Hello everyone and thanks so much for stopping by to help celebrate the launch of Hero Arts April My Monthly Hero Kit (more about the kit, blog hop and giveaway below). I have a bunch of card ideas to share using this month kit and add-on items.
Hero’s kits are very different every month and for the month of April they decided to go with a celebration theme! Fiesta, Cinco De Mayo, Birthday – these are the images and messages that you’ll be able to find in this kit.
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VIDEO TUTORIAL
As always, I filmed a video tutorial showing how to create this project from start to finish. I’m hoping you’ll enjoy it. Watch it below or on my Youtube channel.
Like this video? Please give it a big thumbs up (you can do this on Youtube video page right under the video) and share with a crafty friend! Leave me a comment too, I love hearing from you!
CARDS DETAILS – USING THE APRIL CARD KIT ONLY
I liked images on the mice in my kit so I decided to use both and create a little scene. I stamped them in alcohol marker friendly ink and colored using various shades of Copic markers. I used C7, C5 and C3 for the musician’s outfit, V17, V15 and V12 for the dress, shirt and flowers and C1, C3 and YR00 to color the skin.
My main sentiment reads Feliz Cumpleanos which is Spanish for Happy Birthday and I also have an additional banner sentiment that reads It’s Your Birthday. I foam mounted the banner onto the card for a pop of dimension and added some simple solid stamping in Purple Ombre ink to fill in the white space.
My second card using just the kit is very similar to the first one but is done in different colors. Instead of Purples I used Reds and I went with R22, R24 and R38. I also added several blooming cacti to set the scene.
 
CARDS DETAILS – USING THE APRIL CARD KIT & ADD ONS
My favorite add on this month is definitely the set with the cats – Cinco De Meow so I used this set to make a few celebratory cards. I love to play dress up with my critter stamps so I wanted to be able to use the hat from one of the cats on the other cat images. I stamped the images I needed, colored and cut them out and arranged into a fun little scene.
 
To create a background for my kitty cards I used the add on background stamp – Blanket Pattern Bold Print background and I stamped it with the help of my stamp platform using various colors of ink from Hero Arts. I think is such a cool stamp – the design is really perfect for Fiesta theme. I found that this image looks best when stamped with Hero’s Ombre inks – because these kinds of blankets usually come in various colors so by using an ombre ink pad you can add those various colors to your image rather easily.
 
For my next card I just had to use a wobble Spring – I use a mini one, a regular size would have been better, but I only have minis in my stash, I used it to adhere the standing up cat, I added a guitar and two little cacti images onto a yellow and orange blanket background.
For my sentiment I used messages from the kit and I stamped Feel the Music in black onto the background and added a banner colored in red to match the details on the hat and stamped Bailemos which is Spanish for Let’s Dance.
I also wanted to show you that the Cinco De Meow set can be used for a Birthday Card without any Spanish reference. I stamped the same blanket background in just one color of ink – pink and it now looks like a regular background.
 
I also stamped and cut out a few kitties – one kitty in the box and I colored the box pink and added white polka dots using a white gel pen and I also have another kitty colored using W1 marker to make it look white. So by changing up the colors but still using same images I was able to make a card for a completely different occasion. I finished this one with Happy Birthday to Meow sentiment, added some more cacti and some colorful balloons and called this card done.
If you are not into cats, Hero Arts also has a dog stamp set to play with this month. The set is called it Fiesta Time and it features 3 fun images of chihuahua.
 
I used 2 of the 3 images to make an Hola Amigos card – I stamped one of the dogs and the sentiment onto the background panel and also shaped another one onto another panel to cut it out and foam mount onto the card. I added a little potted cactus and embellished this card with Nuvo Drops in black.
For my last card for today I did something I love doing the most – I stamped a background pattern using cacti, guitar and the little margarita cocktail glass – all of those are from the Cinco De Mayo set and I colored them using Copic markers using the same colors as before.
For the focal point for this card I stamped, colored and cut out a little chihuahua dressed up as a taco image, I adhered my background otno an A2 side folding card base, die cut a circle opening to make it into a window card and used a mini wobble spring to adhere the taco chihuahua on the inside of the card – so you can see it on the outside and on the inside too. I added Taco About Awesome sentiment white heat embossed onto black paper and that finished this card.
 
So thats all of the card ideas that I have using Hero Arts April My Monthly Hero Kit. Which one did you like the best?
MY MONTHLY HERO APRIL 2018 KIT
The kit is available for a limited time only – once it’s gone, it’s gone. If you love it – grab it now!
You can now subscribe to receive the kit monthly and never miss one!
KIT & KIT ADD-ONS
There are several optional add-on items:
 Hero Arts Get Them All April Add-ons Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts CG734 Blanket Pattern Bold Prints Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts PD119 Liquid Watercolor Purple Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts DI497 Cinco de Meow Frame Cuts (D) Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts DI495 Shake Your Bones Frame Cuts (D) Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts DI494 It’s Fiesta Time Frame Cuts (D) Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts CM254 Cinco de Meow Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts CM253 Shake Your Bones Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts CM252 It’s Fiesta Time Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit April 2018 Shop at: HA |
HOP ALONG WITH US!
The Hero Arts Blog
Laurie Willison
Yana Smakula – you are here!
Janette Kausen
Nichol Spohr
Ilina Crouse
Kathy Racoosin
Clare Prezzia
Lydia Fiedler
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Kelly Latevola
Jana Millen
Amy Tsuruta
Emily Midgett
May Park
Libby Hickson
GIVEAWAY!
Hero Arts is giving away one kit as a prize to one blog reader – selected from the comments across all of the blogs in the hop so be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win! The giveaway closes Sunday, April 8th at 11:59pm, and the winner will be announced the following week.
SUPPLIES
I’m listing the products I used below. Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for
Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit April 2018 Shop at: HA |
Hero Arts CG734 Blanket Pattern Bold Prints Shop at: SSS | HA |
Hero Arts CM254 Cinco de Meow Shop at: SSS | HA |
Hero Arts DI497 Cinco de Meow Frame Cuts (D) Shop at: SSS | HA |
Hero Arts CM252 It’s Fiesta Time Shop at: SSS | HA |
Hero Arts DI494 It’s Fiesta Time Frame Cuts (D) Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Snow Layering Papers Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Simon Says Stamp Black Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 Hero Arts 12 Mix Notecards Foliage Cards Shop at: SSS | HA | AZ |
 Spellbinders Standard Circles LG Dies Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 ScraPerfect Crafting Pouch Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Hero Arts Heat Embossing Gun PW200 Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts White Embossing Powder PW110 Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Versamark Watermark Emboss Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | HA | PTI | AZ |
 Hero Arts Ombre Hydrangea Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts Ombre Lime to Forever Green Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts Ombre Butter To Orange Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Mini Misti Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Art Impressions Mini Action Wobble Shop at: SSS | SC |
 Hampton Art Mini Action Wobbles 12 Pack Shop at: SSS |
 Action Wobble Springs 12 Pack Wobblers Shop at: SSS |
Action Wobble Springs 6 Pack Wobblers Shop at: SSS |
 Sakura Quickie Glue Pen Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Tonic Ebony Black Nuvo Crystal Drops Shop at: SSS |
 Copic Sketch Marker Y15 Cadmium Yellow Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker Y19 Napoli Yellow Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker YR04 Chrome Orange Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker YR00 Powder Pink Shop at: SSS |
 Copic Sketch Marker R22 Light Prawn Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker R24 Prawn Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker R27 Cadmium Red Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker R39 Garnet Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker YG03 Yellow Green Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker YG17 Grass Green Bold Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker YG63 Pea Green Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker YG67 Moss Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker W1 Warm Gray Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker W3 Warm Gray Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker C3 Cool Gray Grey Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker C5 Cool Gray Grey Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker C7 Cool Gray Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker E33 Sand Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker E37 Sepia Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker E79 Cashew Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker V12 Pale Lilac Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker V15 Mallow Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker V17 Amethyst Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker Y21 Buttercup Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker E51 Milky White Cream Shop at: SSS |
 Art Impressions Mini Action Wobbles Shop at: SSS |
 Tim Holtz Tonic Craft Stamp Platform Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Tonic Spring-cut Fine Tip Detail Scissors Shop at: SSS |
 Scor-Tape 1/8 Inch Crafting Tape Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Tonic Aqua Shimmer Pen Nuvo 2 Pack Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Scrapbook Adhesives White Foam Squares Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
Brilliant set of cards Yana, you have shown us crafters how versatile this months kit is. What is the paper that is in the kit? I am sure that a friend has given me some of this paper and I am not entirely sure how to use it, can you help?
Love your video, Yana, cards are so adorable. You always make it look so effortless…we’ll see what happens when I give them a try.
I love all of the new ideas!
I love love love the kitties!!
Love the kitties!!
Such great cards! You always amaze!
Wow!! You have brought the best out of all the products!! Fantastic creations! <3
What a totally fun kit!! Makes me yearn for Cinco de Maya fun!!
Love all your cards as always Yana. My favorite are the mice and the dogs. This is one of my favorite MMH kits thus far. I just lov3 how festive it is. It makes me wNt to get up and do the cha cha.
You have inspired me with your versatility and creative process. The cards are fun and colorful.
So many fun cards but love the last one the best, wonderful coloring!
Wow!!! Your cards are really gorgeous!!! Love the bright colors!!!
Great cards and inspiration. I especially love the action wobbler…I keep forgetting to use them.
These are all so cute and festive. Love the wobble.
What a cute kit! Your cards are just wonderful!
Love all of them. Your cards are so cute. Love the color combinations. Thanks for sharing your art!
My 8 year old granddaughter loves cats and she’s in dual immersion, Spanish-English, school. That says it! I would love to make a Cinco de Me-ow card with her. I think we may find a way! Thanks for the inspiration!
These are fantastic! Love the shaker cards.
Such beautiful cards! My favourites are the first 2 with the mice in shades of purple or red. Your colouring is fabulous on all the cards!
You are very talented! Thank you so much for sharing your ideas!
Yana, these are all so fun + festive!
Awesome! Thank you for the inspiration!
Such pretty creations!
Cute cards! I especially like the one with the taco dog. Too funny!
the taco dog is hilarious! love this kit!
Those puns crack me up. So fun.
Love all your cards, Yana! Beautiful colouring & really like how you placed the critters.
Thank you so much for sharing your work!
OMG your cards are so awesome. Love your videos and coloring techniques. These Kitties and Chihuahua are so cute.
That’s a super fun and super cute set of cards !
[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
These stamps are ridiculously CUTE! I LOVE that!
Wow! I love all of your cards. The Blanket background came out so well. Also the little Chihuahua is too too cute!
Wonderful cards. They are so cute. Thanks for sharing…
This whole kit is just too fun!
Wow, you’ve been busy playing with the new monthly hero kit. You’ve created awesome cards!! I really like the banner in the
Don’t know how that published without me hitting the button. Anyway, I’ll continue….
I really like the banner in the first 2 cards. It’s got just the right celebratory shape. You’ve brought all the little images to life with your colouring and the scenes you created. And I should have bought the blanket pattern bold prints stamp. I just love it!! I’ll have to add it to next month’s kit as I’ve already placed my add on order for this month. Thank you for another great video too!
Awesome cards! 🙂
Oh my goodness, AWESOME cards! I especially love the blanket background cards, love the wobbles too!
The taco card cracks me up; so cute!
Such fun cards. Thanks for the inspiration.
I had to take a 2nd look at your video and cards. Love the guitar playing kitty on a wobble spring so much I added this adorable cat to my order. Such a darling card and so fun. Thanks for the continued inspiration.
As always … wonderful cards. Glad your move went well. I too have recently moved and I’m still trying to find everything I really love the cats in this release but I think the Taco dog is the best. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi Yana! I love your stamping videos especially pattern stamping. I’m new to cardmaking and taught myself by watching you! I would love to enter the Hero Arts giveaway. I’m Canadian so hopefully my entry will still be valid. I would pay for my own shipping if I were to win. Thanks for inspiring me!
fantastic cards, so festive and bright! ♥
Your cards are so beautiful. Love the images and wonderful bright colours.