cardmaking · Die cutting · Stamping

Vintage Charm & Soft Elegance: Hero Arts March 2025 Release

Welcome to another exciting Hero Arts release! For March 2025, I created two unique cards that highlight the versatility of the new products. One is a vintage-inspired die-cut design featuring the Suitcase and Florals Fancy Die, while the other is a beautifully blended, pastel-hued circular stamped card. Let’s jump into the details!

Key Kits and Products Used:

Card 1: Vintage Suitcase & Florals

A handmade card featuring a cream and tan die-cut hat box-style suitcase with a teal bow and florals, set against an aqua background of stamped vintage maps and postmarks.

This card is all about vintage charm! The focal point is a cream-colored hat box-style suitcase with tan trim, die-cut from the Suitcase and Florals Fancy Die. A lovely teal bow is tied to the handle, and delicate die-cut flowers add a soft floral touch.

Hero Studio Suitcase and Florals die cut handmade "hello" card with a charming hat box luggage, teal bow, and flowers in orange and red. The background is a mixed media postage stamp theme.

Design Details:

  • Color Palette: Teal, aqua, alabaster cream, marigold, and red from the Color Wheel Cardstock Collection .
  • Background: I loosely ink blended Splash ink on white cardstock and then added Splash ink splatters on the aqua panel and A2 cardbase. I then randomly stamped the panel in black ink using the Vintage Maps & Ledgers and Vintage Postmarks & Tickets stamps. Using my Nesting Postage Stamp Infinity dies, I die-cut stamp shapes that would serve as my background.
  • Framing: A vivid Blue Spruce mat behind the die-cut stamps makes the alabaster hat box pop.
  • Sentiment: A die-cut, scripty “hello” (Friend Words Sentiment Dies) that complements the vintage theme. Two black enamel dots in the center of the flowers continues the bold color palette.
Pro Tip:
A deep Blue Spruce background mat is key to making lighter elements like the alabaster suitcase stand out.

Color Swatching:

To help with color coordination, I also swatched my cardstock colors using the Spellbinders Color Swatch Petal Dies—a handy way to visualize your palette before committing to a design!

Color Wheel Cardstock Colors used: Alabaster, Terracotta, Poppy, Cranberry, Carrot, Teal Topaz, Blue Spruce, Fern and Brushed Gold.

You can find the entire Color Wheel Collection HERE.


Card 2: Pastel Bow-Themed Circular Card

A round handmade card with a stamped and Copic-colored bow pattern transitioning from yellow to pink, coral, lavender, and blue. The card base is deep charcoal gray.

For my second card, I went with a soft, rainbow gradient-colored design that’s easy to recreate. This is a DIY card that’s great for beginner cardmakers, offering a fun way to experiment with color blending and shaped card designs. The 6 x 6″ Bold Print makes stamping so easy! The bows are already laid out perfectly, so no need to spend time arranging your dies.

Design Details:

  • Stamp: The “Bows” Bold Cling Stamp stamped on smooth white cardstock and colored with pastel Copic markers.
  • Color Gradient: Blends from creamy yellow at the top to soft pinks, corals, lavender, and blues at the bottom.
  • Card Shape: Using my Nesting Circle Dies, I die cut a circle from my Copic colored panel. To make my card base, I die cut two circles from Charcoal cardstock, scored the back one at 3/4″ and then glued the tops together. To make this card even easier, you could make a traditional A2 rectangular card, which would exclude using infinity dies.
  • Finishing the Card: I added a small “for you” heat embossed sentiment and some Clear Enamel Dots.

Pro Tip:

Use craft foam behind your card panels for a polished, professional look with added dimension!

An easy DIY stamped card with 10 girly bows of different shapes and sizes, Copic colored in a rainbow gradient.

Final Thoughts

Both of these cards showcase the March 2025 Hero Arts release in different ways—one with vintage textures and layers, the other with simple stamping and coloring. Whether you’re a fan of intricate die-cutting or quick, colorful stamping, there’s something in this release for you!

Let me know in the comments—which card style do you love most? And don’t forget to check out the full Hero Arts release for more inspiration!

Cardmaking Kit

Sunny Beach Theme Cards | July 2024 Hero Studio Release

Colorful aquatic under-water theme Heroscape card created with Hero Arts Tropical Fishes stamps and die + Pebbles and Stones stencil.

Welcome to the July Hero Studio release, where we are bringing a summery beach theme in Hero Arts signature style and quality! Get ready to ignite your creativity and elevate your crafting experience with the brand new lineup of the July Hero Studio cardmaking kits. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your crafting journey, these 5 cardmaking kits offer something for everyone.

Summer is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate the sunny season than with a couple of beach-themed handmade cards. Today I’ve created two delightful designs that I hope will help inspire your crafting adventures.

Tropical Underwater Scene Card | Extraordinary Extra

Today, we’ll dive into making a vibrant, underwater-themed card featuring a stenciled background and beautifully Copic colored die-cut tropical fish. This project is perfect for celebrating summer or simply brightening someone’s day with a splash of color.

How to create a water/ocean/lake background with Hero Arts Pebbles and Stones stencil.

This aquatic card was fun to create!

  • I tried a new trick for stamping and it worked great! I put the acetate sheet with the Tropical Fishes (SB406) stamps on the sticky mat in my StampWheel and taped my cardstock to the lid and stamped away. This was a real timesaver. So much faster than peeling each stamp off and positioning it.
  • For my background, I took a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ panel of Arctic cardstock and stenciled the Pebbles and Stones (SA276) with Pool Party ink and my XL Blending Brush.
  • I Copic colored my fish with blues, corals, aquas and tans and then die cut the elements.
Key Products Used:

Create Your Own Beach | Studio Kit of the Month

Heroscape Beach Scene handmade card with silhouette stamped fence, grass, cabanas and birds.

The July Studio Card Kit of the Month has SO many wonderful elements to create Heroscape Victornian beach themed cards. There are endless combinations and possibilities!

Watch a quick reel on how I created a second beach scene card.

What’s Inside the Kit?

Curious about this month’s kit? Let’s take a quick peek inside The July Hero Studio Kit:

KIT INCLUDES:
• Victorian Seaside Clear Stamp Set, 6″ x 8″
• 22 Coordinating Dies
• Sand Castle Fancy Dies
• Rock Cling Stamp, 6″ x 6″
• Victorian Seaside Reactive Palette Ink Pad
• 2 Sheets Map Hero Transfers (Rub-ons), 6″ x 8″
• 2 Sheets Each of Blue, Purple, Green Vellum, 5.5″ x 8.5″
• 2 Sheets Each of White Lava Holographic, White Rainbow Holographic Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″

Kit Cost:

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

My Process for This Easy Heroscape Scene Card:
Hero Arts July 2024 Studio Card Kit of the Month Beach Theme Handmade Card.

5 Wonderful Kit Options:

I created with three new Hero Studio kits and Extras in this blog post, but there are 5 kits and 6 Extraordinary Extras altogether. You can also buy The Whole Studio!

Blog Hop:

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, July 7th 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
Heather Ruwe
Ilina Crouse
Jeannie Lieu
Jennifer Kotas
Kailash Naidoo
Karen Brown You Are Here 🙂
Lydia Fiedler
Michelle Short
Natasha Polite
Natasha Vacca
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka
Special Guests:
Jenn Shurkus

Nichol Spohr

Emily Midgett
Kelly Taylor

Happy crafting!

cardmaking · Stamping

Longtime Favorite Stamp: Capturing Venetian Charm + Copic Marker Magic & IG Reel

In the world of cardmaking, some stamps hold a special place in our hearts, evoking memories of past projects and creative journeys. As Hero Arts celebrates their 50th Anniversary, I thought it would be fun to grab one of my oldest stamps and rediscover the magic of this long time favorite: Venetian Neighborhood.

Best Background Stamp for Coloring

I’ve owned and loved Hero Arts Venetian Neighborhood for five years. I bought this stamp in April 2019 when it was part of that month’s MMH release. It’s been such a fan favorite over the years, that it is still available in the shop.

The Best of Hero Arts

I created a quick Instagram Reel of my cardmaking process that you can find BELOW:

The Joy of Coloring

There’s a unique joy that comes with coloring a beautiful stamp like Venetian Neighborhood. The process is meditative, therapeutic even, as we lose ourselves in the rhythm of shading and blending, completely absorbed in the act of creation. And when we finally step back to admire our handiwork, there’s a sense of pride and satisfaction that comes from making it uniquely ours. In a world filled with hustle and bustle, coloring a beautiful stamp offers a moment of peace and serenity, a chance to reconnect with our inner artist and revel in the simple pleasure of creating something beautiful.

Copic Colors Used:

  • Tans: E50, E31, E33
  • Yellows: Y00, Y17, Y20, YR04
  • Greens: G00, YG03, YG06, YG25, YG63
  • Turquoise: BG11, BG23, BG45
  • Violets: V01, V15
  • Red: R22
  • Grays: W0, W3, W5

Products Used:

We’ve discovered in today’s blog post, there’s something truly special about revisiting old favorites like the “Venetian Neighborhood” background stamp. I enjoyed our trip down memory lane and am so pleased you stopped by today!

cardmaking

Spellbinders FransFormer Snowy Friends | Cute Quick Christmas Card | Easy Copic Coloring

Spellbinders Fransfomers Snowy Friends  cute with quick easy Copic coloring

Cute creatures + easy Copic coloring makes for an enjoyable afternoon! Spellbinders was kind enough to send me an advance copy of the new Fransformer Snowy Friends by Stupendous cling stamp set and I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed creating a card more. FransFormers are flexible clear stamps that you can squish, squeeze, shape and adjust plus they are just loads of fun!

My card is 5 1/2″ square which allowed me to add three snowmen. I used the same stamp for the left and right snowbabies, but you can see I was able to shape them so they each have their own personality. I did a little easy Copic coloring and I was done.

Three adorable snowmen in hats and scarves on a handmade Christmas card with easy Copic marker coloring.

Spellbinders Fransformer Snow Friends Flexible Cling Stamps STP-218

Copic Markers Used:,

  • Blues: B00, BG11, BG45, B24, B29
  • Pinks: BV00, BV11, RV21, RV23
  • Light Peach: E11, E21
  • Gray: N0, N1
  • Green: YG01
  • Orange: YR04

If you are interested in another easy stamped Copic colored card, check out my blog post HERE.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…

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

cardmaking · Mixed Media

Spellbinders | House Mouse Designs Collection 3 Ways

Spellbinders House Mouse Designs | Daisy Mouse | Mixed Media handmade card.

Spellbinders just released 6 adorable House Mouse Designs Rubber Cling Stamp Kits + a bundle of the entire collection. The whimsical stamps are all so fun and today I am sharing three cards that I created.

Vintage Look Mixed Media Tutorial + Daisy Mouse (RSC-002)

Mixed Media cards have so much interest and I thought the technique would work perfectly with this Daisy Mouse (RSC-002) stamp set.

My Process:

  • I started by creating my background. I masked off a border and then used two shades of tan to ink blend my background. (Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap)
  • With the masking tape still on the cardstock, I then used the same tan inks to stencil and stamp bits and pieces on the background. Most of the stamping was “second generation” where I stamped first on a scrap and then onto my background so that the pattern would be subtle. Cathe Holden has some great stamps (Handle with Care: STP-093 and Friendly Society: STP-094) that I added here and there. I also used a bit of stamping with white pigment ink, but it is hard to see in the photograph.
  • Carefully remove your masking tape. I used Post It Tape, which is the best!
  • After my background was dry, I stamped The Daisy Mouse with Versafine Black Pigment Ink.
  • PRO TIP: For a crisp look, keep the stamp in your Misti stamping platform and restamp the image after you are done coloring. You won’t believe how much this one step will elevate your project!
  • I used Faber Castell Polychromo Colored Pencils to color the mouse and daisy. I used white, 2 shades of gray, 3 shades of yellow, orange, 2 shades of green, blue and coral.
  • PRO TIP: A bit of blue colored pencil was the secret ingredient!
  • Remember to restamp the image and let dry.
  • I also added a few white Posca Paint Pen (.9-1.3mm) dots.
  • The adorable Special Delivery sentiment is included with the stamp set.
  • I mounted my card panel on a navy card base and the finished card is 7″ x 4 3/4″. I usually add lots of foam tape, but I kept this card simple and just used Bearly liquid glue.
Spellbinders + House Mouse Designs | Daisy Mouse (RSC-002) two handmade cards

I loved the Daisy Mouse stamp so much that I made a second Copic colored version.

House Mouse Designs + Copic Coloring Tutorial

Spellbinders + House Mouse Designs | Daisy Mouse (RSC-002) Copic colored handmade card.

The detail on these stamps is so well done that coloring is so easy! I used the following Copic Colors:

  • E50, E40, E00, R20 (face, hands and tail)
  • BV0003 (shadows)
  • W0, W3, W5 (mouse body)
  • YG01, YG03 (stem and flower)
  • Y00, Y06, YR04, YR07 (flower)
Spellbinders + House Mouse Designs Collection Copic colored handmade  cards.

My final card uses Tea for Two (RSC-005). I am a tea drinker so this stamp set definitely called to me!

I used the following Copic colors:

  • E50, E40, E00, R20 (face, hands and tail)
  • BV0003 (shadows)
  • W0, W3, W5 (mouse body)
  • RV00, RV02, RV04 (teacups)
  • YG03 (stems)
  • BG05. B05 (flowers)

I wanted to add a small little sentiment in the middle of the scene, so I stamped the Hello from Fill My Heart Sentiments (STP-183)

Spellbinders + House Mouse Designs Tea for Two (RSC-005) Copic colorered handmade card.

Products Used:

Items Available at Amazon:

Faber Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils
Uncategorized

WWC310 – Marsha\’s Challenge: All About Occasions

 Yappy Birthday Card using Mama Elephant’s Playful Pups stamp set

Masculine Yappy Birthday Card

Hello and welcome!  We are making \”Occasions\” cards at Watercooler Wednesday and I made a fun puppy themed birthday card.  Marsha is our hostess.


Big changes at Watercooler Wednesday!  We are going to a bi-weekly format so this challenge will conclude on Monday, March 8th and winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 9th.  

I used one of my longtime favorite stamp sets:  Mama Elephant\’s Playful Pups.  I lightly penciled in two lines and then stamped my images within this band. I then erased the pencil and Copic colored my pups.   I like the clean happy look of this card.

We hope to see your card in our gallery.  You can access the challenge website HERE.


This is my last challenge on the design team for Watercooler Wednesday.  I’ve loved seeing all your beautiful creations over the last few years and I will be looking for your future projects on Instagram. 
Take care,
Karen
Uncategorized

WWC295 – Karen\’s Challenge: All About Occasions

 Hello, hello…so glad you stopped by!  I am the hostess this week at Watercooler Wednesday and am excited to share this card.  I hope to see your card in our gallery.

I\’ve admired this stamp set for quite a while, finally ordered it in April and am just now using it for the first time.  The flowers and leaves are so fun to color!

Supplies Used:

  • Simons Says Stamp Even More Spring Flowers stamp and die bundle
  • Ranger Letter It sentiment
  • Altenew New Day Enamel Dots
  • Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circle Die
  • Copic Markers
  • White Gel Pen Accents
  • Fog A2 card base.
I am also playing along with:

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Uncategorized

WWC290 – Michelle\’s Challenge: All About Occasions

Hello, hello…so glad you stopped by!  This week we are making occasion cards at Watercooler Wednesday and I was in the mood to do some fun coloring.  This card was very relaxing and therapeutic to make.  I\’ve wanted this stamp for a while and finally took the plunge and placed an order at Taylored Expressions. 


Supplies Used:

Taylored Expressions Create in Color Background stamp

Hello Bluebird Rainbow Script stamp sentiment

Altenew New Day Enamel Dots

23 Copic marker colors!


Hope to see you back soon,

Karen

Uncategorized

WWC288 – Kath\’s Challenge: All About Occasions

Hello!  I am excited that you stopped by to see this card…I love how bright and bold it is! 


This week at The Watercooler Wednesday Challenge we are creating Occasion cards.  Talented Kath is our hostess.  There are so many occasions and we would love to see your project in our gallery.

I started by stamping, Copic coloring and die-cutting two floral sprays.  I wanted to ink blend a complimentary background, but in reverse order of the colors of the flowers.  Since the card is bold, I also wanted some contrast, so I masked off 1 1/2\” on the left side of the card base.  I started ink blending in the bottom right with yellow and then added six more colors to achieve the gradient I was looking for.  I arranged the two sprays along the border of the white strip and ink blending and used foam adhesive to give added  and dimension to the focal point.
Supplies Used:
Simon Says Stamp Birthday Mix 1 sentiment stamp & die bundle
Distress Inks
Copic markers
Foam Squares
Masking tape

Time Out \”Seasons\” Challenge #169 with optional twist coloring.


UPDATE:  My card received honors at Time Out!

This card also was selected as a \”Top 3\” at Double D!

I am so pleased that you stopped by!
Karen