Hero Arts | Quick Bold Shimmery Background | Congrats Card

May 28, 2024June 5, 2024 Karen BrownLeave a comment

Fuchsia and Navy Congratulations Card using Hero Arts Abstract Feather Bold Prints background stamp and Fuchsia + Gold Metallic Shimmer Spray.

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.

Fuchsia and Nautical Congrats Card

My Process:

I started by lightly ink blending Tangerine Core Ink onto Watercolor Paper and let the panel dry.
I then added Fuchsia + Gold Two Tone Metallic Spray to the well of my paint palette.
I put my Abstract Feather Bold Print background stamp in my stamp positioner with a piece of Luxe White Watercolor Paper.
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 let my panel dry and then trimmed with my Rounded Rectangles Infinity Dies.
To add a bit more interest, I added a Rounded Rectangle Infinity die frame die cut from Nautical cardstock.
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.

Thanks for stopping by….see ya next time!

Hero Arts | Sparkle and Shine: Mastering Metallic Shimmer Sprays in Your Cardmaking

April 26, 2024June 5, 2024 Karen Brown1 Comment

Metallic Shimmer Spray + stamping: A trio of handmade cards in rainbow colors.

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

Rainbow watercolor look handmade card created with metallic shimmer sprays + stamping.

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.
Metallic Sprays Used: Fuchsia + Gold, Orange + Shimmer, Bright Yellow + Copper, Green + Shimmer, Blue + Shimmer, Royal Purple + Gold
I put my Abstract Feather Bold Print background stamp in my stamp positioner with a piece of Luxe White Watercolor Paper.
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 let my panels dry and then trimmed with my Rounded Rectangles Infinity Dies.
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.

Bold rainbow card created with Hero Arts metallic shimmer ink sprays.

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.

I finished my card with a Nautical sentiment die cut with the Smile Friend Stamp and Cut XL set plus a few Clear Hues Enamel Dots.

Minimalist Mixed Media Thank You Card

Minimalist mixed media card created with Hero Arts metallic shimmer spray, Hero Gold Paste and Hero Transfer rub-ons.

I wanted to play a bit more with my final card. I added some rub-ons from Collage Backgrounds Part 2 Hero Transfers set and then, with my Palette Knife, I added Gold Hero Paste in spots through the Leaves and Abstract Shapes Stencil. You can see a stencil process photo below. Remember to soak or wash your stencil and palette knife before the Hero Paste sets.

I stamped and die cut a sentiment from the I Appreciate You Stamp and Die Bundle set. Finally, I added a few black Neutrals Hero Hues Enamel Dots.

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!

Final Thoughts

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!

cardmaking · Mixed Media · Tutorial

Hero Arts | 2 Fun Mixed Media Cards

February 21, 2024February 25, 2024 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:

I ink smooshed several layers onto my Luxe Watercolor Paper background, drying in between each layer. See colors below.
With leftover “smoosh” ink, I stamped with Vintage Maps and Ledgers stamps.
I added first and second generation stamping + some heat embossing with Vintage Postmarks and Tickets stamps.
Splatter with Metallic Sprays. Dry. Metallic sprays add such fun splatters and I listed the color I used below.
Trim with Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies. I think this die set is a simple way to elevate your card to the next level.
Heavily ink edges with Indigo Core Ink.
Emboss the edges with Sand Embossing Powder, which adds such a cool texture.
Add Gold Hero Wax to the edges of the card.
I added my panels to A2 Top Folding Cards.

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!

cardmaking · Mixed Media · papercrafting

Die Cutting + Mixed Media Cards

November 24, 2022 Karen Brown1 Comment

Distressed Mixed Media card using die cut leaves from Altenew's Tropical Mix set.

Shabby Chic Mixed Media Cards

Welcome! I had the idea for a messy mixed media card with fall-color die cut leaves on a brick embossed background. I have to say, this was a really fun creative journey.

The first card is for my friend Paul who thinks I am a mixed media artist and is always encouraging me to do more art. I especially like how the blue panel shows through the leaves on the birthday card.

Using metallic shimmer ink sprays on mixed media cards.

My process:

Using Altenew’s Tropical Leaf Mix Dies and Essential Sentiment Strips, I die cut three leaves and two sentiments from kraft card stock.
On my craft mat, I made three puddles of ink: Orange Cream Metallic Shimmer Ink Spray + Water, Warm Sunshine Metallic Shimmer Spray + water and Infusions Frankly Scarlet Colored Stain. I then dabbed portions of each die cut into each puddle of ink. I did this 2 or 3 times until I was happy with the colors.
Using a panel of Neenah 110 cardstock, I dabbed some Espresso Ink onto my craft mat, spritzed with a bit of water and then dabbed in my cardstock. I did the same thing with a panel of kraft paper.
On the Neenah panel, I repeated the process with Ocean Waves Metallic Shimmer Ink Spray plus water.
Using Altenew’s Brick Wall 3D Embossing Folder, I embossed the kraft panel.
I painted on some distressing to the brick wall panels using the left over yellow, orange and red inks. You can see I used more red on the birthday card and I really like how that panel turned out.
Next, I added lots of spatters using the left over red, orange and yellow ink. I also added white (Pure White Ink Spray) and black (Jet Black Ink Spray).
After the splatters dried, I distressed the edges with more Espresso Ink and a finger dauber.
I made a brown top folding A2 card base and then assembled my card. I glued the brick panel directly to the card base but used Instant Dimension Foam Tape to adhere the blue panel to the bricks. I glued the leaves at a jaunty angle and added a small bow.

Altenew's Bricked Wall 3D Embossing Folder on Mixed Media cards.

I love the grungy vintage look of these two cards.

Shabby Chic grungy distressed mixed media card with die cut leaves.

Thank you for stopping by!

Karen