Hero Arts Blog

One of my very favorite products from the 2016 Catalog is DC182 Butterfly Pair Stamp & Cut. It is the same concept as the Paper Layering dies, but in a Stamp & Cut set. And... it's butterflies!! For today's card I used just the dies, and cut them out on a panel of vellum paper. The cut butterflies were coated with glitter - oh how I love...

As Valentine's Day approaches, love is in the air! And yet, there are so many occasions every year to make and send cards with love sentiments. I've created a set of love themed cards for anniversaries, weddings, and birthdays, or Valentine's Day, using the beautiful stamp from the 2016 Valentine's Collection. To create these cards, I started by stamping the sentiment in a floral shade...

Hello! Today I have two cards to share that feature repeated sentiment stamping. When you have a gorgeous sentiment why not take advantage and really make it the star of your card! This first card was featured in the 2016 Catalog and uses the Handwritten Thank You stamp. It really doesn't get much more simple than this -- all you really need are some gorgeous...

Today I am sharing a quick and easy masking project using a new stamp and stamp set from the 2016 catalog: Color Layering Bouquet and Dotted Hello. As you can see, though, I 'decomposed' the color-layering aspect of the florals and randomly stamped them all over the inside of a masked circle to create a fun background pattern! To do this, I used [hero_product_link sku="AF233"]...

Hi. Today I have a simple card set to share that I created with some products from our Valentine's catalog. Many of the Valentine collection stamps and dies can be used year round for everyday cards. To make my cards, I first die cut the word Love from the Love Stamp & Cut set then adhered it to a 5 1/2 x 4" panel of white card. I stamped the...

Some of my favorite products from the new 2016 Hero Arts Catalog are the Paper Layering Dies. The die that I am featuring today is called Large Lotus. This is a pop-up die that gives the paper a 3-D effect. You die cut the paper, and then, you fold or curl the cuts to reveal the beautiful Lotus design. I made a video showing how I made...

Hello! I have a trio of mini cards that features the [hero_product_link sku="CL923" text="You are My Happy"] set from the 2016 Valentine's Collection along with the new Mum Flower from the 2016 catalog. This set includes three 4x4 inch cards, same stamps - different looks. First up is the tone on tone, I used [hero_product_link sku="AF168" text="Soft Pink Shadow Ink"]: I'm a big fan of the tone on...

Two of the most beautiful stamp sets ever, Color Layering Large Orchid and Color Layering Orchid in a Pot, are being released in the new 2016 Catalog and today I am sharing two cards using them. For my first card using the Large Orchid, I stamped the stem and buds onto a white card stock base and stamped the flowers in coordinating colors on a separate sheet from...

Hi everyone! One of my favorite stamp sets from the new 2016 Catalog is the You're So Lovely clear stamp set which features two sizes of ranunculus flowers along with various leaves, stems and messages. I created two cards that appeared in the catalog using this set and today I'm going to give you a closer look at those cards. For the first card, I...

Hello. Today I have a card to share featuring a fabulous new clear stamp set from the 2016 Catalog called Origami Animals. Although it is not yet available in our store, it will soon be arriving at your favourite retailer. Look for it in our store on February 8th! To make my card, I stitched half an Acetate Notecard to half a Blush Notecard on three sides. I...

Stamping friends, today we are pleased to present to you (...drumroll please...) the Hero Arts 2016 Catalog! Included in this release are 31 new clear sets including 5 additions to our popular Color Layering line, 29 new woodblock stamps, 11 new woodblock sets, many exciting new dies, stencils, 3 new ombré ink pads in neon colors, and a whole new line of bold colored hybrid...

Welcome back to our 2016 Catalog sneak peeks! Yesterday was about all stamps so today we'll turn our attention to some exciting new dies from the release... This sweet card was created by Creative Team member Mariana Grigsby and features the new DI160 Paper Layering Pineapple Die. This unique "pop-up" style die gives paper a 3-dimensional effect. After cutting, simply fold or curl the cuts...

Today we're excited to begin sharing sneak peeks from our upcoming 2016 Catalog! The new catalog, which makes its debut later this week at CHA, is filled with more than 100 new products! Where to begin? How about a look at an addition to our popular line of Color Layering stamps... Creative Team member Jayne Nelson created the gorgeous card above using CL947 Color Layering...

Heat embossing is a fun basic technique that can make your projects literally shine. The [hero_product_link sku="PW118" text="White Satin Pearl Embossing Powder"] is quite unique, and it makes the stamped images look professional and outstanding. So today I am sharing how this product can be used easily to create beautiful backgrounds and to enhance die cut shapes to achieve fabulous results. Like any other embossing powder, the [hero_product_link sku="PW118" text="White Satin Pearl Embossing Powder"] can...

Today I'm featuring the [hero_product_link sku="LP403" text="Nature Mini Tub by Lia"] stamps. I picked out a couple different designs and had fun creating a background using [hero_product_link sku="AF236" text="Hero Arts Shadow Ink - Charcoal"]. TIP:  I get the best results when I hold the stamps in one hand, rubber side up. I hold the ink pad in my other hand and pat the ink onto the...

Hi! Where do you find inspiration for your card designs? Sometimes when I make cards, I simply start with two things - a color palette that I love and a handful of my favorite stamps and stencils. So, today I'm sharing a pair of "hello" cards that I made with a few summery inks and some of my most loved stamps. I started by selecting...

I'm getting more comfortable using watercolors on my projects. I just love watercolors because it is unpredictable - a very friendly medium for any beginner that doesn’t require much fuss. Paper Layering Lotus Card | Fairyland Themed Card  As part of my learning process, I shared a video tutorial on how to create a simple watercolor wash background last month (left). Then I created a detailed watercolor background with more layers for my August MMH blog hop project last...

Today marks the start of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games! Sparked by this event, I thought it would be fun to include gold, silver and bronze all on one card, and also represent the symbolism of the Olympic rings with the Circle Graphic Background. This stamp has three circular sections that are perfect for highlighting each of the Olympic medal colors. I started by stamping...

It's been six months since I actually started enjoying watercoloring. I used to feel intimated by using watercolors on my projects for the last few years. So today I decided to share some quick and easy techniques for some of you who want to try watercoloring but don't know where to start. I used the watercolor wash technique to highlight the "clean and simple" lotus flower. Doesn't...

Hello! Today I'm sharing a card using one of my new favorite crafting color combos - orange, pink, and tan! Of course, this combo may not appeal to everyone, but I think it looks downright tasty when used with the [hero_product_link sku="CL950" text="Birthday Cake Layering stamp set."]  For today's card, I started out by embossing the cake, candles and platter images in [hero_product_link sku="PW100" text="gold"] onto some watercolor cardstock....

I'm a huge fan of the Hero Arts Bold Prints, how about you? You don't have to use them in their entirety, you can easily use just a portion of the image: Today's cards uses the [hero_product_link sku="CG691" text="Garden Bold Prints"] stamp. I stamped them out on different layering  paper A2 card panels. My first trio have been teamed up with the [hero_product_link sku="CL954" text="Many Everyday Messages"] set. The  [hero_product_link...

Using large background stamps for your cards can be so convenient, especially when you are making more than one card. However, it is always fun if you play with ink colors and paper to achieve different results. Today, I am sharing how I created an easy double step background using the [hero_product_link sku="S6141" text="Circle Graphic Background"] stamp along with some other Hero Arts products to make a Thank...

I rarely use a stencil on my cards. That doesn't mean I don't like the effect of stencils. Ever since I saw Mariana's amazing cards made with Waves Stencil, I've wanted to give it a try myself. Then here is what I came up with: I placed the stencil over the grey panel and sponged over the stencil using Versamark watermark ink. I almost added some Perfect Pearls, but...

There are currently thirteen Ombré Inks available in the Hero Arts Online Store that are a dye ink formula. But now Hero Arts has added to their Ombré line with two new pigment inks in the colors of [hero_product_link sku="AF346" text="Vintage Metallic Rust"] and [hero_product_link sku="AF347" text="Vintage Metallic Steel"]. Both of these inks offer a gradation of three complementary colors that blend across an image to create depth in your stamping....

Today I had the fun task of playing with my ink cubes - [hero_product_link sku="AF358" text="Libby’s Purple Garden"]! I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty darn exciting to have an ink cube pack with my name on it! Purples and greens were my ink choices, and I know I will be using this combo often! For today's card, I paired them with one of my very favorite stamp sets, [hero_product_link sku="CL949"...

Here's a bright and cheerful birthday card that comes together in minutes. Balloons work for everyone! I think one of the best things about handmade cards is being able to personalize them for the recipient. I've stamped the birthday girl's age onto one of the [hero_product_link sku="CL940" text="balloons"], using the numbers from the [hero_product_link sku="DC136" text="Alpha Tabs Stamp & Cut"]. A few tips on the creation...

When I was blessed with the opportunity to select a custom set of ink colors that I would use with the [hero_product_link sku="CL886" text="Color Layering Fall Trees"] set, I knew immediately that I would choose inks that reflected the changing colors of autumn leaves - Lemon Yellow, Tangerine, Strawberry, and Pumpkin Pie. However, what I love most about these warm colors is that the coordinated...

When you travel to a new city, what do you love to do? I'm a regular tourist in New York since my son goes to college there. We tend to always, among other things: have coffee eat donuts go to museums So with my own tourist habits in mind, I designed this super clean + crisp card: I love the [hero_product_link sku="CL977" text="City Adventure"] set! Purely...

Yes, please to cake! It isn't a birthday unless there is cake! Today I'm featuring the [hero_product_link sku="CL941" text="Make A Wish Birthday"] set. The Hooray sentiment makes for a fun background with repetitive stamping. I used [hero_product_link sku="AF168" text="Soft Pink Shadow Ink"] which is a great contrast on the [hero_product_link sku="PS622" text="Foliage Layering Paper"]. I stamped the layered cake, blooms and cake plate on alternating  [hero_product_link sku="PS622" text="Foliage...

One of my favorite techniques is creating a stamped background using small stamps. It's a great way to get more out of your neglected stamps. And here is what I came up with for today: To make a graduation card, I started by stamping small images from the following stamp sets: [hero_product_link sku="CL941"], [hero_product_link sku="CL954"], [hero_product_link sku="CL940"] and [hero_product_link sku="CL950"]. I used [hero_product_link sku="DI158"] to create dimensional cut paper design. This die has cut and...

One can never have too many Thank You cards on hand so I think its always a good idea to make one just in case. Today I'm sharing one in a black and white color combo. I rarely create monochromatic cards, but for this project I was inspired by a stamping mistake. I was experimenting and trying various color combinations to stamp several orchids from...

What's better than a cute [hero_product_link sku="DI160" text="Paper Layering Pineapple"] added to a card? A *glittery* [hero_product_link sku="DI160" text="Paper Layering Pineapple"]!! I had a piece of gold glitter cardstock lying on my desk, with my pineapple die nearby, and I just couldn't resist putting the two great things together! :) I had a little bit of trouble capturing just how much shimmer there is on this...

When I first saw the [hero_product_link sku="K6134" text="Mum Stem"] and [hero_product_link sku="K6133" text="Mum Flower"] stamps, the first thing that came to my mind was vintage wallpaper. With that idea in mind, I decided to create a quick and simple card trio. Aren't they so fun? You could use them as Mother's Day cards, or box them up and give them as a gift! I had so much fun playing around...

Hello, today I'm sharing a trio of small garden notebooks and nature journals. I love the idea of recording annual garden inspiration, plans, expenses, and plant information in a small pocket notebook. I also love the idea of documenting, with small sketches and written descriptions, seasonal observations about nature. These mini-journals are the perfect size for quickly recording ideas and experiences for future reference. To...

Trends that are popular in clothing and home decor often carry over into the crafting world. Today I'm inspired by all the copper that is showing up in home decor and furnishings, so I've created a card that features our [hero_product_link sku="PW116" text ="Copper Embossing Powder"]. I've used it three different ways on this card -- can you spot all of them? I started out...

Today I'm sharing a baby card.  I'm a huge fan of gender neutral colors, how about you? Let's start from the bottom and work up. The fun [hero_product_link sku="CG687" text="Alphabet Soup Bold Prints"] is a great base for a baby card. I inked it up with [hero_product_link sku="AF207" text="Butter Bar Shadow Ink"]. The [hero_product_link sku="A6152" text="Little Turtle"] and [hero_product_link sku="A6153" text="Little Hippo"] are so cute stamped in the...