Hero Arts You Are Appreciated

You still have a bit of time to enter the a2z Scrapbooking November challenge.  The theme this month is "Thanks" and you can use any brand products you wish.  But if you use Hero Arts or Sugar Tree Digital stamps and are chosen as the monthly winner, you will get a gift certificate from the a2z Scrapbooking store.  That's an awesome prize!

I went a smidge out of the box with my card.  I have a plethora of old Somerset Studio, Take Ten, and Stampers Sampler Catch Up issues and I've been looking at all the beautiful creations from years ago.  Seeing all the beautiful cards with fibers used as embellishments inspired me! Here is my card:

What I  Used to Make my Card:

White Square {5 1/4" x 5 1/4"} Base

White, Blue, Light Blue, Aqua and Yellow Card

Hero Arts Ink in Summer Sky, Tide Pool, Deep Blue, Fiesta Yellow, Teal Topaz and Intense Black

Hero Arts Color Layering Peacock Stamps, #CM126

Hero Arts Paper Layering Feather Die, # DI491

Hero Arts You Are Loved Stamps, #CM171

Die-Namics Stitched Square Die STAX

Unbranded Long Round Stitch Die {it's a long single die}

Fibers from my HUGE Stash

I started by stamping the peacock on a piece of white card.  When a stamp is as detailed as the head and body of this peacock, and it is a layering stamp, instead of stamping the solid image first I'll stamp the detailed image and then the solid image on top of the detail.  It's backwards from the directions that you get with the stamp, as well as backwards from what we used to do with the old 2 Step stamps from SU!, but it seems to work better for me.  Trying to use a layering stamp for the first time is the hardest; it gets easier {in my opinion} once the stamps are stained a bit so you can see the clear stamps better.  I followed the directions for the rest of the peacock per the directions; solid stamp, detailed stamp, even more detail stamp for the feathers of the bird.  It isn't lined up perfectly, but I like imperfect creations {good thing because I'd never get finished with anything if I didn't!}

I finished the peacock by stamping its legs.  I wasn't sure if I was going to use the accompanying die cuts and cut out the bird, and I decided against it.  That was mostly due to the fact that since my peacock wasn't layered that well, cutting it out would have been a problem.  The bird was then cut out with a square stitched die.  Then I realized that I had a feather die - and a peacock has feathers!  I dug out the feather die and cut it from three coordinating card stock colors, glued them together at the top, then pulled on that inspiration I'd

Another Look

gathered from all those older magazines and added some fibers.  Yes, I wrapped the fibers around the top of the feathers and adhered them.  Do you recall when fibers were the rage?!?  I have an entire drawer full of them.  Occasionally I go through it and get rid of some I doubt I'd ever use, but it always seems as if there are more to take the place of the ones I tossed.  I think they multiply by themselves.  Anyway, while the feathers were drying, I stamped the sentiment for the card.  I also made my own round stitching pattern on the large blue square since I had no die large enough.  I mounted the peacock onto the blue square, added the feathers, mounted the whole thing onto a white square card, and I was done.  I am tickled about how the card came out and I'm so proud that I used something from my stash; especially because these holiday sales are so hard to resist {yes, I confess, I bought more paper.  It was SUCH a good deal!}

I hope you have time to craft a bit before the serious holiday rush begins.  This card is going into my newly formed "Thank You Card" stack.  I've made it a mission to make more thank you and thinking of you cards because it seems I never have the right one on hand.  Maybe you'll join me and use some of your older craft supplies to make your stack of cards a bit taller?  If you do, be sure to enter it in the November "Thanks" a2z Scrapbooking challenge, but hurry! Time is running out! 

Thank you for stopping by today; I hope your season is going smoothly and you are finding joy in the process!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my You Are Appreciated Card in the following challenges:

A Blog Named Hero - M, Thankful {challenge graphic below}

Creative with Stamps - #32, Feather {challenge graphic below}

The Artistic Stamper - M, Square It

Brown Sugar Challenge - M, #284, Thankfulness

Stamps & Fun - #335, White & Blue

Incy Wincy - Square Cards

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

A Blog Named Hero

Creative with Stamps

Hero Arts Leafy Vines Thanks

Hello! I hope this post finds you and yours doing well! Being a card maker, you'd think I would have thank you cards lying all around my house.  Not so.  I am one of those people that can't seem to keep cards in stock {I have PLENTY of cards, they are just never the "right" card!} which causes me to make each one as needed.  The good news is each card is created for a specific event and/or person. The bad news is I am always running around like crazy with 307,513 cards in the works.  Anyway, I created this Thanks card for this month's theme at a2z Scrapbooking which is "Give Thanks" 

What I Used to Make my Card:
Olive Green Card Base
White Card
Copper Glitter Card
Kaleidacolor Ink Pad in Autumn Leaves, #KA-000-008
Hero Arts Stamp & Cut Thanks Set, #DC152 {you can special order on the site}
Hero Arts Leafy Vines Stamp, #CG509 {you can special order on the site}
Clear Embossing Powder, #PW106
Delicata Ink in Gold and Copper


I love this background stamp, Leafy Vines.  One look on Pinterest and you can find hundreds of ways crafters have made cards with this stamp.  I love it because it's so versatile - you can change the feeling of the card using different  colors.  You can basically make this stamp work for any occasion or time of year!  It's also one of the first stamps I bought when I finally got to unpack my crafting stuff from my last move.  I began this card by inking the Kaleidacolor pad onto the stamp and stamping on a panel of white card.  Just a quick little story about this pad - I had originally purchased it about 18 years ago when I was demonstrator; I purchased it from the company I represented and it was branded with their name.  The case has been cracked {I keep it in a zipper bag} but the pad has never been re-inked, never failed me.  Just consider how old this stamp pad is next time you want to buy one but the price seems a tad high.  It could vote, drink in some states, and join the armed forces!  So I

Another Look

stamped the Leafy Vines on the white card, then added a bit of bling with copper and gold inks, just randomly inked on the stamp.  I finally covered the image with clear embossing powder, trimmed the card panel, attached it to the card base, and set it aside.

I wanted the sentiment to be visible, but not be the focus of the card.  I used the die with several different papers and each one just didn't give enough oomph.  I settled on the copper glitter card and I think it achieves the look toward which I was working.  I considered some gems but I think the card is pretty enough without them.  You can't see the little touches of gold and copper ink, but when you have the card in hand and move it just so, it's beautiful.  Fall colors are my favorite for creating; I can almost smell the smoke from the fireplace just seeing the rich rusts, reds, and browns.  

I hope my little post gets your creative juices flowing and you enter the November 2018 "Give Thanks" challenge at a2z Scrapbooking.  You just might win a Gift Certificate to the store!  However, while you are waiting to see if you've won, you can get 15% off your purchase by using my code, CHRISTI15.  I hope you are having a wonderful fall. ~ Christi

I'm entering my Leafy Vines card in the following challenges:
Dragonfly Journey - #129, Thanks & Thanksgiving
DL ART - Thankful Thursday
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday - Give Thanks
Dies R Us - #109, Giving Thanks
Crafty Gals Corner - Thankful

A Hero Arts Spooky Labels Halloween

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I'm not exactly a huge fan of digital stamps.  My discomfort working with digital stamps was a big reason I applied for the Design Team at a2z Scrapbooking; they are THE source for Hero Arts Digital Stamps.  You can't buy them anywhere else!

Following this month's theme of "Frightfully Fun," I used the digital set from Hero Arts called Spooky Labels. Here is my card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
Lime Green Card Base
Hero Arts Spooky Halloween Labels Digital Set, #DK110
Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Seventeen, #S5-025
Carta Bella Haunted House Paper Pad, #CBHH71015
White Card
Glitter Bat Sticker {Dollar Store}

For this card, I also broke out of my comfort zone with color.  Typically, for me, Halloween means black and orange; it's only been a few years since I've been able to incorporate purple!  Using this lime green card base is completely different for me.  But I figure why not go all the way out of my comfort zone; why just go out a little?

The first step for me was using Word to open the digital stamps.  A team mate of mine at a2z Scrapbooking shared a fabulous tutorial she found on how to use digi stamps in Word.  I followed that and I came up with my image.  I even isolated the spider web, which has more to it in the set, and got it to peek out of the corner of my label.  I probably won't ever be able to do it again!  I changed the color of the striped design and my sentiment, then printed the design on regular white card.

Another View

I set to work looking for the perfect background paper, which I found in an old set from Carta Bella.  Next I went through all my shapes dies {and I have a LOT of them} and found the Spellbinders set that I used to cut out the digital stamp and the background paper.  After I put all the elements together, the card still looked plain to me.  What do cardmakers do when something looks plain?  We add glitter; well, in this case, I added a glittery bat sticker.  I think the bat definitely makes this card better!  I've decided that if I want to continue playing with digital stamps, I need to invest in a better printer.  I need one that will print in waterproof ink and I've heard that laser printers work the best.  What do you think?  Do you use digital stamps?  I'd rather hear from you than a bunch of reviewers that I don't know.

You still have a few days to play at the a2z Scrapbooking October Challenge and

Sparkly Bat

if you use a Hero Arts and/or Sugar Tree product and get chosen as the winner, you'll receive a $20 gift certificate to the store!  You don't have to use Hero Arts and/or Sugar Tree, but why not?  If you don't have any Hero Arts {which I can't even imagine!} or Sugar Tree products, you can get a 15% discount at the a2z Scrapbooking store by using code CHRISTI15.  It's a win-win if you ask me. So drag out those Halloween stamps, or open up those digis, and get creating! We'd love to see you there! 

If this is your first time here, why not subscribe so you don't miss one of my spectacularly funny and informative posts?  You can even follow me on multiple social media platforms; all the info and links are on the right hand side.  I appreciate your visit and read every one of the comments left for me.  I'm terrible at commenting on comments, but I'd love to visit your blog and leave you your own bloggy love! Have a very Happy Halloween!

I am entering my Spooky Labels card in the following challenges:
Brown Sugar - M, Halloween or Autumn
My Time to Craft - Halloween and/or Cats
Crafty Catz - Halloween
Daring Cardmakers - Go Glitter {the bat is VERY glittery!}
Try it On Tuesday - Halloween
Crafty Gals Challenges - M, Halloween
Cardz for Galz - Let's go Digital

Happy Owl-O-Ween with Hero Arts

Thank you for stopping by to read my very first post as a Design Team member for a2z Scrapbooking - I am SO excited! I have been a customer of Hero Arts since the '90s and adore their products.  After I read about the special mission that a2z Scrapbooking store has, my heart got even happier! 

I'd love it if you'd join us this month's challenge; the theme is "Frightfully Fun" and I've chosen to work with a set that is brand new this year:

What I Used to Make my Card:
Black Card Base
Lindy's Stamp Gang Jack 'O Lantern Orange Embossing Powder
Hero Arts Happy Owl-O-Ween Stamps, #CM285
Hero Arts Happy Owl-O-Ween Dies, #DI545
Crafter's Workshop 6" x 6" Branches Reversed Stencil, #TCW251
Hero Arts Intense Black Ink {request a custom order or get an ink stack!}
Ranger Adirondack Ink in Mushroom {discontinued - any light brown ink would work}
Mini Distress Ink in Hickory Smoke
Die-Namics Stitched Fishtail Sentiment Strips
VersaMark Ink
Hero Arts Clear Embossing Powder, #PW106
Dimensional Dots

If you are a regular reader of my blog you know how much I LOVE Halloween; this stamp set was a must have as soon as I saw it!  To me when you can use a product for more than one thing, it's a win win in my book.  Even though the set is called Happy Owl-O-Ween, it can be used in so many ways, even for Christmas!  I started this card by grabbing a panel of white card from my desk, laying the stencil on it, and inking away.  I'm not sure what type of paper it was but the ink was not drying so I sprinkled clear embossing powder on it and handled that issue.  While the stenciled paper was cooling, I set to work on my owl.

I layered the owl with 3 different inks; honestly, whatever combination you have on hand works.  Once it was inked, I cut it with the matching die.  I trimmed the stenciled panel down to size; effectively trimmed off all the inky finger prints I left when I realized the ink wasn't drying.  Then I decided to get brave and I

Another Peek

stamped the sentiment directly onto the stenciled panel with embossing ink, embossed it with the orange embossing powder {I purchased the entire Haunted Halloween Embossing Powder set}, and realized it was totally crooked once it was embossed.  Total fail.  I regrouped and repeated the procedure on a piece of spare white card, die cut the banner, and attached it directly over the crooked sentiment.  I love it when I can save a project like that! 

By this time my owl was ready to be perched upon a branch so I used a dimensional dot to put him {why a him? I don't know - it looks like a male owl to me} in the tree.  I adhered the panel onto a black card base and there was my Happy Owl-O-Ween card!

Now I must say a bit more about a2z Scrapbooking; right under the listing of products on the left side of the store site is a black button that says Customer Order:

Basically this means you can order ANY Hero Arts product and get it sent to you directly if the store doesn't have the product you need.  Unlike some stores, you will get a reply typically within 24 hours about what you are looking for.  To me that is a HUGE time saver!  Now you can buy all your Hero Arts goodies in one place AND you get a free gift with every order over $50!  If that isn't enticing enough for you, how about a discount?  I have my own discount code! Just add CHRISTI15 to the discount box at checkout and you will save 15%!  

I sincerely hope you enjoyed my little tutorial. I hope to see your "Frightfully Fun" projects on the blog.  If you use a Hero Arts and/or Sugar Tree product and get chosen as the winner, you'll receive a $20 gift certificate to the store! Now you don't have to use Hero Arts and/or Sugar Tree, but why not?  If this is your first time here, why not subscribe so you don't miss one of my spectacularly funny and informative posts?  You can even follow me on multiple social media platforms; all the info and links are on the right hand side.  Thanks so much, see you at the challenge and Happy Owl-O-Ween! 

I would like to enter my Happy Owl-O-Ween card in the following challenges:
Little C's Creations - M, different theme each day, Day 18, Bird
Sunny Day Crafting - Anything Goes w/ an Animal
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #19, Anything Goes with a Critter
Crafty Animals - M, #19, Anything Goes w an Animal
YNS Fun Friday Challenge - #100, Make a Scene
Craft Rocket - M, #53, Autumn/Halloween
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics
Fussy and Fancy - #223, Things with Wings
Unicorn Challenge - M, #37, Halloween or Autumn

Little C's Creations

First time for me entering this challenge - she has a different theme everyday that matches the month we are in - very cool concept - I'll be playing again!