Craizer then a......

Fox!

Today I am sharing a fun birthday card that I made for the Hero Arts "Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero" challenge for February which is "Animal Crackers". I have been a loyal fan and customer for Hero Arts since the very beginning (yes, I am old!) and I always will be. This crazy celebrating fox is from the Party Fox Stamp and Cut set. I am very into infinity shakers at the moment and I think that this guy is perfect for one.

Thanks for the visit! Hope that you play along.

Oldie But Goodie (& I don't just mean ME!)

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!
I am having such fun going through all of my older Hero Arts stamps for the current challenge at "A Blog Named Hero". It is "Combine Old & New".

For today's card I am using a well-worn wood stamp from 2002 called "A Real Daisy #C2624"

I don't keep many wood stamps because of storage limitations but this is a classic and it never lets me down. I stamped it in layers of Distress Oxide Inks in shades of pink and added some mist and splatters. This became the background for a cute image from one of my newest sets, "Kittens in Kimonos #CM443".

Although I am not a big cat person, I love Asian style cards and I make many for folks in my church which was founded by Issei (the first generation of Japanese immigrants).

I added a sweet sentiment from the set and a couple of small strips of gold cardstock. I am just delighted with the results and appreciate that the challenge caused me to think outside the box.

Thanks for the visit! Stay safe and keep crafty,

Let's Start the Parade!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!
Now that my July 4th cards have been delivered I can share some of them with you. Today's card is headed for the current challenge at "A Blog Named Hero" which is "Combine the Old and New".

I have been a fan and customer of Hero Arts since they started 45 years ago. While this stamp is older (2011) it isn't my oldest. I have loved this silhouette stamp and used it so often. Today I used it for Fourth of July, but I decided that there should be a flag at the start of the parade. So I drew one in! That is the "new" element to this old stamp!

The oval background is done with direct ink to paper by drawing the Distress Oxide Ink pads across some Bristol cardstock. I added some patterned paper and a sentiment strip which is heat-embossed with silver.

Hero Arts Products Used:

Parade G5469

All occasion Messages CL272

Wishing you a wonderful day and a lovely and safe holiday. Thanks for the visit,

Old And New with Hero Arts

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!
As many of you know I have been with Hero Arts since they started. I was already a cardmaker and was so excited when a local (SF Bay Area) small business came along with terrific designs that I have loved for so long.

I was blog-surfing this morning and stumbled upon this challenge over at At Blog Named Hero called "Combine Old and New".  Believe me, with an entire cabinet in my craft room filled with Hero Arts goodies I knew I had to play even though the clock is ticking.

For this card I combined one of my older and favorite background stamps. I remember that when it was released it was such a big hit that it immediately sold out and I had to wait for it. I've combined it with my most recent Hero Arts purchase, this lovely floral stamp. I don't usually do florals because I am not good at coloring them, but I was introduced to this stamp at a recent Zoom class I took and found it really easy and fun to color with Copics.

Hero Arts Products Used:
Envelope Liner Background CG461
Hero Florals Rose Stem CM260
Hero Florals Rose Stem Frame Cuts DI505

This has been a fun challenge! I wish I could say come and play along, but it closes at 5pm EST today!

Hope you are having a glorious weekend and thanks for the visit,

A Rose By Any Other Name.......

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Even though I've been using only my older beloved Hero Arts stamps for the "Stay Crafty with Hero Challenge #9" so far, for my last entry I wanted to use my very newest stamp. It arrived in the mail from Hero this week (they had a slow down in processing orders before they could re-staff their warehouse). I am normally not big on floral stamps (I am intimidated when it comes to coloring them), but I had used this stamp in a Zoom class I took in April and decided I had to have it. With all the shading, it isn't that difficult to color and I like the size of it.

Rather than using patterned paper I used some of my many Hero Arts background stamps. The panels I created are little too bold (I love color!) so I used a white panel behind the flower. The background stamps and the sentiment are all from my older HA stash.

I remained quite true to the sketch (see my June 12th post) this time and I used Copic pens and added some shiny sequins. I know I will use this great stamp very often!

Hero Arts Products Used:
Hero Florals Rose Stem (2018)
Garden Background
Graphic Leaves Background
Essential Messages (2010)
White Embossing Powder

I guess one could say this particular challenge really did challenge me and it inspired me to make lots of cards. Thanks again, Hero Arts.

I appreciate your visit. Stay well,

Friendly Fox

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

With the Shelter in Place and the summer heat I continue to play with the Stay Crafty With Hero Challenge #9. It is a sketch challenge (included in my June 10th post) and I am using some of my older Hero Arts stamps to demonstrate my decades of loyalty to this amazing small business.

For this card I have used one of my favorite critters (#E5465). This is a wood-mounted stamp, something I have pretty much stopped buying because of storage issues. But when I saw this guy in 2011.....well, he had my heart.

I admit, the more I continue with this challenge, the farther away I get from the actual sketch. But once I get going, there is simply no stopping me and I can't play by the strict rules! I added a die-cut vellum piece to this card rather than using patterned paper. And, yes, the fox was fussy cut.

I used some wood-grain cardstock and I added a couple of tiny staples in the corner for some interest and to give it more of a masculine look.

I don't have the name of the sentiment set, but it is also an oldie.

Thanks for the visit, you foxy creature, you! Have a great day,

A Good Day for a Cone!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I continue to play with the Hero Arts Stay Crafty Challenge #9. I don't know that I have ever done a sketch challenge, but the more I do, the more fun I have. And, honestly, the more I alter the challenge sketch. But that is what it is all about, right? Getting us out of our comfort zones.

I included the sketch in my June 10th post, so I will not include it here. I am still reaching for some of my older favorites to demonstrate my decades of loyalty to Hero Arts. This set ("Life of the Party Birthday") is from 2011 and I still use it. Those smiles have my heart!

There were no matching dies (or I couldn't afford them if there were!), so it is fussy cut. Not a problem.

In keeping with my vintage theme I added some vintage rick-rack and crepe paper that I have fringe-cut. That used to be a party decoration staple years ago!

Have a great day and thanks for the visit!

Hero Arts Crafty Challenge

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

As I have mentioned here before, Hero Arts was the first real stamping company that happened during my early card-making days. We grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area together! I was with them at the start and I'll be with them as long as I am able to make cards.

Because small businesses like this have been struggling, I've decided to use some of my time-proven old favorite hero Arts stamps for this Crafty Challenge #9 to show them my loyalty. The challenge is a sketch challenge using this sample:

I have taken some liberties with the sketch, which is totally appropriate.....it is intended to get us thinking outside our box.

My card uses an old favorite from 2009 called "Silhouette Flower". I stamped it with Distress Oxide Inks, brushed the flowers with a Versafine pen and added some clear embossing powder. Then I cut the stamped down in size with a stitched die.

I added some distressing and a sentiment from a classic 2011 set.

This sure is nothing like my normal style. In fact, I almost never use patterned paper anymore, but this is a lovely piece by Blue Fern Studios. It looks like many of the Distress oxide backgrounds I routinely make. And using it sure is lots less messy!

Hero Arts Products Used:
Silhouette Flower
Everyday Sayings
Clear Embossing Powder

Thanks for the visit! Stay crafty,

Stay Crafty with Hero Arts, Part 4

Hi, Bloggin Buddies

I have shared with you (in my May 19th post and subsequent posts) my story of being a happy customer and fan of Hero Arts since they started. I was living in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960's, making cards using stamps that I carved myself or that I found in "counter-culture" shops in Berkeley and the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco. I even used old office stamps ("Special Delivery" "Receipt Requested", etc) in some of my card designs. And then Hero Arts happened and I couldn't have been more excited and appreciative.

Just the other day I grabbed a favorite stamp that I often use on envelopes. It is a Hero Arts stamp dated 1984 with the coolest vintage logo. This is probably not my oldest Hero stamp, but it is one that I constantly use to this day.

For today's card, headed again to the "Stay Crafty with Hero Arts Challenge #8", I used some newer "small joy" stamps than I've been using in my previous posts and one of my all-time, well-used "larger joy" stamp.

This fox is truly a party animal!

I colored this party with Copics, did some paper-piecing, cut everything out and made the party happen. I added some Wink of Stella and Glossy Accents.

These are the stamps I used:

CG157 Large Cupcake

CL514 Life of the Party Birthday

CK382 Wonderful Birthday

DC276 Party Fox

MH0219C February 2019 Kit

Thanks for the visit, for your love of Hero Arts, and thanks to Hero Arts for happening at a key time in my card-making life and for being there ever since. You really are some of my heroes.

Stay well and crafting, 

Stay Crafty with Hero Arts, Part 3

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Looking through all of my Hero Arts "small joys" stamps I have accumulated over the decades has brought back so many memories of my early card-making days and my excitement when, 45 years ago, Hero Arts happened!

I have always loved Hero Arts owls - they have such great personalities and are so dang cute - and I have MANY of them. I used some of them for this card, which is headed for the "Stay Crafty with Hero Challenge #8".

Because I wanted to highlight their individuality, I selected several of my owls and decided that the slim-line card design would best accommodate them. This is my first card of this style (although it has become very popular lately) and I've decided that it is not something I will probably make very often.

I had fun coloring these guys with Copics, hand-cutting them out (these pre-date matching dies!) and embellished them with some Goggly eyes and Glossy Accents. I selected a neutral cardstock to allow the fun birds to stand out. I used 2 Hero alphabet sets for the sentiment.

The stamps I used (many retired) are:

LP 167 Owl Trio

D5217 Big Hoot

D5562 Newspaper Owl

CL332 Friendship

CL415 Sweet Owls

CL141 Fanciful Swirl Alphabet

CL260 Curly Alphabet

Thanks for joining me on my trip down memory lane. 

Stay well,

Staying Crafty with Hero Arts, Part 2

Hi, bloggin' buddies!

On my last post I shared a bit about my long history with Hero Arts. Today's card is another in the "Stay Crafty with Hero Challenge #8". When I realized that this lamb reminded me of a puffy cloud. I paired it with a water-colored rainbow and several other little stamp "joys", using Zigs and Copics, to create a scene of hope and joy

The stamps I used (many are retired) I used are:

Magical Background CG211

Silly Scape (just a portion) K5425

Happy Days Animals CL153

Shoot for the Moon CL773

I'm having so much fun pulling out older and treasured "joys" that I may continue to play with this challenge. My heart is always big for Hero Arts.

Thanks for the visit and stay well and crafty,

Staying Crafty with Hero Arts

Hi, blogging buddies!
I was probably one of Hero Arts' first customers. I was with them from the start and will always be. I have been stamping cards since the late 1960's and was so happy when Hero Arts was born.

Years ago I did lots of challenges and now I've decided to return to a few to get my mojo moving. Today I am joining my dear Hero Arts in their "Stay Crafty with Hero Challenge #8".

The challenge is to use some of the small joys in your stash. In preparation for this I pulled out "a few" of my Hero Arts stamps (and these are just the clear & cling ones) to consider. Remember, I've been using Hero stamps for 45 years.

My first creation uses lots of fun animal stamps to celebrate one of the many "drive-by" birthdays that have been happening with the stay-at-home orders. They just make my heart happy.

The stamps (many are retired) I used are:
February 2019 Kit MH0219C
Playful Animals CL1555
Wonderful birthday CL382
Life of the Party Birthday CL514
Happy Days Animals CL153


I had so much fun with this challenge that, time permitting, I may return for more.
Thanks for being there for me for so many decades, Hero Arts!

Thanks for the visit and stay crafty,

"Wood" I? You Bet!

Hi, Blogging Buddies!

Indeed! Today's tags are again the result of the "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Touch" brought to us by the wonderful Ellen Hutson. I was excited to play along with Day 6 and the tree tags inspired by BOTH Laurel Beard and Carly Tee Minner. I love woodgrain! Perhaps it is my background in architecture and environmental studies.......okay, I'm a tree-hugger!

Yes, I continue to use favorite products from Essentials by Ellen designed by the terrific Julie Ebersole. I simply can't help it. They speak to me. For these tags I used woodgrain cardstock, very feminine pink and aqua colors, and Julie's "Geo Tree" dies.

My first tag, inspired by Carly, uses the negative space within the woodgrain paper to create the tree image. But I went over the top with girly-pearly embellishments, as per Laurel's tag!

Since I had the tree shape from the first die cut of the woodgrain paper, I used it for a second tag. I sponged "Spun Sugar" Destress Oxide Ink lightly over the paper for a touch of color and spattered it with Hero Arts Pewter Glimmer Metallic ink for some additional interest and shine. The sentiment is from Hero's Christmas Messages.

Both tree tags are topped with some perfect wood stars and pink help twine from my stash to complete the entire "wood" effect.

Sparkle and Shine

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I continue to create along with Ellen Hutson for her "12 Days of Christmas Tags with a Feminine Twist". This tag was inspired by Day 3 and the amazing Kelly Marie Alvarez's tag, which is "Sparkle and Shine". While I rarely use glitter (because I wear it for days!), I do love glittery things so I used glitter cardstock (DCWV) and wash tape from my stash to add the sparkle. And always a touch of Stickles!

I love this little line-up of snowfolks from Lawn Fawn's "Simply Celebrate Winter" set. I paired it with a tiny little sentiment from Hero Arts "Christmas Messages" set.

Another day of sweet tag-spiration! Thanks to Ellen and thanks to you for the visit,

Emboss a Tag

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Another day of inspiration from Ellen Hutson and her "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Touch".

Today's tag was inspired by Day 4 and Michelle Ferguson's tag which uses "Embossing". I was also inspired by using the color pink!  I embossed this ornament and watercolored it. Embossing really helps keep track of the water in watercoloring!

The stamps are from Hero Arts "Ornaments Stamp and Cut" and "Christmas Messages".

Thanks to Ellen and thanks to you for the visit! Keep on tagging' on!

Time for Tags (again!)

But, thanks to Ellen Hutson's wonderful skills, it is with a feminine twist!!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

More tags, you say??? Never too many!

This is my first post for Ellen Hutson's annual "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist"! I always look forward to this because the designers do a terrific job of inspiring us to think outside the box.

This tag was inspired by Day One and Carloyn Peeler's tag, for which she used alcohol inks. Since I love this soft (and feminine!) turquoise blue ink, I used it for my background. A touch of sparkle was added with the glittery reinforcer and some Stickles along the snow bank. The sweet critter is from Lawn Fawn's "Winter Skies" set and the sentiment is from Hero Arts "Christmas Messages" set. For a finishing touch I added a piece of special iridescent  twine that I've been hoarding.

The sun wasn't cooperating, but this does have a ton of shimmer, sparkle and shine.

Thanks to Ellen and thanks to you for the visit!

I "Felt" Creative

Can you tell that I'm loving it? A soapy, fun mess!
That's me on the right.

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I did something really different last night and I want to share it with you. I attended a felting class. If you are unsure, felting is the agitation of wool with warm water and friction (we used nylon netting) to coax the tiny scales in the wool to separate and become lovely wool felt.

One can make all kinds of things like hats, purses, scarves, etc. As beginners, we felted bars of Dove soap! There were tons of different and brilliant colors of carded wool from which to choose.

Crazy fun! The felted bars apparently exfoliate skin beautifully when used in the tub/shower.

I always love to learn new crafts and it was great to be with some remarkable new women friends. 

Felted Soap Bars

The results are interesting and colorful. Years ago I used a different felting technique (shrinking a wool sweater from the Goodwill in the clothes dryer!) to make a beautiful and unique purse.

I made cards to thank our patient and helpful teachers - they were fun (yes, there was wine!), kind, and so experienced. 

Distress Oxide Inks were sponged through two different stencils (Hero Arts for the pink green and Kite for the blue/green) onto Bristol cardstock for easy blending. The silly sentiment (stamped in pigment ink and heat embossed with Hero Arts clear embossing powder) is by Laugh Out Loud and I stamped another one in black ink on the envelopes. I added some crystal sequins for some texture and interest.

This is headed for the current challenge "Make Your Own Background" at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge's blog.

Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful and creative week,

Lick It!

Hi, bloggin' Buddies!

I used this Hero Arts stamp set the other day and I just couldn't put that sweet face way without making another summertime card. Too cute, eh?

The set is "Life of the Party" from 2011. I also used the "Life of the Party Words" background stamp. Fun, cool and simple! I added a little pom-pon to his hat, some pearls and a small bow to compete the look.

I am sending this off to the challenge at A Blog Named Hero - "Summertime Fun". I'd love to keep playing, but we are packing up and heading on a little summertime fun adventure later today, so I wish you a wonderful week filled with lots of summertime fun!

Thanks for the visit,

Give Me a Hand!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Finding a little time to craft again today - summer is such a fun and busy time! Yesterday I kind of told you my history with Hero Arts and the older classic stamps that I cherish. Well, I am also crazy about all the new layering sets. They make getting great dimension on our cards an easy task (most of the time!).

I am a big fan of the ocean, so this Color Layering Octopus (CM 104) is a favorite of mine and just perfect to reflect summertime fun. I don't often make shaker cards, but I did today. I added some Pearl Pen for a shiny eye and some Wink of Stella for sparkle.

This is headed to the current challenge at A Blog Named Hero - "Summertime Fun" . You have time to play along and celebrate summer.

Thanks so much for the visit,