Tag: Blog Hop

2 reading theme handmade cards created with Hero Arts November 2025 Card Kits. One More Chapter! Hero Arts November 2025 Release + Blog Hop
Cardmaking Kit · Give Away · papercrafting

One More Chapter! Hero Arts November 2025 Release + Blog Hop

Karen Brown15 Comments
Book theme cards created with the November 2025 Hero Arts Hero Studio Card Kits.

Hello, Karen Brown here — and I am curling up with a good card kit! The November Hero Studio Release is a dream come true for book lovers. This month’s theme, “One More Chapter,” celebrates cozy reading nooks, favorite stories, and the joy of escaping into a good book.

Even better, there’s a Hero Arts Blog Hop to celebrate — and prizes! So grab a cup of tea (or coffee), and come along for some page-turning inspiration.

Die-cut handmade scene card featuring a girl reading a book framed with a postage stamp border and scripty hello sentiment

📖 Card 1: My Happy Place

For my first project, I used the “Happy Place” die set from the November Card Kit of the Month to create a cozy die-cut scene.

Picture this: a girl tucked in with her favorite book, surrounded by soft periwinkle blue and warm orange tones. The card has a charming, feminine feel — like a Saturday morning spent lost in a good story.

I framed the scene with the Nesting Postage Stamp Dies to give it that “happy mail” vibe and added a sweet scripty Hello from the Fancy Die Book Bag set.

This one’s heading to a book club friend who, like me, can never resist reading just one more chapter!

Handmade book theme scene card created with Hero Arts November 2025 Card Kit. Colors are periwinkle blue, orange and brown.

What’s Included in the Kit?


                       • To Be Read Pile 4×6 Clear Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies
                       • Happy Place Die Set
                       • Professional Bookworm 3×4 Stamp & Cut
                       • Gold Hero Wax, 1 oz.
                       • 10 Sheets of Cardstock- 1 of each color, 5.5″ x 8.5″

>>> Receive a FREE Do Not Disturb Stamp and Cut  when you purchase The Whole Studio!

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

Card 2: Escaping Reality One Page at a Time

Bold die cut and stamped typographic card spelling “JOY” with the O as a stamped oval reading “Escaping Reality One Page at a Time,” layered over a blue checkerboard background.

Next, I pulled out the Stamp & Cut of the Month: One Page at a Time. I love this set — it’s perfect for pairing bold typography with clever bookish sentiments.

I stamped the oval sentiment “Escaping Reality One Page at a Time” and used it as the O in my big JOY design. Then I die cut a bold J and Y from the Letter Fancy Die sets (J–N and W–Z) in bright orange, adding white shadows behind them to tie in the stamped oval.

The letters are large, 2 1/2″, creating a bold and dynamic visual card.

Stamped and die cut reading theme card created with Hero Arts November 2025 Stamp and Cut Kit called "One Page at a Time".

For the background, I created a tone-on-tone checkerboard using the November Cling of the Month — stamped Cornflower ink on Periwinkle cardstock for a crisp, graphic finish.

The result? A bold, cheerful, and clever card that feels fresh and literary — perfect for your favorite reader.

JOY sentiment card created using Hero Arts large alphabet Letter Fancy Dies with blue and orange color palette.

GIVEAWAY 

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Wednesday, November 5th at 11:59pm PT, 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
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
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka
Nichol Spohr

💡 Final Thoughts

I adore how all the November Hero Studio kits coordinate beautifully — from cozy die-cut scenes to playful sentiments and graphic backgrounds. Whether you love to stamp, die cut, or mix both, this release has something for every creative reader at heart.

And if you’re tempted by all the coordinating goodness, consider the Whole Studio Bundle — it’s a $240 value for just $130. That’s a deal worth bookmarking!

You might also want to take a peek at Past Club Kits that are still available.

Hero Arts September 2025 Card Kit Inspirational cards. Hero Arts September 2025 Club Kit Release: Fall into Fall
Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting

Hero Arts September 2025 Club Kit Release: Fall into Fall

Karen Brown18 Comments
Two fun homemade cards created with the September 2025 Hero Studio card kit and Fancy Dies Kits.

Hello friends! It’s time for the Hero Arts September Club Kit Release, and this month’s theme is Fall into Fall. 🍁 Autumn crafting is one of my very favorite seasons, and this release is packed with stamps, dies, and sentiments perfect for cozy, colorful cardmaking. I have two very different projects to share with you today—one-layer stamping and coloring, and a layered die cut scene—that both capture the warmth of fall.

Card 1: One-Layer Stamped + Colored Fall Scene

One-layer fall card featuring stamped and colored pumpkins, mushrooms, acorns, and leaves with the sentiment “Fall is my Favorite Color” created with Hero Arts September 2025 Card Kit of the Month. Embellished with enamel dots.

The September Card Kit includes gorgeous fall imagery: pumpkins, acorns, mushrooms, leaves, and more. I wanted to let the stamps take center stage, so I designed a one-layer background that doubles as the focal point.

I stamped a scattering of pumpkins, mushrooms, and leaves across a white card panel, then brought them to life with alcohol marker coloring in classic fall hues:

  • Oranges and yellows for pumpkins
  • Warm tans and browns for acorns
  • Fresh greens, yellows and oranges for leaves

The finishing touch is the sentiment, “Fall is My Favorite Color,” stamped boldly in black. A few enamel dots (also included in the kit!) add just the right amount of shine.

This card is simple, flat, and easy to mail—but still rich in detail and warmth.

Hero Studio September 2025 stamped one layer card featuring alcohol marker colored pumpkins, fall leaves, acorns and mushrooms + a few enamel dot embellishments.

What’s Included in the September Card Kit?

  • Fall is my Favorite 6×8 Stamp Set
  • Fall is my Favorite Coordinating Dies
  • Treehouse Die Set
  • Sunset Enamel Dots
  • Brown Twine, 1 yard
  • 10 Sheets of Cardstock- 1 of each color, 5.5″ x 8.5″ (Truffle, Merlot, Cinnamon, Terra Cotta, Carrot, Coral, Bellini, Beeswax, Saffron, Tuscan)

Receive a FREE adorable Cozy Kitty Die Set when you purchase The Whole Studio!

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

🦊🐻 Card 2: Cozy Critters Fancy Die Scene

Adorable die cut scene card featuring an adorable brown bear and red fox snuggling in a brass bed with their stuffed animals. Created with the Hero Arts September 2025 Fancy Die Kit of the Month: Cozy Critters.

Next, I dove into the September Fancy Dies: Cozy Critters. This set has my heart! I created a cozy little bedtime scene featuring a brown bear and an orange fox tucked into a brass bed with a green quilt.

  • The bear is snuggling with a little stuffed duck.
  • The fox is holding the sweetest bunny.

The scene is playful, heartwarming, and perfect for fall—but I think it would also make an adorable Valentine’s Day card!

Die cut scene card featuring a brown bear and orange fox tucked into a brass bed with a green quilt. Bear snuggles a duck, fox holds a bunny. Sentiment “Wishing You a Cozy Fall” with a subtle stenciled wallpaper background.

The sentiment, “Wishing You a Cozy Fall,” comes from the September Clear Stamp & Cut Set and fits perfectly with the theme. For the background, I added a touch of subtle pattern using the Retro Rainbow Stencil with Contour Ink. The soft “wallpaper” design adds depth without competing with the cozy critters in bed.

Love this die set? I have another adorable creation that you can see HERE.

Charming Die Cut Scene card featuring cozy die cut critters from the September Hero Studio Club Kits.

Blog Hop

Hero Arts is celebrating this release with a Blog Hop full of inspiration from the creative team. Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Friday, September 5th at 11:59pm PT, 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 Creative Team:
Anna Mahtani
Channin Pelletier
Charlene Madrid
Jeannie Lieu
Jennifer Kotas
Karen Brown You Are Here!
Lea Lawson
Lisa Tilson
Michelle Lupton
Michelle Short
Mindy Eggen
Natasha Polite
Nichol Spohr
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · Stenciling

Hero Arts August 2025 | Light-Up Tags + Crystal Ball

Karen Brown20 Comments
Handmade Halloween tag with layered colorful tags, white heat embossed spider web on black cardstock, lit up with a hidden light, and “Boo to You” sentiment.

The Hero Arts August 2025 Release is here, and it’s packed with creative possibilities—from interactive Halloween tags to dreamy stenciled scenes and mystical vibes. I had so much fun with these kits and created two very different but equally inspiring projects.

>>>> Hero Arts Club Kits Overview <<<<

🕷️ Project 1: Light-Up Spider Web Halloween Tag – August Card Kit

Let’s start with a spooky showstopper! This interactive Halloween tag uses elements from the August Hero Arts Card Kit, including the spider web stamp and Press One Light that lights up the tag.

Here’s how it came together:

  • I white heat embossed the spider web on black cardstock, die cut it, and positioned one of the included Press One Lights behind the center.
  • When you press the hidden button—the web lights up! 🕸️✨
  • I layered two tags using the Nesting Tag Dies:
    • The top tag is watercolor paper with Yellow and Orange Liquid Watercolors—so vibrant and bold!
    • The bottom tag is purple cardstock with a Hero Transfer from Collage Backgrounds 2—the script texture gives a haunting Halloween vibe.

I finished it off with a heat-embossed “Boo to You” sentiment from the kit and a touch of black hemp cord. This tag is spooky, clever, and totally kid-approved.

Hero Studio light up Halloween spider web tag created with the August 2025 Card Kit, including the Pear Blossom Press One Light.

What’s Included in the August Card Kit?

  • Abraham and Katrina 6×8 Stamp Set (used on tag)
  • Abraham and Katrina Coordinating Die (used on tag)
  • Stamping Guide for stamp set
  • Victorian Frame Die Set (used on card 2)
  • Pear Blosson Press-One Light 2 Pack (used on tag)
  • 10 Sheets of Cardstock- 1 of each color, 5.5″ x 8.5″ (Cinnamon, Terra Cotta, Carrot, Coral, Bellini, Tuscan, Mint, Waterfall, Blue Spruce, Raven)
  • Holographic Rainbow Film, 1 sheet – 5.5″ x 8.5″
  • Acetate, 1 sheet – 5.5″ x 8.5″ (used on card 3)

Receive a FREE Magic Mist Stencil when you purchase The Whole Studio!

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

Project 2: Crystal Ball Magic – August Stamp & Cut: You Are Magic

Card featuring a die cut crystal ball made from ink smooshed background and acetate layer, with the sentiment “You Are Magic” over a tone-on-tone mini rainbow background stenciled in teal and aqua shades.

This second card leans into the magical vibes with the new You Are Magic Stamp & Cut. The crystal ball die is the star here!

  • I used a leftover ink smoosh background scrap in soft blues and aquas to simulate swirling crystal magic. You can read my Ink Smoosh Tutorial HERE.
  • I die cut a circle of acetate (included in my August Card Kit of the Month) and layered it on top for a glassy, dimensional effect.
  • The sentiment “You Are Magic” is stamped and layered over the crystal ball.

For the background, I used Oceanside ColorWheel Cardstock and the Retro Rainbow Stencil from last month’s Retro Kitchen Release. I went for a tone-on-tone look using:

Mounted on an aqua card base with a few black enamel dots, this card feels subtle, sparkly, and just a little bit mystical and mysterious.

Hero Studio Blog Hop

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Leave a comment on all stops for more chances to win!


Hero Arts
Nichol Spohr
Seeka
Rosie Lopez
Rachel Kleinman
Natasha Polite
Mindy Eggen
Michelle Short
Michelle Lupton
Lisa Tilson
Karen Brown
Jennifer Kotas
Jeannie Lieu
Charlene Madrid
Channin Pelletier
Anna Mahtani

Handmade card created from the Hero Studio August 2025 Stamp and Cut "You Are Magic" kit.

From light-up tags to dreamy stenciling and crystal energy, the August kits are perfect for stretching your creativity into fall. Which kit are you reaching for first?

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting

Hit the Road with Hero Arts! July 2025 Club Kits Blog Hop

Karen Brown20 Comments
3 fun summery cards for Hero Studio July 2025 in aqua blue, orange and white color palettes.

Pack your crafty bags, because this month Hero Arts is taking us on a road trip! I’m thrilled to be part of the July 2025 Club Kit Blog Hop where we celebrate this month’s travel-inspired theme. The kits are full of scenic surprises, clever sentiments, and summery fun—and I’m here to show you four creative ways to use them.

>>>> Hero Arts Club Kits Overview <<<<

You might also be interested in my VIDEO using the July Layering Stencil Kit.

Card 1: Desert Dreams Heroscape

Road trip Heroscape card with a winding desert road, blue sky, and “just keep going” sentiment.

I started with the Card Kit of the Month, which features a stunning “On the Road” Heroscape. Imagine a desert road winding into the distance with low-slung mountains and a bright blue sky. These Heroscapes are layered stamps that create dimension and realism with every step.

I kept the palette natural and sun-drenched, and chose the sentiment “just keep going” — a perfect message for road trips and life journeys alike. Heroscapes are always crowd-pleasers and this one is no exception!

Layer stamp Heroscape of a winding road through the desert mountains from the July 2025 Hero Studio Card Kit of the Month.

What’s Inside the July 2025 Hero Studio Card Kit?

  • On the Road HeroScape Coordinating Dies
  • On the Road HeroScape 6×8 Stamp Set
  • Let’s Go Die Set
  • Pine Core Ink Cube
  • 10 Sheets of Cardstock (1 of each color), 5.5″ x 8.5″ (Sicily, Coral, Bellini, Waterfall, Teal Topaz, Blue Spruce, Peridot, Beeswax, Saffron, Carrot) These are some of my absolute favorite cardstock colors and I used Carrot and Teal Topaz on two cards below.
  • Mirror Paper, 1 sheet – 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.

Receive a FREE Everything’s Pine stamp & die set when you purchase The Whole Studio!

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

Cards 2 & 3: Cobblestone Courtyard Two-Fer

2-Fer cards using Hero Arts Cobblestone Courtyard Cling Background Stamp in aqua blue with white heat embossing, die cut hearts and scripty hello sentiment.

Next up is what may be my favorite Cling of the Month EVER: Cobblestone Courtyard. This rubber background stamp is a pattern of concentric circles that looks like a cozy plaza or mosaic.

Aqua blue and white heat embossed and ink-blended Cobblestone Courtyard background card with die cut heart window and a scripty orange “hello” sentiment..

For my first card, I stamped it in Unicorn White Pigment Ink and heat embossed with White Embossing Powder on Bristol Smooth cardstock. Then I ink blended over the top using Blue Raspberry ink to create a vibrant turquoise and white background. I polished the embossing with a microfiber cloth, and the crisp, clean results had me swooning.

I couldn’t resist making a “two-fer”: I die cut a heart (from the Heart Infinity Die set) from the center of the panel and inset a scripty “hello” from the Fancy Die Kit: Mix Tape using Carrot cardstock.

Bright summery hello card with layered die cut hearts, scripty hello sentiment, and turquoise, white and orange color palette.

For the second card, I used the leftover heart die cut and layered it over a Teal Topaz heart, then a smaller white heart, and finally topped it with the turquoise Cobblestone heart. Another “hello” sentiment (this time in Woodland cardstock) finishes the look. The swooping tails of the sentiment are so charming! Two cards with a fresh, summery vibe!

📼 Card 4: Mix Tape Magic

Summery aqua ink smoosh card background with a die cut retro cassette tape and scripty hello background.

For my final card, I had fun with the Fancy Die of the Month: Mix Tape. This playful set includes a cassette tape die with the word “hello” cleverly shaped from the tape itself. I used this hello sentiment on three of my cards today.

I placed the cassette on a handmade ink-smooshed background using Blue Raspberry, Splash, and Pool Party inks. I wanted my background to look like a shimmery swimming pool. Want to try ink smooshing? Here’s how:

Ink Smooshing Quick Steps Tutorial:

  • I liberally inked a 6×6″ acrylic block with Blue Raspberry, Pool Party and Splash inks. This is the panel I used for my background.
  • I spritzed the ink with water and “smooshed” the block onto a piece of watercolor paper
  • I weighted the inked block with a book for 5 minutes
  • I uncovered my panel.  If the ink pooled, I dabbed with a paper towel.
  • I made a “second generation” panel for a future project by taking a piece of Bristol Cardstock and soaking up the excess ink on my work space. So this is another Two-Fer!
Retro cassette tape card with ink-smooshed blue background and whimsical “hello” shaped like audio tape.

The retro vibe of the tape plus the dreamy summer colors made this card a total blast to create.

You might be interested in another popular Ink Smooshing post I wrote.

GIVEAWAY 

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Saturday, July 5th at 11:59pm PT, 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
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka
Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Lea Lawson
Sheri Gilson

🚗 Final Thoughts

Whether you love to layer, emboss, smoosh or die cut, the July 2025 Hero Arts Club Kits have something inspiring for every type of cardmaker. Don’t forget to follow along the Blog Hop to see even more road trip-ready inspiration. Thanks for stopping by—and remember: Just keep going!

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 Kit · Die cutting · Rainbow Colors

Hero Studio | February Release and Blog Hop

Karen Brown9 Comments

Hello, crafty friends! It’s time to shake off those winter blues as we play with the new Hero Studio February Release!

Smile, It’s a Beautiful World

Bright and colorful handmade card with repeating die-cut 'smile' sentiments in rainbow colors, topped with a heat-embossed sentiment."

For my first card, I used the Hero Studio February 2025 Card Kit of the Month, which is packed with fabulous sentiments. My design features repeating die-cut “smile” sentiments in a rainbow of colors, arranged in perfect rainbow order.

How I Made This Repeating Die Cut Sentiment Card:

  • Each sentiment was die cut three times per color, stacked, and glued together for added dimension and impact.
  • I used my favorite Hero Hues Cardstock Colors: Ultra Pink, Papaya, Kiwi, Bermuda, Paradise, Peacock, Amethyst and Cherry.
  • I found the card layout worked best by gluing in the following order: pink, lime, orange, peacock, paradise, bermuda, red, amethyst.
  • To complete the design, I added a heat-embossed sentiment that reads “It’s a beautiful world”, which is also included in this month’s kit. The result is a bright and happy card that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face
Bright colorful die-cut handmade card created with the February 2025 Hero Studio Card Kit.

What’s Inside the February 2025 Hero Studio Card Kit?

February 2025 Card Kit of the Month: Tulips            
               • Tulip HeroScapes Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8”
               • Circling Clouds Cling Stamp, 6″x 6″
               • Messages Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″
               • 7 Tulip HeroScape Coordinating Dies
               • 4 Word Fancy Dies with Frame Cuts
               • 5 Messages Coordinating Dies
               • 4 Ink Cubes (Thistle, Azalea, Moss, Blue Raspberry

Rainbow color-themed sentiment card showcasing stacked die-cut 'smile' sentiments on a crisp white card.

February 2025 Hero Studio Kits:

The Whole Studio includes ALL 5 of the monthly subscriptions in one discounted bundle. Cling of the Month, Clear + Dies of the Month, Layering Stencil of the Month, Fancy Dies of the Month, and the Card Kit of the Month.

This month, receive a FREE adorable “bug” die set when you purchase The Whole Studio!

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

A Planter Full of Blooming Delight!

handmade die-cut planter box card featuring wisteria, daffodils, and blue blossoms on a stenciled cobblestone wall background.

The February Fancy Die Kit is a gorgeous planter box brimming with vibrant spring flowers like wisteria, daffodils, and delicate blue blossoms.

How to Create a Cheerful Floral Scene Card:

  • The Kit die cuts are layered with care to create a dimensional, cheerful garden scene.
  • I used Hero Hues cardstock in the following colors: Charcoal, Amethyst, Passion Flower, Iris, Meadow, Periwinkle, Peacock, Mist, Mustard and Papaya.
  • To add texture and interest, I stenciled a Cobblestone background with white Hero Wax, placing it “here and there” for a soft, rustic touch. I love the pearlessence that the wax adds to my project and the crisp white background makes the floral colors—shades of purple, yellow, and blue—pop beautifully.
  • A sweet “My Friend” sentiment (February Card Kit) ties the whole design together, making this card perfect for brightening someone’s day.
  • I added a few Sunset Enamel Dots for flower centers.
Using White Hero Wax to stencil a subtle pearlescent background for a Spring die cut floral card.

These designs are packed with die-cutting fun and stenciled charm, making them perfect for crafters who want to try something fresh.

Two lovely spring die-cut cards in bright fun colors. One is floral and other has repeating smile sentiment sin rainbow color order.

Join the Blog Hop Fun!

Don’t miss out on the February Blog Hop—a celebration of creativity featuring incredible projects from the Hero Arts Creative Team. Be sure to hop along, leave a comment, and check out the other amazing designs. Who knows? You might just discover your next favorite crafting idea!

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Saturday, February 8 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:
Seeka
Rosie Lopez
Rachel Kleinman
Natasha Vacca
Natasha Polite
Mindy Eggen
Michelle Short
Michelle Lupton
Lisa Tilson
Karen Brown
Jennifer Kotas
Jeannie Lieu
Charlene Madrid
Channin Pelletier
Anna Mahtani
Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Rebecca Keppel
Kelly Taylor


Let’s spread some crafty joy—one handmade card at a time. Happy hopping!

cardmaking · Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting

Hero Studio January Card Kit Release and Blog Hop: Love is in the Air!

Karen Brown13 Comments
Hero Arts Studio January Release featuring bright colorful die cut handmade Valentine Cards with The Card Kit and Folded Love Notes die set.

Happy New Year, crafty friends! Let’s kick off 2025 with something truly special—Hero Studio’s brand-new January Card Kit is here, and it’s all about spreading love and creativity. This kit invites you to explore a world of vibrant designs that celebrate love in every shade. Plus, we’re celebrating with a Blog Hop full of inspiration and a $50 gift card. You can see the entire January Release HERE.

Colorful Die Cut Hearts: Hero Studio January Card Kit of the Month

Hero Studio January 2025 Card Kit of the Month: 2 die cut heart valentine cards in teals, aquas, and red.

My color palette for the January Kit combines cool teals and aquas with warm pinks, reds, and plums for a luscious duo of cards.

Layered die cut hearts with floral accents for a colorful handmade valentine card made with Hero Arts January 2025 Card Kit of the Month.

Products Used on my Kit Cards:

I used the negative, or leftover die cuts, from Card 1 and added a few more hearts to create a second card (below).

Stacked die cut hearts on a colorful teal and red handmade Valentine Card.

What’s Inside the Kit?

Let’s take a peek inside the January 2025 Kit:
              • Color Layering Typewriter Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8”, 
              • Typewriter Messages Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″
              • 7 Typewriter Frame Cut Dies
              • 8 Typewriter Fancy Dies
              • Nesting Hearts Cover Plate Die
              • Mini Clay Hearts
              • 8 Sheets of Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5

January 2025 The Whole Studio
The Whole Studio includes ALL 5 of the monthly subscriptions in one discounted bundle. Cling of the Month, Clear + Dies of the Month, Layering Stencil of the Month, Fancy Dies of the Month, and the Card Kit of the Month.

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


Rainbow of Hearts: A Burst of Color | Folded Love Notes Fancy Die Kit

Rainbow Color die cut heart Valentine card created with Hero Arts Folded Love Notes die set.

You can craft a unique card using the “Extraordinary Extra” Folded Love Notes. Layer colorful die-cut hearts on the folds to create a dynamic, interactive design…. This is the idea I started with, but once I began die cutting my concept totally changed! I used a vibrant mix of colors from the rainbow and then stacked them on different sized hearts with a high contrast value. I love the end result. All the hearts were cut with dies from the kit. I used Cardstock in the following colors: Arctic, Paradise, Adriatic, Kiwi, Cranberry, Cherry, Plum, Passion Flower, Amethyst, Peony, Papaya, Azalea.

Bright fun and playful die cut heart Valentine Card.

Join the Blog Hop!

Our Blog Hop is your chance to see this kit in action. Some of your favorite crafters are showcasing their takes on the January Release, and trust us—the inspiration is next-level! Hop along, leave comments on each blog for a chance to win a fabulous prize, and pick up tips and tricks to use in your own projects.

 
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
Mindy Eggen
Natasha Polite
Natasha Vacca
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka
Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Kelly Taylor

Don’t Miss Out!

The January Card Kit is available now, but supplies are limited. Be sure to grab yours before they’re gone, and join us on the Blog Hop for a chance to win, get inspired, and start 2025 on a crafty high note!

Let me know in the comments—what’s your favorite element in this month’s kit? ❤️

Cardmaking Kit · Give Away · Special Offer

Crafting Holiday Cheer: 3 Handmade Christmas Cards You’ll Love! | Hero Studio

Karen Brown12 Comments
Handmade traditional Christmas cards created using Hero Arts October Card Kit 2024.

The holiday season is upon us, and that means one thing: it’s time to spread some festive cheer! What better way to do that than by creating your own holiday cards with the NEW Hero Studio October Release.

Plus a Special Promotion!

For just a couple of days, Hero Arts is offering a special 20% off Promo code on past kits: June – September. This includes the 5 kits and the extras that were released during those months.

Helpful Links (Be sure to use the Promo Code: CATCHUP20):

Introducing the Hero Studio October Card Kit

Adorable handmade stamped and die cut Christmas Card featuring gingerbread men and house, wreath and greenery.

I’ve created two cards with the October Card Kit and I have to say the process released my inner Elf! And those fun Peppermint Candies are included in the kit too! I love all the winter themed stamps and there are also TONS of great sentiment stamps. This is a stand alone kit that contains just about everything you need to craft LOADS of cards!

I stamped, colored with alcohol markers and die cut my elements. For the Christmas Tree card, there is an additional outline die you can use so your tree has loads of dimension. With scissors, I cut three triangles that I stacked and glued behind my die cut tree. Once my card was assembled, I added peppermint candy embellishments, which really “frosted” my card.

Stamped, colored and die cut handmade card featuring a Christmas card with pepperment candy embellishments.

Hero Arts new October Cardmaking Kit is a total game changer. Here’s what’s included:

KIT INCLUDES:
• Clear Stamp Set, 6″ x 8″
• 16 Coordinating Dies
• Hole Punch Die
• Tree Window Die
• Holiday Treats Words Cling Stamp, 6″ x 6″
• Washi Sticker Pack, 22 pieces
• Embossing & Watermark Ink Cube
• 5 Sheets Each of Kraft, White & Red Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″
• Gold Embossing Powder, 0.5 oz
• White Embossing Powder, 0.5 oz
• Peppermint Clay Embellishments (love these so much!)

Kit Cost:

  • $46 with Subscription + FREE SHIPPING!
  • $49.99 One Time Purchase (while supplies last)

The Whole Studio:

And, I’d also like to recommend THE WHOLE STUDIO, which includes ALL 5 Kits at a wonderful savings. The Whole Studio is $120 with subscription (or $138.95 One Time Purchase). That is $72 off!

Hero Arts has lots of Subscription Options so be sure to check them all out!

Let’s Get Crafty with The Holiday Assortment Stencil!

Rainbow stenciled Christmas card featuring Hero Studio's Holiday Assortment Stencil and Holiday Messages sentiment.

I really enjoy stenciling, so I wanted to share this “Merry and Bright” card that I created using the Holiday Assortment Stencil and October Clear Stamp and Die Set (Holiday Messages Sentiments).

I chose 6 vibrant inks and starting with Lemon Drop, I worked my way around the stencil using my XL Blending Brush. I blended a bit at each color change.

The Inks that I used were: Lemon Drop, Creamsicle, Cherry, Purple Galaxy, Splash and Green Apple.

My sentiment is from the October Clear Stamp and Die Set called Holiday Messages. I backed my sentiment with a Vellum circle (die cut using the Circle Infinity Dies), which I think really adds a little something extra to the card.

Join the Blog Hop!

I hope you will join us for the Blog Hop! Each blog will feature a Holiday Theme Project (or two or three!). Be sure to leave a comment so that you are in contention for a $50 gift card.

Hero Arts

Hero Arts Creative Team:

Seeka

Rosie Lopez

Rachel Kleinman

Pocono Pam

Natasha Vacca

Natasha Polite

Michelle Short

Lydia Fiedler

Karen Brown You Are Here!

Kailash Naidoo

Jennifer Kotas

Jeannie Lieu

Ilina Crouse

Heather Ruwe

Charlene Madrid


Channin Pelletier

Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr


Kelly Taylor

Mindy Eggen

Final Thoughts

Creating your own holiday Christmas cards is a joyful and rewarding experience that brings a sprinkle of magic to the season.

cardmaking · Die cutting · Stamping

It’s a Jungle! | August 2024 Hero Studio Release

Karen Brown13 Comments
3 cards created with Hero Arts August 2024 Jungle Theme Relsease.

I am so excited that it is Launch Day for Hero Studio’s playful August jungle theme release. I can’t wait to show you some of Hero Arts GORGEOUS new products, so kick back and hop along with the Creative Team.

Hero will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, August 11th at 11:59pm Pacific, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week. Links to all the Hop Participants is below.

Create Your Own Jungle | Studio Card Kit of the Month

Colorful playful "have a wild birtthday" homemade card created with Hero Studio August 2024 Card Kit of the Month.

The August Card Kit of the Month is so playful with tons of wonderful elements to incorporate into your papercrafting projects. For my first card, I used the Heroscape stamp set to create a “wild” birthday card. I think the Nesting Postage Stamp Dies give an exotic travel feel to my card.

I masked and ink blended a tiny beach for my elephants to walk along, and then stamped the rest of my scene. I used Fawn (sand), Green Apple Core, Fresh Lawn Core, Pool Party, Deep Ocean, Pale Tomato and Tangerine. I then die cut my scene and a mat and adhered to my card base with craft foam.

What’s Inside the Kit?

Curious about this month’s kit? Let’s take a peek inside the August 2024 Hero Studio Card Kit.

KIT INCLUDES:
• Jungle HeroScape Clear Stamp Set, 6″ x 8″
• 12 Coordinating Dies
• 5 Fancy Dies
• Jungle Scenics Stencil, 6″ x 6″
• Olive Hero Wax
• White Plastic Palette Knife
• 3 Reactive Ink Cubes (Key Lime Fizz, Green Apple, Fruit Punch)
• 2 Reactive Glitz Ink Pads (French Pink, Byzantine Green)
• 5 Printed Sticker Sheets, 6″ x 6″

Kit Cost:

$46 with Subscription + FREE SHIPPING
$49.99 One-Time Purchase
While Supplies Last

5 Wonderful Kit Options:

For this blog post, I created with two kits and 1 Extraordinary Extra, but there there are 5 kits plus 5 Extras available. You can also buy the Whole Studio, which includes all 5 kits at a wonderful savings.

Jungle Serenity | August Extraordinary Extra

Colorful water lily card created with Hero Arts Jungle Serenity stamp and die bundle.

I used my favorite blues and greens for this cool and calm Jungle Serenity card. I stamped my images, colored with alcohol markers and layered my backdrop using my Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies.

PRO TIP: There is a small die in the lower left corner that is easy to overlook when you are snipping your dies apart. Be sure to separate that piece before die cutting.

Jungle Serenity Stamp and Die Bundle

Colorful thkinkig of you sympathy card that is colored with alcohol markers and die cut.
Hero Studio Layering Stencil of the Month | Monthly Mini
Colorful laering stencil jungle foliage card with die cut accent elements.

If you want a background with loads of impact, then the August Layering Stencil of the Month is definitely for you!

I ink blended my background and then continued the foliage theme by adding die cuts and a sentiment from my August Card Kit of the Month. I love how the kit themes for each month all work together….endless possibilites!

Supplies Used:

Blog Hop Links:


Hero Arts

Seeka

Rosie Lopez

Rachel Kleinman

Natasha Vacca

Natasha Polite

Michelle Short

Lydia Fiedler

Karen Brown You Are Here!

Jennifer Kotas

Jeannie Lieu

Ilina Crouse

Heather Ruwe

Charlene Madrid

Channin Pelletier
I am so happy you stopped by today!

Cardmaking Kit

Introducing 5 NEW Exciting Hero Arts Subscription Card Kits | June 2024

Karen Brown18 Comments
4 handmade cards and tags created with Hero Arts NEW Studio Subscription Card Kits - June 2024.

Elevate Your Crafting Experience

Calling all crafters and cardmaking enthusiasts! Welcome to the June release, where we are bringing the boldness of urban textures in the signature Hero Arts style and quality! Get ready to ignite your creativity and elevate your crafting experience with the brand new lineup of Hero Studio cardmaking kits. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your crafting journey, these 5 new kits offer something for everyone. Let’s dive in!

Studio Card Kit of the Month

A vibrant handmade card with rainbow colored clouds created with the June 2024 Hero Arts Studio Card Kit.

I started by creating with the new Hero Studio Card Kit, which is full of wonderfulness! This month’s theme is Urban Skyline.

For my first card, I used the HeroScape layering cloud stamps to create a dramatic sunrise. I laid down and blended LOTS of ink for a really saturated look. I love color and thought the cloud layering stamps would make a stunning, almost abstract background.

What’s Inside the Kit?

Curious to know what treasuries await you in this cardmaking kit? Let’s take a peek inside The Hero Studio Card Kit:

KIT INCLUDES:
Urban Sky HeroScape Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8”
Neighborhood Message Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″
Coordinating Dies
City Stencil, 6×6 (with 3 Fall-Out City Skylines)
5 Ink Cubes (Peony, Pitch Black, Dusty Blue, Stonewash, Amethyst)
2 Sheets each of Silver Foil, Silver Glitter, Silver Cube & Pitch Black Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″
2 Sheets City Textures Hero Transfers

Kit Cost and Value:

$46 with Subscription, $95 Value (Cancel Anytime)
$49.99 One-Time Purchase (While Supplies Last)

How I Created This Urban Sunrise Card:

A colorful handmade thank you card simulating a vibrant sunrise. The card was created with the June 2024 Hero Studio HeroScape card kit.

Colorful Sunset Cityscape Tags

I also created two tags with the Hero Studio Card Kit stencils. These tags were featured in Hero Arts Countdown Hop and you can read more about my process HERE.

Colorful DIY tags simulating a Sunset over a cityscape created with liquid watercolors, a stencil and Hero Gold Wax.

Hero Studio Fancy Dies

I love die cutting, so I had tons of fun creating my window scene card with the new Hero Studio Fancy Dies. This month’s background die is called Urban Window and I think there are endless design options. I love creating scenes, so I know I will be using this die again!

A charming handmade card window scene with birds, tree branches and a potted plant.
  • I began by selecting colored cardstock: Peacock, Papaya, Mist, Arctic and Meadow.
  • My base is a leftover piece of background from a project you can read about HERE.
  • I die cut my window frame from Peacock cardstock and trimmed off the greenery. I die cut the window frame a second time from Meadow cardstock and layered it behind the Peacock frame, so that my branches would be green. The sky is Arctic.
  • I added two birds, a potted plant and a die cut sentiment to finish my scene.

FD0624 Fancy Dies of the Month (Urban Window) $25 with Subscription, $26.99 One-Time Purchase, While Supplies Last.

Hero Arts Hero Studio Fancy Die of the month (June 2024) handmade card window scene.

I have a quick reel for the Fancy Die of the Month Kit:

I created with two Hero Studio kits in this blog post, but there are 5 kits altogether. You can also buy The Whole Studio!

Blog Hop and Giveaway:

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, June 9th at 11:59pm Pacific, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.

Hero Arts
Hero Arts Creative Team:
Channin Pelletier
Charlene Madrid
Dana Joy
Heather Ruwe
Ilina Crouse
Jennifer Kotas
Kailash Naidoo
Karen Brown
Lydia Fiedler
Michelle Short
Natasha Polite
Natasha Vacca
Pocono Pam
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka
Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Kelly Taylor