Hero Arts | Retro Kitchen

Hello there, I am delighted to be joining Hero Arts today for a fun Instagram Hop to celebrate two new collections releasing today - Retro Kitchen and What's Brewing? My card today uses the Retro Kitchen collection, which is a fun collection all about cooking and retro cookware. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by die cutting the elements from the Hero Arts Classic Cabinet Die Set from Spellbinders ColorWheel Cardstock. I used Fairy Tale and Lavender for the cabinet itself. The doors on the cabinet actually open which is really cute! I didn't for my card, but I think it would look great to put acetate behind the openings to look like glass! I cut the handles from Spellbinders Treasured Silver Cardstock. 

Once the cabinet was assembled, I die cut the items to in there also from Spellbinders ColorWheel Cardstock. I used Classic White for the china cups, plates jug, sugar pot, and bottom of the cake stand. I cut the blender and the mixer from Lilac cardstock. I cut the glass parts from Seaside, and the metal parts from Spellbinders Treasured Silver Cardstock. 

The chopping board was cut from Fawn cardstock and then everything placed inside the cabinet. The cabinet was adhered to a white cardstock panel and then the panel onto a black US A2 sized card base. I die cut the flower pots from Spellbinders Raven ColorWheel Cardstock and the plants from Peridot and Rainforest cardstock. The monstera in the pots were adhered to the ground with foam tape and the hanging type plant on the top of the cabinet. 

The vases were cut from Spellbinders Raven and Lilac Colorwheel Cardstock and adhered to the top of the cabinet too. I stamped a sentiment from the Hero Arts House Stamp & Cut Set onto black cardstock using Hero Arts Clear Embossing & Watermark Ink. I applied White Detail Embossing Powder and heat set. It was cut into a strip and adhered to the card with thin foam tape. To finish, I added a Hero Arts Clear Enamel Dot to the blender. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

The hop itself is happening over on Instagram. You can visit my page here and Hero Arts page here. Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Simon Says Stamp | Snake Plant

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the Simon Says Stamp Snake Plant Stencils that they kindly sent me to use as part of the Moments in Time release. I already shared some projects using other products in the release which you can see here and here. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

For my card today, I started off by taking a sheet of white cardstock and one at a time, placed the 5 stencils from the Simon Says Stamp Snake Plant Stencils Set on top and added ink blending using Altenew Green Valley Fresh Dye Inks and Altenew Mini Blending Brushes.

I used Firefly for the first layer, Firefly for the second layer, Mountain Pine for the third layer, Grass Field for the fourth layer, and Shadow Creek for the fifth layer. I then fussy cut the image out using scissors, but there is a bundle you can get with the stencils and dies if you are not keen on fussy cutting! It was adhered to a US A2 sized black card base with thin black foam squares. 

I die cut the 'hugs' die from the Simon Says Stamp Basic Trio Dies five times from Tim Holtz Black Heavystock Cardstock. I adhered them one on top of each other for dimension. I die cut a banner from vellum using the Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Labels Dies and adhered the hugs on top. I added glue on the back (just behind where the die cut is on top so you don't see any glue through the vellum) and adhered it to the card. To finish, I embellished with Spellbinders Black Enamel Dots. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

I had planned to put the snake plant on a white card base, but it popped so well on the black, that I went with that instead! Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Spellbinders | Citrus Spritz

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the new Citrus Spritz set from the Spellbinders La Dolce Vita Collection which is out now. This is a fun collection full of Mediterranean goodness. Perfect for summer projects!

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by die cutting the dies in the Spellbinders Citrus Sprit Etched Dies Set. I die cut the lemons and flower centres from Spellbinders Beeswax ColorWheel Cardstock, the leaves and stems from Spellbinders Peridot ColorWheel Cardstock, the flowers from Spellbinders Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock, and the bud flowers from Spellbinders Chiffon ColorWheel Cardstock. 

I added ink blending to the lemons using Hero Arts Butter Bar Core Ink with a Hero Arts Medium Blending Brush. I then added a little Hero Arts Papaya Core Ink to the one on the left, for a little contrast. I added Hero Arts Fresh Lawn Core Ink to the leaves and Hero Arts Ultra Pink Core Ink to the flower buds. Whatever was left on the Hero Arts Small Blending Brush, I added to the edges of the white flowers. 

I adhered the flower centres to the flowers and then using a ball stylus, cupped them to give them some dimension. The flower buds were adhered to the stems using Bearly Art Glue. I added the lemons to a US A2 sized white card base first, with thin foam tape. I then adhered the leaves and flowers around them with Bearly Art Glue. 

I pressed the Spellbinders La Dolce Vita Sentiments BetterPress Plate onto Spellbinders Porcelain BetterPress Cotton Card using Spellbinders BetterPress Black Ink and the Spellbinders BetterPress Letterpress System. It was die cut out. I also die cut the die another time, but this time from white cardstock, and adhered it behind the pressed one for added dimension. It was adhered to the card with liquid glue. To finish, I embellished with Spellbinders Pink Color Essentials Gems. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

There are also lots of other collections releasing today and I will share inspiration using some of them over the next few weeks. Thank you so much for visiting me today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Altenew | June 2025 Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there, I am delighted to be joining Altenew today to celebrate the June 2025 release with a fun and inspirational blog hop. There are lots of new stamps and dies in the release, but also lots more including new Stellar Sequins, which are so very pretty! 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

BELLFLOWER BLISS + STELLAR SEQUINS

I started off my card by die cutting the leaves and stem piece from the Altenew Bellflower Bliss Layering Die Set from light grey cardstock. I then cut the flower petals from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Dew Drops and Teal Cave Cardstock. The flower centres were cut from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Buttercream Cardstock. 

I added ink blending to the pieces with Altenew Sweet Dreams Fresh Dye Inks for the petals, Altenew Golden Sunset Fresh Dye Inks for the flower centres and a light grey ink for the leaves. I assembled and adhered the flowers onto the stem and then adhered it to a US A2 sized white card base with liquid glue for the stem and leaves and foam tape for the flowers.  

I stamped a sentiment from the Altenew Cornered Blooms Stamp Set onto Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock using Altenew Embossing Ink. I applied Altenew Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder and heat set. It was cut into a strip and adhered to the card with foam tape. To finish, I embellished with the new Altenew Clear Iridescent Stellar Sequins. 

PRAIRIE ROSES + STELLAR SEQUINS

For my next card, I used the new Altenew Craft-A-Flower: Prairie Roses Layering Die Set. I die cut the flowers from white cardstock and the leaves from a light grey cardstock. I added ink blending to the petals with Altenew Blue Mountains Fresh Dye Inks and an Altenew Mini Ink Blending Brush. I kept the flowers centres white.

I adhered the flowers together using the fabulous keyhole system (which makes life so much easier!) and then adhered them onto a US A2 sized white card base using foam tape. I adhered the leaves next, with liquid glue, popping them under the flower petals. 

I stamped and heat embossed a sentiment from the Altenew Build-A-Garden: Flowering Quince set onto Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock. Cut it into a strip and adhered it to the card with foam tape. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Dazzling Diamond Stellar Sequins. 

CUTE OPEN ROSE

My last card for today uses the new Altenew Cute Open Rose Layering Die Set, which was released as a promotion set last month but now available to purchase on it's own. I die cut the flowers and leaves from white cardstock and added ink blending to them using Altenew Mini Blending Brushes. I used Altenew Bubblegum Dreams Fresh Dye Inks for the petals, Altenew Golden Sunset Fresh Dye Inks for the flower centres, and Altenew Green Valley Fresh Dye Inks for the leaves. 

I assembled and adhere the flowers using the keyhole system and liquid glue. I then took a panel of white cardstock and added ink blending in the top right hand corner, using the same Bubblegum Dreams Inks I used for the flowers. I mixed a little Altenew Titanium White Artists' Gouache with water and then splattered it onto the panel. 

Once dry, it was adhered to a US A2 sized white card base with foam tape. I then adhered the leaves and flowers on top with liquid glue. I stamped and heat embossed a sentiment from the Altenew Build-A-Garden: Flowering Quince set onto Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock. Cut it into a strip and adhered it to the card with foam tape.

MINI BLENDING BRUSH STORAGE

Although I did share a peek of it last month, the Altenew Crafters Showcase Mini Blending Brush Storage is now officially released. 

The acrylic sided (and lidded) storage container has a bamboo base and holds 40 Mini Blending Brushes. You can store them with the brush facing up (like I have) or down with a label on the end of the brush so you know which colour it is for. Here is a quick video on the container (including how to remove the coating from the acrylic): 

If you are viewing this post via email subscription, you can watch the video HERE on YouTube. 

BLOG HOP:

As mentioned, this post is part of a fun, inspirational blog hop with prizes. Please click on the other participants in the hop below to visit their blogs. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

GIVEAWAY:

$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by June 16th 2025 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew's Blog Hop Post on June 17th, 2025. The winner of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Spellbinders | Shipmates

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the Spellbinders June 2025 Small Die of the Month Club Kit called Shipmates. The set has both the walrus and seagull and they are so cute! There are two dies I didn't use from the set on my card - a flag that the seagull can hold and a pipe for the walrus. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by die cutting the walrus from the Spellbinders June 2025 Large Die of the Month Club Kit. I used Spellbinders ColorWheel Cardstock in Fog, Anchor, Raven, Chiffon and Classic White for the walrus itself. I then cut the hat and jacket from Spellbinders Lilac ColorWheel Cardstock and the shirt from the Lawn Fawn Really Rainbow Paper Pack. 

I added ink blending the sides of the jacket and bottom of the hat with Hero Arts Grape Juice and Pitch Black Core Inks. I then assembled him using a combination of Bearly Art Glue and thin foam squares. I then moved on to the seagull. He was cut from Spellbinders Classic White, Fog and Beeswax Cardstock. I cut his necktie and hat from Spellbinders Lilac ColorWheel Cardstock. 

He was assembled using Bearly Art Glue. I added the walrus first, to a black US A2 sized card base with thin foam tape. The seagull was then added on top so that he is standing on the walrus's hat. I hot foiled the Spellbinders Holding Your Heart Sentiments Press Plate onto white cardstock using Spellbinders Opaque Black Foil. 

It was cut out using the coordinating die and the 'hello, my friend' one adhered to the card with foam tape. To finish, I added a little Polychromos pink pencil to the seagull's cheek and Crystal Glaze to the walrus's nose. I then embellished with Spellbinders Onyx Color Essentials Gems. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

SPELLBINDERS CLUB KITS

To buy the kit - if you are a current subscriber to the Small Die of the Month Club Kit (or any kit), you do not need to do anything. You will be charged as normal on the 5th of the month and your kit will be shipped to you. If you are a new subscriber, you can purchase the kit from the 6th - 27th June 2025. Members can cancel their membership at any time. If you are not keen on subscribing to the kit but still want it, you can purchase it individually (without a subscription) on the 10th of the following month but the price will be higher. 

That walrus is so cute! I think he would look great without the jacket on too! Thanks so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day and a great weekend! 

Spellbinders | Petunia & Hummingbird

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the Spellbinders Petunia & Hummingbird Etched Dies. The set is part of the Summer Solstice collection by Susan Tierney Cockburn. I already shared one card made using the collection HERE. Susan's flowers are made to be shaped so that they can look realistic, but of course, you can use them however you wish! 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off by die cutting the flowers, stamens, leaves and hummingbird from the Spellbinders Petunia and Hummingbird Etched Dies set, from white cardstock. I added ink blending to the flower heads and stamens with Altenew Shades of Purple Fresh Dye Inks. I added ink blending to the leaves with Altenew Green Valley Fresh Dye Inks. 

I shaped the flowers and leaves using a simplified version of Susan's tutorial. I added Black Pollen to the tips of the stamens before adhering them to the centres of the flowers. I adhered the flowers first, to a US A2 sized white card base with Bearly Art Glue, followed by the leaves. 

I added ink blending to the hummingbird using Altenew Fresh Dye Inks in Aqualicious, Persian Blue, Deep Iris, Midnight Violet and Jet Black. I coloured his eye using a Copic Multiliner. I shaped him slightly by rubbing a ball stylus onto the back of him and then adhered him onto the card with foam squares. 

I hot foiled the Spellbinders Holding Your Heart Sentiments BetterPress Plate onto black cardstock using Spellbinders Silver Foil and the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System. I die cut the sentiments using the coordinating die and then cut it down further to fit my card design. It was adhered using foam squares. To finish, I embellished with Spellbinders Opal Color Essentials Gems. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

I think this must be the most 3D card I have ever made! The petunias are very high off the card. I will definitely need to add this card into a box to send but they would also be great to use for a home decor piece! Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Hero Arts | Hero Studio June 2025 Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there, I am delighted to be joining Hero Arts today for a fun blog hop to celebrate the Hero Studio June 2025 release called Costal Vibes. The Card Kit of the Month, Stamp & Cut of the Month, Dies of the Month, Layering Stencils of the Month, and Cling of the Month were released yesterday. You can also purchase the Whole Studio which includes all of the kits and a free gift. Today, I am focussing on the Card Kit and the Die Set of the Month. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

HERO STUDIO CARD KIT OF THE MONTH

I started off my card by stamping some of the images from the Hero Studio June 2025 Card Kit of the Month stamp set onto white cardstock using Hero Arts Intens-ified Black Ink. I then coloured them using Copic Markers before die cutting out using the coordinating dies. 

I took a US A2 sized white card base and adhered the images towards the bottom using a combination of liquid glue and thin foam tape. I stamped the sentiment from the set onto more white cardstock and die cut it out. 

It was adhered on top and then I embellished with Hero Hues Clear Enamel Dots, followed by adding Crystal Glaze to the glasses for some added shine.

WHAT’S IN THE KIT?

The Hero Studio June 2025 Card Kit of the Month includes:

Summer State of Mind 6x8 Clear Stamp Set

Summer State of Mind Coordinating Dies

Beach Bag Die set

Sand Embossing Powder, 0.5oz

10 Sheets of 5.5" x 8.5" Cardstock - 2 of each: Fawn, Coral, Seaside, Waterfall, Blue Spruce

HERO STUDIO DIE SET OF THE MONTH

I started off my card by die cutting the camera from the Hero Studio June 2025 Die Set of the Month from Hero Arts Passion Flower, Amethyst, Iris, Pitch Black and Deluxe Smooth White Cardstock. I assembled the camera and adhered the pieces together using liquid glue. 

I then die cut the photo from Hero Arts Deluxe Smooth White Cardstock, Hero Arts Sand Cardstock, Spellbinders Beeswax, Windy & Waterfall ColorWheel Cardstock. The pieces were assembled and adhered using liquid glue. I adhered the camera and photo onto a white US A2 sized white card base with thin foam tape. 

I then stamped two sentiments from the Hero Studio Hiya Friend Stamp & Cut, which is a free gift when you purchase The Whole Studio, onto Hero Arts Pitch Black Cardstock using Hero Arts Clear Embossing & Watermark Ink. I applied Hero Arts White Detail Embossing Powder and heat set. They were cut into strips and adhered to the card using more thin foam tape. To finish, I embellished with Hero Hues Translucent Purple Enamel Dots. 

WHAT’S IN THE KIT?

The Hero Studio June 2025 Die Set of the Month: Summer Memories includes 15 dies to create a camera and photo (with different options for the image shown in the photo). 

BLOG HOP:

For the hop, you should have arrived here from the Hero Arts Blog. Next on the hop is the fantastic Rachel Kleinman. Please head over to the Hero Arts Blog for the full list of participants. 

GIVEAWAY:

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by 6th June 2025 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!

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the projects. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a great time on the rest of the hop and a wonderful rest of the day too! 

Simon Says Stamp | Bold Bird Branches

Hello there, I am back today to share another project using the Simon Says Stamp Moments in Time release. Today I am using the Bold Bird Branches Embossing Folder & Die Set. The dies cut out the birds so that you can pop them up on top of the background or you can use them separately on other projects. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by placing a panel of Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock inside the Simon Says Stamp Bold Bird Branches Embossing Folder. I ran it through my die cutting machine to emboss the image onto the cardstock. I then added ink blending on top using Distress Inks and Ink Blending Brushes. 

I will be honest with you, I am not sure what order I added the Tim Holtz Distress Inks in, as I was playing around a bit! However, I know that I used Evergreen Bough, Lucky Clover and Pine Needles initially. I wanted the corners to be darker, so I added ink some Unchartered Mariner. I then added a little Black Soot to the bottom corners too, to darken them further. As I was going, I spritzed on water using the Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer. 

For the birds, I die cut them first and then placed them inside the folder before running through my die cutting machine. I added ink blending to them with Dusty Concord and Evergreen Bough Distress Inks. I used Polychromos Pencils to fill in the eyes and beaks. The panel was adhered to an US A2 sized white card base with tape runner adhesive and the birds adhered on top with thin foam squares. 

I took the 'hello friend' sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Swiss Dots Set and stamped the 'hello' and 'friend' separately onto black cardstock using Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. They were cut into strips using the Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Labels Dies and adhered to card using thin foam squares. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

It was nice to get my inks out and play around a bit on this card. There are so many different ways to add colour to embossing folder panels and usually I like to highlight the raised areas, but for today's card, I like the more moody darker look! Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a great day!