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 |
Cute stamp set. I love the hero kit.
Beautiful card! Love the colours of the squirrel.
I love this card, Yana! I, too, like to do my outline stamping first and then finish the image. Works so much better.
The squirrel is so realistic – thanks for sharing such a great card!
I really liked your combination of embossing and inks. This is a really good kit.
I really like this card. It’s so simple.
Thanks for a chance to win this fabulous kit!
Cute little squirrel. Please keep it off my bird feeder.
This has to be my most favorite of the year! Beautiful inspiration!
I love the color layered squirrel, especially on the woodgrain embossed background. Very clean design!
Fabulous colors in that squirrel
Your squirrel looks amazing with that touch of gold and metallic!
Your card needs no embellishments. It’s perfect as it is! 🙂
What a cute card. Thanks for sharing.
The squirrel is so cute, love the stamp and die set as well as the sentiment.
darling card and the woodgrain cs is perfect with your cute squirrel!
Love the woodgrain card stick and that squirrel too!
Delightful little squirrel, Yana. It shows how well the coloring in the layers works for a great image. Thanks for sharing this as part of the blog hop.
Love your cute embossed squirrel!
Wow, great ideas and cards. Thanks for sharing
Enjoyed your card. I like this Layering Squirrel Bundle , there are not many stamps for Squirrels .
The squirrel is so cute. So simple and clean looking. Thank you for sharing!!
yikes – so ADORABLE – love the squirrel and your card is perfect 🙂
Wow. The gold embossing makes this squirrel look amazing. Great idea for layered stamps. Thank you for sharing.
Nice card. Love the cute squirrel.
Love it
Great card! Your squirrel is so cute!
sweet card, nice texture in the background
Nice card!
Love the gold embossing on your card! Thanks for sharing.
I do love that sentiment!! Awesome squirrel card!!
Love how clean and simple your card is. The wood grain paper is a great touch.
Love the squirrel, the colors are great.
I love the squirrel. I never would have thought about a stamp like this. Love it
Your card is very cute!
Golden squirrels…it elevates them to another level. I agree that no embellishments were needed…an elegant and CAS card. Thank you.
So cute. Thank you .
Awesome squirrel, Yana! Your coloring looks so lifelike. I love the great sentiment too!!
This squirrel is just too cute. I have enough nutty friends and family to be busy for awhile making cards.
LOVE the squirrel……he’s so cute! Had to order him as an add-on!
I’m so ready for fall. The autumn icons die set is on my wish list.
great card, Yana!
This squirrel stamp
is so neat and love
your card!
Carla from Utah
Simple and beautiful card.
Love your layered squirrel, especially outlined in gold! The layering really does make it look realistic! Love your simple, beautiful card 🙂
Adorable card, great kit this month!
I LOVE your creativity – these cards are so beautiful!
Love it!
Cute card! So many possibilities with this month’s kit! Thanks for the inspiration.
Yana-I love that nutty little squirrel. You are a master at crafting cards and I always enjoy your posts and tutorials.