow Shaped Card

Best Card for Female Friends

This giant die cut bow kit was one of my favorite releases this year! So versatile…..perfect for the holidays, birthdays, showers, graduation etc. You can read my original post HERE.

Products Used:

I’d like to wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Hero Arts | December 2023 My Monthly Hero Release Blog Hop

Karen Brown31 Comments
Hero Arts | December 2023 My Monthly Hero Release Blog Hop + Alphabet Cover Die

Hello My Monthly Hero lovers and welcome to the December 2023 Release Hop and Giveaway! I am excited about this month’s kit….so much wonderfulness! December’s theme is the Alphabet (Classic) and Numbers (Premium).

Classic Kit Contents ($81 Value for $36.99)

• XL Alphabet Clear Stamp Set, 8″ x 10″
• Alphabet Cover Plate Die
• 10 Pack of Watercolor Pencils
• 6 Sheets of Luxe White Watercolor Paper, 8.5″ x 11″
• Water Flow Brush

Premium Kit Contents: ($112 Value for $49.99)

• XL Alphabet Clear Stamp Set, 8″ x 10″
• Numbers Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″
• Alphabet Cover Plate Die
• 10 Pack of Watercolor Pencils
• 6 Sheets of Luxe White Watercolor Paper, 8.5″ x 11″
• Water Flow Brush
• Fineline Applicator
• Sea Salt Reactive Ink Reinker
• Gold Glimmer Metallic Ink

Subscribe and Save!

You can see the entire December Collection HERE.

I love them both, but this post is about the Classic Kit plus a very fun Add-On product. I am sharing three different cards with three very different looks today.

Inlay Diecutting with the Alphabet Plate Cover Die

Inlay diecutting with Hero Arts Alphabet Die Cover Plate.

This card might look difficult, but it all came together in one hour. I started by die cutting the alphabet 5 times from different colors of cardstock: Papaya, Kiwi, Passion Flower, Dove White and Granite. I saved the white die cuts to use on a future project, and then attached the white background to an A2 cardbase. Next, I laid out the letters until I had the colors where I wanted them. With the layout done, the gluing went very quickly. I added a simple heat embossed sentiment from Hero Art’s Message Strips Stamp and Cut XL (DC286). I love the bright simplicity of this card.

A bonus is that I have TONs of leftover die-cut letters to use on future projects! It is such a time saver to be able to cut 26 letters with one pass of the diecutting machine.

Colorful Die Cut Alphabet Letters

Add-On: Sparkling Fireworks Bold Prints (CG925)

Hero Arts Sparkling Fireworks Bold Prints (CG925) Graduation Card

When I saw this background stamp, I immediately thought “CELEBRATION” and decided it would be so fun for a graduation card. I went with a festive vintage vibe. After using a bit of anti-static powder, I stamped the Sparkling Fireworks Bold Prints with Clear Embossing and Watermark Ink onto a panel of Paradise Cardstock. I sprinkled on Iridescent Copper Embossing Powder and heat set. Next, I blended some Paradise Core Ink onto the panel with a blending brush. The sentiment is from Message Basics and Message Strips Stamp and Cut XL (DC286). I wanted to add a bit more grunge so I added Clear Embossing and Watermark Ink to the edges of the background and sentiments, drug them through Copper Embossing Powder and heat set. I added the background to an A2 cardbase and used foam adhessive for the sentiment.

Heat Embossing with Copper Embossing Powder

Easy Stamped & Copic Colored Card

Easy Stamped & Copic Colored Card with Hero Arts Alphabet Stamps and images.

There is something so therapeutic about covering a card front with stamps and then coloring them in. My daughter was so captivated by the XL Alphabet Clear Stamps that she created two fun word signs with images for her office.

GIVEAWAY:

We will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, December 10th at 11:59pm Pacific, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.

BLOG HOP:

The Hop starts at Hero Arts!

You likely arrived from Jennifer Kotas.

Your next stop is Pocono Pam.

Here is a list of the entire Hop:

Hero Arts

Natasha Vacca

Lydia Fiedler

Heather Ruwe

Seeka

Jeannie Lieu

Jennifer Kotas

Karen Brown

Pocono Pam

Channin Pelletier

Michelle Short

Rosie Lopez

Mindy Eggen

Natasha Polite

Charlene Madrid

Ilina Crouse

Rachel Kleinman

EssieKelly Taylor
Emily Midgett

I am so glad you could join us for this hop

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Spellbinders | All Occasion Bow | New and Unique Die Cut Card

Karen Brown1 Comment
Spellbinders All Occasion Bow die cut card.

I love versatile supplies in my craft room and Spellbinders just released a lovely All Occasion Bow etched die kit that is perfect for so many occasions. The bow is part of the beautiful Merry & Bright Collection but I will also be using it on Birthday, Wedding/Shower and Graduation cards.

Spellbinders Merry & Bright Die Cut Bow + Petite Blooms and Sentiments

My Card Process:

  • My first step is usually color selection. I have a Christmas paper sampler pack (see note below) that I thought would work beautifully for this project so I chose aqua, teal, pinks and greens from this pad.
  • I divided the All Occasion Bow dies into two piles. The bottom layers were all cut from teal and the top “highlight” die cuts were from aqua. Once I organized my dies between bottom (teal) and “highlights”, I didn’t need to think about which color paper to use and the die-cutting went very quickly.
  • I assembled my bow with foam adhessive squares, and then decided I wanted to anchor the bow with a focal point label. Spellbinders/Simon Hurley have a beautiful Playful Poinsettia Embossing Folder that I embossed and then die cut using a retired Ornamental Labels Die. This nesting die set has an interesting shape and I love the subtle interest this step adds to my card. I glued this die cut and embossed label (using craft foam and Bearly Glue) to a white A2 Top Folding Card Base.
  • Now that the basics were done, I wanted to embellish my bow with floral elements and a tag sentiment. I used Spellbinders Petite Blooms and Sentiments, which is also from the Merry & Bright Collection. I especially love the “For You” etched tag die! I like to die cut lots of elements and then I sit down and play around with different layouts. I added some enamel dots for flower centers. For the bow, I wanted to add pops of color but the bow is so beautiful I didn’t want to cover too much either. Its always a balance, isn’t it?
Spellbinders All Occasion die cut Bow + Petite Blooms and Sentiments

Products Used:

I am not an affiliate of Simon Says Stamp, but I bought the paper (Candy Christmas) I used there and I am providing a link HERE.

See ya next time!

Karen

Interested in more…You can also find me at these spots too:

@karens_mini on Instagram

Pinterest: @karenabrown

FaceBook: Karens_Mini

YouTube: Karen Brown

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cardmaking · Mixed Media · papercrafting

Super Easy Cut Collage Birthday Cards | Minimal Supplies Needed

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Cut Shapes Paper Collage Birthday Cards

Hello, I have a super quick post today sharing two fun collage birthday cards that I created by cutting wonky shapes from paper. So easy, anyone can make them and they require minimal supplies. I think they are so cheerful and happy.

I started by going through my acrylic gel press and scraped scraps but you could just as easily use ready made paper. I picked out some melon (just made these for my last post on covering journal covers: read HERE), green, blue and gray. After I was done sorting I decided to add some red to the mix too. I then cut out silly whimsical shapes and glued them onto an A2 notecard. I handlettered a quick sentiment to complete the card. Nothing precise or perfect here!

Easy DIY collage style birthday card made by cutting shapes from colored paper.

Now that I see card #2 finished, I think it has a real Eric Carle vibe.

Supplies:

  • Colored Paper or Mixed Media Scraps
  • Scissors
  • Glue (I used UHU stic glue)
  • Card Base
  • Black pen (for sentiment)

I found this cardmaking session very satisfying. What do you think? Would you try this?

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Waffle Flowers | Flourish Panel Cover Die 2 Ways

Karen Brown2 Comments
Waffle Flower Crafts Flourish Panel Die: Cards Two Ways

Rainbow colors in cardmaking are always a good idea! I recently received a new cover die from Waffle Flower Crafts called Flourish Panel and it is a real beauty! I couldn’t decide whether to have the rainbow panel on the top layer or below the lattice so I opted to do it both ways. I still can’t choose which way I like it better. What do you think…..I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

How To Add Dimension on Die-Cut Cards

Waffle Flower Flourish Panel + Using inexpensive Crayola Watercolors in Cardmaking

I have step-by-step directions (with process photos) below. On one card I die-cut the watercolor panel and on the second card I used the rainbow colors as a background.

Waffle Flower Crafts Flourish Panel Die + Print and Script Happy Birthday Sentiment dies.

Cardmaking Tutorial: How I Made These Two Die Cut Cards

Step 1: Make Your Rainbow Watercolor Panel. Today, I used watercolors for my colorful focal point. On the panel with the rainbow on the top layer, I used Kuretake Watercolors to blend a rainbow. I went over the watercolor panel twice to get an intense color. On the second, panel, I used inexpensive Crayola Watercolors and it worked beautifully! You could also ink blend your background.

Step 2: Die-cut your top layer with Waffle Flowers Flourish Panel Die. I have an electric Gemini Junior die-cutting machine that I used.

Step 3: You could stop die-cutting here, but I wanted a lot of dimension, so I die cut two additional panels so I could stack my layers.

Step 4: Glue Your Layers Together. Using Bearly Glue, I glued three lattice layers together for a substantial top panel. Be sure to weight them down after gluing so they stay nice and flat. I have a large acrylic block that I use. I also adhered the layers to an A2 Top-folding card.

Step 5: Add A Sentiment. I always need Birthday Cards so I used Waffle Flowers new Print and Script Birthday Sentiment Dies. I love that they come with both a cursive and block font with coordinating shadow dies. I cut the sentiments from white cardstock and the shadows from Navy.

Now I have two bright cheerful birthday cards to share.

Products Used:

cardmaking · Hot Foiling

Spellbinders | Glimmer Cardfront Birthday Sentiments 6 Ways

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Spellbinders Glimmer Cardfront Birthday Sentiment handmade card in Rainbow Hot Foil

Making Your Own Backgrounds with Rainbow Strips of Cardstock

Big bold sentiments can really add a lot of impact to your cards, so I was so excited to see Spellbinders new Glimmer Cardfront Sentiment Collection. Today, I am sharing 6 different glimmer hot foil birthday cards featuring the Best Wishes on Your Birthday Foil Plate.

I love bright colored cards so I started with Rainbow Hot Foil and then created coordinating backgrounds made of colorful strips of cardstock. The sentiment panel was die cut using Stylish Oval Nesting Dies. For card #1, I used a paper trimmer to cut fifteen 1/4″ strips of cardstock. Next, I applied a tape runner over a cardstock panel and then adhered the cardstock strips in rainbow order. Surprisingly, this is actually fast and easy to do.

PRO TIP: To assemble my card, I used craft foam and liquid glue to add a layer of dimension under both the background and sentiment panel. On many projects I prefer craft foam to foam tape. With craft foam and glue, I can slide my element and make micro-adjustments for perfect placement.

Don’t you just love the shine and shimmer?

How to make your own Make Your Own Backgrounds with Rainbow Strips of Cardstock

For card #2, I used my paper trimmer to cut six 1/2″ strips of colored cardstock and then I cut five 1/8″ strips of white cardstock. I think the white dividers really brighten up the look! I again used a tape runner to adhere the white and colored strips to the background. For the second card, I used gold foil and and then matted the sentiment with brushed gold cardstock.

Spellbinders Glimmer Cardfront Birthday Sentiments 6 Ways

Using Printed Designer Paper for Quick and Easy Cards

These fun foiled sentiments do all the heavy lifting so it is easy to quickly make cards using printed designer paper for the background. Spellbinders Cheerful Occasions pad (I think this pad sold out) has such fun designs and I used the papers on the backgrounds of cards #3, #5 and #6.

Using Printed Designer Paper for Quick and Easy Cards + Spellbinders Glimmer Cardfront Sentiments hot foiling

Reverse Foiling | Using the Glimmer Hot Foil Negative Space for 2 For 1 Cards

I hated to throw away the foil after I created the cards above, so I created 2nd bonus cards with the leftover foil. The result is so bright and eyecatching! Card #3 uses the negative from the Rainbow Foil.

I cranked up the heat and time and ran the “foil negative” through a second time using a solid foil plate. I used the highest heat setting for 1 minute and got a beautiful result.

PRO TIP: There is a thin protective layer on top of the foil that I peeled off after my card was finished. I kept the foil covered (with the clear protective layer) during assembly to prevent scratches on the foil.

Using the Glimmer Hot Foil Negative Space for 2 For 1 Cards + Spellbinders Glimmer Cardfront Sentiments

Card #5 uses designer paper paired with the negative from the gold foil.

Quick and Easy DIY glimmer hot foil cards.

My final card pairs designer paper, black foil plus I added a second mat die cut from velum. The velum mat is subtle but very pretty.

Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil Cardfront Sentiments Birthday Card

Products Used:

Do you have a favorite? I’d love for you to tell me in the comments.

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Spellbinders | Floral Reflections Collection

Karen Brown3 Comments
Spellbinders Sealed Wildflower Die kit for clean and simple die cut cards.

Sealed Wildflower Die Kit (S4-1255)

I am so happy you stopped by! Spellbinders new Floral Reflections Collection is live and I LOVE how fresh the collection is. I made two cheerful cards, one for a friend’s birthday the second is ready to send for a get well.

Spellbinders Sealed Wildflower Kit S4-1255 die cut card.

For my first card, I used the Sealed Wildflower die kit (S4-1255). I felt like clean and simple was the way to showcase these lovely die cuts so I selected Waterfall cardstock for my backdrop. I kept my color palette simple: aqua, melon, dark green and white and added coordinating enamel dots to my flower centers. My sentiment was hot foiled and die cut using GLP-260: Mini Everyday Sentiments. Using an A2 top folding card base, I added my waterfall panel with craft foam for a bit of dimension.

Spellbinders "Sealed Wildflower" kit (S4-1255) on a die cut handmade card in aqua, white and orange.

Flower Frenzy Embossing Folder (E3D-048)

I adore the lovely texture on the new Flower Frenzy Embossing Folder (E3D-048). I embossed a panel of Waterfall cardstock and then die cut a tag. I die cut a second tag in white which acts as a shadow backdrop.

All I needed was one sweet grouping of flowers to embellish the tag and I again used the Sealed Wildflowers die kit. My base is an A2 top folding card and then I added a kraft background mat and enamel dots to the flower centers and mounted my tags using foam tape for dimension.

I love the texture that the embossing folder adds to the card, but by using a tag, the overall feel is still clean and simple.

Flower Frenzy Embossing Folder (E3D-048) die cut handmade embossed tag and card in aqua, orange and kraft.

I like to keep Get Well cards on hand so they are ready to send when the need arises. This card is in my desk drawer ready to go.

Embossing tags for handmade cards.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at my die cut cards.

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Spellbinders | November 2022 Club Kits

Karen Brown3 Comments
Spellbinders November 2022 Small Die of the Month Kit: Layered Floral Card Creator handmade card.

Spellbinders Small Die of the Month Kit: November 2022

The November Spellbinders kits are GORGEOUS and I am excited to show you the cards that I made! I used the Small Die of the Month Club Kit called Layered Floral Card Creator on my first two cards.

Spellbinders Small Die of the Month: November 2022 Club kit (Layered Floral Card Creator) handmade card.

For Card #1, I used the leafy background plus flowers to make a high contrast showy birthday card. I started by cutting the background twice from dark green cardstock. I found that if I started at the bottom stem and then worked my way up, the two panels glued together seemlessly.

The die cuts are quite bold so I wanted the sentiment to be large too. I stamped my sentiment on a Top Folding A2 cardbase and then glued my die cuts to the panel with liquid glue. This card has a definite “wow” factor but it came together very quickly.

Layered Floral Card Creator: Spellbinders November 2022 Small Die Club Kit handmade card.

Spellbinders Embossing Folder of the Month: November 2022

Spellbinders November 2022 Club Kit Cards.

For my second card I used the Small Die of the Month along with the Embossing Folder of the Month (Fan Motif). I die cut a circle from a panel of Waterfall cardstock and then ran it through my embossing machine along with the Fan Motif embossing folder. The embossing looks great…very crisp and textured.

I then die-cut and assembled my flowers (Small Die of the Month) and added some greenery from Stitched Ornament (S4-1231), which was released earlier this year. I used the same bold sentiment as in card 1. I wanted lots of dimension on this card, so I adhered the embossed panel to the A2 card base with foam tape.

Spellbinders November 2022 Embossing Folder of the Month: Fan Motif handmade card.

Spellbinders Large Die of the Month: November 2022

Spellbinders November 2022 Large Die of the Month Club Kit (Sylized Floral Kaleidoscope Slimline) handmade card.

Stylized Floral Kaleidoscope Slimline

The Large Die of the Month, Stylized Floral Kaleidoscope Slimline, is a real beauty! I started by die cutting the background trellis, sentiment, flowers (APG Petite Floral Potpourri) and greenery (leaf included in this kit + Stitched Ornament (S4-1231), from white cardstock. Then, using Spellbinders paper, I chose three shades for each medallion: saffron, terra cotta, poppy; peridot, fern and deep green; and waterfall, teal topaz and lagoon. I assembled my card and added some coordinating enamel dots.

Clean and Simple die cut masculine card using Spellbinders November 2022 Large Die of the Month club kit.

I also wanted to make some masculine cards, and I thought clean and simple window cards would be perfect. Using Stylized Floral Kaleidoscope Slimline, I made one card in blue (window only) and one in green (with a trellis backdrop). These were quick and easy to make but they are so eye-catching! I really like the sentiment that is included with this kit…I used it on all three cards.

Masculine die cut hexagon birthday card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen