Monday, July 13, 2020

Hero Arts July My Monthly Hero Kit and a Giveaway!

Hi everybody and happy Monday! Today is the day we've all been waiting for! My Monthly Hero Kit release day! The theme for this month's kit is Atlantis and it is so cool! Today I have three cards using the add-ons from this month's kit to share with you.

My first card features my favorite stamp from the whole release... the Deep Sea Background cling stamp. This is a red rubber stamp and it stamps this full background image beautifully. It's a bit larger than an A2 sized card.
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,

I used my Hero Arts liquid watercolors to paint the whole scene. I did film the process but didn't have time to turn it into a video for you. So, if you'd like to see a process video for how I colored this please leave me a comment and let me know. If you guys are interested I'll do my best to get that video edited soon for you.
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,

After I watercolored the whole scene I added some metallic ink to the waves, clouds and treasure chest. I also added some shimmer from my Nuvo Glitter Gloss pen to the whole ocean so that it would sparkle.
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,

Here's a look at some of the products that I used...
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,


For my second card I used the Underwater Pattern Bold Prints background stamp. This is a 6"x6" stamp full of all kinds of underwater fun! 
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,

I watercolored using Nuvo Aqua Flow pens and when that dried I stamped the image in black ink. I added some die cut seaweed in silver and black as well as some Dream Drops and subtle sequins.
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,

The sentiment is from this month's main kit as is that gorgeous coral colored embossing powder.
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,

This card came together with a soft, dreamy look that I think is really pretty.
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,

For my last card I used another 6"x6" background stamp called School of Fish Bold Prints. I used my Misti stamping tool to make this card otherwise getting this effect would have been impossible. I started by inking up the center of my stamp in red and stamping it. Then, I did the next segment of fish in orange. I followed those with both yellow and green. 
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,

After I had all of the fish inked up properly I stamped the whole image again in clear embossing ink. Then I poured on clear embossing powder and heat set it. That gave me one clear layer on top of my fish but I wanted them to have some dimension as if they were coming off of the card. I re-heated the embossed fish with my heat tool and immediately covered them again with clear embossing powder. I did this three our four times until all of my fish were thickly embossed. I used my anti-static tool before I embossed the whole background. I did not use it after that when I was trying to achieve thick embossing. This allowed for some specks of powder to stick on white areas of the card (for other cards this might be seem like a mistake but it was part of the distress effect on this card).
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,

Now I have a white background with embossed fish. Because these fish are embossed I can now ink blend over the top of them without worrying about changing their color. I used my reactive inks to ink blend the background. I made the center of the card, where the tiny fish are, lighter in color as if they were swimming up towards the light.  I splattered my card with white metallic glimmer paint to give the look of bubbles and texture. Then, to finish my card off I stamped a sentiment from the main kit on a piece of card stock that I had colored with an ink pad (I just rubbed my Fruit Punch ink pad on white cardstock until it was saturated with ink). I cut it at a wonky angle and used foam tape to adhere it to my card. The final touch was to add some embellishments that looked like water droplets or gems and some dream drops.
Cardbomb, Maria Willis, Hero Arts, #mymonthyhero, #stamp, #ink, #paper, #papercraft, #craft, #create, #card, #cardmaking, #handmade, #watercolor, ocean,

Ok you guys, that's all I've got for today. If you're interested in checking out any of the products that I've shared I've got them all listed below for you. If you have any questions about how I made these cards please feel free to ask!

Now, as always Hero Arts is having a generous giveaway (details below), all you need to do is leave me a comment below to enter to win. If you're interested in purchasing this month's kit we have great news for you! The kit should start shipping this Friday, July 17th and continue shipping through next week.

To continue on with this inspiration filled hop please head on over to the lovely Mariana and check out what she's got to share today. If you prefer a list of hoppers, I've got one linked up for you below.

Have an awesome day and thanks for stopping by!
Maria




GIVEAWAY:
Hero Arts will give away one $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, July 19th at 11:59pm pacific, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.




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54 comments:

  1. Wowsers! Love your coloring of the first underwater scene, Maria! Embossing the School of Fish is SO creative and effective.

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  2. I love the water coloring and will use your tip on double embossing the fish. Thanks for sharing

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  3. Maria, you are a champion painting that first BG stamp! Your painting is amazing! You bring out all the details! it's gorgeous!

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  4. Love your cards! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. GORGEOUS CARDS! I can't decide which one is my favorite one! They are all so amazing!

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  6. Great release! Awesome creations, especially the underwater bold background card!

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  7. WOW! your coloring is AMAZING! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the School of fish one!

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  8. Maria, I can't even decide which is my favorite, they're all so well done. Great work!!

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  9. I love the simplicity of the ink blended background with the seaweed!

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  10. Wow this card is incredible!!!! I will be adding this background stamp to my wishlist!

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  11. O gosh your cards are absolutely gorgeous. Love the fish swirls.

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  12. These cards are just very happy and give a calm feeling to the eye.

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  13. The embossing on those fish are great! I love all the ideas in seeing for using that stamp. Lovely as the first card is, I don't have the patience to color that whole scene... so I appreciate seeing a use of the background stamp in the second that doesn't use a bunch of coloring lol.

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  14. Wonderful cards. Love how you did the fish - amazing. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  15. Your watercoloring is beautiful!! The bright colors bring the image to vibrant life! And I really like your school of fish card -- the multicolor stamping on the fish and ink blending the background. Really stunning!

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  16. Beautiful, especially the background stamps that are totally colored in.

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  17. All the cards are beautiful but I LOOOOOVE the rainbow fish! And I'm a friend... just sayin'!!! ;)

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  18. Beautiful cards! I love them both!

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  19. I absolutely love your cards and would love to see a video with that beautiful background stamp! Thanks for sharing on the blog hop!!

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  20. These are all great cards! The colors and the composition are beautiful.
    The watercoloring is beautiful.

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  21. The colors on your first card are just incredible, it reminds me of an old picture book for some reason. The fish vortex of different embossing colors is super fun too! Thanks for the card eye candy!

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  22. Hi, you do beautiful work and I'm looking forward to getting my items I ordered.

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  23. Wow Maria, stunning cards, love the watercoloring and vibrant colors on your first card!

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  24. Wow-these are great! I especially love the first card-so colorful. I wish one of those background stamps were a part of the kit...TFS

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  25. Marisela Delgado said: what beautiful cards! mariandmonsterd@yahoo.com

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  26. Really enjoying this release and all the awesome inspiration on this hop❣️💞

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  27. Nice coloring. I like the look of the different colored fish swirl.

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  28. Great cards. That is my favorite stamp as well

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  29. Beautiful cards, Maria! I love your wonderful use of colour to make these great images come to life! My favourite is the Underwater Pattern Bold print with its lovely colour washes! Thanks for the inspiration!! :)

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  30. The cling stamps are wonderful and your cards are amazing!!

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  31. Maria- I love how you let these beautiful deep sea backgrounds shine. Your color choices are gorgeous, and I really admire the effect you achieved with the colors and embossing of the circling fish-- stunning!

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  32. Beautiful, colorful cards. I love all the possibilities with this wonderful kit.

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  33. Card #1 convinced me to buy the stamp. Card #3 is such a great idea---I wish I'd bought that stamp too, now :)

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  34. I love your cards; hey are so pretty and fun.

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  35. Great cards; that school of fish fascinates me! I ordered it and will have to give it a try, thanks for the inspiration!

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  36. Great cards! Love the rainbow fish!

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  37. Gorgeous cards! Love the backgrounds and the colors..
    Thanks so much for sharing.

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  38. absolutely love your colorful circle of fish.

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  39. I just love how you used these backgrounds! I wasn't sure I liked that first one, but your coloring really brings it to life and I LOVE the last background and all the colors you used for it!

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  40. Awesome creations! I am loving the way your School of Fish project turned out! Fab colors and textures!

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  41. Fabulous cards! My favorite is the last one with the School of Fish stamp--such beautiful colors and dimension!!

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  42. Beautiful cards! Your watercoloring is fantastic! Even more convinced I "need" the underwater bold prints stamp lol!

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  43. I just love that whirlpool of fish! These backgrounds remind me of an adult coloring book. They are so Intricate and beautiful. Can't remember a kit with so much detail!

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  44. Amazing cards! Love all your water coloring and how you did that school of fish!

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  45. Have not tried embossing but will try your double embossing idea. Thank you

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  46. Love love these cards!! Your talent shines through! These are some of my favorites colors. Lol

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  47. Beautiful cards! I love how you colored that first one. :)

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  48. Gorgeous cards! I love the colors on the School of fish card!

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  49. Hey my friend ! What can I say except that I love those cards you made ? You always find nice textures, and intersting detail to your cards. They look so dreamy : love them ! Xx

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  50. I can not believe your first card is watercolor!! It's amazing! I also love the multi colors of the school of fish background on your last card. Nicely done!!

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  51. That is a stunning watercolor on your first card.

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  52. Lovely cards! The first one is beautifully colored - the metallic and glitter gloss effects must be gorgeous in person.

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  53. Your cards are wonderful. The first is beautifully colored. My favorite is the fish one. I love the way you stamped with different colors. That technique with letting some EP stick to the card is so cool. I love the effect it gives when you applied the ink on the background.

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