Monday, June 20, 2022

HERO ARTS: Color Week Kickoff! New Color System, Blog Hop, and Giveaway!

Hey everybody! Today is a most amazing day because today Hero Arts is launching a brand new color system! The CORE INKS are getting a makeover (lids will have a new look as well as a built-in palette), there are new colors and some of our old favorites (some which have a new name), new CARDSTOCK colors that match inks, and drumroll please..... INKERS for every single color so that we can ink up our ink pads and use them for techniques! So. Cool! There will also be BUNDLES available!

BASIC COLOR INFO:
There are 57 Core Ink pads and Inkers in this line.
6 brand new to Hero ink colors.
12 brand new to Hero cardstock colors.
Bundles are available for all 57 Core Inks - an ink pad + inker
Bundle is available for purchasing all 6 new Core Ink pads & Free Color Labels

Since we are talking Color we need to touch on color organization for a second... Hero will be selling color labels that you can use to label your products and keep everything organized! I cannot wait to get my hands on them! These color labels will also be included with the bundles mentioned above as well as with the following...

COLOR ME ORGANIZED PROMOTION:
Between June 20-26 you will receive Free Index Labels with your purchase of any 6 ink pads or ink+inker bundles!

Here is a link for you to check out the new collection. Here you'll be able to see old and new colors as well which colors have been renamed. You can also see which inks have a matching color of cardstock.


Last but not least here is a link to the FREE COLOR CHART! 
And, if you already have a favorite new color you can SHOP BY COLOR HERE!

Ok, let's get on to my card! So, my goal was to find a technique that worked well for all of the new inkers and would yield some consistently cool results. I came up with this Paper Towel Printing technique (I am sure someone has done this before but I did figure it out for myself while I was playing). 

I started by adding drops of both Ultra Pink and Summer Sky Inkers to my glass mat. Then I sprayed them with rubbing alcohol until they started to spread and blend together. I laid a piece of paper towel that had a cool, textured pattern to it on top of my colorful, alcohol mess. The paper towel absorbed the color and I removed it and placed it on a dry part of my glass mat. Next, I placed a piece of white cardstock (regular, not watercolor cardstock) on top of the paper towel and rubbed my fingers across the back to transfer the ink from the paper towel onto my cardstock. I lifted the cardstock up and it was left with this gorgeous, textured background that held the design of the paper towel. I set this aside to dry and it dried quickly since the alcohol evaporated much faster than water would have.
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts, color, cards, cardmaking, stamps, stamping, ink, technique, paper towel printing, dies,die cutting, art, diy, handmade

Once my background was dry I heat embossed part of my sentiment on it using Onyx Pigment Ink and Clear Embossing Powder. Next, I added the "Big Hugs" die cut sentiment using liquid adhesive. I wanted these die cuts to have some dimension so I glued together three layers of black die cuts and one layer of white to create a "shadow."
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts, color, cards, cardmaking, stamps, stamping, ink, technique, paper towel printing, dies,die cutting, art, diy, handmade
To finish my card off I added a Pitch Black mat and glued it all to a card base.
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts, color, cards, cardmaking, stamps, stamping, ink, technique, paper towel printing, dies,die cutting, art, diy, handmade

Well, that is it for today you guys! I hope you will join in our giveaway and keep on hopping for tons of inspiration! For more information you can head over to the Hero Arts Color Page, or, if you want to hit the shop right away you can SHOP BY COLOR HERE.
Have an awesome day!
Maria



GIVEAWAY!! 
We will be giving away one set of the six NEW colors of ink - Core Ink Pads and Inkers - to one lucky commenter. We encourage you to comment on every blog in the hop - the more blogs you comment on, the more chances to win! Comments for contest entry close Sunday, June 26 at 11:59pm PT, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.




BLOG HOP LIST:
Hero Arts
Mindy Eggen
Seeka
Michelle Short
Lydia Fiedler
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Ilina Crouse
Channin Pelletier
Pocono Pam
Daniel West
Emily Midgett
Maria Willis

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Gina K. Designs June 2022 Release!

Hey everybody! I hope you're having an awesome day! I'm back with my second post of the day and this time we are checking out a stamp set from Gina K. Design's spectacular new release. Today I will be featuring the new stamp set, Window on the Water, illustrated by Melanie Muenchinger. My sentiment is from the Spring Floral Background by Hannah Drapinsky.

For today's card I made a 3.25". 5.75" mini slimline card. I started with a 3" x 5.5" piece of white Hammermill cardstock and I stamped the beach images and sentiment onto it using GKD Onyx ink. I stamped the image three times (once centered and once more on each side) so that the image would stretch across my panel.
Cardbomb, Maria Willis,Gina K. Designs, cards, cardmaking, stamps, stamping, art, handmade, diy, color, ink blending,copic coloring,#beach,

Once my image was stamped, I used a combination of ink blending and copic coloring to add color and shading to my scene. I watered down some white acrylic paint and splattered the background to give the effect of stars.
Cardbomb, Maria Willis,Gina K. Designs, cards, cardmaking, stamps, stamping, art, handmade, diy, color, ink blending,copic coloring,#beach,


The final step was to add a black mat to my card and call it done!

Cardbomb, Maria Willis,Gina K. Designs, cards, cardmaking, stamps, stamping, art, handmade, diy, color, ink blending,copic coloring,#beach,

I hope you guys all love this new stamp set as much as I do and be sure to head over to Gina K. Designs to check out the full release!

Have an awesome day!
Maria


 

Sending Peaceful Vibes Your Way!

Hey everybody! I'm just popping in to let you know that I am up on the Hero Arts blog today sharing a bright and cheerful card. My card showcases the new Mermaid Cove stamp set as well as the Zen Messages stamp set (sentiment). 

I started off by spraying a piece of Luxe watercolor cardstock with my DIY liquid watercolor sprays. Then I heat embossed my images in Onyx Pigment ink and heat embossed them in clear. 

Cardbomb,maria willis,Hero Arts, cards, cardmaking, stamping, stamps, art, diy, handmade, color, watercolor,heat embossing,Mermaids,

I splattered the background with White Glimmer Metallic Ink to add a little magic.
Cardbomb,maria willis,Hero Arts, cards, cardmaking, stamping, stamps, art, diy, handmade, color, watercolor,heat embossing,Mermaids,

Finally, I heat embossed some of the tall kelp in white onto Pitch Black cardstock and cut it out by hand. I added the kelp using foam tape to give it a little bit of extra dimension and that was it!
Cardbomb,maria willis,Hero Arts, cards, cardmaking, stamping, stamps, art, diy, handmade, color, watercolor,heat embossing,Mermaids,

For all of the details please head on over to the Hero Arts blog!

Have an awesome day!
Maria
 

Monday, June 6, 2022

Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Release June 2022: Blog Hop and Giveaway!

Hey everybody! The wait is over! It's time for the Hero Arts June  2022 My Monthly Hero release and this month's kit is an underwater dream! It's got a gorgeous mermaid and other underwater beauties, coordinating dies, an ombre ink pad, a water color paint brush, and pearls (affiliate links may be used at no extra cost to you)!

Before I get to my cards, if you aren't familiar with the My Monthly Hero kit, it's a kit that is released by Hero Arts on the first Monday of every month. It always has a fun, themed, collection of stamps, dies and other goodies. The cost is just $34.99/month and the value is always much greater! This month's kit is valued at $72!

You have the option to subscribe (subscribing now means your first kit will be the July release), or, to buy your favorite kits as one-off purchases. Be aware that once these kits sell out they are gone for good. If you see a kit you like make sure to snatch it up quickly! There are also a ton of amazing add-on products! You can buy the add-ons as a bundle at a discounted rate or just pick up your favorite products. 

For my first project I could not resist coloring the gorgeous mermaid (and some shells and a sea star)! I stamped the mermaid in Onyx Pigment ink and heat embossed it in clear (I also did my sentiment on Mist cardstock at the same time). Then, I colored with my copic markers, die cut my mermaid, and set her aside. 

Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts,My Monthly Hero June 2022, Mermaids, fish, art, cards, cardmaking, handmade, diy, color, stamps, stamping, dies,die cutting,heat embossing,mixed media,

Next I took a piece of Hammermill cardstock and sprayed it with sprays I made from Hero Arts Liquid Watercolors. I used Teal, Leaf and Indigo as well as Grape Slush Reactive Spray. I let the background dry before adding to the background using my Cobblestone Stencil, Hero Pearls in Silver and Hero Wax in Gold and Black. Before the Gold Wax could dry I sprinkled some Sand Embossing Powder onto it and heat embossed it to give it a gritty, sand-like texture. Finally,  splattered my background with White Glimmer Metallic Ink.
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts,My Monthly Hero June 2022, Mermaids, fish, art, cards, cardmaking, handmade, diy, color, stamps, stamping, dies,die cutting,heat embossing,mixed media,

I wound some gold thread around the left side of my sentiment piece, stapled it and added a shell and sea star for fun. I attached the sentiment and mermaid with foam tape. Then I used glue dots to attach a sea star to her hair and one on the sea floor. The final touches were made by adding gold to the mermaid using a gel pen and Hero Pearls in gold. I also added some Hero Pearls in Pewter to the background and to give the mermaid some pearls for rings.
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts,My Monthly Hero June 2022, Mermaids, fish, art, cards, cardmaking, handmade, diy, color, stamps, stamping, dies,die cutting,heat embossing,mixed media,

For my next card I used a couple of the new add-ons: Mermaid Wishes and Tide Stencil. Before I go any further I need to let you know that this Tide stencil is uber delicate. If you pick this one up please know that you will need to be very gentle with it and that Pixie Spray is a good idea. Ok, I started this card off by using the Tide Stencil and Hero Wax in Gold to create my background on Mist cardstock. I set it aside so that it could dry.
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts,My Monthly Hero June 2022, Mermaids, fish, art, cards, cardmaking, handmade, diy, color, stamps, stamping, dies,die cutting,heat embossing,mixed media,

Next, I stamped my mermaid image in Onyx Pigment Ink and heat embossed it in clear embossing powder. I colored with my copic markers and had fun adding a lighter shade of green to the bottle trying to show that the mermaid's tail was behind the bottle. I added some extra detail to the image using white and gold gel pens before cutting it out with the coordinating die.
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts,My Monthly Hero June 2022, Mermaids, fish, art, cards, cardmaking, handmade, diy, color, stamps, stamping, dies,die cutting,heat embossing,mixed media,

I attached my stenciled background piece to a black cardbase. Then I heat embossed my sentiment in white on black so that it would match the base. I attached the mermaid and sentiment using foam tape before adding a few enamel dots as a final touch.
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts,My Monthly Hero June 2022, Mermaids, fish, art, cards, cardmaking, handmade, diy, color, stamps, stamping, dies,die cutting,heat embossing,mixed media,

Just in case you missed it here is another card that I made using this month's kit. Instead of focusing on the mermaid I used the fish as my focal point. If you'd like more detail about this card, CLICK HERE.
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts,My Monthly Hero June 2022, Mermaids, fish, art, cards, cardmaking, handmade, diy, color, stamps, stamping, dies,die cutting,heat embossing,mixed media,

Ok, that's it for today you guys! I hope you love this kit as much as I do. If you do, I recommend snagging one now because I'm predicting a quick sell out for this one. Remember to leave me a comment below to enter our giveaway and keep on hopping along with us for a ton of inspiration!

Have an awesome day!
Maria


GIVEAWAY:
We will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, June 12th at 11:59pm Pacific, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week.


BLOG HOP LIST:


PRODUCT SUPPLY LIST (Affiliate links may be used at no extra cost to you):

Saturday, June 4, 2022

Hero Arts Countdown to Creativity: June 2022 Release

Hey everybody! It's almost time for the May 2022 Hero Arts My Monthly Hero release and this month's kit is a super fun kit packed with... well, I'm not telling you because my card doesn't give the theme away!

If you aren't familiar with the My Monthly Hero kit, it's a kit that is released by Hero Arts on the first Monday of every month. It always has a fun, themed, collection of stamps, dies and other goodies. The cost is just $34.99/month and the value is always much greater! 

You have the option to subscribe (subscribing now means your first kit will be the July 2022 release), or, to buy your favorite kits as one-off purchases. Be aware that once these kits sell out they are gone for good. If you see a kit you like make sure to snatch it up quickly!

Today is Day Two of the Countdown to Creativity and I've got a sneak peek of this month's kit to share with you... and this month's kit is one of my absolute favorite themes! I can't spill all of the beans yet because this is just a sneak peek so stay tuned because the full release is on Monday!

For today's card I started out by stamping the fish and the seaweed in Onyx Pigment ink and heat embossing it in clear. Next, I colored the images with my copic markers and die cut them out. I also die cut a circle frame in gold using my circle nesting dies and cut the center out of a piece of 4"x 5.25" piece of cardstock.

Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts,My Monthly Hero June 2022, Mermaids, fish, art, cards, cardmaking, handmade, diy, color, stamps, stamping, dies,die cutting,heat embossing,mixed media,

Next, I ink-blended Pool Party and Blue Hawaii Reactive Inks onto a cardbase making sure that the color was placed so that it would line up with the hole I cut in the smaller cardstock piece. I sprayed the color with White Iridescent Shimmer Spray and allowed that to dry. While that was drying I glued the gold frame to my front panel and heat embossed my sentiment using Sapphire Pigment Ink and Clear embossing powder.
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts,My Monthly Hero June 2022, Mermaids, fish, art, cards, cardmaking, handmade, diy, color, stamps, stamping, dies,die cutting,heat embossing,mixed media,

I added foam tape to the back of my front panel and adhered to my cardbase. Then, I used foam tape to adhere my seaweed and my fish. The seaweed is tucked behind the front panel so it looks like it's growing out from the circle. The final touch for this card was to add a bunch of bubbles using the new Hero Pearls in White. 
Cardbomb,Maria Willis,Hero Arts,My Monthly Hero June 2022, Mermaids, fish, art, cards, cardmaking, handmade, diy, color, stamps, stamping, dies,die cutting,heat embossing,mixed media,

Well, that is it for today you guys! If you'd like a chance to win this kit before you can buy it then head on over to the Hero Arts blog to enter. I'll see you back here on Monday for the full release (it's amazing so make sure to come back!)!

Have a great weekend!
Maria


PRODUCT SUPPLY LIST (affiliate links may be used at no extra cost to you):
01 09 10