VIDEO: Easy & Addictive | Beginner Mixed Media Tag Tutorial

February 18, 2026February 16, 2026 Karen Brown1 Comment

Easy & Addictive Mixed Media Tag Graphic with photo of two mixed media tags.

Mixed media doesn’t have to be intimidating; it’s simply the art of combining different materials to tell a story.

Today I’m sharing how to make easy mixed media tags using a stress-free, step-by-step process that’s perfect for absolute beginners. These tags come together quickly, use flexible techniques, and—fair warning—are a little bit addictive once you get started.

Video

👉 Or watch on YouTube HERE.

This post coordinates with my YouTube video where I walk through every step in real time. If you like seeing the process in action, be sure to watch the video alongside this tutorial.

👉 Use the supplies you have on hand, but I do have my supply list at the bottom of this post.

Mixed Media Tags for Absolute Beginners: 11 Easy Steps

Closeup of two completed vintage look mixed media tags

Step 1: Create a Simple Ink Smoosh Background

Add three shades of water-based reactive ink to your craft mat, spritz generously with water, and press the watercolor paper into the ink. Let sit in the puddle with an acrylic block on top for 1 – 5 minutes. The more water you use, the softer the panel. I used Key Lime Fizz, Pool Party and Blue Hawaii on my tags.

If you are interested in learning how to create an easywatercolor background, I have step-by-step directions in my tutorial how to make mixed media tags in 9 easy steps.

Step 2: Dry Your Panel

Let the panel air dry or speed things up with a heat tool. If it warps, flatten it under a book once dry.

Process photo of my two ink smoosh watercolor background panels.

Step 3: ViewFinder Trick

I like to use my tag die as a viewfinder to decide which part of my panel I want to feature.

Step 4: Die Cutting

Once I’m happy, I tape the tag die in place and run it through my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. It is one of the tools I rely on regularly—several of them are included in my list of the best cardmaking supplies for 2026.

Step 5: Stenciling

Now its time to start layering on top of our background. I add stenciling to about two thirds of each tag using the same reactive ink colors that I used in Step 1. You can use just about any stencil you have. I chose two very different designs and I love how they both turned out!

Close-up of my aqua blue mixed media tag with personalized die cut initials (KB) and Hero Arts rub-on Hero Transfers.

Step 6: Second-Generation Stamping

This is one of my favorite mixed media techniques.

Ink your stamp, stamp once on scrap paper, then immediately stamp onto your background.

The lighter impression adds depth and texture while keeping things loose and organic.

Use the same colors you used on your background in Step 1. This keeps everything cohesive and soft and adds subtle interest without overpowering the background.

Mixed media art tag created by layering 6 additional techniques on top of my ink smoosh watercolor background.

Step 7: Add Rub-On Transfers for Easy Texture

Hero Transfers are one of the easiest ways to add detail and interest—no drying time required. Today, I used the Grids and Icons Transfers.

Cut a small section, place it on your tag, and rub it on using a bone folder or craft stick. I like angling my transfers slightly for a more vintage, organic look.

Step 8: Add Some Grunge and Ink Blend the Edges

Ink blending around the edges of the tags adds instant definition and helps ground all those layers.

This is where everything starts to come together. I like using a darker neutral ink like Root Beer to “grunge up” the edges just a bit.

Colorful ledger style mixed media tag with die cut floral sunbursts and a cheerful orange heart.

Step 9: Add Splatters

Using a fan brush, splatter water (then blot with a cloth) and them the same inks used above. This step instantly adds movement and that “mixed media magic” feel.

Process photo showing water splatters and ink splatters on my in-process mixed media art tag.

Step 10: Add Focal Points

Now it’s time to bring in focal elements.

I used small die-cut images, lightly distressed the edges, and glued them directly to the tags. Keep the focal points simple—they should complement the background, not compete with it.

A good rule of thumb: if your background is busy, keep your focal point clean and contained.

Best mixed media art tag illustrating how to create one in 11 easy steps.

Step 11: Finish with Twine or Ribbon

Thread twine or ribbon through the top of each tag to finish them off.

This final step adds texture, softness, and makes the tags feel complete. You can also tuck tags into cards, journals, or gift packaging.

You might also enjoy another recent Mixed Media Tag Tutorial I posted last month. Or if you’d like to try a mixed media card instead, here is how I create one step-by-step, with loads of illustrative photos.

My Supply List

cardmaking · Die cutting · Stamping

Tips and Tricks for Making Two Playful Die Cut Card Designs | Packed with Love

January 15, 2026February 2, 2026 Karen Brown1 Comment

Hello friends! Karen Brown here today sharing two cheerful cards created with products from the Hero Arts Packed with Love Collection. I love when a release offers versatility, and this collection made it easy to explore different looks while keeping the designs clean, playful, and approachable.

Key Products Used:

Both cards highlight simple layouts, bold color choices, and easy-to-repeat techniques—perfect whether you’re making one special card or crafting a small batch. One card leans bright and aquatic with colorful die cut fish, while the other explores a graphic, modern style with bold shapes and happy color transitions. Together, they show just how flexible this collection can be.

Let’s take a closer look at each card!

🐟 Card Details: A Happy School of Fish

Colorful die cut fish card featuring nine fish in assorted cardstock colors swimming across a Cosmic Sky background with a simple “greetings” sentiment.

For my card, I used DF274: Big Mouth Sardine Tin Dies, but instead of building the tin, I focused solely on the fish dies. I die cut nine fish in assorted sizes and colors, then arranged them swimming horizontally across the card for a playful, modern look.

The background is Cosmic Sky ColorWheel Cardstock, trimmed with my favorite Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies and mounted onto a crisp white A2 card base. A small, simple sentiment that reads “greetings” keeps the design clean and versatile—perfect for hello cards, encouragement, or just-because mail.

This card feels colorful, cheerful, and a little bit whimsical…like a happy school of fish swimming together. 🐠🐠🐠

🎨 ColorWheel Cardstock Colors Used

White
Fog
Sicily
Coral
Seaside
Saffron
Cosmic Sky (background)

To give each fish more presence and durability, I die cut every fish twice and glued the layers together. This subtle dimension makes a big difference, especially on clean and graphic designs.

If you enjoyed this, you might be interested in learning to make mixed media tags.

✂️ Die Cutting Tip

I used my Spellbinders Scout desktop cutter to cut all of the fish. When I’m working with lots of small or medium-sized dies, the Scout is my go-to—it’s fast, efficient, and perfect for batch die cutting. You might also be interested in the 14 tools that I use most often in my craftroom.

🧠 Layout Tip: Arranging Die Cuts with Ease

If you’ve ever struggled with spacing repeated die cuts, here’s the method I used—and it works every time:

Start at the top of the panel (I placed the gray fish first).
Move to the bottom with the smallest fish (aqua and saffron).
Fill in the middle next.
Work up and down from the center, adjusting spacing as you go.

This approach helps keep everything visually balanced and evenly spaced without overthinking it. I’ve included a process photo (above) of the die-cut fish and dies on my craft mat.

🧷 Assembly

I used a combination of craft foam and foam squares to attach the fish and background, adding just enough dimension to create interest while keeping the card mail-friendly.

Rainbow Watercolor Wide Stripes

I stamped the Wide Stripe Background Stamp onto watercolor paper using Unicorn White Pigment Ink, then heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I knew I wanted to watercolor in between the embossed stripes, so I taped my panel to a hardboard to help minimize warping—always a helpful step when working with lots of water.

Working in rainbow order, I watercolored each stripe band by band. The raised white heat embossing created beautiful texture and helped keep each color neatly contained. I have a process photo showing this panel alongside my watercolor palette, and at this point… that was as far as the original plan went!

Sometimes the best ideas happen mid-project. I started thinking about repeating geometric shapes and how fun it would be to combine that idea with the striped watercolor background I had already created.

Using my Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies and Nesting Circle Infinity Dies, I die cut three 1-inch hearts and three 1-inch circles—perfect timing since we’re getting close to Valentine’s Day. Each die cut features the white heat embossed stripe running through the center, with one rainbow color above and the next color below.

I worked across the panel so that the bottom color of one shape becomes the top color of the next:

Pink over orange
Orange over yellow
Yellow over green …and so on.

I alternated the shapes—heart, circle, heart—creating a playful rhythm across the design.

To ground all that color, I mounted the six die cuts (two rows of three) onto a 4″ x 3″ gray mat die cut with the Nesting Postage Stamp Infinity Dies. Yes—this card uses three different Infinity Die sets, and they all worked together beautifully. The card base is a crisp white A2, keeping the focus on the cheerful pops of color.

👉 Best Die Cutting Staple: Infinity Dies

Finishing Touches & Sentiment Tips

My sentiment is small and simple: “With Love”, white heat embossed on black cardstock. This card could easily work as a Valentine, a friendship card, or a just-because note.

TIP: I love keeping pre-made heat embossed sentiment strips on hand. Using large sentiment strip stamps that coordinate with the matching Sentiment Strip die makes it easy to stamp and die cut everything at once.

For this card, I used a leftover Christmas Sentiment Strip, but I also reach for Everyday Sentiment Strips constantly—definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already. The photo above shows how many sentiments you can make at one time.

Why I Love This Collection

These two cards show how products from one collection can go in completely different directions:

One soft, artistic, watercolor-focused design
One clean, graphic, and modern card with bold shapes

This is a great reminder to let yourself play and see where your ideas lead.

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting

14 Best Cardmaking Products & Supplies for 2026 (Must-Have Craft Room Staples)

January 3, 2026January 3, 2026 Karen Brown3 Comments

Best Cardmaking Supplies for 2026 Quad Graphic showing cardstock, swatching, tool organizer, Inks and die cutting machine

There’s something extra special about the first blog post of a new year — a fresh start, new ideas, and (let’s be honest) a little craft room daydreaming.

Today I’m sharing 14 of my most-used, most-loved cardmaking supplies for 2026. These aren’t just trendy products — they’re the tools I reach for again and again. If you’re stocking your craft room, refining your supplies, or just love seeing what other cardmakers actually use, this list is for you.

1. Favorite Card Kit Subscription: Spellbinders Large Die of the Month

Cute die cut card with hummingbirds hovering over a daisy floral garden.

If I had to choose one subscription kit to keep, this would be it. The Spellbinders Large Die of the Month never disappoints, and January’s kit — Hummingbird Delight — truly lives up to its name.

This kit features a beautiful floral postage / polaroid-style frame paired with the cutest hummingbirds. We get loads of hummingbirds in my garden every summer, so this theme instantly stole my heart. The floral border alone makes the card feel finished and elegant with very little effort.

✨ Runner-Up Favorite Subscription:
The very first kit I ever ordered — Hero Arts My Monthly Hero, now available in two versions for 2026:

Spellbinders January 2026 Embossing Folder of the Month Club Kit Card: Cloud Nine

2. Best Die Cutting Machine: Spellbinders Platinum 6

I use my Platinum 6 die cutting machine almost every single day. I’ve tried other machines over the years, but this one is reliable, smooth, and powerful. The others? They’re collecting dust.

3. Best Cardstock: Spellbinders ColorWheel Cardstock

Best Cardstock: Spellbinders ColorWheel cardstock shown in several assortment packs.

With 48 gorgeous colors, ColorWheel cardstock makes color selection easy and stress-free. I use it almost exclusively.

I recently placed a big order and am sharing a photo of my shipment, including:

4. Best Planning Tool: Swatching Dies

Best Cardmaking Planning Tool: Spellbinders Swatching Dies.

I use my swatching dies on nearly every project. Being able to flip through physical cardstock swatches saves time and helps me confidently choose colors that work together.

👉 Find all the details in my original swatching post

Key Swatching Products:

You’ll see these swatches featured throughout this post.

5. Best Inspiration Tool: Color Cubes

Best Papercrafting Inspirational Tool: Color Cubes.

Color planning is always my starting point, and Color Cubes are essential to my process. I own two volumes (1&2), a birthday gift from several years ago, and they’re well loved.

I like to start with the Color Catalogue where I can search by Color, Key Word or Collection and then I grab a few cards for inspiration.

Paired with my cardstock swatches, they make choosing beautiful color palettes effortless.

👉 Find all the details and dies used in this Be Beautiful Blooms post

6. Best Inks: Hero Arts Reactive & Core Inks

Best Inks: Hero Arts Reactive and Core Inks.

I have a large tub of Hero Arts inks — and honestly, I rarely reach for anything else. The colors are vibrant, blend beautifully, and are incredibly reliable.

Some favorites:

7. Best Blending Brushes: Waffle Flower

Best Blending Brushes: Waffle Flower with the color coded handles.

I love that Waffle Flower blending brushes have color-coded handles, so I instantly know which brush goes with which ink family. Small detail, huge time saver.

8. Best Die-Cutting Staple: Hero Arts Infinity Dies

Nesting infinity dies are true craft room staples, and I use mine constantly. I’ll be linking to 8 of my most-used sets in this post with my most used at the top. I’ll also link to a card using each die.

If you’re building a die collection, start here.

9. Best Embellishment: Enamel Dots

Best Papercrafting Embellishment: Spellbinders and Hero Arts Enamel Dots.

Hands down my favorite finishing touch. I use Spellbinders and Hero Arts enamel dots the most — clean, modern, and endlessly versatile.

10. Best Way to Add Texture: Embossing Folders

Best Way to Add Texture to Your Papercrafting Projects: Spellbinders Embossing Folder of the Month Club Kit.

Embossing folders are one of the easiest ways to add interest to a card. I subscribe to the Spellbinders Embossing Folder of the Month, and my collection has grown quickly.

I used January’s folder, Cloud Nine, on my Hummingbird card. It’s a stylized sky with clouds — perfect for so many scene cards.

11. Best Desk Organizer: Hero Tools Handy Holder

Best Crafting Desk Organizer: Hero Tools Handy Holder perfect for holding scissors, bone folders, pokey tools, jewel pickers and brushes.

This Handy Holder organizer keeps my scissors, tweezers, bone folder, palette knife, and brushes within arm’s reach. I love it so much… I own two!

They sit front and center on my desk.

12. Best Work Surface Organizer: Craft Stax

Best Craft Organizer: Stash Stax. large clear bin with lid to store crafting supplies.

One tool I reach for constantly while creating is Craft Stax. There are several sizes and they’re perfect for organizing, protecting, and corralling all of my crafting components as I work.

The photo above with my Fergus Felt components is the Stash Stax. I also love this size for storing cardstock.

I use Craft Stax to hold die-cut pieces, partially assembled cards, sentiments, and embellishments so nothing gets lost or damaged mid-project. They’re especially helpful when I’m working on detailed die-cut cards or stepping away and coming back later — everything stays exactly where I left it.

Best Papercrafting container for protecting components mid-project as you create.

The photo above is the Medium Craft Stax. 4.8″ x 6″

Craft Stax also make it easy to stack multiple projects on my desk without creating chaos (always a win!). Simple, smart, and incredibly useful — this is one of those tools you don’t realize you need until you have it… and then you can’t imagine crafting without it.

13. Best Die Organizer: Hero Arts Magnetic Sheets & Envelopes

Best product for storing and organizing dies: Hero Arts Magnetic Sheets and Envelopes.

These are absolute must-haves for staying organized:

Magnetic sheets keep dies secure
Labeled envelopes make everything easy to find

Two Sizes:

If organization is your goal in 2026, start here.

14. Best Tool for Stenciling & Stamping: Waffle Flower Sticky Mat

Best Tool for stenciling and Stamping: Waffle Flower Sticky Grip Mats.

I never stencil without a Waffle Flower Sticky Mat. I even wrote a full blog post about them — which turned out to be my most popular post of 2024!

👉 Find all the details in my original post

Sticky Grip Mats are perfect for stenciling and stamping. And they work great in your Misti and Mini Misti Stamp Positioners…no need for magnets anymore!

Grip Mat Options:

Waffle Flowers Store
7.5″ x 11″ Grip Mat (Biggest mat)
4″ x 4″ Grip Mat (Smallest Size, great for holding ink pads)
Misti Grip Mat
Misti Stamp Positioner
Mini Misti Stamp Positioner
Stencil Grip Mat Bundle
Stamper Grip Mat Bundle
Waffle Flower’s Grip Mat Bundle

Final Thoughts

These 14 products form the backbone of my cardmaking in 2026. They help me craft more efficiently, choose colors with confidence, and enjoy the creative process even more.

If you’re building or refreshing your craft room this year, I hope this list gives you a helpful starting point — and maybe a little inspiration too. 💛

cardmaking · Die cutting · Stamping

Best Quick & Easy Get Well Card

December 7, 2025December 10, 2025 Karen Brown1 Comment

Clean and modern handmade get well card featuring a stamped soup cup, blue chopsticks, black enamel dots, and a yellow die-cut circle window.

The December 2025 Hero Arts Stamp & Die Kit of the Month is called Cup of Love, and it’s perfect for creating quick, modern, and heartfelt get well cards. I always need get well cards on hand, so I love having clean and simple designs that I can mass produce—and this one definitely delivers.

This month’s kit features a charming soup cup, chopsticks, labels, and warm “feel better” sentiments that make it easy to whip up comforting cards for friends and family who need a little cheer.

Clean + Modern Design With Easy Stamping

A simple and easy handmade get well card with a die cut yellow recessed circle that showcases and cup of noodle soup, crossed chopsticks and 5 black enamel dots.

For today’s card, I leaned into a fresh white and yellow color palette with pops of crisp black stamping and a hint of blue. The combination feels clean, modern, and cheerful—just the mood you want in a get well card.

Key Products Used:

How I Made the Card

I stamped the “cup of noodle soup” image in black ink for sharp contrast.
Next, I stamped the round yellow label with Lemon Drop Ink. I waited a minute for the ink to dry, stamped the sentiment “feel better soon” and die cut the image.
I stamped and colored the blue chopsticks, die cut them, and crossed them for a playful finishing touch.
For the background, I die cut a circle from the center of a white A2 cardstock panel using my Hero Arts Nesting Circle Dies.
I layered this white panel over a yellow A2 card base, popping it up with craft foam for dimension.
In the recessed yellow circle, I glued the soup cup and chopsticks.
Finally, I added five black enamel dots. These tiny accents brought so much contrast and visual interest to the finished design.

The result? A clean and cheerful get well card with modern charm and just enough shading and dimension to feel special—without slowing you down.

Interested in two other recent Get Well Cards I created? Click HERE.

Tip for Mass Production

If you want to make a full batch of these cards (and I definitely recommend it!), simply die cut a yellow circle and adhere it directly to a white card base. Or alternatively, you could ink blend a yellow circle. You can skip the popped-up window panel and still get the same bold pop of color.

Thanks for stopping by!

Die cutting · Stamping

How to Create Clean & Mixed Media Backgrounds | Hero Arts December 2025 Release & Blog Hop

December 3, 2025December 10, 2025 Karen Brown14 Comments

Two cozy stamped and die cut Get Well Cards; one is clean and fresh the other is an easy mixed media card.

Hello friends! Karen Brown here, and today I’m sharing two cards for the Hero Arts December 2025 Release + Blog Hop. This month’s theme—Soup There It Is—is warm, clever, and absolutely perfect for building a stash of Get Well cards. I don’t know about you, but I always seem to need get well cards, and this release is packed with comforting imagery and punny sentiments that make them so fun to create.

Hero Arts just announced a fantastic price drop on their subscription programs, making this the perfect time to sign up if you’ve been on the fence. The Monthly Card Kit is now $45 instead of $60, and the Whole Studio Subscription dropped from $75 to $55. That’s a big monthly savings and an incredible value considering how many products, techniques, and creative opportunities you get in each box. If you love building your stash, trying new tools, and being inspired each month, this is truly the best time to jump in.

My two cards today both feature the December Cling Stamp of the Month: Dotty—a fantastic, versatile background stamp that deserves a spot in every crafter’s studio. To help you get the most out of this staple, I’m showing two completely different background styles:
✨ Clean, fresh, and modern
🎨 Easy, layered mixed media

Let’s jump in!

Card 1 – A Clean & Modern Background Using Pigment Ink

Cozy Alphabet Soup "Get Well Soon" card with a charming blue and white stamped polka dot background.

For my first card, I created a crisp and contemporary background using the Rubber Cling Dotty stamped in Unicorn White Pigment Ink on Breeze Cardstock. This combination creates a soft, airy polka dot look that works for any occasion, but feels especially soothing for a get well theme.

Background Tips:

Pigment ink gives gorgeous coverage, but it dries slowly.
Speed things along with a quick blast from your heat tool.
Try this technique on any mid-tone cardstock—it’s a great way to stretch your ink stash.

For the focal point, I used the December Die of the Month: Alphabet Soup to create an adorable soup bowl, complete with:
🥣 a spoon
🍘 cracker-style accents
🌿 sprigs of parsley
…and swirling alphabetical noodles!

The spoon cleverly spells out “Get Well Soon”—such a comforting detail. This card feels clean, uplifting, and perfect for sending warm wishes to someone who needs a little TLC.

Stamped polka dot background on a cozy die cut Get Well card. White pigment ink on light blue cardstock.

>>> Receive a FREE Bread Bowl Stamp and Cut (see card #2) when you purchase The Whole Studio!

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

The WHOLE Studio – All 5 Kits (a 40% savings: $55 subscription + Free Shipping)
Card Kit of the Month ($45 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Stamp and Cut of the Month ($27.50 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Fancy Studio Dies of the Month ($25 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Cling Stamp of the Month ($20 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Layering Stencil of the Month ($17.50 Subscription + Free Shipping)

Card 2 – Easy Mixed Media Using Dotty + Gel Press Print

Mixed media card featuring Gel Press print stamped with white Dotty pattern background stamp, distressed and ink-blended edges, brown speckles, and die-cut bread bowl with “Feel Better” sentiment.

For my second card, I wanted to show the versatility of the Rubber Cling Dotty stamp by pairing it with a mixed media background.

I pulled a Gel Press print from my stash—a great way to use your pre-made backgrounds—and stamped Dotty over the top with Unicorn White Pigment Ink. After drying with my heat tool, I:

Distressed the edges using a distressing tool
Ink blended around the outer edges for depth and warmth
Added Brown Acrylic Speckle (from the December Card Kit) for texture and personality. I like to use a fan brush and rotate my background for even distribution.

My focal point is the die cut from the December Whole Studio Bonus Gift: Bread Bowl, shaded with inks to mimic the look of warm crusty bread. The “Feel Better” sentiment ties the whole card together in the coziest way.

This mixed media-style card is earthy, rich, and full of character—but still incredibly easy to make.

Mixed media background card featuring Hero Arts "Dotty" red rubber cling background stamp on a distressed gel press print. The background features white circles on an aqua blue background with brown paint splatters.

Blog Hop and Giveaway:

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, December 7th at 11:59pm MT, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week. Leave a comment on all stops for more chances to win!

Hero Arts
Seeka
Rosie Lopez
Rachel Kleinman
Nichol Spohr
Natasha Polite
Mindy Eggen
Michelle Short
Michelle Lupton
Lisa Tilson
Karen Brown
Jennifer Kotas
Jeannie Lieu
Charlene Madrid
Channin Pelletier
Anna Mahtani

Final Thoughts

Whether you prefer clean and modern or layered and artsy, the Dotty Cling Stamp opens up endless background possibilities. Paired with this month’s heartwarming soup-themed dies, you can build a versatile stash of Get Well cards to share comfort all year long.

Be sure to hop along with the rest of the designers—there are prizes to be won and loads of inspiration waiting for you!
Happy crafting, friends. ❤️

cardmaking · Stenciling

How to Use Analogous and Complementary Colors in Cardmaking | Tutorial

November 13, 2025December 10, 2025 Karen Brown1 Comment

A book/reading theme handmade card created with Hero Arts Hero Studio November 2025 Kits: On the Shelf Layering Stencils and Book Bag Die Kit.

Hello, Karen here, back with another card inspired by the November 2025 Hero Studio “One More Chapter” release! I’ve been absolutely loving this book and reading-themed collection — so much so that I couldn’t resist making one more card. (Here’s a link to my previous post where I shared two other projects from this release!)

This time, I reached for the “On the Shelf” 4-Layer Stencil Kit to build my own bold bookshelf background. I wanted a crisp, postage-themed layout, so I began by masking off a 3″ x 4⅜” rectangle on a piece of Deluxe Smooth White Cardstock — giving me a clean white frame around my stenciling.

🎨 Inky Layers

I chose four analogous ink colors (adjacent on the color wheel) that flow beautifully together for a cohesive look:

Layer 1: Key Lime Fizz
Layer 2: Splash
Layer 3: Pool Party
Layer 4: Indigo

Once the inky layers were dry, I die cut the panel with the 2nd largest Nesting Postage Stamp Die to give my bookish scene a framed, mail-art feel.

Bright handmade card featuring a layered blue and green stenciled bookshelf background, orange bookworm, and scripty “Hello” sentiment framed in a white postage border

🧡 Complementary Pops of Color

For contrast, I reached for my ColorWheel Cardstock and added Carrot and Cosmic Sky accents. The playful bookworm with glasses and the scripty “Hello” sentiment (from the Book Bag Die Kit) are both cut from Carrot, with a Cosmic Sky shadow layer that really makes the greeting pop. Orange and blue are complementary colors (opposite on the color wheel), which makes the whole design lively and eye-catching.

Everything is layered with a bit of craft foam for dimension, then mounted onto a Cosmic Sky A2 card base.

Cute card featuring a stenciled book shelf background and a smiling book worm die cut accent.

The end result? A bright, cheeky, and happy card that would be perfect for a reader of any age — man, woman, or child.

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

The WHOLE Studio – All 5 Kits (a 40% savings: $130 subscription + Free Shipping)
Card Kit of the Month ($60 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Stamp and Cut of the Month ($27.50 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Fancy Studio Dies of the Month ($25 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Cling Stamp of the Month ($20 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Layering Stencil of the Month ($17.50 Subscription + Free Shipping)

Cardmaking Kit · Give Away · papercrafting

One More Chapter! Hero Arts November 2025 Release + Blog Hop

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025 Karen Brown16 Comments

Book theme cards created with the November 2025 Hero Arts Hero Studio Card Kits.

Hello, Karen Brown here — and I am curling up with a good card kit! The November Hero Studio Release is a dream come true for book lovers. This month’s theme, “One More Chapter,” celebrates cozy reading nooks, favorite stories, and the joy of escaping into a good book.

Even better, there’s a Hero Arts Blog Hop to celebrate — and prizes! So grab a cup of tea (or coffee), and come along for some page-turning inspiration.

Die-cut handmade scene card featuring a girl reading a book framed with a postage stamp border and scripty hello sentiment

📖 Card 1: My Happy Place

For my first project, I used the “Happy Place” die set from the November Card Kit of the Month to create a cozy die-cut scene.

Picture this: a girl tucked in with her favorite book, surrounded by soft periwinkle blue and warm orange tones. The card has a charming, feminine feel — like a Saturday morning spent lost in a good story.

I framed the scene with the Nesting Postage Stamp Dies to give it that “happy mail” vibe and added a sweet scripty Hello from the Fancy Die Book Bag set.

This one’s heading to a book club friend who, like me, can never resist reading just one more chapter!

Handmade book theme scene card created with Hero Arts November 2025 Card Kit. Colors are periwinkle blue, orange and brown.

What’s Included in the Kit?

• To Be Read Pile 4×6 Clear Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies
• Happy Place Die Set
• Professional Bookworm 3×4 Stamp & Cut
• Gold Hero Wax, 1 oz.
• 10 Sheets of Cardstock- 1 of each color, 5.5″ x 8.5″

>>> Receive a FREE Do Not Disturb Stamp and Cut when you purchase The Whole Studio!

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

The WHOLE Studio – All 5 Kits (a 40% savings: $130 subscription + Free Shipping)
Card Kit of the Month ($60 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Stamp and Cut of the Month ($27.50 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Fancy Studio Dies of the Month ($25 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Cling Stamp of the Month ($20 Subscription + Free Shipping)
Layering Stencil of the Month ($17.50 Subscription + Free Shipping)

Card 2: Escaping Reality One Page at a Time

Bold die cut and stamped typographic card spelling “JOY” with the O as a stamped oval reading “Escaping Reality One Page at a Time,” layered over a blue checkerboard background.

Next, I pulled out the Stamp & Cut of the Month: One Page at a Time. I love this set — it’s perfect for pairing bold typography with clever bookish sentiments.

I stamped the oval sentiment “Escaping Reality One Page at a Time” and used it as the O in my big JOY design. Then I die cut a bold J and Y from the Letter Fancy Die sets (J–N and W–Z) in bright orange, adding white shadows behind them to tie in the stamped oval.

The letters are large, 2 1/2″, creating a bold and dynamic visual card.

Stamped and die cut reading theme card created with Hero Arts November 2025 Stamp and Cut Kit called "One Page at a Time".

For the background, I created a tone-on-tone checkerboard using the November Cling of the Month — stamped Cornflower ink on Periwinkle cardstock for a crisp, graphic finish.

The result? A bold, cheerful, and clever card that feels fresh and literary — perfect for your favorite reader.

JOY sentiment card created using Hero Arts large alphabet Letter Fancy Dies with blue and orange color palette.

GIVEAWAY

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Wednesday, November 5th at 11:59pm PT, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week. Leave a comment on all stops for more chances to win!

BLOG HOP ORDER

Hero Arts
Anna Mahtani
Channin Pelletier
Charlene Madrid
Jeannie Lieu
Jennifer Kotas
Karen Brown <<<< You Are Here!
Lisa Tilson
Michelle Lupton
Michelle Short
Mindy Eggen
Natasha Polite
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka
Nichol Spohr

💡 Final Thoughts

I adore how all the November Hero Studio kits coordinate beautifully — from cozy die-cut scenes to playful sentiments and graphic backgrounds. Whether you love to stamp, die cut, or mix both, this release has something for every creative reader at heart.

And if you’re tempted by all the coordinating goodness, consider the Whole Studio Bundle — it’s a $240 value for just $130. That’s a deal worth bookmarking!

You might also want to take a peek at Past Club Kits that are still available.

cardmaking · Hot Foiling · stitching

Rainbow Ink Stenciled Cards with Foil Accents | Year-Round Inspiration

October 20, 2025October 16, 2025 Karen BrownLeave a comment

Two cards in soft pinks and other pastel colors that are stenciled, hot foiled and die cut. The theme is gift wrapped packages and the elements can be used for Christmas, thank you cards, birthdays, showers and graduations.

The new Hero Arts October 2025 Best Gift Ever Collection is here, and I couldn’t resist creating with the Best Gift Ever Boxes Bundle. These products are incredibly versatile—you can use them for birthdays, Christmas, graduations, showers, or anytime you need a festive card. I went with pastel rainbow colors and magenta foil for two cheerful and celebratory designs.

Handmade pastel rainbow card with hot foiled, stenciled and die cut gift packages with magenta foil perfect for a birthday or shower.

✨ Card Process

I began by hot foiling the ribbon and bow details from the Wrap It Up LetterPress + Foil Plates in Magenta Foil on Deluxe Smooth Cardstock. This cardstock gives crisp foiling and smooth ink blending results.
Next, I pulled out the Gorgeous Gifts Layering Stencils to add sherbet-like rainbow colors to my packages.
Once stenciled, I die cut the gifts with the Gift Boxes Die Set. I repeated steps 1-3 twice to create enough pieces for two cards.
For the sentiments, I again hot foiled in magenta foil:
- “Thank You for the Awesome Gift” from the Here for the Presents LetterPress + Foil Set and coordinating die.
- “A Little Something Just for You” from the Wrap It Up LetterPress + Foil Plates.
I arranged the die-cut gifts and sentiments into a loose square composition, mounting them with foam squares onto a white scalloped square panel (from the Square Scallop Infinity Dies). Finally, I adhered them to a pale pink card base.

The result? Two pastel, rainbow-inspired cards with a touch of elegant foil shine. These gifts are perfect for any season or occasion—and I love how the foil details elevate the look for something extra special.

💡 Foiling Note: I own two foiling machines, but I consistently get my best results with the Spellbinders Glimmer System. In fact, I haven’t reached for my other machine since 2023! This is, of course, just my personal experience, but I thought it might be helpful to share if you’re curious about foiling systems.

Handmade thank you card in rainbow pastel colors using Hero Arts Best Gift Ever Collection. Hot Foiling, Layered Stenciling and die cutting techniques used.

I am also participating in an Instagram Hop for this release, and we’d love for you to pop by! You can find all the details HERE.

Interested in another post on foiling? Click HERE.

cardmaking · Stenciling

Ink Blending with Hero Arts The Tree Layering Stencil | October 2025 Release

October 15, 2025October 12, 2025 Karen Brown1 Comment

Handmade Christmas card created with Hero Arts “The Tree” Layering Stencil in greens, aquas, and blues. A circular Indigo sentiment reading “So Very Very Merry” is layered over the partial tree design.

I couldn’t resist creating one more card with the October 2025 Release—this time featuring the Layering Stencil: The Tree. This gorgeous four-layer stencil creates a close-up view of a Christmas tree filled with ornaments, and it was such a joy to blend.

You can see my other October Club Kits Cards HERE.

Hero Arts October 2025 Release: The Tree Layering Stencil. This card features gorgeous ink blending in analogous shades of green, aqua, and blue, topped with a circular “So Very Very Merry” sentiment. A simple and beautiful stencil design that’s perfect for holiday cardmaking inspiration.

I chose analogous colors (neighbors on the color wheel) for a soft, harmonious look in shades of greens, aquas, and blues:

Layer 1: Pool Party
Layer 2 Indigo
Layer 3: Green Apple
Layer 4: Paradise

Using Deluxe Smooth White Cardstock made the ink blending go on like butter, and as always with Hero Arts stencils, the layers lined up perfectly.

For the sentiment, I used the “So Very Very Merry” circular stamp and coordinating die from the October Card Kit, stamped in Indigo ink. The deep blue ties the whole design together beautifully.

This card has already gone into my holiday stash, ready to be mailed in December!

cardmaking · Hot Foiling · Video

Video: Make This Playful Elf Christmas Card

October 13, 2025 Karen Brown3 Comments

Today I’m sharing a playful Christmas elf card that combines bold colors, a cheeky sentiment, and a versatile foiled background. Even better—I filmed the entire process so you can craft along step by step.

I have a list of key supplies used below the video.

👉 Or Watch the full video tutorial here!

Interesed in more of my videos? Click HERE to go to my YouTube Channel.

Key Products Used:

Adorable die-cut Christmas elf card on a hot-foiled background that simulates falling snow.

The Background – Snow or Confetti, You Choose!

I started with the Hero Arts Celebration Press Plate (part of the Yule Fuel Collection). I love how versatile this plate is—it looks like snowflakes when foiled in white but could also become a confetti background in bright colors. For this project, I went snowy, since my elf needed a winter wonderland to stand in.

Close-up of foiled snowy background created with the Celebration Press Plate. White foil dots on blue cardstock, resembling falling snow for a handmade Christmas card.

The Sassy Elf

Next came my focal point: a die cut elf from the Yule Fuel Collection. He’s cheeky, a little silly, and absolutely festive. To give him personality, I used ColorWheel Cardstock in:

Cascade (blue)
Dahlia (pink)
Fern (green)

The mix of colors makes him bold and fun—perfect for standing out against the snowy background.

Title: Fun & Festive Christmas Elf Card | Yule Fuel Collection

Description: Create a quirky, colorful handmade Christmas card featuring a sassy die cut elf, snowy foiled background, and the playful sentiment “OMG! Santa!”. Step-by-step video tutorial included—perfect DIY holiday card idea!

The Cheeky Sentiment

Every good elf needs a punchline, and this one couldn’t be better:
“OMG! Santa!”

The die cut letters are crisp, bright, and perfectly straight across the card front (in the video, I share my favorite tip for gluing letters evenly every time).