Good morning! Today is the day… the July My Monthly Hero kit is now available for purchase, along with all of the fabulous add-ons! The Hero Arts Creative Team is hopping with some incredibly talented guests to showcase these new products and give you some inspiration for when you receive your own kit! 😉 You should have arrived from Clare’s blog and your next stop is Ilina’s blog.
This month’s kit is a darling Summer Carnival theme, and it includes:
6″x8″ stamp set
10 fancy dies
A2 Fancy Die
3 ink cubes (red and blue reactive, white Unicorn pigment)
3 4″x6″ chipboard postcards
This kit is valued at over $70, but is available to you for only $34.99! Talk about bang for your buck. These kits have a tendency to sell out quickly, so don’t hesitate to get your own, because once it’s gone-it’s gone! Afraid you’ll miss out on a future kit? Be sure to subscribe so that you’re first in line to get your own kit each month!
I’ve created two projects today, the first one featuring the main kit itself, and another using one of the adorable add-ons. I know carnivals are supposed to be bright, primary colors, but I wanted to go a different direction with some soft pastels, vellum, and stripes. I started with a panel of white card stock, masking some stripes and using my ink blending tool to blend Soft Sky ink. I peeled back the masking paper to reveal some pretty, soft blue stripes. I also die cut one of the Infinity Tag Frame dies from some more white card stock, then again blended Soft Sky ink to create a custom colored die cut panel.
I heat embossed and die cut several of the fair elements from the main kit using white embossing powder and vellum, then used my Copic markers to color on the back of the vellum images to create an ethereal, stained glass look. On my blue Infinity Tag Frame die cut, I stamped the smaller silhouette image using Dusty Blue ink for a tone-on-tone look, heat embossed the sentiment in white, then layered all of the die cuts on top using liquid adhesive. I popped up the Tag die cut using foam adhesive, then added some jute twine to add a bit of textural interest.
For the second project today, I wanted to use the sweet Ornate Carousel stamp and die set. I had a pastel rainbow in my head, so I used my stencil brushes to blend Soft Pink, Soft Apricot, Soft Yellow, Mint Julep, Soft Pool inks down the front of my white card base. Using the stencil brushes instead of an ink blending tool gives a lighter, more ethereal look.
For the focal image of the card, I stamped and die cut the beautifully intricate unicorn image and the top and base of the carousel using Intense Black ink. I colored the images using my Copic markers, then added some sparkle pen and Crystal Lacquer over the top of my unicorn to give that glossy look of the real horses on the carousel. I adhered the die cuts to a vellum oval die cut, then hid my foam adhesive behind the die cuts and popped it up on the rainbow card front.
Well, what do you think? These images are SO detailed…. they’re just gorgeous to work with!
Now, for a giveaway!!! We are 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, July 8th at 11:59pm, and the winner will be announced the following week. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win! (If you purchase a kit and then win the contest, Hero Arts will reimburse you for your purchased kit!) Here’s the full hop lineup, so you can leave your comments:
The Hero Arts Blog
Amy Tsuruta
Clare Prezzia
Emily Midgett
Ilina Crouse
Jennifer McGuire
Kelly Latevola
Laurie Willison
Libby Hickson
Lydia Fiedler
May Sukyong Park
Michelle Short
Nichol Spohr
Yana Smakula
Thanks so much for visiting, and good luck!
I like the soft blue carnival card; it reminds me of sunny days! Your carousel card is wonderful, with the blue-colored horse!
Stunning cards! I love your choice to use vellum – one of my favorites in card making!
These are amazing! Great job. I love the background on the first card with the die cuts over the top.
Love the first one. Great technique.
I especially love the unicorn. So pretty.
WOW!! You created 2 gorgeous cards!! I love the blue stripes, vellum, etc…on the 1st but that carousel horse is A-MAZ-ING!!!
Really love the soft colors of your cards. Blue is my favorite color. TFS!
Beautiful cards, I just love your color choices, gorgeous!
I really love that soft blended unicorn carousel card. So pretty!
Wow! Love the soft stripes you created & the vellum images. Stunning card.
So great. Luv that unicorn, but the striped card is my favorite. Love the soft look of the vellum. You totally nailed it!
Beautiful cards. I love the colors for the unicorn.
Love these cards! Great job!
Absolutely love these cards! Amazing job!
I really like the colors you chose on both cards. The bold blue and white stripes reflect the booth awnings at fairs. Nice!
Like the softer look on your cards – just lovely 🙂
Great cards. I love the background on the carousel card.
Love the pastel colors you used especially on the first card.
Beautiful coloring! Gorgeous cards.
Love the colors and the blue horse💙
Great cards love the use of vellum. Thanks so much for sharing
Great cards – they are truly beautiful! And the new kit looks like another winner from Hero Arts!
Beautiful cards! I love the way you used the soft muted colors on both cards and your use of vellum on both cards. I always think vellum gives a elegant look and both of these cards are just that…. elegant. 🙂
GORGEOUS CARDS! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your use of the Vellum with each card! They are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING to look at!!!!!!!
Your cards are so pretty!
Lovely cards! I especially love the blue striped one.
Such a wonderful kit. Lovely card ideas. I love the kit and my favorite add ons are the background stamp and those carousel stamps! Fun!
Your cards are stunning! I’m drawn to the soft feel of the blue color on the carousel. You did a great job!
Love, love, love your cards! Can’t wait to get my hands on the kit I purchased the carousel set also, so appreciate your beautiful example.
Really pretty cards—love the colors and layouts.
Love your designs!!
Love both of these cards, but especially the 1st one. The vellum is great.
Great cards! I love this release.
These cards are both some of my favorites of all that I’ve seen so far. Just love them!
Both these cards are a marvel. Beautiful.
Ok your use of the vellum, especially on the first card, is really cool. I love the look it gives, the dreamy far away look of the silhouette of the fairgrounds.
I LOVE how you used the vellum for both cards!
Love the variegated carousel horse and the circus stripes from the first card.
Gorgeous cards, love the colors used.
These are stunning and definitely my favorite!
Two very different cards but both beautiful and great inspiration.
Just so lovely…..especially loved the carousel…..so pretty. Thank you so much….I will cross my fingers to win this beautiful kit. Thanks again…
Your cards really catch your eye.
Wow and wow, Emily. I absolutely adore the colour pallet you used. Both cards are so so beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing xxx
Super sweet and fun cards – beautiful!
Your first card would be a cute baby shower card!!!!
I live these cards. So clean and beautiful. Love the carousel horse!
Such a great theme for your cards
Spectacular cards ! Love the pretty colors and backgrounds you created to highlight these super elements from the kit !
After seeing your cards i am going to have to buy the add ons… love your cards… and the blues together… thanks…
Gorgeous cards! So lovely colors!
The carnival is terrific in blue!
I like the blue and white card best
Pretty. I like carnivals & especially like carousels. Wish there was a Pegasus Carousel Horse instead of the Unicorn or SeaHorse ones.
Melissa
“Sunshine HoneyBee”
I’m loving the trick of coloring on the back side of the vellum. Definitely going to use that!
Thank you for reminding me to use vellum with my stamped images more often. Emily, your cards are absolutely beautiful! I love your color choices.
Love the vellum on your cards!
Beautiful! Really loving the color palette on your first card!
Such fun lovely cards!! I love this release!!
I absolutely love the dimension and texture of the fair card. There is so much going on that it just holds your attention for several moments. And the dusty blue color is one of my favorites. So lovely!
Love this kit
Beautiful, unique cards. I love the colors. The carousel add-on is so beautiful.
Great kit! I love your cards and especially the blue hello card!
I love your style..My favorite is the carousel
Beautiful cards, thanks for sharing
First cards is a winner!!!! Love them!!!!! So original!
Your cards are so beautiful! the first one is my favorite, since blue is my favorite color. The second one is very pretty, too, with the rainbow colors surrounding the carousel horse.
GREAT CARDS
GREAT KIT
I like the embossing and stripes on the first and the pastel rainbow background on the second.
Fabulous cards! I your use of vellum!
Your cards are beautiful! I love how you used vellum, especially with the fair elements on your first card 🙂
I love the use of the tag in the 1st card and the colors on the 2nd card are so nice.
The white embossing just makes the images stand out! Pretty
This kit brings up such wonderful memories! I love the circusy carnival look that you created! I’m itching to get my kit.
Very pretty! I love the colors on these projects!
The yellow, blue, and white is fantastic!!! The use of the vellum is perfection achieved.
The color combination is stellar. Spot on perfect!!!! Great inspiration!!!!
OMG such pretty cards, I love the vellum!
Your two cards are fantastic ! I love the very different styles, they are both very inspiring ! Thank you for sharing your creativity with us.
Great card! I love vellum.
Cute cards. I love this kit!
Darling cards!
Wow, the white embossed and colored card design is so pretty and unexpected. I love it!
I love your use of vellum on these cards. I positively adore those carousel animal stamps.
Very pretty cards.
Love the pastel look for your first card and your great use of vellum. Second card is pretty, too. I’ve always loved carousel horses. Thanks for sharing!
I love the softness of coloring on vellum! Both of these are amazing!
both cards are super beautiful!!!
Wow! Fabulous use of this beautiful kit!!!
Love all your magical and stunning cards!!! <3 <3 <3
Awesome cards with cool background
What a great way to use vellum! I also love your use of stripes in the first. Great set!
I am loving the gorgeousness of your first card with coloring the embossed vellum! Your second ornate image is so beautifully colored too! Am loving your stunning cards am and this month’s Hero Arts release!
Thanks for sharing these awesome fun and elegant cards!
ummm, so lovely using soft colors and thanks for showing the unique and delightful cards.
lovely soft colors and unique.
Love the carousel horse. Years ago I did a set
of them in needlepoint. This stamp reminds
me of that project. Great cards.
thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love all of the new ideas!
Really love the coloring on the vellum! What a great idea. Stunning cards.
Really enjoyed the blue stripped card, great idea & look with the vellum. Your second card them Mrs me very much of the sugar sweet carousel horses in the film Mary Poppins were they go to the races through the picture. Really great images in this set x
Both of these cards are amazing! i LOVE the stripes! hey all feel so cheerful and fun too!
lovely cards, this kit will be a sure favourite! ♥
Your cards are great! That carousel horse is just beautiful!
You cards are awesome! Love how you used vellum.
Love the vellum on your cards!
Gorgeous cards. Love the backgrounds you created.
Thanks for sharing…
awesome kit, fabulous cards!
Vellum is a SUPERB idea!
Love the soft blended background and your coloring on the horse. Pretty cards!
Love the striped background and the background of your 2nd card. Really great cards. TFS. xxx
Another amazing release. Great idea matching the blues, using vellum, the patterns, your coloring, and designs. I just love both cards, so fun. Just stunning!
Wow I like both of your cards! Such a nice look with the vellum and then the scene behind it! That carousel unicorn and that background look super nice too.
the vellum is lovely. And the soft blue stripe is too
Very lovely!
Just gorgeous! I particularly love the idea of stamping and embossing on vellum and Copic coloring on the backside for a stained glass look!