Tag: Cardmaking Tutorial

Handmade stenciled Halloween card and tag. A Simple Guide To Using Layering Stencils in Cardmaking
cardmaking · Die cutting · Stenciling

A Simple Guide To Using Layering Stencils in Cardmaking

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Purple and orange layered stencil card with gold foiled “Hello” sentiment, framed with vellum, lavender, and gold cardstock.

Some cards practically make themselves—this was one of them. Today I’m featuring a project made with the August 2025 Hero Arts Layering Stencil of the Month, Sunnyside Manor. This dreamy stencil has a charming layered interwoven scene that comes to life with just a few colors of ink.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Layering Stencils

If you’re new to layering stencils or just want to brush up, here’s how I created this scene using the Sunnyside Manor Stencil set:

1. Start with a Colored Card Base (Optional)

I used lavender cardstock to add an extra tone to the finished design before I ever inked. You can also use white for a clean slate.

For this version, I created a bold and beautiful palette using three shades of purple and a pop of orange. I started directly on a lavender card base, giving me a built-in fourth shade of purple before I even began inking.

2. Secure the First Stencil

Place Layer 1 over your cardstock and secure it using low-tack tape or a sticky mat to keep everything from shifting. Hero Arts Stencils have great square guides in the four corners so each layer lines up perfectly everytime! I take a pencil and mark each square before I begin.

If you’d like to see this process in one of my How to Stencil Videos, click HERE.

3. Blend Your First Ink Color

Using a blending brush, apply your first ink (I used Thistle). Blend evenly and lift the stencil carefully once done.

4. Repeat for Each Layer

Align Layer 2 (they’re clearly numbered on the lower left) and easy to line up with the square guides or by eye).

Ink with your second color: Purple Galaxy

Layer 3: Tangerine

Layer 4: Amethyst

Hero Arts inks dry quickly, but if you’re planning to hot foil or emboss over it, give the ink a moment to fully dry.

5. Add Your Sentiment:

Hero Studio August 2025 Sunnyside Manor layered stencil card in 4 shades of purple + orange.

The card has a soft shimmer, deep contrast, and that quiet elegance that stenciling always brings. I find stenciling to be my Zen moment—and this one was so satisfying.

Interested in more August Club Kit Cards, you can read my August 2025 Release Day Blog Post HERE.

Two Hero Studio Halloween cards and tags in purple and orange.

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

Why I Love This Stencil

If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly but artistically satisfying project, this one is for you.

Stenciling has become my go-to technique for beautiful, relaxing cardmaking. The Sunnyside Manor Layering Stencil is especially satisfying—the layers line up easily and the design allows for infinite color combos. Whether you go soft and serene or bold and whimsical, this stencil adapts beautifully.

Interested in seeing some other layering stencils…..click HERE.

Layering Stencil handmade card and video. Video: Easy Fun Card Idea
Cardmaking Video · Stenciling

Video: Easy Fun Card Idea

Karen Brown1 Comment

Watch above OR click HERE to watch video on YouTube.

Looking for an easy, beginner-friendly card idea that makes a big impact? Today I’m sharing a project using the Hero Studio July 2025 “Just Keep Going” Layering Stencils—a bold, three-layered sentiment that I paired with a coordinating ink smooshed background for a clean, summery design.

Handmade card with bold “Just Keep Going” encouraging sentiment in green, teal, and blue ink, layered over a watercolor-style ink smooshed background.

Supplies & Theme

The “Just Keep Going” stenciled sentiment is built up with three perfectly aligned stencil layers. For the sentiment and the coordinating background, I used the following Reactive Inks:

These bright, analogous colors are side-by-side on the color wheel and blend beautifully together for a unified, harmonious look.

July 2025 Layering Stencil of the Month "Just Keep Going" kit card in analgous green, aqua and blue inks.

The Background: Ink Smooshing

To complement the stenciled panel, I created an ink smooshed background using the exact same three ink colors. Ink smooshing is one of my favorite techniques—just dab ink onto a 6 x 6″ acrylic block, spritz with water, and press your watercolor paper onto the color. I flip my block and weight down with a book for 5 minutes. If there is a puddle, I dab it with a paper towel. The result? A gorgeous, watercolor-style background that’s one of a kind.

This technique is fantastic for beginners and gives your cards a fun, organic texture. It’s also a great way to bring all the color elements of your project together.

Creating an "ink smoosh" background that coordinates with your stenciled focal point

Finishing Touches

I die cut my stenciled sentiment panel using a nesting postage stamp die for extra polish. As a playful embellishment, I added a pair of sunglasses from the Hero Studio July 2025 Card Kit. The frames are cut from leftover inked cardstock, and the lenses from another panel inked with Blue Hawaii—just another way to tie everything together!

Custom coordinated ink smoosh background and bold stenciled sentiment card.

Why It Works

This card’s cohesive look comes from intentionally choosing analogous colors and using them across both the background and focal elements. Whether you’re just starting out or want a quick, cheerful design, this is a project anyone can enjoy!

cardmaking · Rainbow Colors · Tutorial

Rainbows & Glitter: Tips on Making Your Own Glitter Cardstock

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Tips and Tutorial on how to make a floral rainbow card with a custom tinted DIY glitter cardstock background.

Hi there! I’m so happy to share a card project that combines whimsical charm with vibrant color. If you love crafting as much as I do, you’ll want to stick around for all the dreamy details.

The Star of the Show: A Floral Rainbow

A handmade card featuring a colorful die-cut floral rainbow with fluffy white clouds, set against a sparkling custom glitter cardstock background and a bold scripty 'hello' sentiment

To me, Hero Arts Floral Rainbow and Clouds stamp and die bundle feels like a burst of happiness! I perched my rainbow and clouds on a custom background made of handmade glitter cardstock. By combining blue and green metallic shimmer sprays on watercolor paper, I created a sparkling, ethereal look that mimics a sunny sky. Now, let’s dive into the details of this colorful creation!

Key Products Used:

A colorful handmade card featuring Hero Arts Floral Rainbow stamp and die bundle.

At the heart of this design is a vibrant rainbow that I stamped and brought to life with Copic markers. The colors are rich yet soft, evoking a dreamy vibe that’s both uplifting and playful. After coloring, I used coordinating dies to cut out the floral arc, ensuring clean lines and perfect dimension. It’s not just a rainbow; it’s a celebration of color and joy!

Copic Colors Used: RV02, RV04, RV10, YR02, YR07, Y06, Y08, YG01, YG03, G43, BG11, BG45, B0000, B41, V01, V15

How To Make Your Own Custom Glitter Cardstock

Creative Process Photo: "An in-progress shot of painting blue and green shimmer sprays onto watercolor paper to create a custom glitter cardstock background."

Creating your own glitter cardstock is easier than you think and adds a personalized touch to your projects. Here is how I created my background:

  • I taped a panel of watercolor paper to a hard board and brushed water over the surface with a flat brush. I didn’t saturate the paper, but I did add a light coating of water.
  • Next, I mixed Blue + Shimmer Tone on Tone Metallic Spray with just a hint of Green + Shimmer Tone on Tone Metallic Spray in a paint palette and then painted the mixture on the wet watercolor paper with a damp flat brush. These sprays are very pigmented, so start with a little and add additional spray if you want more intense color, or more water if you want a more muted shade. I applied two layers but I didn’t bother to let it dry in between.
  • I let my shimmer panels dry overnight, but you could speed up the drying with your heat tool.

Experiment with different color combinations to make your custom glitter cardstock truly one-of-a-kind!

A shimmering custom-made glitter cardstock background in blue green hues, adding sparkle and dimension to the card design.

To finish my focal point, I heat embossed the beautiful scripty “hello” sentiment that is included in the bundle.

Glitter can be tricky to capture on camera, but I hope you can see shimmer and sparkle in this close-up photo.

Close up shot of DIY handmade glitter cardstock to use in cardmaking, papercrafting and scrapbooking.

Who wouldn’t love a little rainbow magic in their mailbox? Let’s keep spreading those handmade vibes, one card at a time! 🌈✨

Spellbinders | Stitching Die of the Month | Ladybug
cardmaking · stitching

Spellbinders | Stitching Die of the Month | Ladybug

Karen Brown5 Comments
Blog post tutorial showing how I created an adorable Ladybug handstitched card with Spellbinders January 2025 Stitching Die of the Month.

Get ready to fall in love with stitching! Today, we’re exploring how to create a charming handmade card featuring a stitched ladybug and an elegant stitched oval frame using Spellbinders January 2025 Stitching Die of the Month. This project is a delightful mix of texture, color, and whimsy, making it perfect for a wide range of occasions.

You might also enjoy my blog post about this months Small Die of the Month.

Whimsical Stitching: A Handmade Ladybug Card

Delightful handmade greeting card with stitched ladybug and oval frame elements perfect for any occasion.

My Cardmaking Process:

  • I started by die cutting my Stitching Kit pieces with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. I die cut the Sand stitched oval frame twice and glued them together for easier stitching. Next, I cut my lady bug components plus the sentiment (included in kit) and flowers.
  • Prepping your stitching pieces: I use the piercing/pokey tool to ensure clean stitching holes on the die-cut pieces. This will make stitching a breeze.
  • I frequently use Sarah Renae Clarks Color Cubes Volume 1 and Volume 2 for color inspiration. I received mine for my birthday and they are a great gift!
  • Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. I stitched with DMC Gold and 839 Brown threads. I hope you can see the shimmer on the ladybug!
  • I usually stitch with size 22 Tapestry needles.
  • I used thin double sided tape to secure my floss to the die cuts. I like that this tape is easy to hide behind the die cuts and I don’t even bother to take the top release paper off the tape.
  • 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.
  • Adhere the stitched oval frame to an aqua cardstock background for a beautiful pop of color. Place the stitched ladybug at the center of the frame, creating a striking focal point. I assembled with Bearly Glue .
Spellbinders January 2025 Stitching Die of the Month Club Kit handmade card featuring a red and black ladybug with gold stitching and a lovely tan stitched oval frame,

Here is a photo of me stitching in front of a crackling fire—it’s the perfect way to add warmth (literally and figuratively) to your crafting session. I always like to pick a cozy or picturesque spot to stitch.

Why You’ll Love This Card

This project combines the tactile joy of stitching with the charm of die-cut details. The vivid red ladybug against the aqua background is eye-catching, while the stitched elements add a handmade touch that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re crafting for a birthday, thank-you note, or just because, this stitched ladybug card is a creative way to show you care.

Helpful Links:

Spellbinders Club Info:

  • 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.
  • 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.

Karen

BetterPress · cardmaking

Celebrate | How to Get the Best Prints with Your BetterPress | Spellbinders

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Creating fresh clean BetterPress cards for any celebration using Number and Sentiment press plates.

I adore the BetterPress Letterpress system! You can create beautiful, high-quality cards that blend modern design elements with traditional techniques. In this guide, I’ll show you how to use your BetterPress system to make colorful clean and simple cards that feel sophisticated and timeless. Today, I will be using Spellbinders new Color Mix Collection which is great for just about any celebration!

How to Get The Best BetterPress Letter Press Prints

Bold masculine die-cut BetterPress happy birthday card using Srellbinders Bold Color Mix Numbers and Sweeping Celebrations Sentiments.

After Experimenting for the past year, here are my tips for pristine BetterPress prints:

  • I started by using Best Ever Craft Tape to attach my BetterPress A2 Porcelain card panel to the BetterPress top plate. I wanted a clean white look, so I used the Porcelain cardstock. In my opinion, BetterPress Cotton Paper or handmade watercolor papers work the best with BetterPress.
  • The magnetic lower plate works really well to hold my Bold Color Mix Numbers and Sweeping Celebrations Sentiments impressing plates in place. 
  • I was careful to ink the impressing plates really well. I did a “Tap and Twist” technique where I tapped the ink on the plate and then twisted the ink pad a few degrees. Don’t smash and smoosh or you will wind up with little pieces of ink pad on your plate and project. I ink well because I prefer to roll through the press only once for each plate.
  • I liked the sentiment going “uphill” with the “h” and “b” lower than the “y”.
  • I rolled my sandwich SLOWLY through my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. I think “Super Slo-Mo” while doing this to help me remember to go VERY slowly. 
  • The Color Mix Numbers Bundle has coordinating dies that are just beautiful! You can use them with the press plates…or separately.
  • You’ll want a good stamp cleaner to clean your BetterPress and press plates. I’ve used Ultra Clean by Hero Arts and it works great!
  • I used the specially formulated BetterPress Inks for my pressing.  For the “54” card I used Coastal and Clay from the Desert Sun Mini Sampler. For my Happy Anniversary card, I used Wild Berry and French Blue from the Nature Tones Mini Sampler. The black comes in a Full Size and you can find the smaller size in the Regal Tones Mini Ink Set. Waterproof or Hybrid inks as work well. Pigment ink is not recommended….you want a faster drying ink. 
  • I found that my guillotine paper trimmer worked better than my Fiskar’s SureCut on cotton paper.
  • My base is Granite cardstock and I used Craft Foam, Bearly Glue and Fashion Jet Enamel Dots to finish my cards.

Spellbinders Color Mix BetterPress Collection

Colorful clean minimalist Happy Anniversary card created with Spellbinders Bold Color Mix Press plates.

Key Products I Used on My BetterPress LetterPress Prints:

Bold yet clean and simple BetterPress cards using the Bold Color Mix Numbers and Dies Bundle + Sweeping Celebrations Sentitments

By focusing on clean, minimalist designs with bold colors, you can create cards that feel modern and fresh but have all the charm of traditional letterpress.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Karen

Cardmaking Kit

Adorable Animal Theme Cards | Hero Studio November Release and Blog Hop

Karen Brown19 Comments
Hero Studio November 2024 Animal Critter theme card kit handmade cards featuring a blond puppy, baby reindeer and adorable fox.

Adorable animals…..yes please! Stamping a cute puppy, reindeer or fox onto a “Holiday”, “Get Well Soon” or “Happy Birthday” card is a wonderful way to share encouragement and celebrate someone special. And it’s not just for the holidays, Hero Arts November Card Kit is going to be a year round favorite in my craft room as my family loves cute critter cards.

If you’d like to see the entire Hero Studio November Collection you can find it HERE.

And, there are LOTS of changes going on at Hero Arts. I’ve included some Hero Studio changes later in this post, so keep scrolling!

Hero Studio November 2024 Card Kit of the Month

A bright and adorable handmade Christmas card featuring a baby reindeer from Hero Arts November 2024 Card Kit.

I obviously LOVE this kit! Today I am sharing three cards made with the November Kit and I can’t decide which is my favorite. The kit includes loads of greatness and I used 3 of the 8 charming animal stamps and dies, the two stencils and Merry Christmas sentiment.

Creation Details:

What’s Inside the Kit?

Curious about this month’s kit? Let’s take a peek inside the November Card Kit:

KIT INCLUDES: • Peeking Animals Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8” • 17 Coordinating Dies • 6 Fancy Dies • 2 Sheets Each of Pine & Cherry Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″ • 2 Stencils in Argyle & Cable Knit Patterns, 4.75″ x 6″ • 28 White Die Cut Tags, 4 different styles • White Hero Pearls, 0.6 oz. • Berry Hero Wax, 1 oz.

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 the November kit and two Extraordinary Extras, but there there are 5 kits plus 6 Extras available. You can also buy the Whole Studio, which includes all 5 kits at a wonderful savings.

A handmade Christmas card featuring a blond puppy with peppermint embellishments and a "paws-itively jolly" sentiment. Made from Hero Arts November 2024 Card Kit.

I wanted to show you two more kit cards that I created. I used to have a sweet blond lab named Shelby, so I created this card with Shelby in mind. Isn’t she darling? My Shelby was with us for 12 1/2 wonderful years.

Creation Details:

Handmade card with an adorable fox and an aqua and turquoise stenciled plaid background. Sentiment "furry and bright".

Creation Details:

A trio of critter animal theme cards made from Hero Arts November 2024 Card Kit of the Month.

Easy Stamping and Holiday Coloring Fun

Merry Everything stamped and Copic Colored handmade Christmas Card with fine paint splatters.

Sometimes I just like to color, and this Winter Foliage Pattern Stamp Set is perfect coloring fun! The stamps are already perfectly positioned on one large 4×6″ clear stamp, which makes stamping a breeze! I didn’t use it today, but there is also a coordinating Winter Foliage Pattern Cover Die.

Creation Details:

  • I stamped and Copic colored my foliage elements. Copic colors used: N1, R22, R24, R27, R39, YG03, YG25, YG17, BG11, BG23, Black.
  • Pro Tip: I added ink splatters by flicking the brush end of my Black Copic Marker along the inside of the cap towards the colored panel. This gives nice small ink splatters. Another easy way to add ink splatters is by putting some Licorice Reactive Ink on an Acrylic Block and then flicking the ink onto the panel with a fine brush or fan brush. Great results either way.
  • I trimmed my Copic panel and card base with Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies.
  • The sentiment is from the Holiday Messages Stamp and Die Bundle and I added a Vellum shadow.
Easy handmade stamped and colored Christmas card perfect for adults that like to color.

Big Changes at Hero Arts:

Faster Orders: New subscribers will no longer have to wait until the following month to receive their first kit. Now receive the the same monthly design when you subscribe! The sign-up window will be open the 1st – 27th each month. Also, starting in December the Monthly Add-Ons will be available for purchase on the 1st of each month as well.

• Charge Edit Window: Subscription charge day is moving to the 3rd of each month. Beginning in December, we will revealing kits on the 1st, which means you can make subscription changes prior to the charge date following the reveal.

• Subscribers Come First: Non-subscribers will no longer be able to purchase the a la carte products that are live within the Hero Studio month. Those designs will ONLY be available to active subscribers the first month. If there are any leftovers, they will be available for a la carte purchase to non-subscribers the following month.

• Fulfillment Changes: We are also making some fulfillment changes to help us get the orders out quicker and more efficiently. One of the main changes will be the Hero Studio Add-Ons will ship separately from the recurring Hero Studio orders. Subscribers will still receive free shipping on the add-ons for the first week.

Want to learn more about all the changes coming to Hero Studio? Check out the FAQ section of the website.

BLOG HOP:

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, November 10 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
Ilina Crouse
Jeannie Lieu
Jennifer Kotas
Kailash Naidoo
Karen Brown
Lydia Fiedler
Michelle Short
Natasha Polite
Natasha Vacca
Pocono Pam
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka

Special Guests:
Mindy Eggen
Kelly Taylor

Happy crafting, and enjoy spreading joy with these adorable animal-themed cards!

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · stitching

Crafting a Cozy Christmas | Spellbinders October Stitching Club

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Spellbinders October 2024 Stitching Club of the Month hand crafted card.

Today, we’re diving into a delightful project that combines creativity and a sprinkle of love: a hand-stitched Christmas card featuring Spellbinders October Stitching Club of the Month. The kit creates a whimsical Christmas tree under a starry night sky. Let’s get started on crafting a card that your loved ones will cherish!

Hand stitched and crafted Christmas tree card set against a starry night.

Merry and Bright Cloche Stitching Kit

  • I started by die cutting my Stitching Kit pieces with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. I die cut the stitching pieces twice and glued them together for easier stitching. My sky is navy cardstock and the background is kraft. The stitched base element and star were die cut from Brushed Gold, which is a real staple in my craft room.
  • The Merry and Bright etched sentiment is included in this month’s kit.
  • Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. I stitched the tree and base with DMC Antique Gold Thread. I hope you can see the shimmer!
  • I usually stitch with size 22 Tapestry needles.
  • I used thin double sided tape to secure my floss to the die cuts. I like that this tape is easy to hide behind the die cuts and I don’t even bother to take the top release paper off the tape.
  • 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.
  • With scissors, I cut 2 triangles that I added behind the tree to pop it up a bit.
  • I assembled with Bearly Glue and Craft Foam.

Helpful Links:

Spellbinders Club Info:

  • 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.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking

Fast, Easy and Elegant Embossed Sympathy Card | Spellbinders

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Creating a fast, easy elegant sympathy card with 3D Emboss and Cut folders: Spellbinders Mushrooms From Me to You 3D Emboss and Cut folder.

Creating a handmade sympathy card is a thoughtful way to express your condolences, showing the recipient that you care enough to make something special. An embossed card is particularly elegant, yet it can be surprisingly quick and simple to create. Here’s a guide to making a beautiful embossed sympathy card that’s both fast and easy.

Timesaving Tips for Cardmakers:

I started with the new Mushrooms From Me To You 3D Emboss and Cut Folder from Spellbinders that has several great attributes:

  • The first is that the folder embosses and die cuts with just one pass through the machine. This is a real timesaver!
  • The second, is that there are 3 templates on the folder so you create 3 components each time! YAY for 3 Fers!

How I created this card:

  • Using my paper trimmer, I cut a white card panel that was 8 3/4″ x 5 3/4″. I think white on white is always lovely for a sympathy card.
  • I wanted to tape my dies to the embossing folder to ensure there would be no shifting during the die-cutting. Using my Best Tape Ever, I tacked the 3 dies to the inside front cover with the cutting edge toward the interior of the sandwich. Then I added my pre-cut paper panel. I also taped the folder closed at the bottom to ensure everything stayed in place.
  • I ran the sandwich through my machine and viola, 3 cut and embossed elements with one pass through my machine!
  • I wanted to keep the card simple so I mounted the largest embossed die cut on an A2 top folding card with Bearly Glue and Craft Foam.
  • I added a simple premade Thinking of You Chipboard sentiment and the card was done. I wish I timed the process, because it was VERY quick!

Time Saving Tip #1: Use premade sentiment Chipboard Stickers like the one I used on this card. I also love the Bayfair Chipboard and Puffy Stickers. Here is one of my posts that uses the Bayfair Chipboard sentiments on my kite card and I used the puffy stickers on this stitched card.

Time Saving Tip #2: Use premade card bases like these A2 Top Fold or A2 side fold.

TIP FOR SUCCESS: Keep it Simple – Elegance often comes from simplicity. Stick to a few well-chosen elements rather than overloading the card with decorations.

Helpful Links:

Time Saving Tips for Cardmakers with Spellbinders Mushrooms From Me to You 3D Emboss and Cut folder hndmade sympathy card

Creating a handmade embossed sympathy card is a meaningful way to show your compassion and support. With a few simple steps and materials, you can craft a card that is not only fast and easy to make but also elegant and deeply personal.

See you next time!

Karen

cardmaking · Video

Video: Crafting with Color | Selecting Fabulous Color Combinations for Ink Blending

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Hero Arts Color Layering Tile Stencil handmade cards in 2 Analogous color palettes (yellow, orange and coral) and (aquas, blues and greens).

Hello fellow crafters, Karen Brown here with a new How-To Video!  I am excited to dive into the world of layering stencils, specifically focusing on how to select analogous colors that will bring harmony to your designs.  Do you struggle selecting colors?  Taking a quick peek at your color wheel can assist in making cardmaking projects that are both visually pleasing and polished.  So let’s get started!

If you are having trouble viewing the video, please click HERE.

Today we will be using Hero Arts beautiful new Color Layering Tile Stencils.  This set comes with 4 stencils that are extremely easy to line up.  I thought it would be fun to use two different analogous color palettes and I added in some Hero Paste for added interest.  

Layering stencil tutorial with Hero Arts new Color Layering Tile Stencils + Gold Hero Paste.

I started with a 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ panel of Deluxe Smooth Cardstock.  For Card #1 I used Lemon Drop, Creamsicle and Taffy inks. For my top layer, I applied Hero Gold Paste for a pop of shine and shimmer. 

Handmade birthday layering stencil card in aquas, blues and greens + a custom blended Hero Paste accent layer.

On Card #2, I selected Pool Party, Splash and Blue Hawaii. For my top layer, I custom blended White Hero Paste with a combination of Blue Hawaii and Pool Party.

Both cards are perfect for summer!  Card 1 is bright and festive and Card 2 is calm and serene. It’s interesting how color selection can change the tone of your cards.  To see all my tips and process details, please watch the video.

My sentiments were die cut using two sentiment strips from the Hooray Birthday Cover Plate.  I used Nautical and Coral cardstock.

Other helpful supplies were my Palette Knife, Blending Brushes, Compact Cutter, Precision Glue  and Magnetic Storage Envelops. 

Happy crafting everyone!

cardmaking · Stamping

Hero Arts | Quick Bold Shimmery Background | Congrats Card

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Fuchsia and Navy Congratulations Card using Hero Arts Abstract Feather Bold Prints background stamp and Fuchsia + Gold Metallic Shimmer Spray.

Happy 50th Anniversary Hero Arts! Hero Arts is celebrating their impressive milestone!

I wanted to acknowledge the occasion with a little cardmaking, so I created this “Congrats Card” using my Premium Special (50th Anniversary) Gift that was included in my May Monthly Hero Premium Kit.

This card would also be perfect for graduation, retirement or any other congratulatory event.

Fuchsia and Nautical Congrats Card

My Process:

I really love this bold card, and it would be so easy to mass produce.

Last month, I did a trio of cards using the same technique. Click HERE if you’d like to read that post.

Thanks for stopping by….see ya next time!