More Than Just Backgrounds - Hero Arts
Posted by Mindy Eggen on December 15, 2022

More Than Just Backgrounds

Hey Hero fans! This is Mindy with you today and I want to share how to get more from our backgrounds. I will be using the new Twinkling Stars Hot Foil Plate for this example today.

I'll be the first to admit that when I get a background stamp or background hot foil plate, I try to use the entire card front. What I often forget about is that...I don't have to. It's ok to cut our backgrounds up. (GASP!) I know, I know, it can be hard to do but trust me, it works out.

I started by hot foiling the Twinkling Stars Hot Foil Plate onto Lapis cardstock with Champagne Glimmer Foil using my Glimmer Hot Foil System.

Then I die cut out areas of the background using my Nesting Hexagons Dies. Now, here's why. I wanted to give you something different. I didn't want it to look like everyone else's cards and honestly, if I already see a card with the same product, it becomes the only idea I see in my head.

Well...cut it up! It gives the background a whole new look!

Some additional elements I'm adding is this beautiful sparkly moon from the You're Magical Bundle. I stamped the image in Watermark/Embossing Ink onto Deluxe White cardstock and heat embossed with Silver Sparkle Embossing Powder. Then I used the coordinating die to cut it out using my Compact Cutter.

I'm also stamping a sentiment from this set but using Nautical ink. To get nice even edges, I die cut it out with the Nesting Rectangles.

I had all my pieces laid out in the orientation you see on the card but it felt a little bare. So I stamped the Celestial Bold Prints background onto Deluxe White cardstock using Granite ink. Stamping in a light colored ink allows the die cut pieces to still be center stage.

I finished off the card front by adding the hexagons and sentiment using foam squares for a pop of dimension.

Don't let yourself be boxed in with backgrounds. Expand the use by die cutting them out of shapes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Click on products to shop:
HF110 Twinkling Stars Hot Foil Plate...
HA ]
CG895 Celestial Bold Prints | Hero Arts
HA ]
SB348 You're Magical Bundle (C) |...
HA ]
DI846 Hexagon Infinity Dies (H) |...
HA ]
DI198 Nesting Rectangle Infinity Dies...
HA ]
PS327 Hero Hues Premium Cardstock...
HA ]
AF419 Clear Embossing & Watermark Ink...
HA ]
PS782 Deluxe Smooth White Cardstock...
HA ]
PW124 Silver Sparkle Embossing Powder...
HA ]
GLF-047 Satin Metallics Variety Pack...
HA ]
GLS-004 Glimmer Hot Foil System |...
HA ]
HT100 Hero Tools Compact Cutter...
HA ]
AF706 Nautical Core Ink | Hero Arts
HA ]
AF761 Granite Core Ink | Hero Arts
HA ]

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.


  • August 2026 Clear Stamp + Die of the Month Preview & Tutorials – Trick or Snark

    Spellbinders Blog

    August 2026 Clear Stamp + Die of the Month Preview & Tutorials – Trick or Snark

    Our August 2026 Clear Stamp & Die of the Month preview & tutorials are here! Join the Clear Stamp & Die of the Month Club and receive an expertly designed clear stamp and coordinating die set each month, complete with inspiration. Plus, members get store savings, extra deals, gifts, and more. This stamp set features made-in-the-USA stamps from high-quality photopolymer for clear, crisp impressions. Our stamps...

  • August 2026 Embossing Folder of the Month Preview & Tutorials – Happy Jacks

    Spellbinders Blog

    August 2026 Embossing Folder of the Month Preview & Tutorials – Happy Jacks

    Our July 2026 2D Embossing Folder of the Month preview & tutorials are here! Exclusive 2D Embossing Folder adds texture and dimension to any project. Size will generally be 5.5" x 8.5" and can be used to make slimline, 5" x 7", and a variety of sized projects. Spellbinders Monthly Clubs are exclusively designed by our in-house creative team, curated with care, and delivered with...

  • August 2026 Stencil of the Month Preview & Tutorials – Peek-a-Boo

    Spellbinders Blog

    August 2026 Stencil of the Month Preview & Tutorials – Peek-a-Boo

    Our August 2026 Stencil of the Month Club preview & tutorials are here! Here’s a look at the design for this month – Holiday Harmony: Please note, new Subscription Sign-Up Window will now open on the 6th of each month and close on the 27th (once existing club members subscriptions have been processed.) If there is additional inventory remaining, then they will be made available for...