Tag: Rainbow Colors

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · stitching

Spellbinders Club Kits – July 2025

Karen BrownLeave a comment

It’s Christmas in July, and the Spellbinders July 2025 Club Kits are brimming with cozy, colorful holiday cheer! This month’s kits are full of winter charm—perfect for kicking off your holiday cardmaking early. I had such a blast creating with these kits, and I’m excited to share four festive cards with you today.

Card 1 – Large Die of the Month: “Warm Cocoa Wishes”

An assortment of brightly colored cocoa mugs with glittery snowflake toppers, some mugs trimmed at the edge for a dynamic layout. The sentiment reads 'Warm Cocoa Wishes

Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Kit had me smiling from the start. I created a festive card featuring a rainbow of die cut cocoa mugs, each one topped with glittery snowflakes and arranged in a playful display across the card front. The mugs have adorable little handles—some hanging over the edges for a casual, cozy feel.

Warm Cocoa Wishes die cut winter card with rainbow colored mugs of cocoa with glitter snowflakes created with the Spellbinders July 2025 Large Die of the Month Kit.

Each mug is a different bright color, bringing a fun and modern twist to the wintery theme. The sentiment “Warm Cocoa Wishes” ties everything together. This card feels like a cheerful hug in mug form!

Cocoa and Coffee themed die cut winter card with fun rainbow colored cups.

Card 2 – Stitching Die of the Month: Peppermint Diamonds

A hand-stitched card with geometric diamond pattern on frosty blue paper over teal background. White floss stitching and peppermint candy embellishments decorate the design. Gold glimmer sentiment reads 'Sending warm thoughts your way.

The Stitching Club this month features a lovely geometric diamond design that reminded me of snowflakes and vintage quilting. I stitched the design on a frosty blue overlay using two strands of white floss. Underneath, a teal base peeks through, adding subtle contrast.

Striking hand-stitched card created with Spellbinders July 2025 Stitching Die of the Month Kit.

For embellishments, I added peppermint candies for a sweet holiday touch. A foiled gold glimmer sentiment—“Sending Warm Thoughts Your Way”—adds shine and warmth. This card would be perfect tucked in with a winter care package.

Winter snowflake theme stitched handmade card in frosty blues, teals with pops of red and white.

Card 3 – Die of the Month: Penguin Mug

A bold, graphic card featuring a die cut penguin mug with whipped cream on a vibrant Teal Topaz background, accented with hot pink and yellow. 'Merry Christmas' sentiment adds festive cheer

Next up is the absolutely adorable Spellbinders Small Die of the Month Kit penguin mug die. I went bold with my color palette to create a graphic, eye-catching card. The black and white penguin sits against a rich Teal Topaz background, with accents of Wild Berry (hot pink) and Saffron (yellow) for a fun pop.

The whipped cream topper adds texture and playfulness, and a bold “Merry Christmas” sentiment finishes it off. This little guy is equal parts charming and striking—a new favorite!

Vibrant Die Cut Penguin Mug Christmas Card created using the July 2025 Small Die of the Month Kit from Spellbinders.

Card 4 – Bonus Caboodle: Gingerbread Man Postage Card

A die cut gingerbread man with white icing and peppermint cheeks/buttons, layered over a teal nesting postage stamp background and mounted on a white card base. Sentiment reads 'Falalalala.'

And finally, I couldn’t resist using the Caboodle Bonus Gift—a gingerbread man die that’s almost too cute to handle. I gave him white piped icing details, and the peppermint cheeks and buttons add whimsy and color.

Spellbinders Deluxe Caboodle Kit – Get All 10 Kits, $315 value for just $130!

He’s layered on a Teal Topaz nesting postage stamp die cut background, mounted on a clean white A2 base. The sentiment “Falalalala” adds just the right festive flair to finish off this cheerful design.

July 2025 Spellbinders "Caboodle" bonus card featuring a darling gingerbread man.

Helpful Links:

Each of these kits brought something fresh and delightful to my crafting table this month. Whether you’re a cocoa-lover, penguin fan, or peppermint enthusiast, there’s something in July’s kits to spark your holiday creativity.

4 unique handmade cards created from Spellbinders July 2025 Club Kits.

Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments—and don’t forget to grab your kits before they melt away!

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 · Rainbow Colors · Tutorial

Rainbows & Glitter: Tips on Making Your Own Glitter Cardstock

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Tips and Tutorial on how to make a floral rainbow card with a custom tinted DIY glitter cardstock background.

Hi there! I’m so happy to share a card project that combines whimsical charm with vibrant color. If you love crafting as much as I do, you’ll want to stick around for all the dreamy details.

The Star of the Show: A Floral Rainbow

A handmade card featuring a colorful die-cut floral rainbow with fluffy white clouds, set against a sparkling custom glitter cardstock background and a bold scripty 'hello' sentiment

To me, Hero Arts Floral Rainbow and Clouds stamp and die bundle feels like a burst of happiness! I perched my rainbow and clouds on a custom background made of handmade glitter cardstock. By combining blue and green metallic shimmer sprays on watercolor paper, I created a sparkling, ethereal look that mimics a sunny sky. Now, let’s dive into the details of this colorful creation!

Key Products Used:

A colorful handmade card featuring Hero Arts Floral Rainbow stamp and die bundle.

At the heart of this design is a vibrant rainbow that I stamped and brought to life with Copic markers. The colors are rich yet soft, evoking a dreamy vibe that’s both uplifting and playful. After coloring, I used coordinating dies to cut out the floral arc, ensuring clean lines and perfect dimension. It’s not just a rainbow; it’s a celebration of color and joy!

Copic Colors Used: RV02, RV04, RV10, YR02, YR07, Y06, Y08, YG01, YG03, G43, BG11, BG45, B0000, B41, V01, V15

How To Make Your Own Custom Glitter Cardstock

Creative Process Photo: "An in-progress shot of painting blue and green shimmer sprays onto watercolor paper to create a custom glitter cardstock background."

Creating your own glitter cardstock is easier than you think and adds a personalized touch to your projects. Here is how I created my background:

  • I taped a panel of watercolor paper to a hard board and brushed water over the surface with a flat brush. I didn’t saturate the paper, but I did add a light coating of water.
  • Next, I mixed Blue + Shimmer Tone on Tone Metallic Spray with just a hint of Green + Shimmer Tone on Tone Metallic Spray in a paint palette and then painted the mixture on the wet watercolor paper with a damp flat brush. These sprays are very pigmented, so start with a little and add additional spray if you want more intense color, or more water if you want a more muted shade. I applied two layers but I didn’t bother to let it dry in between.
  • I let my shimmer panels dry overnight, but you could speed up the drying with your heat tool.

Experiment with different color combinations to make your custom glitter cardstock truly one-of-a-kind!

A shimmering custom-made glitter cardstock background in blue green hues, adding sparkle and dimension to the card design.

To finish my focal point, I heat embossed the beautiful scripty “hello” sentiment that is included in the bundle.

Glitter can be tricky to capture on camera, but I hope you can see shimmer and sparkle in this close-up photo.

Close up shot of DIY handmade glitter cardstock to use in cardmaking, papercrafting and scrapbooking.

Who wouldn’t love a little rainbow magic in their mailbox? Let’s keep spreading those handmade vibes, one card at a time! 🌈✨

cardmaking · Die cutting · papercrafting

Opening Day 1 of the Crafty Advent Calendar | Spellbinders

Karen Brown1 Comment
Opening Day 1 of Spellbinders Crafty Advent Calendar and making a handmade card with the included dies.

December is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited to kick off the festive season with my Spellbinders Paper Arts Crafty Advent Calendar! If you’re anything like me, the thought of crafting something new each day leading up to Christmas brings so much joy—and this year, the fun starts with a surprise die inside Day 1. Let’s open it together and make a holiday card!

Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar Options:

What’s Behind Door #1?

The anticipation is real. As I carefully peel open Day 1, I reveal… a beautiful hot air balloon die! It’s intricate yet versatile, perfect for adding that extra touch of winter magic to any holiday card.

Spellbinders trio of colorful die cut hot air balloons on a handmade card.

This balloon die is just adorable with tons of detail! So here is a quick tutorial on how I created this bright happy card:

  • I started by die cutting my balloon 3 times in the following combinations: orange and hot pink, aqua and lime, lavendar and purple. This project is perfect for my compact desk top Scout Die Cutting Machine.
  • I used Brushed Gold cardstock for the sentiment and accents.
  • The only die I added is the cloud from the Fly Away die set. I use this cloud on a lot of projects and find it is a great accent to have in my craft room.
  • My background panel is 4 1/4″ x 6″. I little longer than an A2 card but I like the layout better with a bit more vertical space.
  • I adhered my elements with Craft Foam and Bearly Glue.
  • My card base is charcoal grey for a bit of lovely contrast.

And There You Have It!

I can’t wait to see what’s behind the other doors! Stay tuned for more crafty inspiration as we count down to Christmas together. I will be back in a few days with more Crafty Advent Inspiration.

Happy crafting! ❄️🎄

Karen

Cardmaking Kit · papercrafting

Hero Studio December 2024 Release and Hop

Karen Brown13 Comments
Hero Arts Hero Studio December 2024 Release and Card Inspiration

If you’re already dreaming of decking your craft room with fresh supplies, Hero Arts December Release is about to paint your world with inspiration! This month’s theme is color, and it’s bursting with playful possibilities. Imagine stamps that bring your designs to life, a fancy circle-shaped die perfect for creating a BOLD striking focal point, and a die-cut box of crayons that’s as whimsical as it is nostalgic. And let’s not forget the butterflies—because no colorful creation is complete without a touch of fluttery elegance. It’s everything you need to make your cards shine brighter.

A Kaleidoscope of Creativity: December’s Theme is “Color”!
Bold, colorful and bright sun and floral die cut card with created with the Inlay die cutting technique for a stained glass look.
A Colorful Recipe for Success: Hero Studio December Card Kit of the Month

I wanted a bold color palette with variations in shade so I grabbed the new Sky Ombres Hero Transfers for die cutting my Floral Circle Fancy Die (part of the December Card Kit). I used the Inlay Die Cutting Technique which produces a beautiful “stained glass window” look.

  1. Cut the circle frame from Pitch Black Cardstock
  2. Select the colors you want from the Sky Ombres Hero Transfers and rub on white cardstock. I enjoy using Rub-On Transfers and I love the beautiful gradients in this sampler.
  3. With the Floral Circle Fancy Die, cut a circle in a 5″ x 5″ white cardstock panel and stamp the sentiment (included in the kit).
  4. Glue the white panel created in step 3 to a second 5″ x 5″ panel of white cardstock.
  5. Insert your black frame in the round window.
  6. Die cut your colors using the panels you created in step 2. Inset these into the black frame. I kept all the die cut pieces in a small bowl until I was sure I had all the pieces I needed to create my stained glass. I placed each piece prior to gluing to make sure they were all in the correct spot. Once I was happy with my placement, I put glue in the “well” and then placed and glued the die cut components.
  7. This techinque is great for mass-producing cards. You can see two of the leftovoer frames in the top right corner of the photo. These would be beautiful just glued to a card for a bright clean and simple look.
Bright happy circle die cut card featuring a sun and two happy flower blooms with a "You Color My World" sentiment.

What’s Inside the Kit?

Curious about this month’s kit? Let’s take a peek inside the December Kit:

• Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8” • 15 Coordinating Dies • Floral Circle Fancy Die • 5 Reinkers, 1/2 oz. (Purple Galaxy, Blue Hawaii, Green Apple, Lemon Drop, Fruit Punch) • Plastic Watercolor Palette

5 Wonderful Kit Options:

For this blog post, I created with the December Kit, The Clear Stamp and Dies Kit and two Extraordinary Extras, but there are 5 kits plus 6 Extras available. You can also buy the Whole Studio, which includes all 5 kits at a wonderful savings.

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

Clear Stamp and Die of the Month: Floral Butterfly

Stamped, colored and die cut Floral Butterfly card on an ombre background created with Hero Rub-On Transfers.

For a card that truly takes flight, try stamping the gorgeous Floral Butterfly as your centerpiece. Use alcohol markers to bring it to life with vibrant shades—blend rich oranges, sunny yellows, and lush greens to make those petals pop. Once your butterfly is a kaleidoscope of color, grab your coordinating die and cut it out. Adhere it to an ombre blue sky background, fading from light to dark, for a dreamy effect. I created my background panel by “rubbing” on the Sky Ombres Hero Transfer onto cardstock. So easy and beautiful! It’s like sending a little piece of summer to your favorite person, no sunscreen required! 🦋✨

Key Products Used:

Bright fluttery stamped and die cut butterfly handmade card created with Hero Arts December Cling of the Month Stamp and Die kit called Floral Butterfly. Hero Arts: CD1224, RT138

Box of Crayons Fancy Dies

Hero Arts Box of Crayons Fancy Dies inspirational die cut handmade card. Hero Arts DF229

Make their birthday extra colorful with a slimline card that’s all about the crayons! I used Box of Crayons Fancy Dies and started by die-cutting a cheerful box of crayons and filling it with every shade imaginable—this is your chance to go full rainbow mode. Hero Arts recently introduced a limited edition sampler of Rainbow Cardstock that is perfect for your favorite colorful die cutting.

I die cut each crayon in two shades of each color and then trimmed the top of the lighter toned “label” with scissors to make for a more realistic crayon look.

Key Products Used:

Rainbow die cut crayon handmade birthday card created with Hero Arts Box of Crayons die kit

Blog Hop:

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, December 8 at 11:59pm PST, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.

Hero Arts

Hero Arts Creative Team:
Channin Pelletier
Charlene Madrid
Ilina Crouse
Jeannie Lieu
Jennifer Kotas
Kailash Naidoo
Karen Brown You Are Here!
Lydia Fiedler
Michelle Short
Natasha Polite
Natasha Vacca
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka
Special Guests:
Mindy Eggen
Nichol Spohr
Kelly Taylor

Happy Crafting! And be sure to let your creativity shine bright and colorful.

Cardmaking Kit · Rainbow Colors · stitching

Colorful Rainbow Stitching | Spellbinders August 2024 Stitching Kit

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Rainbow colors for this stunning hand stitched greeting card created with Spellbinders August 2024 Stitching Kit of the Month.

This may be my favorite Spellbinders kit of 2024! The August 2024 Stitching Kit of the Month is perfect for cardmakers, artists or anyone that loves a colorful card. I truly love rainbow cardstock and floss….put them together and you have a real keepsake.

Spellbinders has 9 great Club Options that you might want to check out + their Deluxe Caboodle, which includes all 9 kits + a bonus gift, all at a 60% savings.

Rainbow Craft Theme Card Kit:

Handmade paint palette card created with Spellbinders August 2024 Stitching Card Kit of the Month.

Tips and Tricks for Stunning Stitched Cards:

  • I started by die cutting my Stitching Kit pieces with my Platinum 6 die cutting machine. When I got to the smaller pieces, I found it easiest to use my desktop cutter: Scout. I used leftover colorful cardstock scraps for my paint palette. Since it was long and thin, I die cut the paintbrush twice and then glued it together for a substantial base. I die cut the other pieces once.
  • Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. Today, I used used DMC 776, 725, 745, 772, 504, 800, 211, 828, 646 and metallic gold floss. I have been buying and collecting floss for decades, so some of these are vintage.
  • When I started stitching, I took two strands of floss, separated them one at a time, brought them together and then stroked and lengthened them until they seemed tame and ready to use.
  • 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.
  • I assembled my card with Bearly Glue.

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.
  • NEW for 2024: Club Members get EARLY access to new releases on the 6th!
  • On the 6th, Clubs become available to non-members.
  • On the 27th, Club registration closes for the current month.
  • If a club did not sell out, you can buy under “Shop Past Clubs”. Past kits are available on the 10th of the FOLLOWING month.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · Rainbow Colors

Review: Waffle Flower’s Sticky Grip Mat – A Crafting Essential (Just Updated)!

Karen Brown1 Comment
A review and tutorial for Waffle Flower's new and improved sticky Grip Mats + a die cut Window Scene Card.

As a passionate crafter, I’m always on the lookout for tools that make the creative process smoother and more enjoyable. Recently, I had the pleasure of testing out an updated re-released product that gently holds cardstock and stencils in place for stamping and ink blending— Waffle Flowers new and improved Grip Mats.

This innovative mat has been specifically designed to keep your cardstock firmly in place, eliminating the need for pesky adhesives or awkward hand placements that can often lead to smudges or uneven ink application. After putting the sticky Grip Mat through its paces, I’m excited to share my experience and why I believe it’s a must-have for any serious crafter.

Previously, I purchased a Grip Mat for both my Misti and Mini Misti and I found them invaluable. Waffle Flowers recently asked it they could send me two NEW mats, no strings attached. I was happy to test and play with two sizes of the new mats.

Products Used and Referenced in This Review:

Waffle Flower die cut Window Scene Grid Card with ink blended Rainbow Panels + die cut trees.

The Testing Process

To truly test the Sticky Grip Mat’s capabilities, I decided to embark on an colorful project: ink blending six small rainbow-colored panels, which I would then assemble into a vibrant card. Here’s a step-by-step look at how the mat performed throughout the process:

  1. Securing the Cardstock: The Sticky Grip Mat held each piece of cardstock firmly in place, preventing any slipping or movement. This was a game-changer for achieving precise, even ink blending. Small panels and die cuts are difficult to work with so I die cut 6 small windows with Waffle Flower Window Scene Die for my testing purpose. I have a process photo below. I tested both the 7.5″ x 11″ mat (easily holds half letter size paper) and 4″ x 4″ mat for ink blending. The 4″ x 4″ mat was also very handy for holding my ink pads in place.
  2. Ink Blending: As I blended various rainbow hues onto the panels, I noticed how smoothly the ink applied. I used Hammermill’s smooth cardstock, which worked extremely well. I selected my favorite Hero Arts ink colors for my project. The stability provided by the mat allowed me to focus entirely on the blending process without worrying about the cardstock shifting. This resulted in beautifully blended panels with seamless color transitions.
  3. Stamping: Stamping on the secured cardstock was equally impressive. The mat kept the cardstock in place, ensuring crisp, clear impressions every time. I didn’t have to reposition or realign the cardstock, which saved me a significant amount of time and frustration. I stamped longtime favorite Warm Wishes using my Mini Misti Grip Mat.
  4. Assembly: After completing the six panels, assembling them into a card was a breeze. I used Waffle Flowers Window Scene Die to finish my card. The consistent, high-quality ink blending and stamping made the final product look professional and polished.
Review and Tutorial for Waffle Flowers new 7.5" x 11" sticky Grip Mat.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Excellent Grip: The mat’s adhesive surface effectively holds cardstock in place, allowing for precise and effortless ink blending and stamping.
  • Reusable and Durable: After several uses, the mat maintained its tackiness and showed no signs of wear, making it a long-term investment for any crafter.
  • Easy to Clean: Any residual ink or debris wiped off easily with a damp lint free cloth, restoring the mat to its original condition.

Cons:

  • Initial Tackiness: The mat is extremely tacky when first used, which might cause lighter weight cardstock to tear upon removal. None of my panels tore during my testing process.
Notes:
  • To minimize cardstock warping, peel the mat off the cardstock. I didn’t touch the cardstock but gently bent the ends of the grip mat and slowly pulled away from my inked panel.
  • The mats each come with two guides that you can add above or below the mat. To prevent the print from transfering to your mat, apply the guide to the mat with the reverse side facing away from the grip mat.
  • The new mats are a bit cloudier than the 1st generation.
  • Air bubbles are expected and fine.
  • If the mat starts to lose it’s cling, clean with water or photopolymer safe cleaner.
  • Store your Grip Mats on the transparent sheets.
  • Do not stack heavy items on top of your grip mats.

I have another blog post and video coming this month that demonstrate using two sizes of Grip Mats in action for ink blending with layering stencils.

Bright colorful Warm Wishes Grid Scene card using Waffle Flower's Window Scene Die.

Products Used Today:

I hope you found this review helpful. Thanks for stopping by.

Karen

Cardmaking Kit

Introducing 5 NEW Exciting Hero Arts Subscription Card Kits | June 2024

Karen Brown18 Comments
4 handmade cards and tags created with Hero Arts NEW Studio Subscription Card Kits - June 2024.

Elevate Your Crafting Experience

Calling all crafters and cardmaking enthusiasts! Welcome to the June release, where we are bringing the boldness of urban textures in the signature Hero Arts style and quality! Get ready to ignite your creativity and elevate your crafting experience with the brand new lineup of Hero Studio cardmaking kits. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your crafting journey, these 5 new kits offer something for everyone. Let’s dive in!

Studio Card Kit of the Month

A vibrant handmade card with rainbow colored clouds created with the June 2024 Hero Arts Studio Card Kit.

I started by creating with the new Hero Studio Card Kit, which is full of wonderfulness! This month’s theme is Urban Skyline.

For my first card, I used the HeroScape layering cloud stamps to create a dramatic sunrise. I laid down and blended LOTS of ink for a really saturated look. I love color and thought the cloud layering stamps would make a stunning, almost abstract background.

What’s Inside the Kit?

Curious to know what treasuries await you in this cardmaking kit? Let’s take a peek inside The Hero Studio Card Kit:

KIT INCLUDES:
Urban Sky HeroScape Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8”
Neighborhood Message Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″
Coordinating Dies
City Stencil, 6×6 (with 3 Fall-Out City Skylines)
5 Ink Cubes (Peony, Pitch Black, Dusty Blue, Stonewash, Amethyst)
2 Sheets each of Silver Foil, Silver Glitter, Silver Cube & Pitch Black Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″
2 Sheets City Textures Hero Transfers

Kit Cost and Value:

$46 with Subscription, $95 Value (Cancel Anytime)
$49.99 One-Time Purchase (While Supplies Last)

How I Created This Urban Sunrise Card:

A colorful handmade thank you card simulating a vibrant sunrise. The card was created with the June 2024 Hero Studio HeroScape card kit.

Colorful Sunset Cityscape Tags

I also created two tags with the Hero Studio Card Kit stencils. These tags were featured in Hero Arts Countdown Hop and you can read more about my process HERE.

Colorful DIY tags simulating a Sunset over a cityscape created with liquid watercolors, a stencil and Hero Gold Wax.

Hero Studio Fancy Dies

I love die cutting, so I had tons of fun creating my window scene card with the new Hero Studio Fancy Dies. This month’s background die is called Urban Window and I think there are endless design options. I love creating scenes, so I know I will be using this die again!

A charming handmade card window scene with birds, tree branches and a potted plant.
  • I began by selecting colored cardstock: Peacock, Papaya, Mist, Arctic and Meadow.
  • My base is a leftover piece of background from a project you can read about HERE.
  • I die cut my window frame from Peacock cardstock and trimmed off the greenery. I die cut the window frame a second time from Meadow cardstock and layered it behind the Peacock frame, so that my branches would be green. The sky is Arctic.
  • I added two birds, a potted plant and a die cut sentiment to finish my scene.

FD0624 Fancy Dies of the Month (Urban Window) $25 with Subscription, $26.99 One-Time Purchase, While Supplies Last.

Hero Arts Hero Studio Fancy Die of the month (June 2024) handmade card window scene.

I have a quick reel for the Fancy Die of the Month Kit:

I created with two Hero Studio kits in this blog post, but there are 5 kits altogether. You can also buy The Whole Studio!

Blog Hop and Giveaway:

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, June 9th at 11:59pm Pacific, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.

Hero Arts
Hero Arts Creative Team:
Channin Pelletier
Charlene Madrid
Dana Joy
Heather Ruwe
Ilina Crouse
Jennifer Kotas
Kailash Naidoo
Karen Brown
Lydia Fiedler
Michelle Short
Natasha Polite
Natasha Vacca
Pocono Pam
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka
Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Kelly Taylor

cardmaking · Rainbow Colors

Hero Arts | Stunning Stenciling Magic with Vibrant Rainbow Colors

Karen Brown1 Comment
Rainbow stenciling with Hero Arts Floral Trove Stencil.

Do you ever find yourself craving a burst of color and creativity in your life? Look no further than the art of stenciling! It’s a simple yet profoundly satisfying technique that allows you to transform a background into a cardmaking masterpiece. And what better way to dive into stenciling than with the vibrant hues of the rainbow? Today I am using Hero Arts wonderful new Floral Trove Stencil (SA-274), and it is stunning in rainbow colors!

Hero Arts Floral Trove Stencil Design Ideas:

This stencil is 6″ x 6″, so it is large enough to make most any card size you desire, but one portion is perfect for A2 cards.

I created a short reel showing my process that you can VIEW HERE:

Tips and Tricks for Stenciled Card Designs:

  • I almost always start my cardmaking process with color selection. Today, I knew I wanted to use bright rainbow colors so I grabbed my color swatches and began picking. I chose Amethyst, Taffy, Creamsicle, Lemon Drop, Green Apple, Pool Party and Blue Hawaii.
  • I used an A2 size panel of Deluxe Smooth Cardstock as my base. I placed this on the sticky mat of my StampWheel, so the cardstock would not shift.
  • In rainbow order, I rotated around the Floral Trove stencil, starting in the top left hand corner with Amethyst. I went left to right, dropped down a row and went right to left, dropped a row and finished going left to right again.
  • To keep from inadvertently stenciling in the wrong section, I masked off with Post-It Note squares. You can see the process in the Instagram reel I referenced above.
  • I experimented with all my blending brushes using small, medium, large and XL to see which size worked best on my project. My choice was medium, but they all worked just fine, so use what you have. Hero Arts does sell a blending brush sampler pack, which is so handy to have in my craft room.
  • I trimmed my background down and mounted on a Peacock A2 cardbase that I created.
  • I added my Friend sentiment, which I die-cut 3 times and glued together. I also added a stamped Happy Birthday sentiment above the friend.
Bright, vivid rainbow color stenciled card with hero Arts Floral Trove stencil.

Products Used:

There’s no limit to what you can create with a little imagination and a splash of color!

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting · Rainbow Colors

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

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:

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!