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 |
Cute, cute cards! I really like how you set off the designs with the blanket background stamped in coordinating colors.
Yana, these cards are all so so cute and festive! I love them!
These cards are cuteness overload! Love the background stamp!
Yana, I love these cards! I love the Cinco De Meow especially, and the Fiesta Time reminds me of yo quiro tacos, lol.
These are all so stinkin cute!! LOVE the kitties!!!
I was undecided about the April kit until I saw what you did with the it! Bought the kit and a few add-ons. I really love the Cinco De Meow too as I have adorable black kitties. Glad you are still working with Hero Arts. Love your style!
I love the cacti, pinata, guitar and sentiments in the main stamp set. The blanket background stamp is lovely. I really like all your cards, but the background you created with all the images on the last card is my favorite.
Glad you (and your supplies) arrived safely and you’re settling in.
Beautiful cards as always Yana. Love the chihuahuas!!
Living in the Southwest, I can really relate to this kit! It is so cute and so are your cards!
What a great variety of cards! I was wondering how to use that background, but it “clicks” when I see you use it in color. It’s a blanket or sarape pattern! Beautiful texture and really sets those cards off beautifully!
I hope you’ve settled into your new home again. Love seeing your art – looking forward to much more no matter where you live!
Love your cards! They are all so darn cute!
Your cards are so cute! Love the Chihuahuas.
I just want to hug all these cards!
Awesome cards. I love how you used the cacti and glasses to create a background. Great idea. TFS
I like how you incorporated so many images from this HA monthly kit into your card Samples Yana. You’re totally amazing. I love the two Dancing skeletons in your first card, but I’m also loving the Cinco De Meow images in your other cards. Wow so much inspiration. Thanks for the tips on the blanket background stamp too.
Cutest cards EVER!!
Wow such fun cards! The critters with the cactus and guitar with the blanket background are super cute! The mice scenes are darn cute also!
I just finished watching your video, and talk about cuteness overload! I love your designs, Yana!
Great cards. Love the idea of using stamps to make your own background
Adorable cards. I luke the kitties the best, too.
Another fun monthly set! Love that taco ’bout awesome stuff!!
Good heavens, you have just moved and now you created all of these gorgeous cards from this terrific kit? Are you a magician??! Did these images remind you of your old home in AZ? Happy trails to you! I adore those fabulous kitty cats!
All your cards are Amazing! They are so cute and fun! I really love the Chihuahua wearing the taco costume! I have three Chihuahua’s so this set was a must have for me. I love the background and how bright and colorful it is. Thanks for sharing your adorable cards!
Super cute cards, Yana! I’m loving how you added the guitars to the kitty images…such a fun idea! Awesome kit, too!
Wow, what great cards. Thanks for so many examples.
Love these colorful cards! Thank you for sharing!
I just love it! great kit thank you for the sharing.
I just love the action wobbler cards, they are incredibly cute. This months kit I think is my favourite yet! Full of awesomeness.
All of your creations are fantastic, but I think my favorite is the wobbling kitty! So fun!
Wonderful cards, love them all This release is awesome.
Love how you layered your dies. Bright colors and beautiful backgrounds. Always love your cards. Thanks!
Love the action wobble cards!
Cute cute cute! What a fun kit!!
These are all incredible! Thank you for taking the time to make a video – hope you are settling in well in your new home!
The main kit is great but the dog and cat addons sold me this month. Your cards are such eye catchers thanks for sharing and inspiring
As usual, Yana, your cards are imaginative and have given my inspiration. Can’t wait for my kit to arrive.
Wow, so many adorable cards. I love your background and the taco chihuahua on the Taco About Awesome card. Your coloring on all of the them is beautiful. TFS
Oh Yana!!
I don’t know how you manage to always create fantastic cards. I cant not pick a favorite card that you created in this months card kit, you nailed them all. You are incredibly talented.
I did not know you moved back to the Ukraine, Ill have to go find your video about your move. But thank God for the internet, which means we still get to view your Yippee for Yana Videos — which to me thats all of them!!
The mice are just too cute. Too bad real mice aren’t that cute
These are all so cute, but the kitty cards are my favorites.
It looks like you had allot of fun and went on a card frenzy. I love the variety you came up with using so many techniques all in one hop. Thank you for all the inspiration for the kit items and add ons.
These are all so cute! Love what you did with the cats.
Wobble springs! Who knew they could be so much fun!!
Doggone! Just when I thought there was one kit I wasn’t interested in, you go and make a bunch of adorable cards! Really, my first thought when I saw this set was “meh” but I really love what you did with it!
I love everything about the kit and your ideas are inspiring. Moving to Mexico this summer and this is a “must have “.
Talk about a fun bunch
of cards! All are adorable.
Love the purple card.
Carla from Utah
Super adorable cards Yana!! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful ideas!
I love cats and dogs … don’t like mice, BUT my favorite is the card with the mice!!! Especially like the one colored in lavender/purples. So pretty and such fun. With all the Mexican and desert images/sayings, etc. I think Hero arts is telling you to come back to Arizona!!!!! Great fiesta feel to all the cards you’ve shown. All that’s needed is a piñata! Glad to hear you, your family and your craft supplies made it safely back to Ukraine. Hope you’ll come back to AZ and visit us some time. Hasta lluego, chica.
you are VERY creative. Thank you for showing so many different ways to use this kit !!
I really love your coloring!!