Tag: Die cutting

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!

cardmaking · Die cutting

Spellbinders | Rocky the Dancin’ Yeti | Monster Friends Collection

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Adorable female die cut Yeti handmade card in oranges and purple.

Imagine receiving a cheerful Yeti card to brighten your day—whether it’s a simple “hello” or a get-well wish, this handmade card will surely bring a smile. This die set is called Rocky the Dancin’ Yeti, buy I’ve renamed my set “Roxy” since I created a sweet furry little girl. Rocky is a new Spellbinders Paper Arts release.

Yetis are mythical Himalayan Abominal Snowmen, but this cutie from the Monster Friends Collection is not frightening at all! Using die-cutting techniques, you can easily bring this charming character to life. This die set is great for playing card-making dress up. The kit includes lots of extra accessories like scarves, ear muffs, knit caps etc.

Creating This Card:

  • I started by die cutting my Yeti components using my compact Scout Machine. I love small sets that work well with table die-cutters. I used Persimmon, Peridot and Sunshine from the Happy Day Cardstock Pack. I used Amythest for my base, and I really like the contrast. The other colors came from my scrap drawer.
  • 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!
  • My background and mats were die-cut using my Scallop Edge Infinity Dies.
  • I chose a fun font sentiment from Hero Arts Birthday Animals Stamp.
  • TIP: Some of the pieces are small so I found using a fine tip glue worked well. I used Bearly Glue.
Rocky the Dancin' Yeti die cut Hello handmade card from Spellbinders Monster Friends kit.

Happy crafting, and I hope Roxy the Yeti brought you a bit of cheer!

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 · Cardmaking Kit · stitching

Stitching Die of the Month | November 2024 | Spellbinders

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Handmade stitched card tutorial with Spellbinders Novebmer 2024 Stitching Die of the Month and a die cut Dalmation dog.

Today, I’m excited to share a simple yet charming project featuring a stitched frame and an adorable die-cut Dalmatian named Dottie!

I am using Spellbinders Paper Arts November Stitching Club of the Month and Roller Disco Dottie from the Out and About Collection.

Frames add so much interest and I think this new stitched kit will become a staple in my craftroom. I can never have too many nesting inifity dies and this one would also be so pretty “unstitched”!

Cross Stitch Nested Card Front and Tag Kit

Adding handstitched details to your cardmkaing projects.

Stitching Kit Tips and Tricks:

  • I started by die cutting my Stitching Kit pieces with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. This month’s kit has 7 wonderful cutting dies. I die cut the frame twice and glued them together for easier stitching. The frame is Teal Topaz and the stitched inset is Waterfall that I used from The Assorted Cardstock pack. This bundle has GREAT colors!
  • I die cut Dottie twice and assembled.
  • Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. Today, I used DMC 964 that is included in the Color Essentials Cool DMC Bundle. This thread bundle was selected to coordinate with Spellbinders cardstock colors.
  • When I started stitching, I took two strands of floss, separated them one at a time, brought them together and then stroked and lengthened them until they seemed tame and ready to use.
  • 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.
  • I assembled my piece with Bearly Glue and Craft Foam.

I thought it would be fun to include a process photo of my stitching in progress. I have a comfy chair by a window that I like to stitch in.

Process photo for a handstitched greeting card with a die cut dalmation puppy.

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