Hello and welcome to the April 2024 My Monthly Hero Countdown! I must say, this kit is full of wonderful products that I know you will love. The kit goes live on Monday, April 1st, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy some inspiration, sneak peeks and giveaways.
For today’s “peek”, I created a pink, white and aqua folk art scene card that I can’t wait to send!
WIN A KIT BEFORE YOU CAN BUY IT: Just leave a comment on this (and every) Countdown to Creativity post. Hero Arts will randomly draw one lucky winner from comments left across all countdown posts on the Hero Arts blog. The winner will be announced first thing Monday morning, April 1st, before the kit launches at 10am Pacific. The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!
Stop by the other designers blogs for more chances to win:
Spellbinders March 2024 Stitching Die Club Kit is another winner! I thought February would be hard to beat, but “Stitched Read and Sip” is a real favorite. I love to read, drink hot tea and stitch so add in some florals and this kit is a keeper. I’ll also be incorporating the versatile elements into future products as well.
Stitched Read and Sip Handmade Card
I really enjoyed making this card! I was going to the beach and thought I’d like to stitch this card on our balcony while I listened to the waves. Before we left, I die cut my elements. When stitching, I like sturdy substantial bases, so I die cut the teacup and ornate book two times and then glued them together.
My Stitching Process:
The kit has 17 dies and I started by cutting all my pieces. I die cut the stitching elements twice and then glued them together for a sturdy substantial panel. This die cutting didn’t take long, but I think the extra effort was worth it. I recently purchased a Platinum 6 die cutting machine, and I have to say, I pull it out instead of my Gemini Junior. I wish I had bought one earlier.
Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE. I used DMC Gold Thread for this project.
When I started stitching, I took two strands of floss, separated them one at a time, brought them together and then stroked and lengthened them until they seemed tame and ready to use.
When I move from one area to the next, I run the floss through the just finished stitched area to keep the thread secure. This gives a nice look on the finished project.
Don’t stitch with threads that are too long or they are likely to knot.
When I was done, I added a bit of Bearly Glue to the ends so that they would stay in place.
Club members can cancel, upgrade or change clubs from the 1st-5th of each month. Popular Clubs frequently sell out during this period so club members get first dibs on everything.
NEW for 2024: Club Members get EARLY access to new releases on the 6th!
On the 6th, Clubs become available to non-members.
On the 27th, Club registration closes for the current month.
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.
Boy do I love this March 2024 My Monthly Hero kit! I am sharing three cards today and they were all so fun to create. I think the Classic Kit is going to be wonderful for mixed media projects.
Classic Kit
For today’s post, I created two cards using the Classic Kit. I recently discovered the wonderfulness of liquid watercolors and WOW, WOW WOW! What took me so long? So, Card #1 has a background created with the Classic Kit + three liquid watercolor colors.
My Process:
I added a small amount of Dandelion, Orange and Bright Pink liquid watercolor to my paint palette. With a wet brush, I painted bold strokes on my Luxe watercolor paper. I also added some drips to the panel. I dried and repeated the process one more time. I also put a large acrylic block on top for a bit so my panel would be nice and flat.
The Classic Kit contains two sheets of Rub-On transfers and I added portions of the transfers randomly to my background. Remember to leave a space for your sentiment.
I added a minimal amount of watercolor paint spatters.
Using Taffy and Fruit Punch inks, I stamped my sentiment and some images (crane, scribbles, bamboo leaf, character and reeds) from the included stamp set.
Next, I separated the circle inset from the rectangular plate with my snippers
Using just the rectangular plate (without the circle) I embossed my background and I love the subtle embossing and texture that it adds.
I painted a second piece of watercolor paper with just orange liquid watercolor. In some places I diluted the watercolor more and in others I added very saturated color so there was variation in my orange color. I dried and then weighted with an acrylic block.
I die cut my orange circle with the cover plate inset + a Circle Infinity Die for a medallion look. I liked this medallion so much that I created a few extras to have on hand for future mixed media projects. You can see one of them in the next photo.
This card reminds me of summer and orange sherbet and I love how happy and bright it is.
Classic Kit Card Using the Included Ink Cubes
For my second card, I followed the same process as Card #1, except I used the 3 ink cubes included in the Classic kit. I smooshed the ink on my craft mat and used a wet brush to paint my background. I also used the cover plate as it was designed and die cut the entire background panel, including the circular inset, at one time. I then backed the opening with a red panel that I created by going “direct to paper” in a circular motion with the Cherry ink cube.
I LOVE die cutting so I really enjoyed making my third card featuring The Bonsai Fancy Die, which is March Add-On product. I die cut my components, ink blended a bit and popped onto a panel made using a favorite of mine, the Journaling Photo Frame Infinity Die Set. The sentiment is from the Ornate Frames Hero Transfer . If you’d like to see an additional card I made using the Photo Frame Set, click HERE.
We will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, March 10th at 11:59pm PT, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.
I am so excited about today’s share, Spellbinder’s Stitched Floral Card Front. I used the February Stitching Club Kit, which is beautiful, and I think the finished card is so very special. This card is going to one of my closest friends for her upcoming birthday.
The kit has 5 dies and I started by cutting all my pieces. The flower center is pink, the flower is papaya, the background is waterfall and the overlay is blue. There is a lot of stitching this month, so I die cut all the elements twice and then glued them together for a sturdy substantial panel. This die cutting didn’t take long, but I think the extra effort was worth it. I recently purchased a Platinum 6 die cutting machine, and I have to say, I pull it out instead of my Gemini Junior. I wish I had bought one earlier.
Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE.
When I started stitching, I took two strands of floss, separated them one at a time, brought them together and then stroked and lengthened them until they seemed tame and ready to use. I used DMC Aqua 598, Orange 741 and Pink 818.
When I move from one area to the next, I run the floss through the just finished stitched area to keep the thread secure. This gives a nice look on the finished project.
Don’t stitch with threads that are too long or they are likely to knot.
When I was done, I added a bit of Bearly Glue to the ends so that they would stay in place.
A Few Notes About Spellbinders Club Kits
Clubs Preview on the 1st of each month.
Club members can cancel, upgrade or change clubs from the 1st-5th of each month. Popular Clubs frequently sell out during this period so club members get first dibs on everything.
NEW for 2024: Club Members get EARLY access to new releases on the 6th!
On the 6th, Clubs become available to non-members.
On the 27th, Club registration closes for the current month.
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.
Have you seen the wonderful new Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit for February 2024? The theme is Peace, Love and Kindness which are mainstays for my craft room. Today, I used the February Classic Kit for my Peace cards.
The theme for my post is Indigo Blue, which I have been using a lot lately. I find the color beautiful and calming.
Lovely Peace Sympathy and Encouragement Cards
The stamp and dies in this months kit are so pretty so I made a duo of Sympathy/Encouragement cards. For both cards I ink blended a background using Indigo Core Ink and then stamped, die cut and Copic colored my images. I especially love the graceful sentiments in this month’s kit.
I shared this third card in my “Countdown” post which you can read HERE.
Hope and Hugs Encouragement Card
Have you ever wanted to send a card to a friend going in for medical testing? I think my crisp white and Indigo blue card is perfect for this situation. I think the card is beautiful and it came together very quickly.
I cut down an A2 Top Folding Card to 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″, then stamped and die cut my wreath in Indigo Ink. I added craft foam to the back and glued the wreath to the card base. Using the same Indigo Ink, I stamped and die cut my sentiment. I also die cut two additional circles and glued them to the back of my sentiment for added dimension.
GIVEAWAY Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, February 11th at 11:59pm PT, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.
Hello and welcome to the February 2024 My Monthly Countdown! I must say, this kit is full of wonderful products that I know you will love. The kit goes live tomorrow, Monday, February 5th, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy some inspiration, sneak peeks and giveaways.
WIN A KIT BEFORE YOU CAN BUY IT: Just leave a comment on this (and every) Countdown to Creativity post. Hero Arts will randomly draw one lucky winner from comments left across all countdown posts on the Hero Arts blog. The winner will be announced first thing Monday morning, February 5th, before the kit launches at 10am Pacific. The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!
Pattern Stamping
I really enjoy pattern stamping and the stamps in the Classic Kit are just perfect for this technique. There is something so therapeutic about coloring glass jars and vases.
Be sure to stop by and visit the Hero Arts Blog for more inspiration and then I will be back on Monday with another post featuring the Classic Kit + some great Add-On Products.
I can’t seem to get enough of the fun florals in this month’s Premium Kit! (If you would like to see my first card featuring these dies, click HERE. ) I love the fresh look of these blooming dies and I so enjoyed creating and working on the layout for this card.
This Valentine Wreath die is SO beautiful! It has the simple yet elegant look of Letter Press and I thought it would be quite striking with a fresh bright blue and clean white color palette. I stamped the wreath with Indigo Core Ink and then die cut the wreath, an extra floral cluster (which I added to the bottom of the wreath) and the sentiment. I cut down an A2 Top Folding Card Base to 4 1/4 x 4 1/4″ and adhered my die cuts with foam adhesive squares.
Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, January 14th at 11:59pm PT, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.
I am so excited about the 2024 Spellbinders Clubs! Today I am sharing a fun Bumble Bee themed card using the January Stitching Die Club Kit and it is perfect for Spring, Birthdays, Get Well and Hello cards…I think it is so fresh and fun! This Club Kit is now available for individual purchase HERE.
I created this card over the holidays and it was ideal to work on while I sat around the fire and visited with family.
Spellbinders has a nice selection of stitching accessories in their shop that you can find HERE.
When I started stitching, I took two strands of Gold Floss (DMC 725), separated them one at a time, brought them together and then stroked and lengthened them until they seemed tame and ready to use.
When I move from one area to the next, I run the floss through the just finished stitched area to keep the thread secure. This gives a nice look on the finished project.
Don’t stitch with threads that are too long or they are likely to knot. This is a lesson I relearned on this card.
When I was done, I added a bit of Bearly Glue to the ends so that they will stay in place. You can also add a backing by die cutting another Bee body. Your backing can be a different color to add more interest.
A Few Notes About Spellbinders Club Kits
Clubs Preview on the 1st of each month.
Club members can cancel, upgrade or change clubs from the 1st-5th of each month. Popular Clubs frequently sell out during this period so club members get first dibs on everything.
NEW for 2024: Club Members get EARLY access to new releases on the 6th!
On the 6th, Clubs become available to non-members.
On the 27th, Club registration closes for the current month.
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.
kennyscards.com 