Tag: Masculine Card

Hot Foiling Zodiac birthday cards VIDEO: Zodiac Birthday Cards Made Easy with Hot Foiling (Pisces & Aquarius)
Hot Foiling · Video

VIDEO: Zodiac Birthday Cards Made Easy with Hot Foiling (Pisces & Aquarius)

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Pisces and Aquarius zodiac hot foil cards shown side by side, featuring bold graphic designs and personalized color palettes.

Some card ideas grab your attention… and others stick with you. With my birthday coming up this month (hello, Pisces ♓), I found myself completely drawn to Spellbinders’ Block Print Zodiac Series—a coordinated collection of 12 BetterPress and Glimmer Hot Foil kits, one for each zodiac sign. These kits create bold, graphic, and deeply personalized cards that feel anything but generic, and they’re fast enough to make even when time (or motivation!) is limited.

To kick things off, I’m sharing my Pisces and Aquarius Zodiac cards, along with a quick 2-minute hot foiling video that shows exactly how I foiled my Pisces panel using the Glimmer Hot Foil System. If you’ve ever wanted a refresher on hot foiling—or you’re considering adding a Glimmer system to your craft room—this post is for you.

Watch the Hot Foiling Process (2 Minutes Flat!)

Or Watch on YouTube HERE.

I created a short, two-minute video that focuses only on the hot foiling process for my Pisces card. This isn’t a full card tutorial—sometimes you just want to see how the Glimmer system works, how the foil transfers, and that satisfying reveal moment.

In the video, you’ll see:

  • How I foil the Pisces plates using white foil
  • The reveal of the finished foiled panel
  • A peek at the completed card design

These Zodiac cards are very fast to assemble once the foiling is done, which makes them perfect for batching or last-minute cardmaking.

Why Zodiac Cards Are Such a Brilliant Cardmaking Idea

Handmade cards created with Spellbinders Block Print Zodiac BetterPress + Foil plates that are excellent masculine cards.

There are 12 Zodiac kits, each designed around a specific sign, and every kit includes:

  • A zodiac graphic plate (Pisces features two fish)
  • A two-line plate with the zodiac name and date range
  • A tagline plate (Pisces: Believes in Magic)
  • A placement guide so lining everything up is foolproof

If you owned all 12 kits, you could easily create a year’s worth of birthday cards—perfect for anyone and everyone. These cards are especially wonderful for masculine birthdays, which we all know can be a challenge. They’re bold, graphic, and customizable without being overly fussy.

Because the plates don’t say Happy Birthday, they’re also perfect for:

  • Birthday thank you notes
  • Just-because cards
  • Personalized notes acknowledging someone’s personality or “cosmic identity”

Nothing generic here.

Pisces Card: Birthstone Color + Polaroid Style Design

Handmade Pisces zodiac birthday card hot foiled in white on purple cardstock with a postage stamp edge frame and polaroid-style design.

For my Pisces card, I chose purple cardstock, inspired by my February birthstone, amethyst. I hot foiled the design in crisp white foil, which creates such a striking contrast against the rich purple background.

To finish the card:

  • I die cut the foiled panel using a postage stamp / polaroid-style frame from the January 2026 Spellbinders Large Die of the Month
  • The purple foiled panel becomes the “photo” portion of the polaroid
  • The white frame adds softness and a classic touch
  • I stamped a small scripty happy birthday sentiment along the bottom of the frame

The result feels clean, modern, and personal all at once.

Pisces is often described as creative, artistic, and imaginative—which made me smile. I frequently dream about cards or wake up with ideas I can’t wait to try, so this kit felt especially fitting.

Aquarius Card: Night Sky Drama with White Foil

Aquarius zodiac card hot foiled in white on black cardstock, framed with a rectangular die cut for a night sky inspired look. Masculine Birthday card.

For my Aquarius card, I leaned fully into the zodiac theme and created a night-sky inspired design. I hot foiled the plates in white foil on Pitch Black cardstock, which feels dramatic, graphic, and timeless.

The foiled panel was framed using dies from an older Spellbinders Die of the Month kit, keeping the focus on the bold foiling and strong contrast. This card is simple, striking, and would be perfect for:

  • A masculine birthday
  • A modern astrology lover
  • Anyone who appreciates clean design

Why I Love These Zodiac Kits (And Think You Will Too)

What really stands out to me is how customized and thoughtful these cards feel. You can:

  • Use a recipient’s favorite color
  • Choose cardstock based on birthstones
  • Keep designs bold and graphic or soften them with frames and layers
  • Mass produce cards efficiently without sacrificing style

They’re quick, versatile, and incredibly satisfying to make.

Supplies Used:

More Hot Foiling Inspiration

If you enjoy hot foiling techniques, here are a few related projects you might like:

  • Fast & Easy Glimmer Background Card – In my Christmas Elf card, I used white foil on pale blue cardstock to create a snowy, wintery background. This post includes a full video tutorial.
  • One Plate, Two Techniques: BetterPress vs Glimmer – One of my most popular posts from 2025, where I used the Scattered Shells plate to show how dramatically different results can be depending on the technique.

Both are great examples of how much versatility you can get from hot foil plates.

Final Thoughts

These Spellbinders Block Print Zodiac kits make it incredibly easy to create cards that feel meaningful, personal, and polished—without a lot of time or effort. Whether you’re making a birthday card, a thank you note, or stocking up on cards for the year, zodiac cards are a smart, evergreen addition to any cardmaker’s repertoire.

And if you’ve been curious about hot foiling, don’t forget to watch the 2-minute Pisces foiling video—sometimes all it takes is a quick refresher to spark new ideas.

Three cards featuring Spellbinders Classic Winnie the Pooh Birthday Collection Handmade Winnie the Pooh Cards with Spellbinders Classic Pooh Baby Collection
BetterPress · cardmaking · Die cutting

Handmade Winnie the Pooh Cards with Spellbinders Classic Pooh Baby Collection

Karen BrownLeave a comment
3 Winnie the Pooh theme handmade cards for baby showers and birthdays.

There’s just something timeless about Winnie the Pooh. The gentle illustrations, the sweet stories, and the nostalgia make Pooh-themed projects extra special—and the newly released Spellbinders Classic Pooh Baby Collection captures that magic beautifully.

For today’s post, I created three handmade cards using this collection. Two are perfect for spring baby girl showers, and the third is a rustic birthday card with a mixed media twist. Even though the themes are different—Baby, Maps, and Pooh—they all celebrate the charm of the Hundred Acre Wood.

Card One: A Sweet Baby Shower Card from the Hundred Acre Wood

Handmade baby shower card featuring the Hundred Acre Wood BetterPress map from the Classic Pooh Birthday Collection, softly watercolored and accented with a die-cut high chair and pink card base.

This first card absolutely stole my heart. I started with the Hundred Acre Wood BetterPress Plate, which features a detailed map of Pooh Corner—home to Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Kanga, and friends.

I pressed the plate using my BetterPress LetterPress System and black ink onto a Bisque BetterPress A2 panel, then added soft color using Zig Watercolor Markers and a damp brush. This simple watercolor technique adds just enough storybook charm without overwhelming the delicate map details.

To give the card a baby theme, I added a die-cut high chair from the Baby Accessories Die Kit, layering it on a soft vellum die cut. The sentiment, “How do you spell LOVE?”, comes from the new Sweet Sentiments BetterPress Sentiment Set and feels just right for a baby shower.

I finished the card by mounting everything onto a pink watercolor card base, creating a soft, dreamy look that’s perfect for welcoming a baby girl.

Side-by-side photo of two handmade baby shower cards using the Classic Pooh Birthday Collection Baby Accessories dies, one featuring a BetterPress map and high chair, the other a pink stroller design.

Card Two: A Traditional Pooh Baby Shower Card with a Stroller

Pink baby shower card with a die-cut stroller, postage-style background created with the Spellbinders January 2026 Large Die of the Month, and vintage-inspired embellishments.

For my second baby card, I leaned into a more classic baby shower style, again using the Classic Pooh Baby Accessories Die Kit This one features a pink die-cut stroller (pram) accented with sweet sticker embellishments from Simple Stories Vintage Flower Shoppe.

The background is one of my favorite elements—it was created using this month’s Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Kit. The postage/polaroid-style frame makes such a versatile card base and is a true cardmaking staple. If you don’t already subscribe to this kit, it’s a fantastic one to try—I’ll link to my Hummingbird Delight post where I used the full kit.

This card feels timeless, gentle, and perfect for a traditional baby shower. I also have a photo showing both baby cards together (above), highlighting how different they can feel while still using the same Pooh collection.

Same Map, Two Completely Different Looks

Side-by-side comparison of two BP343 Hundred Acre Wood BetterPress map cards—one soft and pink for a baby shower, the other rustic and masculine with mixed media details.

One of my favorite things about this project is seeing how versatile the Hundred Acre Wood BetterPress Plate really is. In one card, it’s soft, pink, and perfect for a baby shower. In another, it’s rustic, layered, and mixed media inspired.

Card Three: A Rustic Pooh Birthday Card with Mixed Media

Handmade Winnie the Pooh 100 Acre Wood birthday card with an aged mixed media map background created using ink smooshing, brown splatters, and a navy “Let’s Celebrate” sentiment.

My third card takes the Hundred Acre Wood BetterPress Plate in a completely different direction. This one has a more rustic, slightly masculine vibe, making it ideal for birthdays beyond baby cards. This is one of my favorite crafting machines and here are my 9 tips, tricks and insights to the BetterPress process.

I created the background using an ink-smooshing technique with three shades of brown ink. After spritzing with water, I dipped a Bisque BetterPress panel into the ink and let it soak for about a minute (see two photos below) . Once dry (or heat set), I flattened the panel under a weight. I then used my BetterPress LetterPress System to press the map into my smooshed background.

Cardmaking process photo showing ink smooshing and the completed rustic background.

To add even more depth, I:

  • Ink blended darker browns around the edges
  • Added splatters using brown acrylic ink and a fan brush
BP343 Spellbinders The Hundred Acre Wood BetterPress rustic map birthday card

The result is a beautifully aged, mixed media map background. I mounted the panel onto a navy card base and added a bold navy “Let’s Celebrate” sentiment using the Hero Arts Hooray Birthday Cover Plate.

This card is heading to a friend who loves Winnie the Pooh, but it would also work wonderfully as a masculine birthday card.

I’ve included a photo (above) showing both map cards side by side, and I love how different they feel—even though they started with the exact same plate.

Key Products Used:

You might also be interested in the 14 tools that I use most often in my craftroom.

Why I Love Creating with Classic Pooh

👉 My past Winnie the Pooh Die Cut Card and BetterPress Winnie the Pooh Card have always been reader favorites, and it’s easy to see why. Pooh designs feel personal, nostalgic, and meaningful—whether you’re creating for a baby, a birthday, or someone who simply loves these classic characters.

👉 I’ll be linking to my Pooh & Piglet die-cut card from last year, which is still one of my most-loved projects. If you missed it, be sure to check it out for even more Pooh inspiration.

Two cute aquatic fish theme die cut cards Spellbinders August 2025 Club Kits: Under the Sea Magic!
Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · stitching

Spellbinders August 2025 Club Kits: Under the Sea Magic!

Karen Brown1 Comment
2 colorful aquatic theme die cut scene cards featuring bright bold colors, a graphic look and LOTS of fish.

This month’s Spellbinders Club Kits dive deep into all things aquatic—and let me tell you, these kits are fin-tastic! 🐠💦 From vibrant fish to stitched sailboats, the August kits are perfect for summer crafting or anytime you want to send a smile that makes a splash. I created three nautical-themed cards using the Die of the Month, Large Die of the Month, Stitching Die of the Month, and my Caboodle Bonus Gift.

🐟 Card 1: Colorful Coral Reef Scene (Die of the Month + Caboodle Bonus Gift)

Die cut coral reef scene with colorful fish on Oceanside blue background. Made with Spellbinders August 2025 Die of the Month and Caboodle Bonus.

This card is bright, whimsical, and just so much fun to put together! I started with a rich Oceanside cardstock panel for the background “water.” Then I built a vibrant underwater world using the Die of the Month and my Caboodle Bonus Gift for even more fishy flair. I skipped the scuba diver die cuts and instead filled the scene with colorful fish in pink, coral, orange, purple, yellow, white, and aqua, all cut from my scrap bin. 🌈

TIP: Many of the elements are quite small—my Bearly Art glue with the fine-tip nozzle was essential for precise placement. I love that this card feels playful and full of life without being fussy!

Die cut card with lots of cute colorful fish swimming around a coral reef.

🐡 Card 2: Make a Splash with the Large Die of the Month

Pink fish in a plastic bag on blue background with “Make a Splash” sentiment. Made with Spellbinders August 2025 Large Die of the Month.

This Large Die of the Month card features the cutest little pink fish swimming home in a plastic bag! It’s such a clever, nostalgic design. I layered the fish-in-bag die cut over another Oceanside background and added a pink string “tie” at the top of the bag. The sentiment “Make a Splash” is included in the kit and absolutely perfect. It’s a great all-occasion card—birthday, congratulations, or just because.

If you like the graphic look of these first two cards, you might be interested in reading my post: What’s Brewing.

Darling "fish in a plastic bag" die cut card card in pinks and blues.

🚢 Card 3: Stitched Sailboat on the Sea (Stitching Die of the Month)

Stitched and die cut brown sailboat with red and yellow flags on blue sea and “Born to Shine Year After Year” sentiment. Made with Spellbinder's August 2025 Stitching Die of the Month.

My final card gives major paper boat vibes, thanks to the Stitching Die of the Month. I die cut the boat from brown cardstock and stitched the details with marine blue embroidery floss. The little red and yellow pennants waving from the mast make it feel festive and fun. 🌊 I added a blue die cut sea, a white die cut cloud, and hot foiled the uplifting La Dolce Vita sentiment:
“Born to shine year after year.” ✨

Stitching Tip: I die cut the boat twice and layered the pieces together before stitching for extra sturdiness. I used two threads of floss for the perfect amount of detail.

Masculine die cut and hands-stitched boat card perfect for birthdays.

These cards came together so easily and would be adorable for summer birthdays, kids’ celebrations, or just brightening someone’s day. Don’t forget—this is all part of the August 2025 Club Kit Release, and if you’re a Deluxe Caboodle subscriber, you get everything plus the bonus die, and save a whopping 58%!

Helpful Links:

cardmaking · Stenciling

🧡🩷 Custom Plaid Two Ways with Hero Arts Houndstooth Layering Stencils

Karen Brown1 Comment

Plaid, but make it personal! Today I’m excited to share two bold and beautifully customized cards using the new Houndstooth Layering Stencils from the Case Closed Collection by Hero Arts.

Click HERE if you’d like to read my companion Case Closed Blog Post.

This two-piece stencil is already becoming one of my favorite backgrounds—it’s quick, clean, and incredibly versatile! Whether you’re going soft and sweet or crisp and classic, this pattern plays nicely with every palette.

2 colorful Houndstooth Plaid cards created with Hero Arts Layering Stencils.

A Few Tips Before You Ink

Here’s what made my stenciling process smooth and successful:

  • Stencil Orientation Matters: Make sure the Hero Arts logo is facing up. To keep my layers aligned even after rotating for even inking, I added a tiny arrow sticker pointing to the logo. It’s a game-changer!
  • Alignment Squares Are Your Friend: I marked the alignment squares lightly in pencil before starting so I could line up both layers of the stencil perfectly—no guessing, just precision.

Feminine Florals in Pink & Orange

Feminine floral thhinking of you card with a pink and orange stenciled Houndstooth plaid background

For my first card, I created a lovely pink and orange plaid background using Creamsicle and Taffy inks. I die cut the stenciled background with the Pointed Arches Infinity Dies to create a shaped card—hello, visual interest!

I originally tried a single color mat but it felt flat. Splitting the mat—Coral on the left, Azalea on the right—instantly made the card pop with contrast. I layered on a cluster of Copic-colored florals from the Wild Flower Bundle, a heat-embossed “Thinking of You” sentiment (included in the bundle) in white on black cardstock, and five black enamel dots for a finishing touch.

Copic Colors: YR02, RV11, W0

Handmade card with Hero Arts Houndstooth Plaid layering stencil. The card is shaped with pink and orange color palette.

Masculine Congrats in Blue & Green

Masculine Congrats Card in blues and greens with a stenciled Houndstooth Plaid background,

Card two leans cool, classic, and masculine. I used Periwinkle and Moss inks with the Houndstooth stencils for a bold plaid base, and then die cut it using one of my tried-and-true favorites—Nesting Postage Infinity Dies.

I die cut the bold Congrats sentiment from black cardstock three times, stacked and glued for dimension, and added a soft vellum mat underneath to make it stand out. The sentiment comes from the Congrats and Yay Stamp & Cut Set. Everything was mounted on Periwinkle cardstock and attached to an A2 card base.

Hero Arts Houndstooth Plaid stenciled card in masculine blues and greens.

💡 Why I Love These Stencils

The Houndstooth Layering Stencils are officially a staple in my craftroom. They’re:

  • Fast and easy to use ✅
  • Perfectly crisp results ✅
  • Easy to customize with ANY color palette ✅

You can try monochrome, neutrals, school/team colors, or even select the recipient’s favorite colors. The options are endless—and this stencil plays well with nearly every kind of stamp or sentiment.

2 cards with customized Houndstooth plaid stenciled backgrounds. Card 1 is floral with pink and orange plaid. Card 2 is a masculine Congrats in blue and green plaid.

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Spellbinders | Classic Cool: Masculine Birthday Card with a Retro Speedometer

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Buckle up, cardmakers—because today we’re putting the pedal to the cardstock with a sleek and fun masculine birthday card featuring the Speedometer from the Classic Road Legends collection by the incredibly talented Mindy Eggen! This is Mindy’s debut collection with Spellbinders, and it’s already racing to the top of my favorites list.

The star of the card? A bold, retro-inspired die cut speedometer with some of the coolest sentiments I’ve seen in a while.

Die cut birthday card featuring a retro-style speedometer in aqua, teal, and silver cardstock with a coral needle. Background is white cardstock embossed with a script design. Sentiment reads “Cruisin' by to say Happy Birthday"

🛠️ Building this Masculine Birthday Card

I wanted to create something unique and masculine with a fresh, modern color palette—so I went with monochromatic aquas and teals, using Adriatic, Paradise, and Arctic cardstocks from Hero Arts. To give the speedometer some shine and dimension, I added silver cardstock accents, and then for a bit of unexpected flair, I die cut the needle in coral cardstock—it’s just the right pop of contrast!

This die set includes tons of clever sentiments like:

  • “Have a Classic Day”
  • “Another Year in the Fast Lane”
  • “Enjoy Your New Adventure”
  • I chose “Cruisin’ by to say Happy Birthday” for this card

Perfect for Father’s Day, birthday cards, or anyone who appreciates a good throwback moment.

Once I finished assembling the speedometer, I mounted it onto a clean white background embossed with the Spellbinders Scribbled Letters Embossing Folder. The subtle texture adds just enough interest without taking the spotlight off the die cuts.

This card is headed straight to my brother for his birthday—he’s a car guy, and I think he’s going to love it!

Masculine die card retro Speedometer card with scribbled embossed background. Cardstock colors of teals, aquas, white and silver

💬 Why I Love It

Masculine cards can be a bit of a creative challenge, but this design was a total joy to put together. The bold shapes, retro vibes, and clever details made this one of my favorite guy cards I’ve ever made!

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · stitching

Spellbinders March 2025 Club Kits – Two Cards, Endless Creativity!

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Die Cut handmade cards created with Spellbinders March 2025 Club Kits.

March is here, and with it comes Spellbinders’ March 2025 Club Kits, featuring some truly exciting club kits! This month, I crafted two very different—but equally fun—cards: one celebrating the great outdoors and another bringing stitched floral elegance to life. Let’s dive in!

Kits Used Today:

Card 1: A Fishing Adventure

Masculine fishing theme die cut card using Spellbinders March 2025 Small Die of the Month Kit. Two men are fishing on a dock, there is a "caught" fish on a line and the colors are primarily blue with the men wearing orange and green shirts and hats.

For my first card, I used the Die of the Month Club Kit – Fairways and Fish Tales, a perfect choice for masculine cards. This set brings all the charm of a peaceful fishing trip, complete with fishing rods, tackle boxes, and two friends casting their lines from a dock.

Since my husband is a fly-fishing enthusiast, this card is especially meaningful. The “Happiness is…” sentiment captures the joy of a day spent on the water. The color palette leans into lovely blues, accented with pops of orange and green, giving the scene a fresh and lively look. If you’re looking for a kit that’s perfect for the men in your life, this one is a winner!

For assembly, I used Bearly Glue, Foam Squares and Craft Foam. To finish, I added some Clear Enamel Dots to simulate water splashes.

Handmade die-cut card featuring two male friends fishing on a wooden dock with fishing rods, tackle boxes, and a 'Happiness is...' sentiment. The color scheme is blue with pops of orange and green.

Card 2: Floral Elegance with Stitching & Die Cuts

Elegant handmade stitched card with a gold-threaded white background and die-cut flowers in pink, orange, and white, accented with gold detail. Created with Spellbinders March 2025 Stitching Die and Large Die Club Kits.

For my second card, I combined the Stitching Club of the Month Kit with the Large Die of the Month, which offers three design options: floral, dog, and dinosaur. I chose the floral dies and paired them with the intricate stitching background for a stunning, textured effect.

The stitching panel was cut from white cardstock and hand-stitched with gold thread, giving it a luxe feel. Then, I added die-cut flowers in pink, orange, and white, accented with gold, to create a truly elegant design. Stitched cards always have that “WOW” factor, and this one is no exception—handmade beauty that recipients love!

One thing I love about the stitching die background is that it’s just as beautiful unstiched. I plan to use it that way in the future for a more subtle yet equally stunning effect.

Notes About This Card:

Two beautiful handmade and die-cut cards created with Spellbinders March 2025 Club Kits.

Helpful Links:

Final Thoughts

March’s Spellbinders release has something for everyone—whether you’re crafting for the outdoorsman in your life or making a stitched masterpiece. Which of these styles speaks to you the most? Let me know in the comments!

Spellbinders | Stitching Die of the Month | Ladybug
cardmaking · stitching

Spellbinders | Stitching Die of the Month | Ladybug

Karen Brown5 Comments
Blog post tutorial showing how I created an adorable Ladybug handstitched card with Spellbinders January 2025 Stitching Die of the Month.

Get ready to fall in love with stitching! Today, we’re exploring how to create a charming handmade card featuring a stitched ladybug and an elegant stitched oval frame using Spellbinders January 2025 Stitching Die of the Month. This project is a delightful mix of texture, color, and whimsy, making it perfect for a wide range of occasions.

You might also enjoy my blog post about this months Small Die of the Month.

Whimsical Stitching: A Handmade Ladybug Card

Delightful handmade greeting card with stitched ladybug and oval frame elements perfect for any occasion.

My Cardmaking Process:

  • I started by die cutting my Stitching Kit pieces with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. I die cut the Sand stitched oval frame twice and glued them together for easier stitching. Next, I cut my lady bug components plus the sentiment (included in kit) and flowers.
  • Prepping your stitching pieces: I use the piercing/pokey tool to ensure clean stitching holes on the die-cut pieces. This will make stitching a breeze.
  • 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!
  • Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. I stitched with DMC Gold and 839 Brown threads. I hope you can see the shimmer on the ladybug!
  • 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.
  • Adhere the stitched oval frame to an aqua cardstock background for a beautiful pop of color. Place the stitched ladybug at the center of the frame, creating a striking focal point. I assembled with Bearly Glue .
Spellbinders January 2025 Stitching Die of the Month Club Kit handmade card featuring a red and black ladybug with gold stitching and a lovely tan stitched oval frame,

Here is a photo of me stitching in front of a crackling fire—it’s the perfect way to add warmth (literally and figuratively) to your crafting session. I always like to pick a cozy or picturesque spot to stitch.

Why You’ll Love This Card

This project combines the tactile joy of stitching with the charm of die-cut details. The vivid red ladybug against the aqua background is eye-catching, while the stitched elements add a handmade touch that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re crafting for a birthday, thank-you note, or just because, this stitched ladybug card is a creative way to show you care.

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.
  • 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.

Karen

cardmaking · Stamping

Spellbinders | DIY House Mouse Card: Stay Cool with this Adorable Creation!

Karen Brown4 Comments
Whimsical House Mouse stamped card with a cute mouse chilling in front of a fan with a vintage look and Copic coloring.

Hey, crafty friends! Today, I have a super fun and enjoyable cardmaking project to share with you, featuring everyone’s favorite little critters – House Mouse – and the NEW Stay Cool stamp set. This time, we’re creating a whimsical card with the cute mouse chilling in front of a fan, perfect for sending a refreshing message to someone special. What makes this card extra special is its minimalist vintage look, achieved through a limited color palette of blues and tans. So, let’s dive in and get crafting!

House Mouse: Stay Cool (RSC-028)

Masculine House Mouse Stay Cool stamped critter card.

“Stay Cool” is also perfect for creating a good “Man Card” and I plan to give this creation to my husband. Wouldn’t this make the cutest postcard?

My Design Process:

  • Stamp House Mouse: I stamped my panel with the Stay Cool stamp and my Misti stamping tool.
  • Color Your Mouse: Now comes the fun part! I used Copic markers but you can also use your colored pencils or watercolors to bring your adorable mouse to life. I found this stamp easy to color because of all the shading detail.
  • Add the Sentiment: Stamp or adhere your chosen sentiment. I selected “You are the coolest”. This adds a sweet touch to your card and ties everything together. This stamp set also has two other fun sentiments: “take time to just chill” and “I am your biggest fan”.
  • Finishing Your Card:
    • I used a corner rounder on the edges of my background and kraft card base.
    • In keeping with the vintage vibe I was going for, I added some subtle ink blending around the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink.
    • I added some Craft Foam and assembled my card.

Products Used on my House Mouse Card:

I really love the House Mouse series and I have past blog posts with a few other charming stamp sets. If you would like to see my House Mouse Valentine, click HERE. And I have three adorable House Mouse cards that you can see HERE.

This House Mouse card with its darling mouse enjoying a cool breeze is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. So, grab your crafting supplies and get ready to create something truly special!

Karen

BetterPress · cardmaking · papercrafting

Hero Arts | Letterpress Birthday Card

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Using regular paper and inks for a masculine Hero Arts letter press birthday card.

I make a LOT of cards, but I never seem to have enough masculine cards, so…..here is a wonderful one suitable for anyone! I love the classic look of letter press and was pleased to see Hero Arts new Letter Press/Foil Plates. For this card I used their new Happy Birthday plate.

I did not use special paper or inks but I still think I got a good result on my card. Next, I want to try the birthday plates with my foiling machine.

cardmaking · Mixed Media · Stamping

Hero Arts | Man Card Monday | Ramen Birthday Card

Karen Brown1 Comment
Man Card Monday masculine birthday card for the Foodie

Ramen Card for the Foodie in Your Life

Masculine cards can be tricky, but when I saw Hero Arts Ramen Stamp and Die Bundle, I knew it would be the perfect set for my son-in-law’s birthday. He is a real foodie and I love the fun sentiment included!

How to Make an Ink Smoosh Background

I started by making my “Ink Smoosh” background. I dabbed Fawn, Papaya, Fog, Paradise and Pool Party inks in separate pools on my craft mat and spritzed with water. I then dipped a piece of watercolor paper in the puddle and let it dry. I did this four times.

Next, I stamped my images and then colored in with Artist Alcohol Markers. Die cutting was next. I also used my Rounded Rectangles Infinity dies to trim my background, mat and card base. The final step was to assemble my card.

Graphic Mixed Media birthday card for the masculine Foodie in your life.
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