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 |
As always Yana, you knocked this one out of the park!
Love this realistic looking squirrel. I love the sentiment on your card. Great kit and add ons.
I like the detail on the little squirrel. The textured background paper seems like it could work in a variety of cards.
Sweet Squirrel – so fabulous your work ! TFS
Nice fall card.
This HA release is fantastic! Love how you embossed and colored the squirrel – really pops off of the white background!
Gorgeous colours, love the gold embossing!
oh wow… gorgeous!! (never thought I would say that about a squirrel, lol!!)
Love all these stamps.
Lovely squirrel! Great design! Thanks for the inspiration!
This sentiment is adorable! Thanks for sharing!
Nut-ing fancy about this card but
it is darling.
thanks for sharing.
Love the layering squirrel!
Love your cute card! And love the September release!!
Your squirrel is so cute! He looks like Rusty, one of the two squirrels I have in my backyard. Yours is so life-like, I expect him to jump off the card and sit up and beg for food.
I really like how you embossed the outline stamp, it gives everything a lot more depth!
Amazing card!
Cute squirrel! This is an awesome kit. Perfect for autumn. Can’t wait to get mine.
Oh my!!! Love your adorable squirrel and the beautiful colors of your card!!! Great kit!!!
The sentiment is a bit nutty (could not resist). Like the coloring.
Melissa
“Sunshine HoneyBee”
Great card!
Super cute squirrel!Love the woodgrain cardstock!tfs
What a fun card! Love the wood embossed background, as well.
I love fall colors! This is looking like a great kit!
Great cute card with a perfect color combo!
That squirrel is pretty cute! I like his ombré outfit…he does look like he’s ready for fall. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your ideas with us.
I love the brown colours used on this card. Simple and elegant/
The squirrel is so cute and realistic! Such a nice card.
Super cute Yana!
Such a cool squirrel (never thought I’d say that about a squirrel!) love that wood background, too!
So clean and fresh. Love the gold embossing. Thanks for sharing!
Great card, the woodgrain cardstock is perfect!
I really love the squirrel set. Your card is so cute! Thanks for sharing.
Your squirrel looks so real!
Super duper cute! Love this kit!
Cute card, I love the acorn
I was not planning on any add ons… but your squirrel is fabulous I might have to change my mind!
Love how you used the ombré ink to color the squirrel!
Love how you use the layering squirrel stamp
Beautiful colors for the squirrel, and I love the textured backround with the woodgrain cardstock!
Super cute squirrel, love the woodgrain CS background too.
Thank you Hero Arts! It’s beautiful!
I love how your card turned out! So cute.
I like the idea of embossing first . Very clever!
I think the simplicity of this card really makes the beautiful color combo shine! You always have amazing projects.
What a lovely card, such a cute squirrel! Thanks for sharing.
~Gin K.~
Very cool! Love all the mediums used and the wood grain paper pulls it all together!
Your squirrel is so cute!!
love your little squirrel
The squirrel looks so real. Your coloring is fantastic.