Hero Arts | My Monthly Hero March 2024 Blog Hop and Giveaway

March 4, 2024March 5, 2024 Karen Brown45 Comments

Three colorful cards from Hero Arts March 2024 Release.

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.
I glued my medallion to my background and then trimmed the background with a Rounded Rectangle Infinity Die.
My final step was to lightly ink the edges with Tangerine Core Ink.

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

Colorful card using Hero Arts March 2024 My Monthly Hero Classic Kit with 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.

Here is a photo of the contents in the March 2024 Classic Kit:

KIT VALUES
Classic Kit: $82 Value for $36.99
Premium Kit: $115 Value for $49.99

Subscription Options

Bonsai Die Cut Scene Card

Die Cut and ink blended Hero Arts Bonsai Tree showcased in the Journaling Photo Frame Infinity Die Set.

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.

March Get Them All Bundle

March Accessory Bundle

Lovely handmade die cut Bonsai Tree greeting card.

Supplies Used on My Bonsai Card:

Blog Hop and Giveaway:

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.

Hero Arts

Hero Arts Creative Team:
Natasha Vacca
Dana Joy
Michelle Short
Jennifer Kotas
Rosie Lopez
Heather Ruwe
Mindy Eggen
Natasha Polite
Channin Pelletier
Rachel Kleinman
Jeannie Lieu
Seeka
Karen Brown
Charlene Madrid
Pocono Pam
Kailash Naidoo
Lydia Fiedler

Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Emily Midgett
Kelly Taylor

cardmaking · Mixed Media · Tutorial

Hero Arts | 2 Fun Mixed Media Cards

February 21, 2024February 25, 2024 Karen Brown1 Comment

Hero Arts Mixed Media Cards using CM740 Vintage Postmarks and Tickets

CM739 Vintage Maps and Ledger stamps.

Hero Arts Spring Catalog Release is live and I love all the new Mixed Media products that they added to their line. I used a bunch of them on these two cards.

Today is the last day for Hero Art’s Blog Hop, which you can find HERE.

Hero Arts Mixed Media card using Vintage Maps and Ledgers stamps.

My Recipe:

I ink smooshed several layers onto my Luxe Watercolor Paper background, drying in between each layer. See colors below.
With leftover “smoosh” ink, I stamped with Vintage Maps and Ledgers stamps.
I added first and second generation stamping + some heat embossing with Vintage Postmarks and Tickets stamps.
Splatter with Metallic Sprays. Dry. Metallic sprays add such fun splatters and I listed the color I used below.
Trim with Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies. I think this die set is a simple way to elevate your card to the next level.
Heavily ink edges with Indigo Core Ink.
Emboss the edges with Sand Embossing Powder, which adds such a cool texture.
Add Gold Hero Wax to the edges of the card.
I added my panels to A2 Top Folding Cards.

Products Used:

Other Tools: Acrylic Stamping Block

Additional Products Used On Second Card: White Wax + SA263 Mandala Flower Pattern Stencil, Blue Iridescent Embossing Powder

I am so glad you dropped by!

cardmaking · Give Away · papercrafting

Hero Arts | Spring Catalog Collection Release + Blog Hop

February 14, 2024February 15, 2024 Karen Brown53 Comments

Bright and colorful Smile Friend sentiment handmade card from Hero Arts.

I am so excited about Hero Arts Spring Catalog release, which goes live TODAY! There is so much wonderfulness that I can’t wait for you to see. To celebrate, Hero Arts is hosting a Blog Hop and Giveaway.

I wanted to start off with two fabulous new sentiment dies that I just love from Smile Friend Stamp and Cut XL. I went crazy die cutting a bunch so I will have them on hand for future cards.

Products Used on Smile Friend Card:

DC307 Smile Friend Stamp and Cut XL
PS308 Kiwi Cardstock
PS316 Nautical Cardstock
PS312 Paradise Cardstock
PS782 Deluxe Smooth White Cardstock
GW101 Precision Glue
Compact Desktop Cutting Machine
DI945 Rays of Color Window Fancy Die (recently sold out)

Flower Pattern Cover Die

I LOVE cover dies so I was excited to create with this Flower Pattern Cover Die, which is perfect for Spring and Summer. I started by ink blending a rainbow panel which I then die cut with the cover plate and then used the inlay technique to create a one layer background. This went more quickly than you would think because the die cuts fit like a good quality puzzle. My placement and gluing took about 20 minutes.

TIP: Keep your die-cuts in the panel until you start gluing so you know the orientation and position on your background.

Products Used on My Flower Pattern Cover Die Card:

Birthday Animals Stamps + Pointed Arches Infinity Dies

Fun and happy Copic colored Alligator Gator Birthday Card using Hero Arts Birthday Animal Stamps + Pointed Arches Infinity Dies.

Isn’t this Alligator the cutest? He is one 7 animal stamps included in the Birthday Animals Bundle. The set also includes 8 birthday/everyday sentiments. I combined the stamps with the Pointed Arches Infinity Dies. Infinity Dies are definitely staples in my craft room and I like the interest the arches add to projects.

Products Used on The Gator Card:

Easy One Layer Sympathy Card

I love everything about Rub-on transfers. I love how easy they are to use, the look they add to projects and how fun they are to apply! This Spring, Hero Arts included “Sympathy Transfers” in their release. I did some quick ink blending on my background and then added my Hero Transfers for a quick and easy card.

Products Used on My Sympathy Card:

Blog Hop and Giveaway Information:

Hero Arts will be giving away two $50 gift cards, drawn from the comments left along the hop. Comment on all the blogs for more chances to win! You have until Wednesday, February 21st at 11:59pm to enter. The winners will be announced on the Hero Arts blog.

Kailash Naidoo is next on the hop and I have links to everyone below.

Hero Arts
Hero Arts Creative Team:
Mindy Eggen
Natasha Vacca
Ilina Crouse
Charlene Madrid
Lydia Fiedler
Heather Ruwe
Natasha Polite
Seeka
Jeannie Lieu
Dana Joy
Pocono Pam
Rachel Kleinman
Michelle Short
Jennifer Kotas
Rosie Lopez
Karen Brown
Kailash Naidoo
Channin Pelletier
Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Ralph Tyndall
Laurie Willison
Cathy Zielske
Laura Bassen
Caly Person

I am so glad you could join this Hop!

Mixed Media · papercrafting · Tutorial

Colorful Cityscape Mixed Media Card | Hero Arts

February 11, 2024February 9, 2024 Karen BrownLeave a comment

I recently attended Hero Arts Mixed Media Stamp Along and found it so informative! This card was inspired by @cheiron and her wonderful class. I used different products and colors so my card doesn’t look anything like Cheiron’s, but her class gave me the creative spark for my card. Sometimes it is fun to get inky and messy!

For this card, I was trying to simulate a Dove flying over a city at sunrise. I knew I wanted a bold background to contrast with the white Dove.

My Process:

I put 5 sunrise colors of reactive ink (colors listed below) on my craft mat and spritzed with a bit of water and then painted bands of vertical color all over my watercolor cardstock panel. There is no right or wrong way just start painting! I dried and repeated two more times. During the process I also added drips of color.
I love Hero Rub-On Transfers and I added parts of the city map from Collage Backgrounds to three spots on my background.
Using Indigo and Splash Inks, I stamped the city grid from the Mixed Textures stamp set.
I added texture with the Cobblestone Stencil. In some places I used just Gold Hero Paste and on others I rubbed just a bit of Black Hero Wax on the Stencil and then added Gold Hero Paste. I really love the black wax and gold paste combined together.
Using a splatter box (for me a repurposed cardboard box) I added three layers of splatters and dried in between each color. White, Blue Shimmer and Orange Shimmer. I love the complexity the shimmer splatters add!
I trimmed my background using the Rounded Rectangles Infinity Die set and then lightly inked the edges with Indigo Core Ink.
I die cut my Dove and sentiment 3 times and then glued the components together.

Handmade Card with Dove and Olive Branch Die - DF192

Supplies Used:

This card has LOTS of layers, but it did not take as long to complete as I would have guessed….60-90 minutes.

What do you think?

cardmaking · Cardmaking Kit · Stamping

My Monthly Hero | Countdown to Creativity | February 2024

February 4, 2024January 31, 2024 Karen Brown32 Comments

Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Classic Kit - February 2024

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.

Products Used:

MMH Classic Kit
Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies
Charcoal Cardstock
Copic Markers (B00, B02, V000, V01, V15, YG01, YG03, YR31, YR35)

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.

cardmaking · Die cutting · Rainbow Colors

Hero Arts | Colorful Rainbow Mixed Media Card

January 26, 2024January 24, 2024 Karen BrownLeave a comment

Hero Arts Vintage Bird Cage die cut on an rainbow ink blended background card.

Hello and welcome! Karen Brown here and I have a very fun project to share with you today featuring this delightful Vintage Birdcage die. I love color and texture and I used lots of both on this card.

Colorful rainbow ink blended background over an Ode to Andy Warhol Script Bold Print Stamp on a handmade card.

Here is my recipe:

I started with my background. Using Embossing and Watermark Ink and Clear Embossing Powder I heat embossed the Ode To Andy Warhol Script Bold Print onto Luxe Watercolor Paper.
Now the fun part, I ink blended a rainbow of color across my background panel. Blending at an angle, I started at the top with Fresh Lawn Core Ink and then proceeded with Splash Reactive Ink, Indigo Core Ink, Amethyst Core Ink, Pale Tomato Core Ink, Tangerine Core Ink and Lemon Drop Reactive Ink. I really love these colors!
I buffed the embossed script with a microfiber cloth so the embossing was ink free.
I die cut the birdcage 3 times. Twice from Deluxe Smooth Cardstock and once from White Glitter Cardstock. This white is my absolute favorite glitter cardstock. It is hard to photograph but is so beautiful in person. I also cut 2 birds and 4 hearts from glitter cardstock.
Using a Rounded Rectangle Infinity die, I cut down my background to 3 3/4″ wide. I added some craft foam to the back and popped it on an A2 Top Fold Card Base.
Using Precision Glue, I stacked my birdcages with the Glitter Cardstock on the top layer.
Message Strips Stamp and Cut XL is my most used sentiment stamp set and I thought “hello there” was perfect for this card.
I assembled my card with Precision Glue and was done.

White vintage die cut bird cage on a bright rainbow colored background.

I thought the supplies were so pretty sitting on my art desk, so I took an additional photo of most of the supplies I used.

How to ink blend a rainbow colored handmade card background.

This card was to fun for me to make and I am so happy that you stopped by!

Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · Stamping

Hero Arts | My Monthly Hero January 2024 Release + Blog Hop

January 8, 2024January 9, 2024 Karen Brown32 Comments

January 2024 My Monthly Hero Premium Kit Card

Have you seen the wonderful new Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit for January 2024? The theme is Love, Flowers and Friendship…so versatile!

The Classic Kit is a $70 Value for $36.99
The Premium Kit is a $106 Value for $49.99

Premium Subscription Kit

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.

Die cut floral "Hello Friend" card in aqua, orange, navy and grey.

I’ve listed the products used below:

January 2024 Add-On Cards:

This month’s Add-On Collection is just wonderful! You can see the entire collection HERE. I have two Add-On cards that I wanted to share today.

Love You So Much Die Cut Valentine

Love You So Much rainbow die-cut valentine made using the inlay technique + cover plate die.

The instant I saw this Love You So Much cover die, I knew I wanted to do layers of rainbow color for each band. If you wanted to mass produce cards you could easily change up the color order and do 7+ cards in no time. I used Coral, Peacock, Paradise, Kiwi, Canary, Papaya, Amethyst and Passion Flower cardstock.

Hero Arts Arts Love You So Much Cover Plate + rainbow Valentine - DF-188

Products Used:

Valentine Wreath in Scandinavian Blue

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 Valentine Wreath square card - SB-397 and CM-753

Products Used:

SB397 Valentine Wreath Stamp and Die Bundle
CM753 Valentine Wreath Stamp
Indigo Core Ink
Dove White Cardstock (stamped panel)
A2 Top Fold Card (which I cut down to 4 1/4 x 4 1/4″)
Metal Wire Snippers

BLOG HOP:

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.

Blog Hop Links:

Hero Arts

Hero Arts Creative Team:

Charlene Madrid

Michelle Short

Karen Brown You Are Here!

Special Guests:

I am so glad you could join us for this hop!

cardmaking · Die cutting · Give Away

My Monthly Hero | Countdown to Creativity

January 7, 2024January 4, 2024 Karen Brown18 Comments

My Monthly Hero January 2024 Premium kit card with clean and simple die cut flowers in blue, orange, gray, aqua and pink.

Hello and welcome to the January My Monthly Countdown as we approach Hero Arts first kit release for 2024! I must say, this kit is a beauty full wonderful products that I know you will love. The kit goes live tomorrow (Monday, January 8th) 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, January 8th, before the kit launches at 10am Pacific. The more you comment, the more chances to win. Good luck!

Clean and Simple Die Cut Floral Birthday Card.

MMH January 2024 Premium Kit

My project today features The Premium Kit and boy did I have fun playing with it! I started off by die cutting this delightful breezy flower in five of my favorite colors and then I lined them up in a row so they formed a border at the bottom of my card. Clean and simple die-cutting, but I think it has a lot of interest.

I’ve listed the products used on card below:

Premium MMH Kit
Papaya Cardstock
Paradise Cardstock
Granite Cardstock
Dove White Cardstock
Deluxe Smooth White Cardstock (for my ink blended panels)
Azalea Core Ink (I custom blended my own pink cardstock)
Indigo Core Ink (I custom blended my own blue cardstock)
Friendly Messages Bundle (Stamp Only)
Onyx Pigment Ink

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 Premium Kit + some great Add-On Products.

cardmaking · Video

Video | Quick and Easy Monogram Gift Tags

December 11, 2023 Karen BrownLeave a comment

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:

Alphabet Letter Dies (Get Them All)
Alphabet Letter Sets: A-D, E-I, J-N, O-R, S-V, W-Z
Nesting Tag Set
The Hole Punch Edge Fancy Die
White Holiday Collage Hero Transfers kit
Paradise Cardstock
Cherry Cardstock
Dove White Cardstock
Compact Cutter
Metal Snippers
Hero Arts Tool Holder
Precision Glue

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 · Die cutting · papercrafting

Hero Arts | December 2023 My Monthly Hero Release Blog Hop

December 4, 2023December 4, 2023 Karen Brown31 Comments

Hello My Monthly Hero lovers and welcome to the December 2023 Release Hop and Giveaway! I am excited about this month’s kit….so much wonderfulness! December’s theme is the Alphabet (Classic) and Numbers (Premium).

Classic Kit Contents ($81 Value for $36.99)

• XL Alphabet Clear Stamp Set, 8″ x 10″
• Alphabet Cover Plate Die
• 10 Pack of Watercolor Pencils
• 6 Sheets of Luxe White Watercolor Paper, 8.5″ x 11″
• Water Flow Brush

Premium Kit Contents: ($112 Value for $49.99)

• XL Alphabet Clear Stamp Set, 8″ x 10″
• Numbers Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″
• Alphabet Cover Plate Die
• 10 Pack of Watercolor Pencils
• 6 Sheets of Luxe White Watercolor Paper, 8.5″ x 11″
• Water Flow Brush
• Fineline Applicator
• Sea Salt Reactive Ink Reinker
• Gold Glimmer Metallic Ink

Subscribe and Save!

You can see the entire December Collection HERE.

I love them both, but this post is about the Classic Kit plus a very fun Add-On product. I am sharing three different cards with three very different looks today.

Inlay Diecutting with the Alphabet Plate Cover Die

Inlay diecutting with Hero Arts Alphabet Die Cover Plate.

This card might look difficult, but it all came together in one hour. I started by die cutting the alphabet 5 times from different colors of cardstock: Papaya, Kiwi, Passion Flower, Dove White and Granite. I saved the white die cuts to use on a future project, and then attached the white background to an A2 cardbase. Next, I laid out the letters until I had the colors where I wanted them. With the layout done, the gluing went very quickly. I added a simple heat embossed sentiment from Hero Art’s Message Strips Stamp and Cut XL (DC286). I love the bright simplicity of this card.

A bonus is that I have TONs of leftover die-cut letters to use on future projects! It is such a time saver to be able to cut 26 letters with one pass of the diecutting machine.

Add-On: Sparkling Fireworks Bold Prints (CG925)

Hero Arts Sparkling Fireworks Bold Prints (CG925) Graduation Card

When I saw this background stamp, I immediately thought “CELEBRATION” and decided it would be so fun for a graduation card. I went with a festive vintage vibe. After using a bit of anti-static powder, I stamped the Sparkling Fireworks Bold Prints with Clear Embossing and Watermark Ink onto a panel of Paradise Cardstock. I sprinkled on Iridescent Copper Embossing Powder and heat set. Next, I blended some Paradise Core Ink onto the panel with a blending brush. The sentiment is from Message Basics and Message Strips Stamp and Cut XL (DC286). I wanted to add a bit more grunge so I added Clear Embossing and Watermark Ink to the edges of the background and sentiments, drug them through Copper Embossing Powder and heat set. I added the background to an A2 cardbase and used foam adhessive for the sentiment.

Heat Embossing with Copper Embossing Powder

Easy Stamped & Copic Colored Card

There is something so therapeutic about covering a card front with stamps and then coloring them in. My daughter was so captivated by the XL Alphabet Clear Stamps that she created two fun word signs with images for her office.

GIVEAWAY:

We will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, December 10th at 11:59pm Pacific, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.