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Hello, friends! Can’t believe I missed 2 Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Releases! I LOVE Hero’s Kits and it’s awesome to be back to creating with their fabulous products. Even though I didn’t actually have a kit to create with this month, only the add on products, I’m excited to share my projects with you. Grab a cuppa and enjoy!
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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!
CRAFTY FRIENDS CARD DETAILS
The theme for this month is crafty friends! We can all relate to this as we all have crafty friends either online or if we are lucky enough, we have a crafty friend living nearby and we can get together with and craft.
I don’t have any of my crafty friends living close by, I typically get to see them once a year either at a craft trade show or crafty retreat and some I haven’t even met in real life yet, we are crafty online friends.
What I’m trying to say, I guess, is that this month kit from Hero Arts is simply awesome for making and sending handmade cards to our crafty friends. The main kit along with the add on products features a lot of cute images of the craft items we use to create with and also many fabulous sentiments that are tailored for the crafty people in our lives specifically.
For my cards today I thought I’d do some colored cardstock play. I love to add color to my cards with the help of either coloring mediums, colorful inks or colored cardstock. My idea was to have bright colorful backgrounds and a Crafting Tools Background stamp heat embossed in white. Using colored cardstock is probably the easiest way to create a colorful background for cards. So I white heat embossed this background on 5 different colors of cardstock from Hero Arts: Peony, Azalea, Pesto, Adriatic and also bright yellow cardstock from my stash.
Next, I used my paper trimmer and cut each of the backgrounds into 1 1/4” strips. Once I had cut all the pieces I laid them out on my desk, in order, and started putting backgrounds together. For example, I used 1st cut up strip from the hot pink panel, 2nd cut up strip from the light pink panel, 3rd cut up strip from the yellow panel, 4th strip from the green panel and 5th half strip from the teal panel.
Each background I built in the same way but started with a different color. Once I had that done I moved onto stamping sentiments and for that, I used another add on stamp set this month called Crafty Messages. I stamped several in black ink on white paper and next I cut them up into strips and cut one out using a circle die. I love how playful these messages are and that they already come with some sort of supportive image next to the message. That really adds some character.
Now the messages felt a bit blank to me if you will, I wanted to add some color to them, so I pulled out a new toy in my crafty corner – a set of Chameleon Dual Ended Colored Pencils and colored these. Each pencil has 2 color or 2 ends to it, a lithe shade and a dark shade and that has been specifically designed to help us crafters color better. These pencils are made in Austria and I’ve found them to be very high quality, they also sharpen beautifully and the led doesn’t seem to break, this is something I always look for in colored pencils as I want them to last me a long time and having the led break when I sharpen them is just not something I or anyone likes.
These pencils are not as expensive as the Polychromos by Faber Castel, this is another brand I love to use, but they are only currently sold in a pack, there aren’t any individual pencils available. So for instance, if you like to color with pink a lot you’ll run out of it faster and won’t be able to replace just that one pencil. But if you like to color a little bit here and a little bit there – these will last you a long time. I’m not personally concerned that I’ll have no replacement for some of the colors as it’s going to take me a very long t use the entire pencil up.
Here’s a look at the finished cards I made for my crafty friends! Now I just need to make sure I actually go ahead and mail them as I’ve honestly been rather terrible at that.
HERO ARTS MY MONTHLY HERO KIT & ADD-ONS
This month’s kit is all about getting our craft on!
The main kit is available for a limited time only – once it’s gone, it’s gone. Kits begin shipping from Hero Arts on Friday, May 10th. You can subscribe to receive the kit monthly and never miss one! Add-ons may temporarily become unavailable, but they will be restocked.
 Hero Arts Get Them All May Add-ons Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts CG776 Knitting Pattern Bold Prints Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts CG777 Crafting Tools Bold Prints Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts CM362 Crafty Messages Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts CM363 Cross Stitch Patterns Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts CM364 Knitting Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts CM365 Cross Stitch Alpha Set 3×4 Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts CM366 Handmade Happiness Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts DC263 Stick Together Stamp & Cut Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts DC264 One of a Kind Stamp & Cut Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts DI643 Wood Frame Infinity Dies (H) Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts DI644 Handmade Happiness Frame Cuts (B) Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts DI645 Crafting Border Fancy Die with Frame (F) Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts DI646 Knitting Frame Cuts (D) Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts DI647 Needle and Thread Confetti Die (F) Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts K6357 Tin of Brushes Shop at: SSS | HA |
BLOG HOP
The Hero Arts Blog
Michelle Short
Caly Person
Emily Midgett
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Janette Kausen
Ilina Crouse
Yana Smakula – you are here!
Lydia Fiedler
Julee Tilman
Laurie Willison
Amy Kolling
Debi Adams
Jennifer McGuire
Nichol Spohr
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. The giveaway closes Sunday, May 12th at 11:59 pm, and the winner will be announced the following week on the Hero Arts blog.
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 CG777 Crafting Tools Bold Prints Shop at: SSS | HA |
Hero Arts CM362 Crafty Messages Shop at: SSS | HA |
 Hero Arts Hero Hues Cardstock – Dove White Shop at: SSS | SC | HA |
 Hero Arts Hero Hues Premium Cardstock Peony Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Hero Hues Premium Cardstock Azalea Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Hero Hues Premium Cardstock Pesto Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts Hero Hues Premium Cardstock Adriatic Shop at: HA |
 FSJ Summer Days 8.5 x 11 Cardstock Shop at: SB |
 Simon Says Stamp Embossing Ink Pad Shop at: SSS |
 Chameleon Dual Ended Colored Pencils Shop at: AZ | BL |
 Simon Says Stamp Big Momma Foam Tape Roll Shop at: SSS |
 Hero Arts White Detail Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts Heat Embossing Gun Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Tsukineko VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ | TS |
 EK Success Powder Tool Applicator Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Mini Misti Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
 Misti Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Tonic Studios 8.5 Inch Paper Trimmer Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ | TS |
 Scor-tape 2 1/2 Inch Crafting Tape Shop at: SSS |
 FSJ Grid Paper Shop at: SB |
 Color Wheel Small Color Mixing Guide (3501) Shop at: AZ |
SAVE ME/PIN ME TO PINTEREST
Like this card idea? Be sure to save it to one of your Pinterest boards for future reference!
These cards are colorful and awesome! 🙂
These are really beautiful!
Such a great set & wonderful cards! Thanks for the chance to win ❤️
Gorgeous cards and so fun for crafty friends. Love the techniques you used and appreciate your sharing them. Go mail those cards! Thanks for sharing your talents and inspiring.
I loved that you created the same background on different colors of cardstock and then made one card by gluing them next to each other. Great card and a very lovely idea. Thanks for sharing
I love blog hops because they inspire me to create.
I love your gorgeous cards and your techniques. Thank you for sharing them. I always enjoy your videos!
Love this kit and love your cards! Thanks for the inspiration and chance to win. 😀
Love those cards…beatiful choice of colors!
Love how you created these beautiful cards!
I love these bright & beautiful cards! The entire kit this month is amazing 🙂
Fabulous cards, Yana! I love those Crafty Messages & the awesome way you used them. Great designs!
Lovely cards! Love all these beautiful crafty cards! This kit rocks!
I like the hands off color. This is very cute
so pretty thank you for the giveaway i found out thru heroart
Love the crafty stamps!
What a super cute card and you made four in no time! I love the strips of color and the fun Crafty Tools stamp! I’d love to make these cards for my crafty friends!
Love that technique. Fun card and fun kit!
Super background idea! Love the color stripes and fun sentiment
Always like your card designs! Thanks for sharing them using this fun kit!
Your backgrounds are amazing! I love how you highlighted the sentiments!
I really like the stripes, and 4 cards at once is a bonus.
Beautiful cards !
I love that background stamp ! In combination with the sentiments/craft-images it makes great cards !
Thank you for sharing your talent and tips in the video.
Yana, I love your cards! Thank you for sharing your ideas!
It was good to see cards made with some of the add-ons Yana. I think the bright coloured pieces of cardstock look smashing with the white heat embossing on them. Thanks for the inspiration.
Such great cards
Bright, Fun and Fantastic cards!!!
Your cards always make me happy! I love the bright background with white embossing!
Another fabulous kit!
Very cute card Yana….love the colors and the way you set up the feel of fun in this card. Crafty, girl you certainly are… Thank you so much for sharing your great card…this is such a fun new Hero Arts Kit….love it!!!
Love this card kit. Great way to use up paper scraps. Thanks for sharing!
Loved your design and process video!
Love these cards and the great sentiments. My daughters craft and these would be fun for them.
Love ’em!
Like the way you’ve combined the crafty background stamp with the crafty sentiments. The colorful strips are so cheerful. tfs
I love your cards. What a shame that your whole kit didn’t arrive in time.
Yana these are gorgeous, great spin on the rainbow stripes idea that Jennifer McQuire had. I must admit of all the kits I’ve seen released from HA & others this is by far my favourite & I think will be the most versatile too. Thank you for sharing your inspiration x
Love all these colorful cards and your creative use of the background stamp!! Great job!!
That background is clever. Thanks for the instruction. Well done!
So pretty!
Fun technique and layout!! Very colorful!
Pretty colors on your crafty cards! Love the background idea for these fun images! Great kit!
I love & enjoyed watching your tutorial video. I love how you used different color cardstocks to stamp & heat embossed, and put them together as big pieces of puzzle!
Definitely a great way to make a background. I thought you had inked it perfectly until I read on. Great idea!
You’re so creative Yana!! Love this idea, especially love seeing you work with colored cardstock! Thanks for the pencil review too 🙂 I would really like to see you use and review the Caran D’ache Luminance pencils if possible !! I’m on the fence on which to get, the Polychromos or Caran D’ache Luminance line;)
What a fun set of cards Yana, this really is a fantastic kit and the add-ons are JUST as great! Thanks for the great video tutorial, its very helpful.
Fantastic cards! I love the bright colours you used!
Your backgrounds are ALWAYS SO creative!
Wonderful cards, love the colors, the stamping and all. Thanks for sharing.
You inspire me Girl…Beautiful cards and great designs!!Thanks for sharing.
First…I love the color blocking you did with these cards. So bright and cheerful. And second, thanks for the Chameleon recommendation! I had seen these before (Kathy Rac, I think) but couldn’t remember what brand they were. And now I will likely have to buy them so I don’t forget again 🙂
Thanks for your inspiration!
Love the concept of making several similar, but unique cards at the same time.