Hello all and thank you for stopping by today to help celebrate the launch of December My Monthly Hero Kit from Hero Arts (more about the kit and blog hop below).
This month kit was designed to help create unique one of a kind party invitations, Birthday cards and so much more! I fell in love with the kit and thought it was perfect to create invitations for a Happy Hour Cocktail Party that a friend of mine is hosting before New Year.
Like these projects? Pin them and save for later!
VIDEO TUTORIAL
I’ve filmed a video tutorial where I am sharing everything in detail. You can watch it below or on my Youtube channel.
Like this video? Please give it a big thumbs up and share with a crafty friend! Drop me a comment too, I love hearing from you!
INVITATION DETAILS
To create these invitations I pre-cut colored cardstock into 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 ” panels (I later trimmed each panel to 4 x 5 1/4″). I used several colors of cardstock from Simon Says Stamp for these (not all colors are shown on photos) – I like how thick and durable this cardstock is and I just adore the colors. I used: Fog, Smoke, Sea Glass, Audrey Blue and Surf Blue.
I wanted to create a confetti-like background, but I didn’t have a stamp for that, so instead I looked through my stash and found Color Layering Fall Tree stamp set from Hero Arts – I used 2 sets of dots and Versamark ink and stamped my own confetti background on each of my panels.
If you don’t have this stamp set you can make dots using stamps from the Birthday Celebrations stamp set (its an add-on for this month kit) or look for other small dot cluster stamps in your stash.
I wanted to do foiling, so I grabbed my Royal Sovereign Laminator Machine (its been a long time since I used it), silver and gold foil and foiled over my heat embossing. It didn’t turn out perfect, but I think those imperfections added a lot to the handmade look of these invitations.
If you don’t know how to foil over heat embossing check out THIS video tutorial where I add tiny foiled accents to color layering images.
I kept some of my heat embossed backgrounds as is – without foil. I loved that heat embossed look too.
For each of my invitations I die cut word “Cheers” twice out of white cardstock. I added double sided adhesive to one side of my white cardstock before die cutting the words out to be able to adhere them easily onto my project. I went with two layers instead of one as I wanted to add a bit of dimension to my invitations, but I didn’t want to have too much of it at the same time.
I also heat embossed Come For Happy Hour using white embossing powder. The details of the party (time, place etc) were printed onto white cardstock panels cut to 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 ” and are available on the back of the invitations.
To finish my invitations and add something special I adhered a dimensional drink to each. I created those by heat embossing a glass outline in gold embossing powder onto white, cutting it out using a coordinating die, coloring using Copic Markers (I used: BG18, BG15 and BG32) and coating with a thick layer of glossy accents. I added a cardstock straw to some glasses for a more realistic look (I simply trimmed gold cardstock into a narrow strip).
I used Simon’s new V-flap envelopes in silver and gold for my invitations:
MY MONTHLY HERO DECEMBER 2016 KIT
The kit is available for a limited time only – once it’s gone, it’s gone. If you love it – better grab it now!
The kit contains: 4″x6″ clear stamp set; set of 8 coordinating Frame Cuts dies that match the stamp set; Two Fancy word dies – “cheers” and “party”; A set of Paper Layering dies for adding a sunburst or sparkler effect; Fun new gold glitter embossing powder; Custom washi tape designed for the kit; A gold Uni-ball Gel Pen; 4 half sheets of gold foil cardstock; 2 half sheets of each metallic cardstock: purple, pink, dark blue and antique gold.
The kit value is $65, and Hero Arts is selling this one for $34.99.
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 Birthday Celebration Stamps Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Cocktail Party Stamp & Cut Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Happy New Year Stamp & Cut Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Party Confetti Fancy Die Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Martini Fancy Die Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Birthday Celebration Frame Cuts Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Celebration Words Stencil Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Pop The Cork Stencil Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Champagne Stencil Shop at: HA |
HOP ALONG WITH US!
The Hero Arts Blog
Yana Smakula – you are here!
Mariana Grigsby
May Park
Amy Tsuruta
Clare Prezzia
Laura Bassen
Wanda Guess
Lydia Fiedler
Ilina Crouse
Julie Ebersole at Ellen Hutson’s CLASSroom
Shari Carroll at Simon Says Stamp
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!
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 your support!
 My Monthly Hero December’16 Kit Shop at: HA |
Hero Arts Cocktail Party Stamp & Cut Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Color Layering Fall Trees Stamps Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Hero Arts Color Layering Fall Trees Bundle SB115 Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts White Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts Heat Embossing Gun Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts Silver Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS | HA | AZ |
 Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SC | AZ |
 Mini MISTI Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Neenah 80 Solar White Paper Pack 250 Sheets Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Simon Says Stamp Sea Glass Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Fog Gray Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Surf Blue Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Audrey Blue Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Slate Gray Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Envelopes V Flap Metallic Silver Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Envelopes V Flap Metallic Gold Shop at: SSS |
 Versamark Watermark Emboss Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | HA | AZ |
 Scrapbook Adhesives Adhesive Sheets Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Ranger Glossy Accents Glue Dimensional Adhesive Shop at: SSS | SC | PPP | AZ |
 3L Scrapbook Adhesives – EZ Runner Grand – Permanent Shop at: SC | AZ |
 3L Scrapbook Adhesives – EZ Runner Grand – Permanent – Refill Shop at: SC | AZ |
 Royal Sovereign Laminator Machine Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Heidi Swapp Gold Foil Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Heidi Swapp Silver and Gold Foil Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 EK Success Powder Tool Applicator Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker BG15 Aqua Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker BG18 Teal Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Copic Sketch Marker BG32 Aqua Mint Shop at: SSS |
Love your card!Awesomeness! So fun! Great hop and new release! God bless!
Beautifully happy cards !
Awesome cards! Love the little glass used.
WOW!! Just WOW!! Beautiful cards..
Love the new kit and your fun cards!
What lovely cards, really liked the foil and I’ll have to check your tutorial on that.
dear yana, love your cards as always. you are incredibly talented. really lovely cards. I can´t wait to play with mine kit ♥
Love this, Wish I was having a party!
Cheers to wonderful creations. Like the gold sparkle.
Melissa
“Sunshine HoneyBee”
Super cute cards! I love the glossy accents on the glasses. Great blog hop!
Such great projects! And I enjoyed your video
Love the layout and the sparkle!
Love this. Very pretty.
Your invitations are stunning! Such lovely colors! Thank you for the inspiring video!
Your invitations are beautiful! I love the color combinations you used–stunning! Must get this kit with some of the add-ons!
Beautiful invites. Awesome kit. Thanks for the inspiration.
What a fabulous kit! And I love love love your work!
Wow! This is areally fabulous kit that can be used all year round. And I love your inspiration cards. Though I don’t have the set-up for foiling, I am sure heat embossing will do the trick!
Gorgeous! as always! love your videos Yana!
Just love the invitations you created with this month’s kit.
Wow this is a cute card and a great video. Thanks for sharing.
Linda D.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful invitation card idea. Great inspiration using glossy accents for a realistic liquid drink. Love both foil and heat embossing – each has it’s own look and purpose.
Gorgeous cards and what a fun kit?! This is great inspiration of birthday invites I need to create!
Awesome cards and video.
Great invitations. Love the gold foil. Makes it very festive! TFS
Love your ideas with this kit and some add-ons! Thanks for the awesome video!!
Your work – always a celebration and joy, but this like a cocktail! The party will be brilliant!
Your cards are inspiring. Thank you
Really like the turquoise and gold on your beautiful party invitations.
Great cards. Love the background you created.
Wow, love the sparkle on the cards. Very nice.
all your cards are just gorgeous!!
Love, love these cards, thanks foe sharing. Nikki
Love your use of the new My Monthly Hero Kit for December 2016 and add-ons. Makes me want to party!
Your invitations/cards are so cute! I love the little drink glasses with the straws in them!
Love your cards and they you used a lot of items from the main kit! Very lovely!!
Love the technique tip……did not know about foiling over embossing powder. very cute cards. Thanks for sharing.
Fabulous cards!!
Just love this release dedicated to New Years (and parties), very unique and awesome!
These cards are so festive. Love the foiling!
Stunning cards! Love the gold confetti and glossy drinks!
I love the “glitz” and “bling” on your cards – very pretty
I love the confetti!
WOW a fantastic set of invitation cards. Thank you for making the video and sharing your ideas and techniques.
You always do such amazing work. I loooove what you’ve done here❤️
Awesome invitations, love both the heat embossed and foiled ones.
Absolutely gorgeous! What a fun kit and add-ons! You are such an inspiration!
Love the card. the background dots really make the card pop.
Such festive and fun invitations! I just love the addition of Glossy Accents to make it look like a “real” glass!!
Your cards are amazing! I would be excited to get one of these.