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Sixth Street Sundries

Emily Midgett

Hero Arts

Hero Arts + Scrapbook Adhesives Blog Hop!

Good morning! I am thrilled today to be hopping along with the Hero Arts team and the Scrapbook Adhesives team! We are combining Hero Arts and Scrapbook adhesives products to bring you a blog hop that is chock full of inspiration… a match made in heaven! You should have arrived here from Christine‘s blog and your next stop is Ilina‘s blog.

For today’s blog hop, I created a project that features lots of dimension and texture. Foam adhesive is one of the most important staples that a craft room can have, and the 3D Foam Circles from Scrapbook Adhesives work beautifully. Bonus, they come in both white and black… perfect for a monochromatic card with a pop of color, like the one I’ve created for today!

I started by die cutting and stamping the Hero Arts Magnolia clear stamp using Unicorn ink onto some dark charcoal card stock. I then used my Polychromos pencils to color the bloom and foliage using the no-line coloring technique.

For the background, I used a technique similar to the one that I displayed in this video, creating a monochromatic card with that bright pop of color by using all the same color card stock for both the stamped image die cuts and the background die cuts. For this project, I first die cut the Hero Arts Bold Graphic Confetti die from the same charcoal colored card stock, then die cut that die cut with one of the Hero Arts Oval Infinity dies. I then used the same oval die and a smaller oval die from the same die set to create an oval frame, which I layered over the top of my intricate background die cut.

After I had completed all of the separate components, I adhered my magnolia to the decorative frame die cut, then added plenty of black 3D foam circles Black Mix  to the back of it. By using the black foam circles, you can continue the seamless, monochromatic look from every angle.

Well, that’s all for my project today! Here’s the rest of the hop list:

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L®
Hero Arts
Amy Tsuruta
Christine Meyer
Emily Midgett
Ilina Crouse
Janette Kausen
Libby Hickson
Linsey Rickett
Margie Higuchi
Michelle Short
Shannon Morgan
Shellye McDaniel
Teri Anderson
Terri Burson
Tracy McLennon
Valerie Ward
Yvonne van de Grijp

Now, for some fun giveaways!! Scrapbook Adhesives and Hero Arts have each created prize packs worth $35. To enter, leave a comment on each stop on the hop saying what you liked about that particular project, then enter the Rafflecopter by clicking the big red button below:

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed my project!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0f302f8d56/

June My Monthly Hero Blog Hop + Giveaway!

Good morning! (Or maybe afternoon, depending on where you are reading this!) Today is the day… the absolutely amazing June My Monthly Hero kit is now available for purchase! This particular kit is absolutely fantastic… the beach theme is so appropriate for the start of summer, and the kit has some absolutely fantastic components, not to mention stunning add-ons. To celebrate, we have an amazing blog hop with some fantastically creative guests. You should have arrived here from Clare Prezzia’s blog and your next stop is Ilina Crouse’s blog.

The main kit includes:

6″ x 8″ Clear Stamp Set
12 Coordinating Frame Cuts
4 Ink Cubes (Deep Ocean, Summer Sky, Soft Sky, Soft Granite)
Sand Embossing Powder 0.5 oz
Sea Foam Shimmer Spray 0.5 fl oz
Beach Enamel Stickers

There are so many amazing beachy images included in this kit, and it’s a bargain at $34.99 (valued at over $70!). These kits frequently sell out, so it’s always a good idea to subscribe if you want to ensure that you’ll get your hands on one! The kit & add-ons go live in the Hero Arts store on Monday June 4th at 1pm eastern/10am pacific. 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, June 8th.

I had such fun using the main kit contents in my countdown post on the Hero Arts Blog that I created two different cards! I decided, however, to use some of the absolutely marvelous add-on stamps and dies today. Hero Arts really outdid themselves with this release!

For my first project, I used the new Abstract Wave Bold Prints stamp with an older stamp to create this beautiful under-the-sea mermaid scene. I started by stamping the Abstract Wave onto some white card stock and heat emboss it using White Satin Pearl embossing powder. I then used my blending tools to blend Deep Ocean, Summer Sky, and Orchid inks in a halo on the card front. I absolutely love this color combo… almost psychedelic! Just to make things even more magically mermaid-ish, I spritzed some Iridiscent Shimmer Spray on the card front and allowed it to dry completely.

Next, I stamped the beautifully detailed Mermaid woodblock stamp onto some watercolor paper, then die cut it out with the coordinating frame cuts. I used my Tombow markers to do some quick watercoloring in similar shades of purple and blue, then popped her up on my card front with some dimensional foam adhesive. I stamped the greeting from the new Seal of Approval stamp set onto some white card stock using black ink. I trimmed it down to a strip, then popped it up next to my mermaid. The final touch was a few iridescent gems that reminded me of pretty bubbles!

For my second project today, I wanted to feature that adorable seagull wearing a hat in the Seas the Day Seagulls set. I just couldn’t resist. I started by stamping and die cutting a few seagulls and some logs upon which they could stand. I then used my Copic markers to color both the gulls and their logs.

Next, I die cut one of the new Wave & Sea Confetti Dies from some Sea Mix layering paper, then backed it with a lighter shade of blue layering paper. Next, I pressed my Versamark pad down directly onto a piece of card stock and added some of the super unique sand embossing powder included in the main kit. I popped up my gulls, their seats, and the sandy strip with some dimensional foam adhesive, then wrapped some twine around each of the logs to create those super rustic and beachy “fences” that you might see at the beach or on a boardwalk. The last step was to stamp a coordinating greeting from the Seas the Day Seagulls set onto a strip of white card stock and pop it up with dimensional foam adhesive.

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, June 10th 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:

Jennifer McGuire
Jenn Shurkus
Laurie Willison
Lydia Fiedler
Nichol Spohr
Wanda Guess
Amy Tsuruta
Clare Prezzia
Emily Midgett
Ilina Crouse
Janette Kausen
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Libby Hickson
Yana Smakula
Michelle Short


Man Card Monday: May Edition!

Good morning! Happy Memorial Day! It’s the last Monday of May (ahem, how did that happen!?), so it’s time for Man Card Monday! Today, I’m using some new products from Hero Arts (you might have seen this project if you’ve peeked at the new Hero Arts catalog. 😉 ) to create a handsome cowboy sunset scene.

I started by die cutting the new Desert Sunset die from some plain black A2 sized card stock. It creates a lovely silhouette, so I had to back it with a beautifully blended sunset. I created the sunset by blending Red Royal, Soft Apricot, and Butter Bar inks. I added a sentiment in white embossing and a cowboy silhouette both using clear embossing powder from Hero Arts’ Cowboy Adventure.

Well, that’s all for me today! I hope you have a wonderful holiday. Thanks for stopping by!


Hero Arts 2018 Summer Catalog Blog Hop!

Good morning! Today is an exciting event in the Hero Arts family… we are officially debuting the new 2018 Summer Catalog with a fantastic Blog Hop featuring the Creative Team and some utterly fantastical guests! You should have arrived here from Clare’s blog and your next stop is Ilina’s blog. You can find the full hop list here. We have some amazing inspiration for you today using new products that can be found in this beautiful catalog (which you can peruse here in PDF form), as well as two $50 Hero Arts shopping sprees up for grabs!

For my first project, I wanted to use the darling new Cowboy Life stamp and frame cuts set. When I first met my husband, he fancied himself a cowboy…. boots, belt buckle, tight cowboy jeans, multiple hats, weird caped duster thing… (Did I mention we live in Illinois? Not exactly cowboy territory. Anyway.) The new Cowboy Life and Cowboy Adventure sets called to me, which I found interesting since these sets are not my usual style! I’m blaming my 19 year old self, the one who fell in love with a cowboy. 😉 I particularly liked the Cowboy Life set, because it includes some sweet little floral bouquets…. Flowers=instant Emily magnet.

I started by black heat embossing the cow skull and some flowers onto Arches watercolor paper using black embossing powder, then used the Hero Arts Liquid Watercolors to do some soft watercoloring. (Can you believe how soft and subtle you can make those super pigmented colors?? Amazing.) I die cut all of the pieces using the coordinating Frame Cuts and black embossed a greeting from the Cowboy Life stamp set onto a flagged strip of card stock. For the card base, I did some soft tone-on-tone blending using the new Scrollwork Stencil and Soft Purple ink onto some Floral Mix Layering Papers. I popped up all of the components with dimensional adhesive.

For my second project today, you knew I wouldn’t be able to resist the absolutely stunning new Peonies stamp set. It’s unbelievably beautiful… and so big. Gah. I love it. One of my favorite things about watercoloring flowers is that you can get so many different looks with them, depending on which mediums and colors you decide to use. Here, I’ve paired white heat embossing with mauve watercoloring, but I created another project (which I’ll share soon! ;)) using no line pencil coloring and it looks totally different.

I started by white heat embossing one of the new Peonies stamps in the corner of an A2 panel of Arches card stock. I then taped it down to a cutting board, because I knew that I wanted to do a heavy watercolor wash around my peony, and I wanted the panel to stay nice and flat. I watercolored the peony using a combination of Purple, Moss, Black, Dandelion, and Strawberry Liquid Watercolors. I began by watercoloring the peony using only the Strawberry shade, then adding layers of Purple and a Strawberry/Purple/Black mixture to get lots of depth and dimension. I love that you can see undertones of the bright Strawberry but still have the cool, mauve-y overall look from the additions of the Purple and Black watercolors.

After I’d finished coloring the peony, I added some more washi tape to the top so that I could add my black watercolor wash around the edges. I did a “wet-on-wet” technique, first wetting the card stock, then dropped the color in and letting it bloom organically. I did go back in and manipulate the color a bit to cover bare spots, as well as dissipate out into a nice fade. The final step was to add the greeting from the Love Stamp and Cut.

Well, that’s all for my projects today! We have a stellar lineup of inspiration for you today. Here’s the full hop list:

The Hero Arts Blog
Amy Tsuruta
Clare Prezzia
Emily Midgett
Ilina Crouse
Janette Kausen
Jessica Frost-Ballas
May Sukyong Park
Michelle Short
Yana Smakula
Kathy Racoosin
Kelly Latevola
Lydia Fiedler
Wanda Guess
Cynde Whitlow
Ericka Strange
Jeanne Jachna
Juhi Khanna
Karen Bull
Kim Hamilton
Lisa Stein
Meghan Peterson
Michelle Yuen
Libby Hickson
Jennifer McGuire

Now, for the GIVEAWAY. Hero Arts is giving away two $50 shopping sprees to the Hero Arts Store! All you have to do to be entered win is leave comments on the blog hop stops. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win! You have until 11:59 P.M. PST on Sunday, May 20 to leave your comments. The winners will be chosen the following day! Thanks for dropping by, and have a marvelous day!



May My Monthly Hero Blog Hop!

Good morning! Today is the day…. the release of the May 2018 My Monthly Hero kit!  You should have arrived here from the amazing Amy Tsuruta’s blog, and your next stop is the incomparable May Park’s blog. There are so many sweet storybook silhouette images included in this kit, and it’s a bargain at $34.99 (valued at over $70!). These kits frequently sell out, so it’s always a good idea to subscribe if you want to ensure that you’ll get your hands on one! The kit & add-ons go live in the Hero Arts store on Monday May 7th at 1pm eastern/10am pacific. 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 11th.

This particular kit features an absolutely stunning and intricate tree frame die, to which I added some Copic coloring in this post on the Hero Arts blog. Today, I wanted to use some of the darling add-ons that are now available for purchase! I chose to create a super simple but sweet card using the Besties Stamp & Cut. I combined it with the beautiful and detailed Woodgrain card stock from the Hero Arts store for this ultra-CAS design!

Do you know the song “People Will Say We’re In Love” from Oklahoma? This stamp set reminds me of the line “Granting your wish, I carved our initials on that tree!” So sweet and romantic. I started with a slightly-smaller-than-A2 panel of Hero Arts’s Woodgrain Card Stock and die cut the heart using one of the dies from the Besties Stamp & Cut. I then die cut another heart from regular white card stock and stamped the heart wood slice image from the Besties stamp set using Wet Cement ink. I added the “u+me” using black embossing powder.

Next, I adhered my woodgrain panel to a black A2 card base. I inserted my stamped heart wood slice, creating the illusion of those carved initials from the song. Bonus is that the die cut inlay creates a lovely flat surface, easy for mailing! This card would be adorable for a long distance best friend, too!

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, May 13th 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
Jennifer McGuire
Nichol Spohr
Wanda Guess
Janette Kausen
Laurie Willison
Ilina Crouse
Michelle Short
Amy Kolling
Clare Prezzia
Lydia Fiedler
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Amy Tsuruta
Emily Midgett<— you are here!
May Sukyong Park
Libby Hickson
Yana Smakula

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a marvelous Monday!