Hello readers!  I am so excited to be a guest designer for the Coffee Loving Cardmakers today.   A big thank you to co-hosts Amy and Chaitali for having me!  Because we are still just a few days away from Christmas, I have created a seasonal inspired coffee themed card to share with you.

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Kraft 80lb cardstock.  Using the Gina Marie Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangle dies, I cut the first layer from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I heat embossed the sentiment in gold embossing powder in the upper right hand corner of this scalloped piece.  Using both the pine leaves, berries and branches from the Papertrey Ink Holiday Greens and Papertrey Ink Spruce and Sprig stamp set and dies, I cut branches and berries in evergreen cardstock, rich cherry cardstock and gold glimmer paper. I adhered all of these die cuts directly to the white scalloped cardstock using a Mono tape runner.

I die cut the coffee mugs, cozies and lids using the Hero Arts Coffee Cup Tags Frame Cuts.  The lids were cut from solid cherry cardstock and the coffee cups and cozies were cut from the Echo Park Here Comes Santa Claus paper pack. I adhered the two coffee mugs to the card using foam adhesive for added height and dimension.  Lastly I added two pine cones cut from gold foil paper and a red bow die cut from red sparkle paper to the center of the coffee mugs for lots of added glitz and sparkle!

In my mind these two mugs are filled with extra chocolate-y hot cocoa or overly nutmegged chai, since I’m not a coffee drinker.  I call that my “Christmas in a cup!” 
 
I hope you have enjoyed today’s card.  And, once again, a big thank you to the Coffee Loving Cardmakers for having me as a guest designer. Thank you for visiting and happy creating! 

Hello friends and happy Monday!  Welcome back from the weekend and cheers to a new cardmaking season!  Last Friday, I announced the "end of my summer cards" and today we are kicking off all things fall.  Fall truly is my favorite time of the year because of all the gorgeous colors and yes, all things pumpkin spice!
I'm excited to begin using lots of golden hues, burnt oranges and rich earthy browns in my color palette.  
  I'm also itching to start playing with my Halloween products too!

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I cut a piece of Lawn Fawn Knock on Wood paper measuring 5' x 3 3/4" and mounted it to a sheet of Soft Suede cardstock.  I heat embossed the sentiment in the lower right corner using white embossing powder.  I die cut a large circle in the middle of these papers to create a shaker card with.  I adhered a piece of clear acetate film behind the circular hole and lined the card base with some fall leaf paper (source unknown, sorry!)  I die cut two birch trees from the Lawn Fawn Birch Tree Lawn Cuts and adhered them over the fall leaf paper.  I filled the shaker frame with amber sequins.  On a separate sheet of white cardstock, I stamped the Color Layering Fawn in Sahara Sand, Soft Suede and Early Espresso inks.  I die cut the fawn and adhered it to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I stamped the leaves in Versamark ink on both Pumpkin Pie cardstock and Crushed Curry cardstock and die cut the leaves with the coordinating die.  I adhered the leaves around the deer using 3M foam adhesive. 

Here is the Color Layering Fawn set from Hero Arts that I used to create today's cards:

Additionally, I used the leaves and sentiment from the Second Spring stamp set by A Muse Studio to help complete these cards:

I hope you have enjoyed today's first seasonal cards and are as excited as I am about the holiday projects
to come.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hi friends!  Last night I came up with the idea to make a shaker card using the Hero Arts Color Layering Koi stamp set.  Well, it was a great idea. . . Only I had to revert to "plan b" because my acetate sheets weren't long enough to make a shaker frame for an 8 1/2" slimline card!  There was also a minor disappointment when one of the koi fish I had stamped didn't make the cut as I ran out of working space.  Poor purple koi!  So, while this card turned out entirely different than the image I had in my mind, I still like the end result.  Even if it doesn't shake, at least it sparkles thanks to a layer of Lawn Fawn Chunky Glitter!

The base of this A10 card is made from Crumb Cake cardstock.  The first matted layer is an 8 1/4" x 3 1/4" sheet of Balmy Blue cardstock.  I cut a 8" x 3" sheet of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using a dotted embossing folder. Using the Lawn Fawn Glue Tube I added a layer of Lawn Fawn Chunky Glitter at the bottom of the card.  The colors for the koi fish (in the order they appear on the card) are:  Mango Melody, Granny Apple Green, Blushing Bride and Balmy Blue.  *Note - I stamped off the first layer of ink on the first color layering koi.  I die cut each koi and adhered it to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  I stamped five lily pads in Mint Macaron ink and die cut each individually.  I stamped five lily pad flowers in Pineapple Punch ink.  I adhered both the lily pads and lily pad flowers to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, I put a layer of Clear Wink of Stella over all the fish and lily pads for added sparkle. 

Here is the Color Layering Koi stamp set and coordinating dies from Hero Arts that I used to create today's card:

I hope you enjoy this colorful and slightly whimsical card.
  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hear ye! Hear ye! Calling all brave knights and crafty maidens! The August Hero Arts My Monthly Hero kit is here and it is a fantastical assortment of fairytale products fit for royalty.  OMG!  How did August already arrive when I haven't even opened up my July My Monthly Hero Kit yet!?

• 6" x 8" Clear Stamp Set
• 17 Coordinating Frame Cuts
• 1 Fancy Castle Die
• 2 5.5" x 8.5" sheets of Mirri Matte Lava Purple Paper
• 2 5.5 x 8.5" sheets of Parchment Paper
• 3 Glimmer Ink Pots (Gold, Purple, Red)
• Dragon Scale Sequins

This kit is valued at $84, but is an incredible deal at $34.99!
It is available in limited quantities so be sure to grab yours before they are all gone - or sign up for a monthly subscription, so you never have to worry about missing a kit!

Here are some samples from the Hero Arts Creative Team showcasing this new kit.  *You can click on the photos to visit each artists' website. 

But, WAIT!  There's more!  (Of course, there is. . . )  In addition to the monthly kit, each month Hero Arts offers optional add-on products that complement the kit and take it in new directions!   Let's take a look at this month's extras:

And that's only a small sampling of some of this month's kit extras. 
For more inspiration and information, or, to sign up for a Hero Arts subscription, please visit Hero Arts. 

Hello!  Today I am sharing a beautiful floral card featuring a monochromatic color palette.  Purple is a color that has grown on me through the years and is still not one I use frequently, but, I love how this card turned out and I think it will inspire me to create with purples more often.   This is also one of those cards that I say will look good in every color!  Keep reading to learn how I made this card and the products I used.

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Gorgeous Grape cardstock.  Using the Honey Bee Stamps Watercolor Lines Cover Plate die, I cut the first layer from Gorgeous Grape cardstock.  Underneath the frame I used a piece of Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes paper.  On a separate sheet of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock, I stamped the color layering iris bulbs in Sweet Sugarplum (retired), Gorgeous Grape and Highland Heather inks.  I stamped the color layering leaves in Old Olive and Garden Green ink.  Using the coordinating dies, I die cut both the flowers and leaves.  I adhered the flowers to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added height.  Lastly I stamped the sentiment in Gorgeous Grape ink on a sheet of white cardstock and die cut it using an oval framelit. 

Here is the Color Layering Iris set from Hero Arts that I used to create this card:

I hope you have enjoyed today's card.  Thanks for visiting!

Hi friends and happy Fri-YAY!  I hope you have fun (and cool) plans for the weekend ahead considering it will be 10,000 degrees outside here in Massachusetts!  Okay, maybe I added two extra zero's on that temperature, but you get it, it's gonna be H-O-T hot!  I have a craft room with central air calling my name! 
Yesterday I shared with you how to create a beach scene with two different color layering stamp sets from Hero Arts.  Today we are going to focus on just those beautiful color layering clouds from the Color Layering Sea and Sky stamp set that I used to create a sympathy card.

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Basic Gray cardstock.  Using the Gina Marie Designs Scalloped Stitches Nesting Rectangles, I cut the largest rectangle from Balmy Blue cardstock.  I cut a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Neenah Solar White cardstock and stamped the sentiment in Basic Gray ink.  I stamped the raindrops in Balmy Blue ink using the Sunny Studio Stamp called rain showers.  On a separate sheet of white cardstock, I stamped the layering clouds in Balmy Blue ink and Basic Gray ink.  I die cut the clouds and adhered them to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the clouds for added sparkle.

Here is the Color Layering Sea and Sky stamp set and coordinating dies from Hero Arts that I used for today's cards:

Here is the second card I created using the color layering clouds:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock.  On a 5 " x 3 3/4" sheet of Basic Black cardstock. I stamped the sentiment and burst of stars in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder.  I mounted this stamped image onto a piece of Goil Foil paper before adhering it to the card front.  On a separate sheet of Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock, I stamped the layering clouds in both Smoky Slate ink and Basic Gray ink.  I die cut the clouds and adhered them to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the clouds for added sparkle. 

I hope you have enjoyed seeing different ways to use this stamp set, both to create a serene beach scene and a peaceful sympathy card.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hi readers and thanks for taking the time to visit today!  I hope you find inspiration and creativity as you look around.  Today I am sharing two new-to-me stamp sets by Hero Arts called "Color Layering Waves" and "Color Layering Sea and Sky."  I think you will agree how beautifully these two sets pair together when creating a stamped scene.  These stamps were part of Hero Arts "My Monthly Hero" cardmaking kits last summer and they were so popular that they sold out!  I was so happy when Hero Arts brought them back for individual purchase after high demand.  I really enjoy color layering stamp sets because they offer so much depth and dimension.  You can see a variety of other cards I have made featuring other color layering stamp sets here, here and here. 

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I cut a piece of Pacific Point cardstock measuring 5 1/2" x 3 3/4" as my mat.  On a sheet of white cardstock I began to stamp my scene starting with the waves.  The first base layer was stamped in Soft Sky blue.  The second layer was in Marina Mist ink (sorry, both retired from Stampin' UP!) and the third was in Pacific point ink.  I added a touch of watercolor in pale pinks and blues to the sky above the water.  Next I stamped the seagulls in Tuxedo Memento Black ink.  I stamped two sailboats in Soft Sky ink and Mango Medley ink on scrap white cardstock and cut them out using the coordinating dies.  I adhered the sailboats to the ocean using 3M foam adhesive.  I stamped the color layering clouds on white cardstock first using Soft Sky ink and then the second layer was in Pacific Point ink.  I die cut the clouds and adhered them to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly I created the sand by cutting a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock and heat embossing the word 'Hello" in gold embossing powder.  Using a distressed dot stamp, I added dots to the paper as though to resemble sand in Crumb Cake ink.  I added footprints in Early Espresso ink.  I ran this sheet of Crumb Cake cardstock through my Big Shot using the Heffy Doodle Stitched Slopey Joes border dies.  Lastly I stamped the Adirondack chair in Pacific Point ink on white cardstock, die cut it and adhered it to the card using 3M foam adhesive.

Here are the two Hero Arts color layering stamp sets I used to create this card:

Tomorrow I will be sharing another way of using those beautiful color layering clouds to achieve an entirely different look for a sympathy card.  I hope you will come back to see other ways this set can be used.

Thanks again for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

It's time for another fabulous My Monthly Hero release! This month they're combining some of your favorite techniques - Color Layering - with a happy place - the lake!  July is the perfect time of year for summertime fun. This month's My Monthly Hero Kit from Hero Arts celebrates the great outdoors. From enjoying the fresh air, to fishing, to doing a cannonball from the end of the dock, life truly is better at the lake!  This month's kit will be excellent for making some of those masculine oriented cards for all the special men (and nature loving women) in our lives.

With all of the goodies packed into this kit, it's an incredible value at $34.99!
(Contents add up to $76 if bought separately!)

Let's take a look at some of the beautiful creations made using this kit by the Hero Arts Creative Team!  I have provided the artisan's name below each card and a direct link to their website for you to check out.

I can't wait to receive MY Monthly Hero Kit and share with you what I create!  To see what I created with last month's kit jungle themed kit, please click here and here.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!

On Tuesday, I shared with you the first two cards I created using myJune My Monthly Hero Kit from Hero Arts.  Both cards involved a lot of coloring and detailed alcohol ink backgrounds, so today I'm sharing with you another, more simple way to use this exact same kit to achieve a whole new look.  Each of these cards came together in just a few quick minutes with some heat embossing and a stamped sentiment.  You could easily swap the "stay wild" sentiment for whatever expression you need.

Here is a look at the June My Monthly Hero Kit in case you missed Tuesday's post:

KIT INCLUDES:

• 6" x 8" Clear Stamp Set
• 20 Coordinating Frame Cuts
• 2 Jungle Vine Fancy Dies
•  6" x 6" Leaf Pattern Stencil
•  Watercolor Dot Card
• Intense-ified Black Ink Cube

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Basic Gray cardstock.  Using the Gina Marie Scalloped Stitched  Nesting Rectangles Dies, I die cut a piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and matted it onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock.  I stamped the elephant in Versamark ink on Basic Gray cardstock and heat embossed it with black embossing powder.  I stamped the sentiment in Intense-ified black ink (included with the kit) and adhered the elephant to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  Using the Gina Marie Scalloped Stitched  Nesting Rectangles Dies, I die cut a piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and matted it onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock.  I stamped the tiger in Versamark ink on Pumpkin Pie cardstock and heat embossed it with black embossing powder.  I stamped the sentiment in Intense-ified black ink (included with the kit) and adhered the tiger to the card with 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.

I hope you have enjoyed today's cards.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hello readers!  Today I'm excited to share with you the first set of cards I made using the June My Monthly Hero Kit from Hero Arts.  I mentioned recently that I had re-signed up for the Hero Arts monthly kit subscription and I assured myself that I would use them soon after they arrived, rather than having them pile up in my craft room unused for months. . . Last weekend, I finally sat down and created a wide array of cards all made from this kit that I'll be sharing over the next few days.  

This is what was included in the June My Monthly Hero Kit:

KIT INCLUDES:

•   6" x 8" Clear Stamp Set
  
• 20 Coordinating Frame Cuts
•  2 Jungle Vine Fancy Dies
  
• 6" x 6" Leaf Pattern Stencil
• Watercolor Dot Card
• Intense-ified Black Ink Cube

For this first A2 sized card, I used Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock as my base.  The first later is a piece of Basic Black cardstock that I ran through my Big Shot using the Gina Marie Designs Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangles.  I cut a 5" x 3 3/4" sheet of white cardstock to layer over the black mat.  I stamped the sentiment in the Intense-ified black ink cube (included in the kit).  I stamped five flamingos on scrap white cardstock in the Intense-ified black ink and colored them using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Ink markers.  I added a few highlights to the colored flamingos with a Uniball Signo White Gel Pen.  Using the coordinating dies, I die cut the flamingos and added them to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the flamingos for shiny sparkle!

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock (all product links are provided in the directions for the first card).  I stamped the sentiment at the bottom of the card using the Intense-ified black ink.  I die cut the squares frame (sorry, I can't remember the company who produces this die) from Basic Black cardstock.  I created a rainbow color background using alcohol inks on Yupo Paper.  Please look at any one of the amazing Jennifer McGuire YouTube videos to learn more about creating alcohol ink backgrounds.  I stamped all of the images in Intense-ified black ink and colored them using Spectrum Noir alcohol ink markers.  I added the colored images to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the images for shiny sparkle!

I hope you have enjoyed seeing what I created with this month's kit.  Be sure to come back tomorrow and I'll be sharing a very simple way to create more using this same kit!