October Hero Studio - Merry Era

The Hero Arts Studio Kits for October are now available through the 27th of this month.  The overall theme this month is Merry Era.

I always play with the stencils first.  This month they are called The Tree.

supplies: white and dark teal cardstock, The Tree layering stencils, pink, silver, and blue-green inks, sentiment and matching die from Merry Era Card Kit, dewdrops, adhesive foam squares

As always, the stencils are 4 pieces, 3 for the tree and 1 for the baubles.  I added some dewdrops over some of the pink areas amidst the branches, for a little sparkle and dimension, and popped up the sentiment for the same reason.  I trimmed the A2 panel just a tad so that I could mat it with dark teal.

Next up are the Fancy Dies, Twinkle Lights.

supplies: white, gold metallic, red, blue, green, and gold glitter cardstock, Twinkle Lights fancy dies, sentiment from Merry Era Studio Card Kit and die to match, circle dies

This is a set of 5 strings of Christmas lights, and dies to cut out the lights themselves.  The sentiment was the one that I thought worked the best from the Card Kit.  I used gold metallic cardstock for the strings and 4 different glitter cardstocks for the lights.

The Card Kit contains a set of dies to make this big disco ball.  It will fit onto an A2 card, but I chose to make a Christmas Ornament out of it.  It is 4 1/4" in diameter, and has a separate die to make a hook so that you can add a thread to hang it by.

supplies: matte and mirror silver metallic cardstock, red cardstock, Merry Era dies

And finally, here are some of the stamps and matching dies featured in this month's Studio Card Kit.

supplies: metallic silver, teal and white cardstock, Merry Era Card Kit, red and grey inks, clear ink and silver embosing powder, prisma glitter and glue pen, adhesive foam squares

The stamp set and dies to match are all about disco balls, so I stamped and embossed with silver against a teal background, then stamped the sentiment and Santa hat in red, adding a bit of glitter on the hat for some more glitz, and popped them up.  The card front is matted in metallic silver.

The Studio Collection is available now through the 27th of the month.  This is subscription-based, discounted from retail, and includes FREE shipping (for US customers)!

You can subscribe anytime and cancel hassle-free.

Currently the Studio includes 5 separate kits: a Card Kit, Layering Stencils, Fancy Dies, a Cling stamp, and a Clear Set of Stamps and matching Dies.  You can also get The Whole Studio, which includes all of the kits at a discount, plus a bonus item each month.  

A really nice perk is that, once you subscribe to any of the kits, you also will get free shipping on all orders that you make at Hero Arts between the 1st and 5th of each month!

A Card for Fall

We're in my favorite season, so here's a card to reflect that, using a lovely stencil/stamp set from The Greetery and a fun sentiment from Newton's Nook.

supplies: white and orange cardstock, The Greetery Floral Arches stencil/stamp set, Altenew Green Fields and Golden Sunset inks, sentiment from Newton's Nook (retired) Fall-ing for You

The Floral Arches design is made using 6 stencils, then adding details with the stamps included in the set.  I popped up 2 extra flowers that I also stamped and die-cut.  

I have so many favorite supplies for fall; I hope to play some more with them in October!  Are you enjoying the season?

I'll enter this into the Stencil Fun Challenge.

Woodblock Wednesday - NOT!

This was my card for this month's Woodblock Wednesday, but Amy is taking a well-deserved break this month.  I'd still like to share this, though.  

I used a stamp that is identified only with a sticker on it that reads "Anita's 2002, Sugarloaf, Inc., Lithonia, GA".

supplies: white, chocolate brown cardstock, gingham and woodgrain papers, unknown Sunflower stamp, markers to color, Spellbinders (retired) Hello Sunflower sentiment, Hero Hues Sunny enamel dots, adhesive foam squares

Here's what the stamp looks like.

Though that little bug on the stamp is cute, I wanted a portrait card, so I cut out the flowers after coloring them and then rearranged them, popping one of them above the other.

We like to grow sunflowers from seed each year, but this year's growing season was a bust!  Despite planting 3 different packets of seeds back in May and June, not a one appeared above the soil!  

I'll be entering my card into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge, Anything Goes.

Blessed Fall Wreath

 It's September!  That means I get to play with all my beloved fall goodies!  Today I thought I'd bring back the Woven Ribbons stencils, this time with an autumn feel.

supplies: cream, kraft, orange peel, red, gold, and dark green cardstock, Altenew Woven Ribbon layering stencils, barn door, festive berries, ripe persimmon,fossilized amber, and mustard seed distress inks, Tim Holtz Funky Wreath, Spellbinders bow and berries, Honey Bee Bitty Buzzword sentiment, adhesive foam squares

These stencils are a set of 3 that you use once, then turn them 90 degrees and stencil with them again.  Since the background is so busy, I wanted something pretty simple, so this wreath with a big sentiment worked for me.  I popped them up with little adhesive foam squares.

You may notice that I'm posting a lot less than I have in past years.  After many years of blogging, sometimes posting every day, I'm going to slow way down, and plan to do only 1 card a week, plus my Spellbinders and Hero Arts assignments, and I may enter a challenge again once in awhile.  We'll try this out from here through the end of the year, and then reassess.

Thank you for stopping by today!

I'm entering this into the September Stencil Fun challenge and the September Four Seasons challenge.

Ditzy Flowers for Fall

I just love this Altenew Ditzy Flowers Wallpaper layering stencil set!  It's a garden on a card, and I can't think of any occasion it wouldn't work for.  So here it is again, colored for the season.

supplies: white and dark orange cardstock, Ditzy Flowers Wallpaper stencils, Altenew and Pink Fresh Studio inks, sentiment from Taylored Expressions (retired) Handlettered Thanksgiving, a postage die, adhesive foam squares

This time I trimmed the panel just a bit so that I could have a mat, and then cut out a postage-edge rectangle from the center.  That was stamped with my sentiment, matted, and then popped back up onto my card front.

Do you have a favorite set of stencils?  I'd love to hear - enable me!

I'll enter this into the current Simon Wednesday Challenge: Layer it Up; the stencils are layered, as are my elements. Also entering the September Stencil Fun challenge and the Four Seasons Challenge.

Spellbinders September Club Kits: Charmed Season, part 2

 The September Club Kits from Spellbinders are now available, through September 27.  Today's post includes the remainder of my samples using the club kits.

The Large Dies, Acorn Acres, has 26 dies, full of lots of fall fun.  Today I made a little scene and set it against the Embossing Folder, Autumn Breeze.

supplies: colored cardstock, Acorn Acres dies (includes sentiment), Autumn Breeze embossing folder, adhesive foam

There are a group of large leaves also included in this set (you'll see them next), but I decided to put the squirrel's cottage in a grove of sunflowers this time.  The embossing folder has a decidedly diagonal design, as if the leaves are blowing.  

Next I first used 4 of the leaves from this set to make a fall quilt based on one I made years ago.  The 3D folder was perfect for adding "quilting".

supplies: Cornflower and fall colors of cardstock, Patchwork 3D embossing folder, leaves from Acorn Acres, sentiment from Autumn Whim

I used the full width of the folder, and then cut down the length to accomodate the skinny frame I used to separate the leaves from the rest of my quilt. So it measures 5 1/2" X 6 3/4".  The sentiment is perfect!

Here's a picture of my quilt.  I use it each fall as a table covering in our dining room.

I mixed the Autumn Breeze embossing folder again with the Stitching Kit next.  It's called Stitched Pumpkin Tops.

supplies: colored cardstock, Stitched Pumpkin Tops, 3 strands embroidery floss to match, Autumn Breeze embossing folder

The sentiment dies are included in the stitching kit, as are some acorn dies that I chose not to use this time.

My last card today shows you the BetterPress kit called Sketchy Hexi.

supplies: cream, brown, and orange cardstock, Sketchy Hexi betterpress plate, brown ink, copper embossing powder, copper sequins

I did a little experimentation with my pressplate this time.  First I used an embossing pad and plate to emboss the design on some cream cardstock.  The orange panel was inked the usual way with brown ink, then trimmed to fit the pattern of the cream panel.  There are 2 sentiments included in the set this month, and I inked one of them with VersaMark ink and sprinkled on some copper embossing powder, then trimmed it out with a banner die.  It's hard to read here, but the sentiment says "Sending Autumn Cheer".  To finish, I added some copper sequins to mimic the copper embossing on the sentiment.

There is also a hexi die included in this set for you to cut out any of the designs.

You can look HERE for information on Spellbinders Clubs.  Each is available for new subscribers only from the 6th until the 27th of each month.  If you click on my links under each card, you can see the specifics of each product.  You can subscribe to each of our 10 kits separately, (and you can "unjoin" a subscription at any time without any penalty), or you can get them all, plus a free bonus item each month, and save 60% by choosing the Deluxe Caboodle!

Spellbinders September Club Kits: Charmed Season

 The September Club Kits from Spellbinders are available to new subscribers, now through September 27!  The theme is Charmed Season, all about Fall.

To set the tone for this month's theme, I played first with the Small Dies, aptly called Harvest Magic. I mixed them with the 3D embossing folder, Patchwork, and a sentiment from the Stamps/Dies, Autumn Whim.

supplies: colored cardstock, Harvest Magic dies, Autumn Whim sentiment, Patchwork embossing folder

That black cat is darling, isn't he, and there's a nice variety of autumn findings to surround the pumpkin with.  I love the quilt embosssing folder, too.

Next up are the Stencils of the Month, Acorns and Oaks, and I added another sentiment from the  Autumn Whim stamps/dies.

supplies: white and kraft cardstock, Acorns and Oaks 5-piece stencil set, distress inks, sentiment from Autumn Whim stamps/matching die.  

For my final card today, I mixed the Glimmer Kit, Gilded Weave, with the Stamps and Dies, Autumn Whim.

supplies: white and chocolate brown cardstock, Autumn Whim stamps and die for sentiment, Gilded Weave Glimmer plate and copper glimmer foil (included in the kit), Autumn Whim Stencil (Caboodle freebie), markers, adhesive foam strips

Besides the 6 sentiments, the stamps this month include this panel of fall items, and the caboodle gives you a 2-piece stencil to color it, but not completely.  I colored the rest with my markers.

I'll be back in a few days with more of my cards from this new release.

You can look HERE for information on Spellbinders Clubs.  Each is available for new subscribers only from the 6th until the 27th of each month.  If you click on my links under each card, you can see the specifics of each product.  You can subscribe to each of our 10 kits separately, (and you can "unjoin" a subscription at any time without any penalty), or you can get them all, plus a free bonus item each month, and save 60% by choosing the Deluxe Caboodle!

September Hero Studio: Fall in the Forest

 The Hero Arts Studio kits  for September have been released; I'm so excited for this month's theme of Fall in the Forest!!  Working on these cards made me feel cooler already!

The Layering Stencils, called Fairyland Forest, called my name first.

supplies: white and brown cardstock, Fairyland Forest stencils, distress inks, sentiment from Studio Card Kit Fall in the Forest, Hemstitch Oval die, wonky rectangle die, adhesive foam squares

There are 4 pieces in the stencil set, 3 for the various trees, and the final one for the tree trunks.  I used 10 different colors of distress inks.  The sentiment from the Studio Card Kit is perfect, so I lifted it above the front and added a bit of interest with the hemstitch oval die, which simply cuts out an oval shape to let the backing show through. 

Next up are the Fancy Dies, Cozy Critters.

supplies: brown, tan, cream, and pink cardstock, brass foiled cardstock, 2 patterned papers, Cozy Critters Fancy dies, adhesive foam

Isn't this set darling?  It also includes a large fox that can be made a couple of ways, and a little duck!  I went searching in my scraps for a quilt-like patterned paper, then used the quilt die to cut it out and add some subtle stitched details.  I used a tiny green check for my pillow, and a brass foil cardstock for my headboard.  I popped up the noses of the critters for some dimension, and my sentiment is an old retired one from The Craft's Meow.

Finally, here are my cards using this month's Card Kit: Fall in the Forest.  This month we get a stamp set with dies to match everything but the sentiments, and a separate die set that makes a large tree!

supplies: cream, green, grey cardstock, brown and tan woodgrain pattern papers, Fall in the Forest stamps and matching dies

There's a separate oval die to cut out the hole in the tree for Mr. Squirrel to store his acorns; also a heart and 2 sentiment dies in that set.  The stamp set has 5 different squirrels, 4 pumpkins, lots of different leaves, a rake, a tree stump, and 4 sentiments; everything you'll need t make your own little scene!

My last card features most of the pumpkins, more leaves, and a sentiment from the stamp set, and lots of patterned papers.

supplies: patterned papers, Fall in the Forest stamps, Sunset Hero Hues enamel dots. twine bow

Over the years I've collected lots of 6" square paper pads, and these patterns are from them.  I particularly love the text background which has a fall theme, too.  Since there is some twine and a packet of enamel dots in the kit, I added them to the mix also.

The Studio Collection is available now through the 27th of the month.  This is subscription-based, discounted from retail, and includes FREE shipping (for US customers)!

You can subscribe anytime and cancel hassle-free.

Currently the Studio includes 5 separate kits: a Card Kit, Layering Stencils, Fancy Dies, a Cling stamp, and a Clear Set of Stamps and matching Dies.  You can also get The Whole Studio, which includes all of the kits at a discount, plus a bonus item each month.  

A really nice bonus is that, once you subscribe to any of the kits, you also will get free shipping on all orders that you make at Hero Arts between the 1st and 5th of each month!

Take Care Wreath

 I went diving into my scrap basket again and here's what resulted this time.

supplies: white, dark green, and pink cardstock, vellum, Pink Fresh Studio Stitches Background cover plate, Blossoms & Berries washi wreath, Take Care die, circle die, enamel dots

Everything is retired, but each is easily replaced with one of your favorites.

Can you believe we're heading into September in a few days?  Since I love fall, that's just fine with me; we're already seeing fall temperatures here; it's was just too hot for me this summer!  What's it doing in your neck of the woods?

Woodblock Wednesday!

 It's Woodblock Wednesday!  This month I chose this 2014 beauty from Penny Black.

supplies: white, black, and peachy pink cardstock, a text dp, Penny Black Hollyhocks stamp, saltwater taffy, mustard seed, and mowed lawn distress inks, water, Honey Bee Bitty Buzzwords Hello die, stamped sentiment from (retired) Wplus9 Hand Lettered Hello, Spellbinders (retired) Deckle Edge die, Sunny Studios Quilted Hearts embossing folder, adhesive foam squares

Usually I'd make this a flat card, but today I popped the flowers above everything else.  The sentiment was stamped before I embossed the card front, then I layered on everything else.  The image was watercolored simply with distress inks diluted in water.

You can see more cards using woodblock stamps at Amy's blog HERE.

Just a Note

  My friend Mary Anne sent me this embossing folder just about the same time as I ordered these Waffle Flower dies, so I decided to use them together.

supplies: white, kraft, and green cardstock, Taylored Expressions (retired) Sheet Music embossing folder, Waffle Flower Birdie Duo die-n-stencil, Hibiscus Branch dies, sentiment from Wplus9 (retired) Blanket Stitched Blooms, adhesive foam squares 

I love my birds, and this is the first one for me that is a die/stencil set!  It comes with 2 identical birds which are facing each other, plus a stencil that you use to color in all the parts, flipping it for the 2nd bird - genius!  I love how the bird turned out!  The branches are also a new purchase, as they were released along with the bird set, and are to scale with them.  They also include some flowers to add to the mix, but I left them off this time.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit today - hope you're having a good one!

Bird on a Wreath

Still playing with Christmas goodies and using them for everyday cards.   Today those goodies are a stencilled wreath and a bird, both part of Holiday sets.

supplies: white, yellow, pinks, and greys cardstock, Spellbinders Christmas Bird Poinsettia bird, Sealed Blooms flowers, and (retired) Branching Out 3D embossing folder, (HERE's a similar one), Concord & 9th Boughs and Holly layering stencils, distress inks in twisted citron, mowed lawn, rustic wilderness, saltwater taffy, and abandoned coral, adhesive foam squares

I started by stencilling the wreath, then ran the panel through a leafy embossing folder.  Next I constructed my bird and flowers and added them, popping the bird up with adhesive foam squares.  I pictured him as a mourning dove.  

I tried several die-cut sentiments, but didn't like any of them, so I'll push that decision off until I use the card.  

As always, thanks so much for stopping by today. 

Just Because

Here's another set that was meant for Christmas, but I wanted to get some more mileage out of it, so I changed up the colors.  

supplies: various oranges, blues, and greens cardstock, vellum, Concord & 9th Festive Blooms dies, Memory Box Just Because posh script die

Blues always make me happy, so I borrowed the colors from THIS card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Summer Roses

Last month when there was so much Christmas in July going on, I thought I'd use some Christmas supplies and try to adapt them to everyday.  This BetterPress Winter Rose plate was an easy one for that transition.  It's a beautiful rose background, so I colored it in pinks and yellows, my favorite colors for roses, using the matching stencils in the bundle.

supplies: white, pink, and vellum cardstock, Spellbinders Winter Rose pressplate/stencil bundle, Pink Fresh Studio Fairy Dust and Rise and Shine, Simon Spring and Dublin, and Altenew Sand Dunes inks, Winnie & Walter (retired) Noelle Scalloped Rectangle die, Simon A2 Frames die, Waffle Flower Sweet Lattice Sentiments

Summer is going fast - hope you're enjoying it!