🧡🩷 Custom Plaid Two Ways with Hero Arts Houndstooth Layering Stencils

May 21, 2025May 21, 2025 Karen Brown1 Comment

Plaid, but make it personal! Today I’m excited to share two bold and beautifully customized cards using the new Houndstooth Layering Stencils from the Case Closed Collection by Hero Arts.

Click HERE if you’d like to read my companion Case Closed Blog Post.

This two-piece stencil is already becoming one of my favorite backgrounds—it’s quick, clean, and incredibly versatile! Whether you’re going soft and sweet or crisp and classic, this pattern plays nicely with every palette.

2 colorful Houndstooth Plaid cards created with Hero Arts Layering Stencils.

A Few Tips Before You Ink

Here’s what made my stenciling process smooth and successful:

Stencil Orientation Matters: Make sure the Hero Arts logo is facing up. To keep my layers aligned even after rotating for even inking, I added a tiny arrow sticker pointing to the logo. It’s a game-changer!
Alignment Squares Are Your Friend: I marked the alignment squares lightly in pencil before starting so I could line up both layers of the stencil perfectly—no guessing, just precision.

Feminine Florals in Pink & Orange

Feminine floral thhinking of you card with a pink and orange stenciled Houndstooth plaid background

For my first card, I created a lovely pink and orange plaid background using Creamsicle and Taffy inks. I die cut the stenciled background with the Pointed Arches Infinity Dies to create a shaped card—hello, visual interest!

I originally tried a single color mat but it felt flat. Splitting the mat—Coral on the left, Azalea on the right—instantly made the card pop with contrast. I layered on a cluster of Copic-colored florals from the Wild Flower Bundle, a heat-embossed “Thinking of You” sentiment (included in the bundle) in white on black cardstock, and five black enamel dots for a finishing touch.

Copic Colors: YR02, RV11, W0

Handmade card with Hero Arts Houndstooth Plaid layering stencil. The card is shaped with pink and orange color palette.

Masculine Congrats in Blue & Green

Masculine Congrats Card in blues and greens with a stenciled Houndstooth Plaid background,

Card two leans cool, classic, and masculine. I used Periwinkle and Moss inks with the Houndstooth stencils for a bold plaid base, and then die cut it using one of my tried-and-true favorites—Nesting Postage Infinity Dies.

I die cut the bold Congrats sentiment from black cardstock three times, stacked and glued for dimension, and added a soft vellum mat underneath to make it stand out. The sentiment comes from the Congrats and Yay Stamp & Cut Set. Everything was mounted on Periwinkle cardstock and attached to an A2 card base.

Hero Arts Houndstooth Plaid stenciled card in masculine blues and greens.

💡 Why I Love These Stencils

The Houndstooth Layering Stencils are officially a staple in my craftroom. They’re:

Fast and easy to use ✅
Perfectly crisp results ✅
Easy to customize with ANY color palette ✅

You can try monochrome, neutrals, school/team colors, or even select the recipient’s favorite colors. The options are endless—and this stencil plays well with nearly every kind of stamp or sentiment.

2 cards with customized Houndstooth plaid stenciled backgrounds. Card 1 is floral with pink and orange plaid. Card 2 is a masculine Congrats in blue and green plaid.

VIDEO | Spring Floral Stenciling & Color Theory: Create with Confidence!

March 17, 2025 Karen BrownLeave a comment

Welcome back, crafty friends! Today, I’m diving into stenciled floral backgrounds with a focus on color theory and shimmering inks. If you’ve ever struggled with picking colors that pop or wondered how to make your stenciled backgrounds shine, this post (and my video!) is for you!

If you are having difficulty watching the video above, click HERE to watch on YouTube.

Three Ways to Use a Stenciled Floral Background

I’m using the Spring Floral Stencil and Large and Small Floral Layering Dies from the new Hero Arts Friendship Blooms Collection to create three different looks. Each one explores color, contrast, and shimmer, so let’s get into it!

3 bold floral stenciled backgrounds turned into cards with bold die cut focal elements.

Card #1: Byzantine Green Glitz + Bold Plum Congrats

A handmade card with a shimmering Byzantine Green floral stenciled background, featuring a bold Plum die-cut ‘Congrats’ sentiment with a vellum shadow.

For my first card, I wanted a rich, elegant background with plenty of shine. I stenciled with Byzantine Green Glitz Ink, which gives a gorgeous shimmer, and paired it with a bold Plum “Congrats” sentiment. Here’s the magic:

The background is a mossy olive hue.
The sentiment is red-violet, which is directly opposite on the color wheel—hello, instant contrast!
The large vellum shadow behind the sentiment softens everything just enough.

✨ Pro Tip: When in doubt, check your color wheel! Using complementary colors creates high-impact contrast, making your card visually striking.

Card #2: 3. Aqua Gradient for a Fresh Take

A soft and elegant aqua gradient stenciled card featuring a layered white and aqua die-cut bloom, perfect for Mother’s Day.

For the next card, I switched things up with a cool-toned, gradient background using Pool Party, Paradise, and Blue Raspberry inks. The result? A soft, dreamy floral backdrop that’s perfect for spring!

I paired this with a white and aqua layered bloom from the Large Floral Layering Dies.
A Mother’s Day sentiment keeps the design fresh and versatile.

✨ Pro Tip: If you’re unsure which colors to use, swatching your cardstock makes a world of difference! I swatched mine with Spellbinders Color Swatch Petal Dies, and it made choosing my die-cut colors so much easier.

Card #3: Layered Floral Mother’s Day Card

A Mother’s Day card with a rich plum and eggplant stenciled background, adorned with delicate die-cut flowers in shades of plum, eggplant, and white.

Since I was loving that Byzantine Green shine, I stenciled a second background—but this time, I turned it into a Mother’s Day card!

I added Plum, eggplant, and white die-cut flowers from the Small Floral Layering Dies.
The combination of warm and cool tones adds depth while keeping it cohesive.
A soft script sentiment (March Clear Stamp and Die Kit) finishes the look—elegant, yet modern.

Spring Floral stenciling 3 ways for bold Mother's Day and Congrats cards.

I am so pleased you stopped by today!

cardmaking · Stamping

Hero Arts | Quick Bold Shimmery Background | Congrats Card

May 28, 2024June 5, 2024 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 started by lightly ink blending Tangerine Core Ink onto Watercolor Paper and let the panel dry.
I then added Fuchsia + Gold Two Tone Metallic Spray to the well of my paint palette.
I put my Abstract Feather Bold Print background stamp in my stamp positioner with a piece of Luxe White Watercolor Paper.
With my Flat Water Brush, I brushed the pink paint onto my stamp and then stamped on my watercolor paper. I used Fuchsia + Gold Two Tone Metallic spray that was a fairly thick consistency. I did not dilute with more water.
I let my panel dry and then trimmed with my Rounded Rectangles Infinity Dies.
To add a bit more interest, I added a Rounded Rectangle Infinity die frame die cut from Nautical cardstock.
I die cut my sentiment from the Congrats and Yay Stamp and Cut XL set 3 times from Nautical cardstock and then glued together for a substantial look and feel. I also added a die cut Vellum shadow.

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!

cardmaking · papercrafting · Video

3 Colorful Sentiment Focused Cards +Video

July 24, 2023July 22, 2023 Karen Brown2 Comments

Sometimes, you just want your sentiment to be the star of your card. Today I am sharing three cards where the focal point is the sentiment. The video (below) is also part of Altenew’s Let’s Get Sentimental Video Hop.

Love Card or Valentine

I felt like getting a little inky and messy, which is always fun in the craft room! I started by creating three gradient watercolor panels that were the basis for my sentiment die cuts. I wanted BOLD colors so I used Altenew’s lusciously pigmented Spring Garden Mix Watercolor Markers + the love die from Altenew’s Script Words set. I kept things Clean and Simple for this first card.

I made this card for my husband, but wouldn’t it be great for a Valentine?

VIDEO

I created a short video for Altenew’s “Let’s Get Sentimental “Video Hop that shows my process. Watch below on YouTube or click below to watch on my blog.

Watch on my blog:

Congratulations Card for Graduation

I needed a Graduation card for my nephew and I came up with this design using Altenew’s Archway die set (includes both the wave and tree + a rainbow that I used twice HERE) + Script Words Congrats Die. The Archway die set is one of my favorite 2023 releases.

Hello Friend Card

I wanted to add some texture to my next card so I embossed my background with Altenew’s Playful Circles. The die cuts are Simply Hello and Simply Friend.

Here is another variation of a bright fun “hello friend” card I did a few months ago.

Altenew Spring Garden Mix Watercolor Markers + Script Word Dies + Archways die set.

Supplies:

Here are links to the supplies I used on these cards….click the icon to start shopping. Compensated Affiliate links are used at no additional cost to you. Your support helps me bring you new projects, content and videos. Thank you!

Altenew Spring Garden Mix Watercolor Markers
Altenew Mini Blossom Die Cutting Machine
Altenew Script Words Dies (love, hugs, congrats)
Altenew Archway Die Set (wave, tree and rainbow)
Altenew Simply Hello Die
Altenew Simply Friend Die
Altenew Playful Circle Embossing Folder
Altenew #18 flat brush
Watercolor Paper
1/8″ Jack Richeson Hardboard Panel (9×12)

Other Supplies Available at Amazon:

Faber Castell Collapsible Watercolor Cup

Tonic Studios paper trimmer

Removeable Highlighter Tape

Tonic Studios Craft Pick

3M Painter’s Tape

Altenew Script Words "love" die + handmade card.

I took a bunch of photos and am including the rest here.

Altenew Script Words die cut handmade cards.

And finally, one standing photo…. Don’t you just love top fold cards?

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Uncategorized

Celebrate

September 1, 2018 Karen Brown5 Comments

Aren\’t celebrations wonderful? I made two similar cards, one for graduation (purple and white are the school colors) and one for a friend who was promoted and being transferred. I loved ending with \”see you later\” at the bottom. I dug through all my sentiments and selected the ones I thought appropriate I decided a rainbow cascade of sentiments would be festive and fun so I started with purple and worked my way down.

To add a little extra interest, I used distress ink to make a purple accent strip along the right edge. I then added some sequins and gems to finish the card. I am happy with the way the cards turned out and think I will try something similar again in the future because it is always surprising how many graduation cards I need every year.