You probably already know that I am a BIG fan of the House Mouse series. Today, I am on Spellbinders Blog with 3 darling cards. I couldn’t wait to get my hands (and markers!) on the newest collection called Rare Bloom. These stamps are crisp, deeply etched, and beautifully detailed—making them an absolute joy to color and create with.
I’d love for you to pop over and read my Blog Post: Whimsy & Cheer: 3 New House Mouse Cards.
The case is cracked, the sleuth is on the scene, and this crafty caper is officially adorable! I’m thrilled to be part of the Hero Arts Instagram Hop – Link to Instagram Hop – celebrating the launch of the Case Closed Collection. My card today features the delightful Curious Crafter Bundle and its star: Miss Detective.
Say hello to my favorite cardmaking detective—a stylish sleuth (inspired by my own daughter!) ready to crack any case with flair. She’s decked out in a stenciled houndstooth plaid cape and Sherlock Holmes-inspired hat, thanks to the Curious Crafter Bundle. The finished look? Think Nancy Drew meets crafty couture!
Here’s how the case unfolded:
Assembling Miss Detective (a step-by-step recap):
Click HERE if you’d like to see my post on how to customize your Hounstooth stenciled background.
Pro Tip: These rub-ons are pure magic! They transfer easily with a bone folder and give a rich, detailed finish — no ink needed!
The Case Closed Collection is a creative knockout—quirky, clever, and a total blast to work with. Whether you’re channeling your inner sleuth, crafting a personalized card, or just in it for the vintage vibes, this collection offers so many possibilities.
Thanks for hopping along with us on Instagram today! Be sure to follow the trail (aka the hashtag) for more clever creations and inspiration from this fun Hero Arts release.
Click Link to Instagram Hop – My IG handle is @karens_mini
It’s time to celebrate all things fresh, floral, and fabulous with the Hero Arts May Release called Flower Shoppe! This month’s Card Kit of the Month is bursting with blooming potential, and I couldn’t resist crafting a set of cards that range from bold and beautiful to clean and graphic.
Let’s start with some floral drama (the good kind). For this card, I created a lush bouquet of die-cut and stenciled flowers in soft, springy shades of pink, all arranged in a granite gray can-style vase. The vase gives it that perfect rustic-meets-modern vibe!
✨ Pro Tip: Use low-tack tape to hold your stencil and dies in place when layering florals for crisp, clean shapes every time.
• Vintage Blooms 6×8 Clear Stamp Set
• Vintage Blooms Die Set
• Flower Delivery Truck Die Set
• BoHo Bouquet Layering Stencils
• BoHo Bouquet Stencil Frame Cut
• 9 Sheets of Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″
The Whole Studio includes ALL 5 of the monthly subscriptions in one discounted bundle. Cling of the Month, Stamp & Cut of the Month (new name for the subscription!), Layering Stencil of the Month, Fancy Dies of the Month, and the Card Kit of the Month.
This month, receive a FREE sentiment stamp set when you purchase The Whole Studio! See this bonus gift in action below.
Hero Arts has many different Monthly Kits that you can subscribe to including:
For this second card, I wanted to let the background shine—literally. I used the same Granite stamped design from Card 1, but this time made it the focal point. What makes it special? The bonus gift from the Whole Studio Kit!
This post is part of the Hero Arts May Release Blog Hop, so don’t forget to visit the other amazing creators linked below for more floral inspiration, clever techniques, and paper-crafting joy. Let’s keep those crafty blooms growing all month long!
Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Tuesday, May 6 at 11:59pm PDT, 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:
Anna Mahtani
Channin Pelletier
Charlene Madrid
Jeannie Lieu
Jennifer Kotas
Karen Brown You Are Here!
Lisa Tilson
Michelle Lupton
Michelle Short
Mindy Eggen
Natasha Polite
Natasha Vacca
Rachel Kleinman
Rosie Lopez
Seeka
Special Guests:
Rebecca Keppel
Nichol Spohr
Which card is your favorite—the bold bouquet or the sentiment showstopper? Let me know in the comments!
Ready to party? I had a blast creating this bright and festive birthday card using brand-new goodies from the Hero Arts Let’s Celebrate Collection! This project is perfect if you’re looking for a quick, colorful card that makes a big impact.
This card features a happy cluster of seven stamped, ink-blended, and die-cut balloons, made with three coordinating products:
The process was pure fun:
Each balloon got its own personality with Hero Arts Reactive Inks in cheerful rainbow shades. I blended two shades per balloon, adding darker ink toward the bottom for dimension. The layering stencils let me add playful squiggles, dots, and lines to five of the balloons for extra party vibes.
Reactive Inks Used: Taffy, Berry Smoothie, Lemon Drop, Creamsicle, Key Lime Fizz, Green Apple, Pool Party, Blue Raspberry, Splash, Blue Hawaii, Thistle and Grape Slush.
Two balloons are adhered flat to the background, and five are popped up with foam squares so they practically float off the page! 🎈
I finished the design with a stamped “It’s Your Day!” sentiment from the Party Fans Stamp Set.
This design is fast, festive, and beginner-friendly—but has that pro finish thanks to the coordinated stamps, dies, and stencils.
What would you celebrate with this set? Birthday? Graduation? Just-because balloon-o-rama?
There’s nothing quite like sending a little handmade kindness when someone isn’t feeling their best. Today’s card features the always-adorable House Mouse stamps in a sweet and simple Healing Thoughts Get Well design. With its soft monochromatic colors and heartwarming scene, this card is as charming as it is easy to make!
The stamped image showcases an adult mouse with a cast on his left leg, while a juvenile mouse signs the cast with a giant purple crayon—adding a little heart for extra love. It’s a scene that captures both the innocence and warmth of these stamps so well!
To keep the design clean and simple, I used the Nesting Postage Stamp Infinity Die to cut out the panel and mounted it on a Passion Flower lavender card base. The soft lavender hue adds a soothing touch, making this card perfect for lifting someone’s spirits.
The sentiment, “Sending Healing Thoughts,” ties everything together beautifully—because sometimes, a thoughtful card is just the thing to brighten someone’s day.
There’s just something irresistible about House Mouse stamps! 🐭💜 These little critters bring so much warmth, charm, and personality to every card. Whether they’re getting into mischief, sharing a sweet moment, or—like in today’s card—spreading a little cheer, they always manage to bring a smile.
I love how these stamps work for so many occasions. Their soft, sketchy details make them a joy to color, whether you go for bold tones or a simple, monochromatic look like I did here.
House Mouse cards are always a hit with recipients, and I can’t wait to share more of my little mousey creations with you!
Having a few Get Well cards on hand is always a great idea, and this quick and easy House Mouse design is perfect for the job! Sometimes simple is best, and this card proves that a heartfelt sentiment and a sweet image can go a long way in brightening someone’s day.
Do you love House Mouse as much as I do? Let me know in the comments! And if you’re looking for more inspiration, check out these previous House Mouse creations:
Spring is in the air, and so is a burst of bold color and whimsy! Today, I’m taking a closer look at the new Hero Arts Spring Whimsy Collection with four vibrant cards featuring hot foiling, ink smooshing, ink blending, heat embossing, and die cutting. Let’s get crafty!
>>> You may also be interested in my recent video and blog post: Easy and Festive Cardmaking <<<
This card is all about shimmer and movement! I started with an aqua ink-smooshed background—the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous, hot-foiled butterfly. The butterfly itself was hot foiled onto an ink-blended panel of soft pinks, corals, and oranges before being die cut and centered on the background.
✨ Pro Tip: Ink smooshing is a great way to create organic, watercolor-like backgrounds.
For a dramatic look, I ink blended a bold background using Fruit Punch, Creamsicle, and Taffy inks. These warm hues set the stage for a striking black die-cut butterfly, creating a high-contrast, modern design.
Card 3: Heat Embossed Floral Background + Die Cut Butterfly
This card keeps the same coral, pink, and orange hues but introduces texture with the Whimsy Floral Bold Print background stamp. I heat embossed the pattern in white over my ink-blended panel and added a small black die-cut butterfly and a “hello” sentiment for balance.
This next photo shows two cards I created with the Delicate Butterfly Fancy Die.
For a completely different vibe, I created a charming birthday card using the Elegant Window Fancy Die. The die creates a beautiful 9-pane window, which I die cut from Mist cardstock. Each pane features a tiny, Copic-colored stamped image from the Spring Bunny Stamps, Our Day Messages, and Birthday Animal stamp sets. A simple “cheers” sentiment ties it all together.
This collection is packed with so much creative potential! Whether you love hot foiling, ink blending, or stamping, there’s something here for every cardmaker. I hope these designs inspire you to play with color and try new techniques!
Thank you for stopping by!
Can you ever have too many birthday cards? I think not! Today, I’m sharing a fun, modern, and eye-catching birthday card featuring the Hero Arts Celebrate Stamp & Stencil Set—perfect for anyone on your list!
Click link to see the Hero Arts Spring Collection.
You can watch the video above, or you can click the link HERE to watch on YouTube.
Plus, this video is part of a Video Hop, so be sure to check out the other fabulous creators linked below.
For this card, I started with a large focal stamp of four birthday banners—such a fun and festive design! Instead of traditional coloring, I brought in Glitz Inks and Color Layering Stencils to add French Pink, Naples Yellow, Byzantine Green and Egyptian Blue to the banners. These inks add beautiful shimmer that makes the design pop without needing extra embellishments (but you know I couldn’t resist a few black enamel dots in the flower centers!). This is totally optional, but I used my Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies to round the corners and trim down my panel.
Pro Tip: Glitz Inks are not only stunning, but they’re also super easy to clean up! A quick rinse, and your brushes are good as new.
I also wanted to share a quick tip on storing stamps and dies. I use Hero Arts Magnetic Sheets and Storage Sleeves, which help keep my dies neat, tidy, and easy to find. No more hunting for that one missing die—it’s all in one place and ready for my next crafting session! I also love their Stamp Storage Sleeves. More details in the video.
This card was a joy to make, and I hope it inspires you to break out your Glitz Inks and stencils! Be sure to check out the Video Hop and leave a comment on my video—I’d love to hear what you think! And tell me… do you think it’s possible to have too many birthday cards? (Spoiler: I don’t!) 🎉
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.
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!
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
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:
Experiment with different color combinations to make your custom glitter cardstock truly one-of-a-kind!
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.
Who wouldn’t love a little rainbow magic in their mailbox? Let’s keep spreading those handmade vibes, one card at a time! 🌈✨
Hello, hello! Today’s card features Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Kit for January 2025. The Botanical Atrium, is a die-cut lover’s dream with gorgeous floral details, a luxurious gold frame, and a fresh aqua-and-coral palette.
I used shiny gold cardstock to make the atrium stand out against a crisp white background, and wow—does it ever pop! Inside the frame, delicate coral and aqua florals cascade in a lush arrangement, creating a playful yet refined design. I’ll be using the florals on loads of future cards!
It’s a great time to buy paper because Spellbinders is having a Paper Party Sale until January 26th!
To add a subtle yet striking detail, I stenciled a brick pattern on the white background using grit paste. Just here and there, mind you—like peeking through a garden wall. This little bit of texture gives the card depth without taking attention away from the gorgeous die-cut elements. It’s understated but oh-so-effective!
This year, I’ll be creating with 3 Spellbinders Kits each month. I’ve already published two posts that you might enjoy reading:
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.
The January Card Kit is both timeless and modern, and is a must-have for your stash. I hope you enjoyed my little creation!
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.
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.
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:
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:
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:
| 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 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.
kennyscards.com 