cardmaking · Video

Video: Crafting with Color | Selecting Fabulous Color Combinations for Ink Blending

Hero Arts Color Layering Tile Stencil handmade cards in 2 Analogous color palettes (yellow, orange and coral) and (aquas, blues and greens).

Hello fellow crafters, Karen Brown here with a new How-To Video!  I am excited to dive into the world of layering stencils, specifically focusing on how to select analogous colors that will bring harmony to your designs.  Do you struggle selecting colors?  Taking a quick peek at your color wheel can assist in making cardmaking projects that are both visually pleasing and polished.  So let’s get started!

If you are having trouble viewing the video, please click HERE.

Today we will be using Hero Arts beautiful new Color Layering Tile Stencils.  This set comes with 4 stencils that are extremely easy to line up.  I thought it would be fun to use two different analogous color palettes and I added in some Hero Paste for added interest.  

Layering stencil tutorial with Hero Arts new Color Layering Tile Stencils + Gold Hero Paste.

I started with a 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ panel of Deluxe Smooth Cardstock.  For Card #1 I used Lemon Drop, Creamsicle and Taffy inks. For my top layer, I applied Hero Gold Paste for a pop of shine and shimmer. 

Handmade birthday layering stencil card in aquas, blues and greens + a custom blended Hero Paste accent layer.

On Card #2, I selected Pool Party, Splash and Blue Hawaii. For my top layer, I custom blended White Hero Paste with a combination of Blue Hawaii and Pool Party.

Both cards are perfect for summer!  Card 1 is bright and festive and Card 2 is calm and serene. It’s interesting how color selection can change the tone of your cards.  To see all my tips and process details, please watch the video.

My sentiments were die cut using two sentiment strips from the Hooray Birthday Cover Plate.  I used Nautical and Coral cardstock.

Other helpful supplies were my Palette Knife, Blending Brushes, Compact Cutter, Precision Glue  and Magnetic Storage Envelops

Happy crafting everyone!

Cardmaking Video · Rainbow Colors

Hero Arts Video | Coloring With Stencils 4 Ways

3 Bright Colorful cards using Hero Arts Mandala Flower Pattern Stamp and coordinating color layering stencils,

Welcome friends, Karen Brown here to share some bright fun cards using coloring stencils. Today, I used Hero Arts beautiful Mandala Flower Pattern stamp and the coordinating color layering stencils.

For a Step-By-Step Visual Tutorial, you can watch my video below:

If you are having trouble viewing this video, please click HERE to watch on YouTube.

I was so inspired by this mandala that I created 4 different cards. I love the versatility and endless possibilities!

Monochromatic Coloring

Monochromatic stamped and ink blended Mandala in blues, greens and aquas.

With a small blending brush, I started by coloring a monochromatic panel in blues, greens and aquas. I used Splash, Blue Raspberry, Blue Hawaii and Aegean inks for this card. I then die cut my panel and a Peacock mat using Pointed Arches Infinity Dies. I added a rub-on sentiment from the Birthday Party Hero Transfer set. I really LOVE Hero Transfers!

I used a StampWheel for both my stamping and stenciling.

Stenciling with Rainbow Colors

Next, I decided to add rainbow colors to my mandala. I did this two ways….first using the outline stamp and the second using only the stencil. I love both cards but I think the “stencil only” card is a bit more casual.

Hero Arts Color Pattern Flower Mandala:  2 Ways.   With and without the outline stamp.

For both cards, I used Splash, Taffy, Pool Party and Creamsicle inks. For the card on the left, I used one of my favorite die-cut sentiments: Smile Friend Stamp and Cut XL.

For the “stencil only” card I also trimmed my Mandala with a Rounded Rectangle Infinity Die and used a sentiment included with the stamp set.

Stenciling with Glitter Paste

For my 4th card, I stenciled a layer of Hero Glitter Paste on my mandala and I love the result.

I recently purchased a GlassBoard Studio craft mat that was the worksurface in my video. I am very pleased with it and I have a 20% coupon code – KENNY20 – for anyone interested in upgrading their craft mat.

Hero Arts Flower Pattern Mandala Stamp and Coloring Stencils 4 Ways.

Thanks for stopping by….it was so nice to see you!

cardmaking · Video

Video | Quick and Easy Monogram Gift Tags

Quick and Easy DIY die-cut monogram Gift Tags

Hi everyone, Karen Brown here!  I am one of the new members of Hero Art’s Creative Team and I am excited to share my new video (see below).  I am loving the new Hero Arts Alphabet Letter Dies  and I thought they would be fun and festive on my gift tags.  

Watch below or on The Hero Arts YouTube Channel:

These tags combine some favorites of mine:

  • Die Cutting
  • Bright Bold Colors
  • Rub-On Hero Transfers
  • Interesting Die Cut Accents
Aqua Red and White gift tags featuring die cut Upper Case Die Cut letters that are personalized monograms for gifts.

Using the the Nesting Tag dies, I die cut  5 tags from Paradise, Cherry and Dove White Cardstock.  My first card I call “Joy to the World” and I chose to use the “J” die from DF167.  I cut the “J” three times from Cherry Cardstock and glued them together for a nice substantial element.  For a quick sentiment, I trimmed “Joy to the World” from the White Holiday Collage Hero Transfers kit and then rubbed onto the bottom of my tag.  I think it is the kid in me, but I just love doing this!

R is for Robert and I used DF168 to die cut the R.  For interest, I also die cut two linear accent strips using The Hole Punch Edge Fancy Die.

B is for Brown (my last name) and since I love rub-ons so much, I covered the top tag with a Hero Transfer with text from A Christmas Carol.  The “B” die is included in Letter Die set DF165.

Products Used:

If you like this color combo, you might want to see this post too.

I hope you enjoyed my blog post and video!

 Interested in more? Recent Instagram Posts for @Karens_mini

cardmaking · papercrafting · Video

3 Colorful Sentiment Focused Cards +Video

3 Sentiment Focused Handmade Cards

Sometimes, you just want your sentiment to be the star of your card. Today I am sharing three cards where the focal point is the sentiment. The video (below) is also part of Altenew’s Let’s Get Sentimental Video Hop.

Love Card or Valentine

Love, Love, Love Die Cut Valentine Card

I felt like getting a little inky and messy, which is always fun in the craft room! I started by creating three gradient watercolor panels that were the basis for my sentiment die cuts. I wanted BOLD colors so I used Altenew’s lusciously pigmented Spring Garden Mix Watercolor Markers + the love die from Altenew’s Script Words set. I kept things Clean and Simple for this first card.

I made this card for my husband, but wouldn’t it be great for a Valentine?

VIDEO

I created a short video for Altenew’s “Let’s Get Sentimental “Video Hop that shows my process. Watch below on YouTube or click below to watch on my blog.

Watch on my blog:

Congratulations Card for Graduation

Die Cut Congrats Graduation Card

I needed a Graduation card for my nephew and I came up with this design using Altenew’s Archway die set (includes both the wave and tree + a rainbow that I used twice HERE) + Script Words Congrats Die. The Archway die set is one of my favorite 2023 releases.

Hello Friend Card

Hello Friend handmade card.

I wanted to add some texture to my next card so I embossed my background with Altenew’s Playful Circles. The die cuts are Simply Hello and Simply Friend.

Here is another variation of a bright fun “hello friend” card I did a few months ago.

Altenew Spring Garden Mix Watercolor Markers +  Script Word Dies + Archways die set.

Supplies:

Here are links to the supplies I used on these cards….click the icon to start shopping. Compensated Affiliate links are used at no additional cost to you. Your support helps me bring you new projects, content and videos. Thank you!

Other Supplies Available at Amazon:

Faber Castell Collapsible Watercolor Cup

Tonic Studios paper trimmer

Removeable Highlighter Tape

Tonic Studios Craft Pick

3M Painter’s Tape
Altenew Script Words "love" die + handmade card.

I took a bunch of photos and am including the rest here.

Altenew Script Words die cut handmade cards.

And finally, one standing photo…. Don’t you just love top fold cards?

Clean and Simple CAS Valentine

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · Mixed Media · Video

Using Squeegee “Scraped” Acrylic Art Panels in Cardmaking

Squeege Scraped Acrylic Art + handmade cards.

Recently, some friends and I got together to experiment with “Squeegee Art”, which I find just mesmerizing. I love to watch @sharecestudios on Instagram! Sharece is an artist but I am just an experimenter, as you can see in my photos.

Squeegee Art (also known as “Scraped Art”) is created by putting acrylic paint (dots, squiggles, lines, shapes…) on cardstock and then pulling the paint down with a shower squeegee. I posted a short video below showing how I created one of the panels.

Quick Video Showing My “Squeegee Art” Process

Video: creating a squeegee scraped art panel

You know me, once I was done, I took three of my panels and made them into contemporary art cards.

Summery Acrylic Art Birthday Card

Contemporary Acrylic Squeegee Art Birthday card

I love how bright and happy this card is! This panel was from a second generation “scrape”. The first generation panel is on card #3 below. After I created panel one, I scraped the leftover paint that was on the squeegee onto a second piece of cardstock and I love how the colors blended.

Card #2 was die cut from the same panel as card #1, and it is so adorable in person!

Acrylic "Scraped" art birthday card.

Below, is a photo of the paints and supplies that I used.

Acrylic Paint + Shower Scraper + Squeegee Scrape Technique

Card #3 (shown below) was created from the “1st generation” scrape that I talked about above.

Squeegee Scraped Acrylic Art handmade card.

Contemporary Masculine Birthday Cards

Cards 4 and 5 were made from the panels created in the video above.

Contemporary Masculine Acrylic Birthday Cards.

Supplies Used:

(Affiliate links are provided below but there is no additional cost to you. For more information please see the Affiliate Programs info to the right or click on the link at the top of my blog. I purchased all the products used in this blog post, with the exception of the 2 * items from Spellbinders.)

Products Available at Amazon:

Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint – lots of colors and several sizes

Squeegee for Acrylic Scrape Painting

Plastic Squeeze Bottles for Acrylic Paint – 2 ounce

Tonic Studios paper trimmer

So what do you think?

Karen

cardmaking · Die cutting · Video

Altenew | Sweet Blossoms Floral Die Cut Card With Rainbow Stripe Background + Video

How to create rainbow striped card backgrounds with colored cardstock strips  + Altenew's Sweet Blossoms floral die set.

Die Cutting with Outline Dies

Die cut flower and leaf silhouettes over a rainbow striped background makes for a colorful high impact card. I love Altenew’s Sweet Blossom’s Layering Dies and wanted to play with them again (You can see my first card HERE). This time I wanted to use just the outline dies so you could see the beautiful background I created.

Altenew Sweet Blossoms Layering Die Set handmade card

I created a short video (below) to show how I made my background panel. I love rainbow striped backgrounds so I have two pouches (see final photo) where I keep my pre-cut colored cardstock strips. The pouch on the left has a variety of widths and all the strips in the right pouch are cut to 1/4″ widths. It is easy to take a paper trimmer and cut lots of strips and then it is so quick to make a colorful background. For this card, I used PaperTrey’s Perfect Match Colored Cardstock.

Click HERE to see a card where I used just 1/4″ strips.

For this card, I wanted variety so I used colored cardstock bands from both packets. I like to use Altenew’s Glue Tape Runner when making these types of backgrounds.

I wanted my flower bloom to sit on a stem, so I did a little surgery on the larger leaf die cut, and with scissors, I cut off the top three leaves. This left me with a stem and an additional little leaf cluster to use on my card.

I wanted substantial die cuts, so using the Sweet Blossoms and Vertical Greetings sets, I die cut each element three times and then glued them together.

Quick Video: How I Created This Rainbow Striped Background

Products and Supplies Used on this Card:

Altenew No Hassle Storage Pouches

Products Available on Amazon:

Tonic Studios paper trimmer

I am SO happy you stopped by today!

Karen

cardmaking · Video

How to Create Easy Rainbow Die Cut Cards + Video

Easy Rainbow Watercolor Sentiment Cards

Today, I am sharing how to make easy rainbow die cut cards. And, I’ve got something new….a video! Yes, I created my first video and I’d love for you to watch it.

How To Make Rainbow Sentiment Cards

These cards are are quick to make and very eye-catching. I love bright happy colors and with watercolor brush markers you can make a high impact card in a short amount of time.

Continue reading “How to Create Easy Rainbow Die Cut Cards + Video”