
Hi there! Today’s the day…. it’s the first Monday of the new month, so we have the newest My Monthly Hero release and blog hop to share with you today! This month’s kit is perfect for those difficult-to-create masculine cards. Let’s get started with some of the details!

In this month’s kit, you’ll receive a large 6×8 stamp set, coordinating frame cuts, 2 fancy dies, 5 ink cubes, 4 5.5×8.5 sheets of two new Hero Hues cardstock colors, and new blue pearl embossing powder, valued at over $75, all for $34.99! These kits frequently sell out, and once they’re gone, they’re gone… so don’t wait and miss out! You can also subscribe to make sure that you get first dibs every month. The kits will begin shipping from the warehouse on Friday, July 5th. I have two projects to share with you today, so let’s get started!

I will admit something… I struggle to create scenes on a full card front. The “canvas” almost seems too big and is intimidating to my mind’s eye. I have found that I can create scenes if I limit the canvas size, and my favorite way to do this is to create a die cut frame. I began by masking the edge of a white panel, then stamping the mountains from the main kit on the horizon, then lightly blending a sky above. I masked the bottom of the mountains with some Post-It notes and blended some blue water towards the bottom of the framed in area.

After the stamping and blending was finished, I removed the masks to reveal a rectangular scene. I used that scene to create a white die cut frame with the Infinity Rectangle dies. I also die cut a line of trees using one of the fancy dies included in the main kit, cut from some dark green card stock, as well as stamping the little boat with it’s captain and first mate. 😉 I also stamped a greeting from the main kit on a rectangle of white card stock.

After I’d die cut and stamped all of the pieces, I adhered them to the blended and stamped card base using foam tape to create lots of dimension! Perfect for that outdoorsy guy in your life, right?

For my second card today, I wanted to put to use my favorite of the add-ons: Camper Fancy Die. There are some really fun add-on stamps and dies that coordinate beautifully with the main kit, but as soon as I saw the Camper Fancy Die, I wanted to pair it with the Paper Layering Desert Cactus and Paper Layering Prickly Cactus. I used the new Meadow card stock for both cacti, die cutting them both and doing a bit of blending around the edges for dimension using Moss ink and some blending brushes.

Next, I die cut the new Camper Fancy Die from some plain white card stock, ink blending some pale gray ink around the edges and adding details with Copic markers. (I have no idea if campers have red doors like that, but if they don’t they really should! Such a fun detail!)

I trimmed down a panel of the new Lapis card stock and blended some Stone Wash ink around the edges. I layered the die cuts using foam tape and added a greeting from the main kit heat embossed in white on a rectangle of Pitch Black card stock.
Well, that’s all for my projects today! Now, for some fun giveaway information!
Hero Arts is giving away one kit to a lucky commenter (and if you’ve already purchased one, they will reimburse you!). All you have to do to be eligible is leave a comment on each stop on the blog hop. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win!
Your next stop is Ilina Crouse. Here’s the full lineup in case you got lost:
The Hero Arts Blog
Caly Person
Emily Midgett
Ilina Crouse
Janette Kausen
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Michelle Short
Amy Kolling
Debi Adams
Julee Tilman
Laurie Willison
Lydia Fiedler
Mariana Grigsby
Libby Hickson