Hello everyone and thanks so much for stopping by to help celebrate the launch of Hero Arts September My Monthly Hero Kit (more about the kit, blog hop and giveaway below). I actually didn’t use the kit for my project and only used one of the add-on stamp sets – a Squirrel as my hubby and I have a thing for them! Plus the “Nut-ting Compares To You” sentiment sealed the choice so to speak.
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CARD DETAILS
I started working on my card by heat embossing squirrel outline in gold embossing powder onto white cardstock. I did my outline/heat emboss first and not last as I didn’t want to have to wait for the ink to dry to have clean embossing and also because I wanted to have a clear outline of the image to better align consecutive layers.
I used Hero’s Pigment Vintage Ombre ink to stamp the bottom solid layer of the quirrel. I love to use ombre inks for solid layers of my color layering images as this add so much interest and color variation to the final piece (see some past examples on my blog: Whale | Cup Of Cheer | Octopus | Fish).
To complete the critter I stamped last detail layer in Cup Of Joe dye ink. So I combined 3 different types of medium here – embossing powder, pigment ink and dye ink and they all worked beautifully together!
I cut image out using a coordinating die in my Platinum die cutting machine and foam mounted onto an A2 side folding card base covered with woodgrain cardstock. I love the subtle texture that this paper adds to a clean design.
I also stamped and die cut two acorns and a peanut and foam mounted them onto the card. For my sentiment I used “Nut-ting Compares To You” message, embossed it in gold onto a strip of cardstock and foam mounted below the critter.
I thought about adding some embellishments onto my card (like sequins or drops) but decided not to this time.
MY MONTHLY HERO SEPTEMBER 2017 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!
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 MMH September 2017 Kit Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Color Layering Squirrel Stamp Set Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Color Layering Squirrel Frame Cuts Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Color Layering Squirrel Bundle Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Color Layering Thanksgiving Letters Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Starry Night Brushstroke Bold Prints Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Vine Pattern Bold Prints Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Luna the Halloween Cat Stamp Set Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Color Layering Thanksgiving Stamp Set Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Luna the Cat Frame Cuts Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Color Layering Thanksgiving Bundle Shop at: SSS | HA |
HOP ALONG WITH US!
The Hero Arts Blog
Jennifer McGuire
Lydia Fiedler
Yana Smakula – you are here!
Amy Kolling
Wanda Guess
Ilina Crouse
May Park
Michelle Short
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Amy Tsuruta
Clare Prezzia
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!
Hero Arts Color Layering Squirrel Stamp Set Shop at: SSS | HA |
Hero Arts Color Layering Squirrel Frame Cuts Shop at: SSS | HA |
Hero Arts Color Layering Squirrel Bundle Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Soft Brown Ink Pad Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts Cup O’ Joe Ink Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts Ombre Vintage Metallic Rust Ink Pad AF346 Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder PW100 Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts Heat Embossing Gun PW200 Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Spellbinders Tool ‘n One Shop at: SSS | SC | SPEL | AZ |
 Neenah 80LB Solar White Cardstock Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Simon Says Stamp Woodgrain Cardstock White Shop at: SSS |
 ScraPerfect Crafting Pouch Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Be Creative Tape 3mm Sookwang Shop at: SSS |
 Scrapbook Adhesives White Foam Squares Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Tonic Studios 8.5 Inch Paper Trimmer Shop at: SSS |
Beautiful! I love those gold details on the focus image! tfs
Lovely card! I love how each of the layers is a different medium of ink to add dimension and interest. TFS.
What a great card! I really like your use of the gold embossing powder, I need to pull it out more often, too!
Super cute card! I love the touch of gold! <3
cute card – love the CAS design and the GOLD touches are yummy:)
Squirrels are my favorite! I love the gold embossing. It really adds a dimension to the card.
I have not like squirrel until I see your gorgeous card today!! Thanks for the inspirations!
Beautiful card ! The colors are awesome. I love your idea of partial embossing with gold, it’s the perfect final touch.
I LOVE the squirrel! I like the way you make him pop out!
Yana–I love your little squirrel card–it is adorable! Thanks so much for sharing!
That squirrel is awesome! Love it!
This squirrel is so realistic looking with the set of layering stamps. Great card, Yana
Your squirrel is amazing!!!
Incredible color blending, love that squirrel!
Squirrels always make me smile, my best friend is over run by them – think Geico commercial – so I love making her cards with squirrels. Your card is great!
I love the way you colored your squirrel, I am all about changing it up!!
Lovely card! The gold embossing is the perfect accent for this image.
Love Sunflowers & Squirrels – This kit is a must
Wonderful. I like the gold embossing and the wood grain background.
Cutest squirrel ever! Love the sentiment. This is a great release.
This new Hero Arts Kit is so packed with goodness. Your layered squirrel is delightful.
Very realistic looking squirrel and I love the sentiment.
Oh wow, your squirrel looks awesome! I love how your card turned out. Thanks for sharing with us!!
Love the way you colored the squirrel. Thanks for the inspiration.
What a fun CAS card, with one that packs a punch with that handsome squirrel. Love it!
Darling card!
WOW!!! What a squirrel!!
I love your squirrel card! So fall-ish!
Your card is adorable. Thanks for the inspiration.
Love the gold on your squirrel. It gives him a touch of sparkle. Cute card!
Love your cards Yana! Love the gold embossing! Fall is my favorite time of year! Love the colors and the cooler weather! Another awesome Hero Arts release!
Seeing all these beautiful cards in the hop is making me fall in love with this kit.
Beautiful card! Love all the coloring mediums you used to create a unique look. Thank you for the chance to win!
Awesome card. I love the look of the ombré ink with gold embossing.
I like how you embossed first. Gave a nice result.
Wow love the coloring of your squirrel
Very cute! This is a great new kit!
Thanks for showing us how adorable this squirrel can be!
Oh how sweet this little squirrel is, I volunteer for a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Canada and I could donate some cards to the org to sell for some extra funds!
As always another stunning card using this gorgeous little squirrel. Love the way you have embossed his fur and the rich colour , love the beautiful colours of autumm.
Ombre ink layer is perfect!
What a fun stamp! Great card, and awesome kit this month.
I love your squirrel card. Thank you for sharing how you made it.
I love how that ombr̩ ink shaded the squirrel. That was absolutely perfect. That squirrel image is super cute Рas is this entire release.
Awww… so sweet, love that great texture of the background too!
Love your card with its textured background! Super kit this month.
What an amazing coloring job on the squirrel. I love the card!
Really cute card. I love the squirrel. Thanks for sharing….
I really like your card and the fact that you used a wood grained background. It just pulled it all together nicely.
The Layering Squirrel Stamp Set is so cute. Love the simplicity of your card.