Tag: Die cutting

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · papercrafting

Spellbinders | Large Die of the Month Kit | Colorful Floral Card

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Hello, hello! Today’s card features Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Kit for January 2025. The Botanical Atrium, is a die-cut lover’s dream with gorgeous floral details, a luxurious gold frame, and a fresh aqua-and-coral palette.

Creating With the Large Die of the Month Kit | January 2025

I used shiny gold cardstock to make the atrium stand out against a crisp white background, and wow—does it ever pop! Inside the frame, delicate coral and aqua florals cascade in a lush arrangement, creating a playful yet refined design. I’ll be using the florals on loads of future cards!

Key Products Used:

It’s a great time to buy paper because Spellbinders is having a Paper Party Sale until January 26th!

Textured Touches: The Brick Background

To add a subtle yet striking detail, I stenciled a brick pattern on the white background using grit paste. Just here and there, mind you—like peeking through a garden wall. This little bit of texture gives the card depth without taking attention away from the gorgeous die-cut elements. It’s understated but oh-so-effective!

January 2025 Papercrafting Kits and Blog Posts

This year, I’ll be creating with 3 Spellbinders Kits each month. I’ve already published two posts that you might enjoy reading:

  1. Hello Gorgeous! Crafting with Spellbinders Die of the Month Kit (Dragonfly)
  2. Spellbinders | Stitching Die of the Month | Ladybug

Helpful Product Links:

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.

The January Card Kit is both timeless and modern, and is a must-have for your stash. I hope you enjoyed my little creation!

cardmaking · Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting

Hello, Gorgeous! Crafting With Spellbinders Die of the Month Kit | January 2025

Karen Brown2 Comments
Spellbinders January 2025 Die of the Month - Dragonfly - handmade card in gradients of pink with a pop of green.

I’m sharing a colorful and versatile “hello” card featuring the January 2025 Small Die of the Month Kit from Spellbinders. This $15 kit ($27 value) features a stunning die-cut dragonfly, a lovely scripty sentiment, and I added a playful pink Eyelet Scallop Border to complete my card. With gradients of pink and fresh green taking center stage, this card is perfect for any occasion where a cheerful greeting is in order!

Bold, Bright, and Beautiful

A bright and cheerful handmade card featuring a die-cut dragonfly in gradient shades of pink and green, paired with a scripty “hello” and a Scallop Eyelet Border.

By layering gradients of pink and green Cardstock, I brought this little beauty to life, creating dimension and a sense of movement. The result? A dragonfly that feels as light and airy as the real thing.

LINK to Spellbinder’s Small Die Card of the Month Kit.

Tips for Creating the Perfect Dragonfly

  • Choose Gradient Cardstock: Using gradient shades of pink + green gives the dragonfly a cohesive, polished look. I used Hero Arts Cardstocks in Peony, Ultra Pink, Plum and Meadow and added a scrap of fog gray. The border is die cut from Ultra Pink Cardstock.
  • Helpful Tools: I found my Ninja Jewel Picker to be quite helpful in placing my die cuts. I used my 9″ Sheers for trimming the border and my Platinum 6 for all my die cutting.
  • Gluing Order: For the wings, I started gluing the bigger outer pieces and worked my way toward the smaller pieces.
  • Add A Colorful Border and Die-Cut Edge: Die-cut borders in bold colors provide a playful frame that complements the dragonfly and makes your design pop. I used the new Eyelet Scallop Border dies to create an interesting border and edge.
  • Stack the Sentiment: The scripty “hello” sentiment adds a playful and welcoming touch. I added a slightly offset plum hello shadow behind the Ultra Pink sentiment to add some dimension.
  • Keep It Crisp: A white background ensures the colorful elements remain the focal point of the card.

You might also like to read my recent Stitching Club of the Month Post: Ladybug

Bold Bright and Beautiful Dragonfly card crafter using Spellbinder January 2025 Small Die of the Month Kit.

Helpful Product Links:

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.

Charming Simplicity: The Second Card

Charmingly simple CAS Hello die cut card in hot pink featuring Spellbinders Eyelet Scallop Border S4-1413 from the Vivid Expressions Collection.

For the second card, I focused on creating a minimalist yet striking CAS design. Featuring an Ultra Pink Eyelet Scallop Border and edge, this card radiates charm with its simple yet bold details. The lovely “hello” sentiment (January Small Die of the Month Kit) perfectly complements the intricate border. The crisp white background ensures the vibrant pink tones remain the star of the show. This design proves that sometimes, less is more when it comes to crafting heartfelt greetings!

Why These Cards are So Versatile

Sometimes you need a card that works for just about any occasion, and these dragonfly and scallop border designs fit the bill. Whether you’re saying hi to a friend, sending encouragement or thanks, or just want to let someone know you’re thinking of them, these cards are perfect picks.

Until next time, keep crafting, keep smiling, and keep sending those handmade hellos! 🌸✨

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Royal Inspiration: Playing Card-Themed Cards | Spellbinders

Karen Brown1 Comment
Die-cut handmade cards featuring The Queen of Hearts and King of Hearts with a playing card theme. The dies are from Spellbinders Jack of All Trades Collection: Royal Court and Pip and Rank.

Welcome, welcome! Today, we’re diving into the world of handmade cards inspired by the regal charm of playing cards. Our stars of the show? The Queen of Hearts and King of Hearts, reimagined with a dreamy color palette of lavender, plum, and aqua. These cards are extra special because they’re personalized to look like my daughter and son-in-law, making them a true celebration of love and individuality. These cards are perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, or any occasion that calls for a touch of royal flair.

Key Products Used:

King and Queen of Hearts playing card theme die cut handmade cards. Wonderful customizable ideas for Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays and more.

These cards were so fun to make! You can personalize the peeps in so many different ways…favorite colors, hair and eye color, props….

I used Cardstock in the following colors: Passion Flower, Amethyst, Plum, Antique Ivory, Cup O Joe, Periwinkle and Meadow plus Brushed Gold accents.

Queen of Hearts: Elegance in Lavender

Queen of Hearts handmade card from Spellbinders Reversible Royal Court die set. Great for Birthdays, Anniveraries or Valentines Day.

This Queen of Hearts card is a tribute to my daughter, featuring elements that reflect her grace and personality.

King of Hearts: Bold and Regal

King of Hearts handmade card from Spellbinders Jack of All Trades Collection. Great masculine card for birthdays or Valentines.

Inspired by my son-in-law, this King of Hearts card brings a bold and charismatic vibe to the design.

Crafting these playing card-themed designs has been such a delightful journey of personalization and creativity. Whether you’re celebrating a couple you adore or channeling your own inner royalty, these projects are a great way to share the love. So, what will your Queen and King of Hearts look like?

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting

A Birthday Card Full of Whimsy: Winnie the Pooh and Piglet Scene

Karen Brown3 Comments
Whimsical blog post showing how I created a charming Winnie the Pooh (and Piglet too!) die cut birthday card from Spellbinders Classic Pooh Collection.

Sometimes, a handmade card can transport us to a place of pure nostalgia and joy. That’s exactly what this Winnie the Pooh-inspired birthday card does! With die cuts, soft ink blending, and a cheerful color palette, this whimsical creation captures a moment straight out of the Hundred Acre Wood.

Key Products Used:

You might also enjoy reading my recent post: Cozy Little Hello Cards with BetterPress | Winnie the Pooh Scene Cards.

A handmade Winnie the Pooh-inspired birthday card featuring Pooh and Piglet holding hands, an orange balloon, a honey pot, and a soft green grass background framed with a periwinkle postage stamp border.

Creating the Scene

This card brings to life a heartwarming scene of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet holding hands, walking side by side. The duo is accompanied by a playful orange balloon on a string, gently floating above. A honey pot rests on the ground, completing the sweet and simple vignette. The background features softly ink-blended green grass, framed by a charming postage stamp-style border in periwinkle blue, adding just the right touch of whimsy.

Techniques for Dimension and Charm

The die cuts are the stars of this card, and a touch of light ink blending adds depth and dimension to each element. Winnie the Pooh’s honey-colored body gets a subtle gradient to make him pop, while Piglet’s pink details are gently shaded for softness. The balloon shines bright in orange, with its string creating a delightful sense of movement.

The grass is ink blended in gentle greens, giving the scene a soft, storybook feel. Meanwhile, the periwinkle frame ties everything together with its postage stamp shape, reminiscent of a cherished letter from the Hundred Acre Wood.

Winnie the Pooh (and Piglet too!) handmade die cut birthday scene card in periwinkle blue, honey yellow and Piglet pink.

Why This Card is a Classic

This Pooh-themed birthday card is more than just a greeting; it’s a tiny piece of nostalgia wrapped in creativity. Perfect for anyone who loves the timeless tales of Winnie the Pooh, this card is sure to bring a smile to their face and a touch of magic to their special day.

Today’s card is for a friend’s birthday, but I think it would also be great as a Get Well Card.

Happy crafting and see ya next time!

cardmaking · Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting

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

Karen Brown14 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? ❤️

Best Of · cardmaking

Best and Favorite Cards of 2024: The Year’s Most-Loved Designs

Karen BrownLeave a comment

As the year comes to a close, I’m taking a moment to reflect on all the creative projects I’ve shared across my Blog, YouTube channel, and Instagram. The journey has been filled with color, craftiness, and, most importantly, connecting with all of you!

Many of these items featured on my “Fan Favorites” list are currently on sale too!

  • Find Hero Arts New Year’s Eve sale items HERE
  • Hero Arts Final Sale items can be found HERE.
  • Shop Hero Arts HERE
  • Shop Spellbinders New Year’s Eve Sale HERE
  • Find Spellbinders Clearance Sale HERE
  • Shop Spellbinders newer collections HERE.

YouTube’s Card Tutorial: Most Watched Video

Best and Most Popular YouTube Cardmaking Video in 2024.

On YouTube, it was all about bringing techniques to life. Here is the tutorial that flew the highest:

Blog Post Link: Shimmery Snowflake Backgrounds 3 Ways

YouTube Link: Shimmery Snowflake Backgrounds

I created this video for HeroArts Blog and YouTube channel but I also posted on my YouTube Channel for my followers as well.

Top Blog Post in 2024

This year on my blog, I focused on techniques that ranged from beginner-friendly to advanced, and your feedback has been the cherry on top! My most read blog post this year was:

9 Tips, Tricks and Insights for Spellbinders BetterPress Machine

I received a BetterPress LetterPress system for Christmas in 2023, and I had lots of fun learning and experimenting with my new crafty toy. You can read my original blog post by clicking on the link above.

Best, Favorite, Most Popular Cardmaking Blog Post of 2024,

Instagram Reels: Quick Crafting, Big Inspiration

Favorite and Most Popular Instagram Reel in 2024.

This year, Instagram Reels became a go-to for sharing bite-sized creativity. These short videos were packed with techniques, tips, and a splash of fun. Here is my most popular 2024 Reel.

Instagram Reel Link: Floral Trove Stenciled Friend Card

Corresponding Blog Post Link: Stunning Stenciling Magic with Rainbow Colors

Instagram Highlights: Most-Liked and Commented on Creations

Instagram brought quick inspiration and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks to your feeds. Here are the top posts.

For Spellbinders, these were the fan favorites. You can find links to the corresponding blog posts below:

Best Handmade Spellbinders Cards in 2024.

And here are my most popular Hero Arts Instagram posts along with links to the correstponding Blog Posts:

Best Hero Arts Handmade Cards in 2024.

I’m so grateful to share this journey with all of you. Your comments, likes, and creations inspire me every day. Here’s to an even brighter, more colorful 2025 filled with new techniques, bold designs, and, of course, plenty of fun! Let me know in the comments—what were your favorite projects this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy crafting, and see you in the new year! ✨☕

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Opening My Crafty Advent Calendar | Week 1 | Spellbinders

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Opening Week 1 and creating with Spellbinders 2024 Crafty Advent Calendar.

I recently opened my Spellbinders Crafty Advent Calendar and, oh my, I can already tell this is going to be an exciting month filled with DIY fun! For those who might not be familiar, a Crafty Advent Calendar contains 24 days of creative supplies and surprises, all designed to inspire your crafting. This week, I dove into the first few projects, and I can’t wait to share the magic of it all with you.

Opening the Advent Calendar: Day 1 to Day 7

Creating an adorable die cut handmade bumblebee Hello Friend with dancing flowers.

The anticipation of opening each little door in the calendar is half the fun! Each day has revealed a mix of supplies and cute embellishments. I could feel my creativity bubbling the moment I opened Day 1.

If you missed it, you can read my Day 1 post HERE.

Here’s a quick peek at what I found:

  • Day 1: Hot Air Balloon: Read my post HERE
  • Day 2: Hello Friend Stamp
  • Day 3: 6 Flower Dies
  • Day 4: Sentiment with Banners
  • Day 5: 2 Squiggle Dies
  • Day 6: Bee Dies
  • Day 7: 3 Darling Floral Stencils

The adorable bee (day 6) captured my heart and I used those dies along with days 3, 4 and 5 to create this cute Hello Friend scene card. The clouds from the Fly Away die set were the only things I added that were not included in the Crafty Advent Calendar.

My Scout desktop die cutting machine was perfect for cutting my die cuts.

I wanted a little more vertical room for my scene, so my white panel is 4″ x 6″.

I loved the inspiration that came with each day’s reveal. I’m excited to continue opening the calendar and discovering what new projects await in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more fun holiday crafts—I’ll be sharing new projects each week!

Have you opened a Crafty Advent Calendar this season? What are you making with yours? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to see your creations!

Happy crafting! 🎄✨

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Opening Day 1 of the Crafty Advent Calendar | Spellbinders

Karen Brown1 Comment
Opening Day 1 of Spellbinders Crafty Advent Calendar and making a handmade card with the included dies.

December is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited to kick off the festive season with my Spellbinders Paper Arts Crafty Advent Calendar! If you’re anything like me, the thought of crafting something new each day leading up to Christmas brings so much joy—and this year, the fun starts with a surprise die inside Day 1. Let’s open it together and make a holiday card!

Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar Options:

What’s Behind Door #1?

The anticipation is real. As I carefully peel open Day 1, I reveal… a beautiful hot air balloon die! It’s intricate yet versatile, perfect for adding that extra touch of winter magic to any holiday card.

Spellbinders trio of colorful die cut hot air balloons on a handmade card.

This balloon die is just adorable with tons of detail! So here is a quick tutorial on how I created this bright happy card:

  • I started by die cutting my balloon 3 times in the following combinations: orange and hot pink, aqua and lime, lavendar and purple. This project is perfect for my compact desk top Scout Die Cutting Machine.
  • I used Brushed Gold cardstock for the sentiment and accents.
  • The only die I added is the cloud from the Fly Away die set. I use this cloud on a lot of projects and find it is a great accent to have in my craft room.
  • My background panel is 4 1/4″ x 6″. I little longer than an A2 card but I like the layout better with a bit more vertical space.
  • I adhered my elements with Craft Foam and Bearly Glue.
  • My card base is charcoal grey for a bit of lovely contrast.

And There You Have It!

I can’t wait to see what’s behind the other doors! Stay tuned for more crafty inspiration as we count down to Christmas together. I will be back in a few days with more Crafty Advent Inspiration.

Happy crafting! ❄️🎄

Karen

Cardmaking Kit · papercrafting

Hero Studio December 2024 Release and Hop

Karen Brown13 Comments
Hero Arts Hero Studio December 2024 Release and Card Inspiration

If you’re already dreaming of decking your craft room with fresh supplies, Hero Arts December Release is about to paint your world with inspiration! This month’s theme is color, and it’s bursting with playful possibilities. Imagine stamps that bring your designs to life, a fancy circle-shaped die perfect for creating a BOLD striking focal point, and a die-cut box of crayons that’s as whimsical as it is nostalgic. And let’s not forget the butterflies—because no colorful creation is complete without a touch of fluttery elegance. It’s everything you need to make your cards shine brighter.

A Kaleidoscope of Creativity: December’s Theme is “Color”!
Bold, colorful and bright sun and floral die cut card with created with the Inlay die cutting technique for a stained glass look.
A Colorful Recipe for Success: Hero Studio December Card Kit of the Month

I wanted a bold color palette with variations in shade so I grabbed the new Sky Ombres Hero Transfers for die cutting my Floral Circle Fancy Die (part of the December Card Kit). I used the Inlay Die Cutting Technique which produces a beautiful “stained glass window” look.

  1. Cut the circle frame from Pitch Black Cardstock
  2. Select the colors you want from the Sky Ombres Hero Transfers and rub on white cardstock. I enjoy using Rub-On Transfers and I love the beautiful gradients in this sampler.
  3. With the Floral Circle Fancy Die, cut a circle in a 5″ x 5″ white cardstock panel and stamp the sentiment (included in the kit).
  4. Glue the white panel created in step 3 to a second 5″ x 5″ panel of white cardstock.
  5. Insert your black frame in the round window.
  6. Die cut your colors using the panels you created in step 2. Inset these into the black frame. I kept all the die cut pieces in a small bowl until I was sure I had all the pieces I needed to create my stained glass. I placed each piece prior to gluing to make sure they were all in the correct spot. Once I was happy with my placement, I put glue in the “well” and then placed and glued the die cut components.
  7. This techinque is great for mass-producing cards. You can see two of the leftovoer frames in the top right corner of the photo. These would be beautiful just glued to a card for a bright clean and simple look.
Bright happy circle die cut card featuring a sun and two happy flower blooms with a "You Color My World" sentiment.

What’s Inside the Kit?

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

• Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8” • 15 Coordinating Dies • Floral Circle Fancy Die • 5 Reinkers, 1/2 oz. (Purple Galaxy, Blue Hawaii, Green Apple, Lemon Drop, Fruit Punch) • Plastic Watercolor Palette

5 Wonderful Kit Options:

For this blog post, I created with the December Kit, The Clear Stamp and Dies Kit and two Extraordinary Extras, but there are 5 kits plus 6 Extras available. You can also buy the Whole Studio, which includes all 5 kits at a wonderful savings.

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

Clear Stamp and Die of the Month: Floral Butterfly

Stamped, colored and die cut Floral Butterfly card on an ombre background created with Hero Rub-On Transfers.

For a card that truly takes flight, try stamping the gorgeous Floral Butterfly as your centerpiece. Use alcohol markers to bring it to life with vibrant shades—blend rich oranges, sunny yellows, and lush greens to make those petals pop. Once your butterfly is a kaleidoscope of color, grab your coordinating die and cut it out. Adhere it to an ombre blue sky background, fading from light to dark, for a dreamy effect. I created my background panel by “rubbing” on the Sky Ombres Hero Transfer onto cardstock. So easy and beautiful! It’s like sending a little piece of summer to your favorite person, no sunscreen required! 🦋✨

Key Products Used:

Bright fluttery stamped and die cut butterfly handmade card created with Hero Arts December Cling of the Month Stamp and Die kit called Floral Butterfly. Hero Arts: CD1224, RT138

Box of Crayons Fancy Dies

Hero Arts Box of Crayons Fancy Dies inspirational die cut handmade card. Hero Arts DF229

Make their birthday extra colorful with a slimline card that’s all about the crayons! I used Box of Crayons Fancy Dies and started by die-cutting a cheerful box of crayons and filling it with every shade imaginable—this is your chance to go full rainbow mode. Hero Arts recently introduced a limited edition sampler of Rainbow Cardstock that is perfect for your favorite colorful die cutting.

I die cut each crayon in two shades of each color and then trimmed the top of the lighter toned “label” with scissors to make for a more realistic crayon look.

Key Products Used:

Rainbow die cut crayon handmade birthday card created with Hero Arts Box of Crayons die kit

Blog Hop:

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, December 8 at 11:59pm PST, 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 You Are Here!
Lydia Fiedler
Michelle Short
Natasha Polite
Natasha Vacca
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka
Special Guests:
Mindy Eggen
Nichol Spohr
Kelly Taylor

Happy Crafting! And be sure to let your creativity shine bright and colorful.

BOLD Heat Embossing | Hero Arts
cardmaking · Tutorial

BOLD Heat Embossing | Hero Arts

Karen Brown1 Comment
How to get beautiful bold heat embossing results everytime. Hero Arts Abstract Poinsettia Pattern Cling Stamp - November 2024

Hello, Karen Brown here from kennyscard.com and today I’ve got two projects with BOLD heat embossing that practically pops off the card! Heat embossing definitely adds that wow factor to your cards and it is always a fan favorite.

Today I am using the lovely new Abstract Poinsettia Pattern Cling stamp on both my cards. With a red rubber cling stamp and a bit of heat, you can create raised glossy designs that catch the light beautifully. Embossing give cards a tactile element that feels luxurious and makes your creations stand out.

Abstract Poinsettia Pattern 2 Ways

"JOY" die cut and heat embossed Christmas card with fine black heat spatter and Adriatic teal and Crimson red color scheme.

Let’s get started!

  1. For both cards, I started by creating my backgrounds. I applied my anti-static powder tool to a 6″ x 6″ panel of Cranberry cardstock. I always like to take a clean flat brush and move the powder around the cardstock before I start stamping.
  2. Using my StampWheel, I stamped the Abstract Poinsettia Pattern background stamp with Unicorn Pigment Ink and then heat set with White Embossing Powder. I use this double white combination when I want really bright white embossing. I let my heat tool warm up for 3 minutes so it was good and hot.
  3. I die cut my JOY sentiment three times from Adriatic Cardstock and then glued the stacks together for nice dimension.
  4. I added some fine paint splatters to an A2 White Card Base using a fine brush and lightly diluted Black Licorice Ink. I like to put a dab of ink on an Acrylic Block, mist it and then flick it onto my project.
  5. I cut my background down to 2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ and glued to the bottom of my card base.
  6. I centered and glued my sentiment, added a left over “Peace on Earth” from my October Card Kit and finished with 3 black Neutral Hues Enamel Dots.
Bold red and white heat embossing with teal die cut JOY Letter sentiment.

I made a quick Instagram reel for Card 2 if you are interested in watching the process.

  1. I repeated steps 1-3 above.
  2. I brushed some Icelandic Hero Wax onto my die-cuts for a shimmery glow that is even prettier in person. I applied the wax with a silicone shaper brush, but you could use your finger or a sponge dauber. This wax is an inexpensive way to spice up your projects. The key is to use just a little. And don’t worry, clean up is easy!
  3. I trimmed my background down and ink blended a little Crimson and Black Licorice around the edges to frame the sentiment, but you could easily skip this step.
  4. With a little craft foam, I glued my panel to an A2 card base.
  5. I centered and glued my sentiment.
Two bold heat embossed Christmas cards in Crimson red and Aquatic Teal with bright white heat embossing.

Thanks for stopping by today. Happy embossing, and happy holidays!