Tag: Hero Wax

Handmade mixed media card using everyday supplies + a map. Mixed Media Card Tutorial: A Step-By-Step Guide
cardmaking · Mixed Media · Tutorial

Mixed Media Card Tutorial: A Step-By-Step Guide

Karen BrownLeave a comment
How to tutorial for a tattered and torn mixed media travel theme card with a die cut bike, upcycled road atlas background and stenciled Hero Wax accent.

Today, I want to show you how to repurpose and upcycle paper to create a mixed media card.    I started with a map from an old Atlas and a brown paper shopping bag.  I used the bike stamp and die from Hero Arts June card kit as my focal point which I stamped on a panel cut from the shopping bag.

How to Create Mixed Media Cards Step-By-Step:

Above, you can see the repurposed papers that I used on my card. Here was my process:

  • I attached a piece of watercolor cardstock to the back of the Atlas page so that I would have a more substantial panel to work on.  I used Matte Medium to adhere the two pages together.  Dry.
  • To make sure there was no shine and to have the right surface texture for my mixed media project, I applied a layer of Gesso Acrylic Paint to the map. Dry.
Process photo showing how to apply Gesso to prep a mixed media project.
process photo showing stamping on a mixed media card background
  • I stenciled a few spots with the Leaves and Abstract Shapes Stencil with Root Beer ink.
  • I die cut the panel with a Nesting Postage Stamps Infinity Die and then ink blended Fawn and Root Beer along the corners and edges.  I wanted a grungy vintage look.
  • I added watered down blots of Periwinkle and Root Beer. Dab some ink on acetate, spritz with a bit of water and dab on the panel.  Tilt a bit to make it run.  Blot up if you have more ink than you want.
  • Add ink splatters with a fan brush with the same inks used above, which adds color and depth.
  • I did second generation stamping (ink stamp, lightly stamp on scratch paper and then stamp background) with Root Beer ink.  You can see I keep adding layers. 
process photo showing a mixed media background with stamping, stenciling and ink blending.
  • I stenciled Olive Hero Wax over the bottom of my map panel with the Cobblestone Stencil to simulate a road.
  • Tear the bottom left corner off the panel for a really old and tattered look.  Ink blend along the tear line.
  • After looking at my panel I decided I wanted to darken the edges even more, so I added additional ink blending around the edges and corners.
process photo showing olive Hero Wax applied through a Cobblestone stencil.

Bicycle Focal Point:

  • On a panel from the brown paper shopping bag, I stamped the bike from the Hero Studio June card kit.  I left it in the stamp positioner and colored with InkTense colored pencils. Then I restamped the bike for a crisp black look.
  • Die cut bike
  • Ink edges with root beer ink.
A process photo showing a stamped bicycle on an upcycled repurposed panel cut from a brown paper bag and colored with Inktense colored pencils. The panel will be turned into a mixed media card.

Tattered and Worn Base Mat:

  • Cut a second panel from the brown paper bag to act as a base mat.
  • Using the Rough Dot Bold Prints Stamp, stamp with Root Beer ink and Fawn Ink on the second panel (which is slightly larger than the map panel).  Dab a bit here and there, heavier in some places, lighter in others for a vintage look. 
  • In the bottom left corner add some text stamping for interest. This is where the torn edge will be positioned, so this area of the base will be more visible. I Used Vintage Postmarks and Tickets and Vintage Maps and Ledgers again and randomly added numbers etc around the perimeter of the card base.  
  • Ink the edges and corners to darken them.
Process photo showing a vintage look background card mat. The mat was cut from a repurposed upcycled brown paper shopping bag.

I love the inky grungy look of this card!

A mixed media card featuring the June 2025 Hero Studio card kit bike and hat stamps.

Use What You Have! Old maps, shopping bags, sewing patterns, dictionary pages, music books—they all bring unique texture and charm to your cards. Mixed media is about building interest through layers, so don’t be afraid to play!

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · Rainbow Colors

Hero Studio | February Release and Blog Hop

Karen Brown9 Comments

Hello, crafty friends! It’s time to shake off those winter blues as we play with the new Hero Studio February Release!

Smile, It’s a Beautiful World

Bright and colorful handmade card with repeating die-cut 'smile' sentiments in rainbow colors, topped with a heat-embossed sentiment."

For my first card, I used the Hero Studio February 2025 Card Kit of the Month, which is packed with fabulous sentiments. My design features repeating die-cut “smile” sentiments in a rainbow of colors, arranged in perfect rainbow order.

How I Made This Repeating Die Cut Sentiment Card:

  • Each sentiment was die cut three times per color, stacked, and glued together for added dimension and impact.
  • I used my favorite Hero Hues Cardstock Colors: Ultra Pink, Papaya, Kiwi, Bermuda, Paradise, Peacock, Amethyst and Cherry.
  • I found the card layout worked best by gluing in the following order: pink, lime, orange, peacock, paradise, bermuda, red, amethyst.
  • To complete the design, I added a heat-embossed sentiment that reads “It’s a beautiful world”, which is also included in this month’s kit. The result is a bright and happy card that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face
Bright colorful die-cut handmade card created with the February 2025 Hero Studio Card Kit.

What’s Inside the February 2025 Hero Studio Card Kit?

February 2025 Card Kit of the Month: Tulips            
               • Tulip HeroScapes Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8”
               • Circling Clouds Cling Stamp, 6″x 6″
               • Messages Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″
               • 7 Tulip HeroScape Coordinating Dies
               • 4 Word Fancy Dies with Frame Cuts
               • 5 Messages Coordinating Dies
               • 4 Ink Cubes (Thistle, Azalea, Moss, Blue Raspberry

Rainbow color-themed sentiment card showcasing stacked die-cut 'smile' sentiments on a crisp white card.

February 2025 Hero Studio Kits:

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.

This month, receive a FREE adorable “bug” die set when you purchase The Whole Studio!

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

A Planter Full of Blooming Delight!

handmade die-cut planter box card featuring wisteria, daffodils, and blue blossoms on a stenciled cobblestone wall background.

The February Fancy Die Kit is a gorgeous planter box brimming with vibrant spring flowers like wisteria, daffodils, and delicate blue blossoms.

How to Create a Cheerful Floral Scene Card:

  • The Kit die cuts are layered with care to create a dimensional, cheerful garden scene.
  • I used Hero Hues cardstock in the following colors: Charcoal, Amethyst, Passion Flower, Iris, Meadow, Periwinkle, Peacock, Mist, Mustard and Papaya.
  • To add texture and interest, I stenciled a Cobblestone background with white Hero Wax, placing it “here and there” for a soft, rustic touch. I love the pearlessence that the wax adds to my project and the crisp white background makes the floral colors—shades of purple, yellow, and blue—pop beautifully.
  • A sweet “My Friend” sentiment (February Card Kit) ties the whole design together, making this card perfect for brightening someone’s day.
  • I added a few Sunset Enamel Dots for flower centers.
Using White Hero Wax to stencil a subtle pearlescent background for a Spring die cut floral card.

These designs are packed with die-cutting fun and stenciled charm, making them perfect for crafters who want to try something fresh.

Two lovely spring die-cut cards in bright fun colors. One is floral and other has repeating smile sentiment sin rainbow color order.

Join the Blog Hop Fun!

Don’t miss out on the February Blog Hop—a celebration of creativity featuring incredible projects from the Hero Arts Creative Team. Be sure to hop along, leave a comment, and check out the other amazing designs. Who knows? You might just discover your next favorite crafting idea!

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Saturday, February 8 at 11:59pm PST, 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
Hero Arts Creative Team:
Seeka
Rosie Lopez
Rachel Kleinman
Natasha Vacca
Natasha Polite
Mindy Eggen
Michelle Short
Michelle Lupton
Lisa Tilson
Karen Brown
Jennifer Kotas
Jeannie Lieu
Charlene Madrid
Channin Pelletier
Anna Mahtani
Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Rebecca Keppel
Kelly Taylor


Let’s spread some crafty joy—one handmade card at a time. Happy hopping!

cardmaking · Video

VIDEO: 3 Creative Ways to Stencil Butterfly Cards

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Video tutorial with step-by-step instructions on how to make 3 creative cards using layering stencils.

Hello friends, Karen Brown here with a colorful new video. Butterflies and stencils—can you name a more dynamic duo? The December (Butterfly) Layering Stencil of the Month is SO much fun!

Or you can click HERE to watch the video.

Textured Flights of Fancy

In this post/video, we’re spreading our creative wings and sharing three unique ways to stencil butterflies that’ll make your cards flutter with charm. From bold and dramatic to soft and dreamy, these techniques will have your projects soaring to new heights! 🦋✨

The butterfly outline is layer one and then there are 3 additional detail layers to add on top to customize your projects. I show you how to use all three top layers in the video.

Beautiful butterfly cards created with layering stencils + Hero Wax and Hero Paste.

I thought it would be fun to make some non-traditional Christmas cards featuring butterflies AND pastel colors. I always love to stretch my supplies beyond the predictable!

For my first two cards, I stenciled a panel of Deluxe Smooth Cardstock with a gradient of 3 colors and then added White Hero Wax (card on the left) and Hero Glitter Paste (card on the right). I used Thistle, Taffy and Creamsicle for the card on the left. For the card on the right, I wanted a frosty, icy, wintry blend so I used Amethyst, Thistle and Splash.

The mats are Amethyst with a Granite base.

I also think the duo pictured above would make great Get Well, Thinking of You or Sympathy cards.

Let Your Creativity Soar

Stenciled and Ink blended non-traditional butterfly Christmas card.

And, I had to make at least one traditional green and red Christmas butterfly card. I stenciled with Fresh Lawn and Cherry Ink, matted with Crimson cardstock and added a sentiment from the Swirly Christmas Tree Bundle.

Other Supplies Used in the Video:

Hero Studio December Layering Stencil of the Month - 3 handmade butterfly cards.

The Final Flutter

With just a stencil and a splash of creativity, you can bring butterflies to life in endless, colorful ways. So, go ahead—spread your crafting wings, experiment with colors, and let your cards shine as bright and beautiful as a butterfly in full flight. Happy stenciling! 🦋✨

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 Kit

Hero Arts | Sneak Peek at the NEW Studio Card Kit of the Month + Blog Hop and Giveaway

Karen Brown18 Comments
Sunset cityscape tag card created with Hero Arts June 2024 Studio Card Kit of the Month.

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 cut my tags with Nesting Infinity Tags.
  • I used sentiments included in this months kit and then added some black twine that I had saved from some packaging.
How to create a sunset handmade card background with liquid watercolors.

Here are links to all of the new Hero Studio Kits:

Be sure to stop by the other Countdown Posts, here are the links:

You are going to love this kit and I can’t wait for you to see the big reveal on Monday!

Thanks for stopping by!

cardmaking · Mixed Media · Tutorial

Hero Arts | 2 Fun Mixed Media Cards

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Hero Arts Mixed Media Cards using CM740 Vintage Postmarks and Tickets CM739 Vintage Maps and Ledger stamps.

Hero Arts Spring Catalog Release is live and I love all the new Mixed Media products that they added to their line. I used a bunch of them on these two cards.

Today is the last day for Hero Art’s Blog Hop, which you can find HERE.

Hero Arts Mixed Media card using Vintage Maps and Ledgers stamps.

My Recipe:

Products Used:

Other Tools:  Acrylic Stamping Block

Additional Products Used On Second Card: White Wax + SA263 Mandala Flower Pattern Stencil, Blue Iridescent Embossing Powder

I am so glad you dropped by!