What better way to celebrate the summer season than by creating charming die cut scene cards? These delightful creations bring a touch of whimsy and cheer, perfect for sending a bit of sunshine to friends and loved ones. Today, I used Vicky Papaioannou’s lovely new Spellbinder’s collection called Tunnel Scapes.
Let’s dive into crafting our two designs: one featuring a kite soaring amid fluffy clouds, and another with two birds perched on blooming branches.
Tunnel Clouds Die Kit
I always love a good scene card, so I was so excited to create with the Perched Birds die set. To really add interest and dimension, I set the stage with Vicky’s delightful Tunnel Clouds background dies which include three unique stacking backgrounds dies + the adorable sun and other celestial elements. This entire collection is so fun and creative! And, the die cuts have so much lovely detail. I used a bunch of my favorite cardstock colors for these two companion cards.
2-Fer Backgrounds
Another wonderful benefit of the Tunnel Clouds die set is that you get “2-Fer backgrounds” each time you die cut! I created my second scene with The Fly Away kite die set. They work great with the Tunnel Clouds dies or you can use them by themself. The die set also includes a plane that would be perfect for a masculine card. I thought the “oh happy day” chipboard sentiment was perfect for this card.
Spellbinders has a wonderful NEW release called Out and About that is chock full of wonderfulness! Spellbinders is introducing their new compact die cutting machine called “Scout”, along with a fun collection of small but adorable die sets that work well with the pint-sized Scout. I love having a small light weight die cutting machine for smaller dies and sentiments. It allows me room to die cut, glue and assemble without having to tidy up in between steps.
I die cut Luna 3 times from Island Blue cardstock and then glued the layers together for a beautiful 3D focal point.
Using a Scallop Labels and Tags die, I die cut my background and THEN embossed the panel. If you emboss in this order, you will have more texture and dimension on your embossing. (If you emboss and then die cut, the die cutting process will smoosh the raised embossing.)
I added white accents with a thin Posca paint pen and added a black enamel dot for the eye.
I think little Luna is so cute! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.
If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your handmade cards, incorporating wax seals and infinity dies can elevate your designs to new heights. In this post, we’ll explore how to use these tools to create a stunning floral handmade card.
I knew I wanted to make a shaped floral card with a wax seal medallion on my vase. Here are step-by-step directions for this card:
I started by making a bunch of wax seals, which I really enjoy. If you’d like more details, I have a blog post titled 18 Tips and Tricks for Making Wax Seals that you can read HERE. I decided to use two Royal Blue seals and I planned my color scheme around the two seals. Spellbinders Wax Seal Kit is such a fun addition to any craftroom and I have really enjoyed playing with my kit this year.
Using my silver Deco Color Paint Pen, I added highlights to the wax mushrooms and foliage. Interestingly, the color looks a little more gold in the photographs, but it is silver in person.
As I mentioned, I wanted a shaped card so I took an A2 Side Fold Card Base and die cut my white base with the Scallop Labels and Tag die. I made sure that the left cutting edge was to the left of the fold so it would stay intact. Then I cut a Periwinkle and White Mat and assembled my card with Bearly Glue and a few Foam Adhesive Squares.
I also made a coordinating wax seal envelop for my card that you can see below.
As I said, I really enjoy making wax seals so I made some extras for future projects. The other colors are Indigo Ink, Pistachio, Velvet Rose and Gold.
Conclusion
Using wax seals and infinity dies in your handmade cards adds a level of detail and elegance that will impress any recipient. These tools allow you to create intricate designs and sophisticated touches that make your cards truly stand out. Whether for birthdays, weddings, or just because, a floral handmade card with these elements will be cherished and remembered. Happy crafting!
This month, Spellbinders Stitching Die of the Month Kit allows us to indulge in sweet delights with a yummy hand-stitched Ice Cream Cone Card. Looking for a sprinkle of sweetness to brighten someone’s day? Look no further! This kit is a reminder to cherish the simple pleasures in life, to savor each moment, and to spread kindness wherever we go.
The “Wow Factor” of Hand-Stitched Cards
This weekend, I had the pleasure of crafting this luscious handmade card with hand-stitched details, and let me tell you, the experience was delightful. The card came together quickly, but it is definitely high impact to the recipient. I find I get the most ooohs and aaahs from stitched cards and the “Wow Factor” they bring is truly priceless.
Tips and Tricks for Stunning Stitched Cards:
The kit has 12 cutting dies and I started by cutting all my pieces with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. I used Teal Topaz and Waterfall cardstocks. I die cut the elements I was going to stitch 2 times and then glued them together for a substantial base. I used White Glitter cardstock for the accent on the ice cream.
Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. I used used two shades of pink: #818 Baby Pink (ice cream) and #819 Baby Pink Light (cone).
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.
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.
To finish my project I embossed Pink Sand cardstock with the Tiny Dots embossing folder.
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.
Calling all crafters and cardmaking enthusiasts! Welcome to the June release, where we are bringing the boldness of urban textures in the signature Hero Arts style and quality! Get ready to ignite your creativity and elevate your crafting experience with the brand new lineup of Hero Studio cardmaking kits. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your crafting journey, these 5 new kits offer something for everyone. Let’s dive in!
Studio Card Kit of the Month
I started by creating with the new Hero Studio Card Kit, which is full of wonderfulness! This month’s theme is Urban Skyline.
For my first card, I used the HeroScape layering cloud stamps to create a dramatic sunrise. I laid down and blended LOTS of ink for a really saturated look. I love color and thought the cloud layering stamps would make a stunning, almost abstract background.
What’s Inside the Kit?
Curious to know what treasuries await you in this cardmaking kit? Let’s take a peek inside The Hero Studio Card Kit:
KIT INCLUDES: Urban Sky HeroScape Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8” Neighborhood Message Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″ Coordinating Dies City Stencil, 6×6 (with 3 Fall-Out City Skylines) 5 Ink Cubes (Peony, Pitch Black, Dusty Blue, Stonewash, Amethyst) 2 Sheets each of Silver Foil, Silver Glitter, Silver Cube & Pitch Black Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″ 2 Sheets City Textures Hero Transfers
Kit Cost and Value:
$46 with Subscription, $95 Value (Cancel Anytime) $49.99 One-Time Purchase (While Supplies Last)
My first step was to lightly blend bands ink on my background (Deluxe Smooth Cardstock) so that the cloud highlights would be slightly tinted. For my base, before I used my layering stamps, I used Lemon Drop, Taffy, Thistle and Cornflower inks.
I then used the following colors for Stamp 1: Cornflower, Thistle, Taffy and Creamsicle, overlapping each color a bit. I also used a blending brush on the stamp to soften the color changes. I put down a lot of ink for a vibrant effect and I used my Misti stamp positioner so I could restamp my layers. I found a photograph of a beautiful sunrise and used it as my color inspiration.
The kit has LOTS of sentiments and I stamped and die cut my thank you.
Colorful Sunset Cityscape Tags
I also created two tags with the Hero Studio Card Kit stencils. These tags were featured in Hero Arts Countdown Hop and you can read more about my process HERE.
Hero Studio Fancy Dies
I love die cutting, so I had tons of fun creating my window scene card with the new Hero Studio Fancy Dies. This month’s background die is called Urban Window and I think there are endless design options. I love creating scenes, so I know I will be using this die again!
My base is a leftover piece of background from a project you can read about HERE.
I die cut my window frame from Peacock cardstock and trimmed off the greenery. I die cut the window frame a second time from Meadow cardstock and layered it behind the Peacock frame, so that my branches would be green. The sky is Arctic.
I added two birds, a potted plant and a die cut sentiment to finish my scene.
Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, June 9th at 11:59pm Pacific, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.
Today, the Hero Arts Creative Team is thrilled to offer you a sneak peek into their newly re-imagined subscription cardmaking kit called Hero Studio Card Kit of the Month. Each month will have a fresh beautiful collection of handpicked supplies that are sure to ignite your creativity. The kits will go live the first Monday of the month so you can view the entire kit on Monday, June 3rd at 2:00 PM PST. Or, you can pre-order today! Until then, here is your sneak peek….
To celebrate, Hero Arts is hosting a Blog Hop and Giveaway that you can find HERE.
As we countdown to the premiere, I wanted to share two sunset cityscape tags I created with The June 2024 Studio Card Kit. Liquid Watercolors make the MOST vibrant backgrounds, which is what I wanted for this project.
Crafting the Urban Skyline: A Sneak Peek into Hero Arts Studio Card Subscription Kit
My Process:
I started by using Liquid Watercolors to create my sunset background. I put a sheet of Luxe Watercolor Paper on my craft mat, brushed the paper with water and then painted bands of color with Dandelion, Orange and Brights Pink liquid watercolor.
I dried my panel and repeated step one.
I put my sunset panel on my Sticky Mat, attached the cityscape stencil to my background with washi tape and applied Onyx Pigment Ink with a Small Blending Brush to create my building silhouettes.
Using the next stencil, I applied Gold Wax to simulate lighted windows. While the stencil was still in place, I smoothed the wax with an old gift card. Work quickly so the wax doesn’t dry on the stencil. This will give you a good result when you peel back the stencil. I did let the wax set on the stencil while I finished my tags, but I soaked it for a bit and the wax washed right off.
I love easy sentiments, and Spellbinders just released three sets of sentiment stickers and embellishments from Bayfair that I found both economical and simple to use.
Quick and Easy Premade Card Sentiments
My mom’s birthday is tomorrow and I created this stitched card for her. The puffy “Loved” sentiment was exactly what I was looking for. This beautiful gold sticker is from Bayfair’s Puffy Sticker set. I also have a card in the works that uses the Chipboard Stickers, so stay tuned for that….
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.
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 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.
Spellbinders More Fresh Picked Collection offers an exquisite opportunity to create a contemporary cardmaking masterpiece. The entire Fresh Picked series offers modern, contemporary, stylized florals that really ignite my creativity and I couldn’t wait to get started die-cutting.
Fresh Picked Vase Bouquet
My Process:
Today, I selected the Fresh Picked Vase Bouquet for my birthday card. I knew I wanted Waterfall leaves and greenery on my card so I did a quick search through my color cubes and decided on color combination #060, and I have to say I love this color palette!
I die cut all my elements using Spellbinders Happy Day Cardstock Assortment. I die cut the vase twice for a bit of dimension.
With its sleek lines and intricate designs, the Spellbinders Fresh Picked Vase Bouquet die set allows for the creation of stunning floral arrangements that exude modern elegance.
Hey there, crafty friends! Karen here and today, we’re diving into the magical world of metallic shimmer sprays and how you can incorporate them into your cardmaking and papercrafting projects. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting out, these shimmer sprays are sure to add a touch of fun and sparkle to your creations.
Today I am sharing several colorful cards. It was a play day for me as I experimented with ink sprays and a fresh new background stamp called Abstract Feather Bold Print.
Rainbow Color Shimmer Cards
My Process:
I added 6 colors of Metallic Spray to the wells of my paint palette. I’ve listed the colors used below. Add more water for a softer more water-color look.
With my Flat Water Brush, I brushed paint onto my stamp and then stamped on my watercolor paper. For the “Smile” card I wanted a softer watercolor look so I brushed water on the stamp and then brushed on 6 colors of pigmented spray.
I finished by adding my sentiments and embellishments, which I detail below.
All of my die cut sentiments were cut 3 times, stacked and glued together.
As I stated above, I wanted to try a softer watercolor look for my “Smile” card and in person, this card seems to have the most shimmer and shine. After trimming my card, I lightly ink blended the edges with Amethyst Core Ink and added my sentiment, which was die cut from Amethyst cardstock. I added Translucent Pink Enamel Dots for a little added interest.
Card #2 was made the same way as Card 1, except I did NOT brush water on my stamp before painting my stamp. You can really see how the amount of water used can change your project.
PRO TIP: Protect your work surface with a piece of deli paper when working with messy media. It makes for a quick and easy cleanup.
What are Metallic Shimmer Sprays?
Metallic shimmer sprays are versatile crafting tools that contain finely milled metallic pigments suspended in a liquid base. They come in a variety of metallic shades and below, you can see the six I used on my cards today. When sprayed or brushed onto paper, these shimmer sprays impart a beautiful shine and metallic sheen, adding depth and dimension to your projects.
Don’t you just love this shimmery rainbow of metallic sprays? I can’t decide which is my favorite!
Stamping with metallic shimmer sprays is a fun and easy way to elevate your cardmaking projects and add a touch of shine to your designs. Whether you’re crafting for a special occasion or just because, these metallic sprays are sure to make your creations shine bright. So, grab your stamps and start sparkling!
I hope you found this tutorial helpful and inspiring. Happy crafting!
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