Are you ready for the new My Monthly Hero Kit and add-ons for April 2021 by Hero Arts? This month brings a lot of unique and creative designs that are a bit different from the traditional Hero Arts stamps and frame cuts as they incorporate a lot of geometric-shaped images and several stencils. From card making to gift tags these images can be used in a variety of ways, including mixed media, as I will be showcasing in my first project. It’s one of my favorite ways to play. But let’s first talk about this month’s kit. As always, Hero Arts packs a lot of products into each collection.
With this kit you will receive:
6″ x 8″ Clear Stamp Set, 16 Coordinating Frame Cuts, 3 Geometric Rotating Stencils, 3 Ink Cubes (Tangerine, Raspberry Jam and Grape Juice), 1 Ink Blending Brush.
This entire kit retails for $83.00 but is available for $34.99. A big savings. Just know that there are a limited quantity of kits. Once they are gone, they will not be restocked. If you are considering becoming a Kit subscriber and never missing out on a kit collection, simply go here.
So here’s my take on this set. I chose super bright and cheery colors because I am ready for spring and summer! Are you too? (All products used in the projects are listed at the end of this post.)
For the background, I worked off of Arches 140 lb., cold press, watercolor paper. I misted the striped stencil with Pixie spray adhesive and attached the stencil to the base. I then applied Frisket, a liquid latex, which is kind of like a quick-drying glue, to the striped portions of the stencil. The frisket acts as a sealant for the image, preserving the color underneath it. Make sure to read the instructions on the frisket bottle, use an old brush to apply the frisket and immediately wash your stencil and brush in soapy water. (Frisket is gummy so it will most likely ruin your brush but it comes off easily on the stencil if you wash it right away. Dipping your brush into liquid detergent before applying frisket, will help your brush from gumming up.) Let the frisket dry on the paper. It dries quickly. When dry, lightly mist the paper with water and then apply Reactive inks to the base using a watercolor brush. (I chose Key Lime and Pool Party.) Add more water and ink to get the desired look. Allow the watercolor piece to dry completely. Do not use a heat tool to speed up the process. When the base is completely dry, use a gummed eraser to remove the frisket. Flick the base with a bit of the Reactive ink using a water brush and you have your background.
Die-cut a few circles, stamp a circle with the sentiment, stamp and die-cut the dragonflies and attach all to the colored base. Because Arches paper is rough, it can be a bit of a challenge to adhere to a card base. I recommend either using red tape or actually stitching it onto the back base before attaching it to the card base.
For my second card, I used the 1/4 circle stencil on orange cardstock using Creamsicle Reactive Ink, rotating it to apply another layer of ink (a bit heavier) to the images until it filled the background. I stamped and die-cut the cat and dog out, as well as stamped and embossed the “just here to say” sentiment. I cut a piece of Dove White cardstock to form a small card in the front and stamped the “Happy Birthday” sentiment onto it using several shades of Reactive Ink. I folded the white card so that it wrapped around the orange cardstock base only, attached the dog, the embossed sentiment and then added the cat.
For the inside I stamped another sentiment using Intense Black ink.
The orange background piece was adhered to the top of a Dove White Top Folded card with the back of the small white card sandwiched between the two. I added a few sequins just for fun. And there you have it. I have to say, I love that dog. So cute!
Of course, I would never want to neglect the fabulous add-ons to this launch either. Here is a card that have some of my favorite design characters. The images are stamped in Intense Black Ink, die-cut and then colored with Copic Markers. I added a few coordinating colors of cardstock to the bottom edge of the card. I added another piece of cardstock to the back, inside of the card to form a pocket and punched a half circle at the end. I was then able to add a pull out tag that has a gift card attached. Kind of different, kind of fun.
Well there you have it. Just a little piece from me. Hope you all enjoyed this month’s launch. I think it’s pretty special. As always, every launch has a hop and a giveaway. Scroll on down to see how to enter the giveaway. If you are hopping, your next stop is with the amazing Emily Midgett who has more ideas and if you missed out somewhere along the way, the list is posted below.
Thanks for spending a bit of your time here. Always appreciated.
XO,
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Giveaway: We will give away one $50.00 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Sunday, April 11th at 11:59 p.m. pacific, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week!
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If you are interested in any of the products featured in this post, they are listed below. Just so you know, I am part of an affiliate link. That means I earn a small percentage of the sale but that amount is never passed on to you the customer.
Blog Hop Team…
Debi Adams-You are Here
Like the wonderful critters: Dragonfly, dog, cat and more. Ordered bundle to go with subscription kit.
Melissa
“Sunshine HoneyBee”
I was looking for inspiration to but the April set and Thank you, I found it on your blog. Go to go order it now.
Hi, Debi – I was looking at the Bug You set and its die cuts… I put them in my cart and was 80% sure I would buy them. Your third card just pushed me over to the 99% sure category. It’s terrific!! I love the colors you chose and the way you colored. I also like the cat/dog and the dragonfly. Thanks for the info about Frisket — I have not heard that name before.
Have a great day!
Lori S in PA
Such beautiful cards! Love the backgrounds and the great colors!
The dog and cat card is my favorite and I love the colors you used! This month’s kit is so unique and I have to have it.
Oh goodness that watercolor look is fab!
— Dalis
Loved both the dragonfly and the co.oracular insect cards! Thanks for the inspiration.
Beautiful cards!
Love your cards!
I really like how you softened the look of the stencil on the dragonfly card. Very creative!!
My favorite is your gift card. So cute!
Love the colors you used for your backgrounds! This release is making me sooooo happy! I love seeing what everyone is doing with it.
Great cards!
Beautiful colors! I LOVE the puppy one!
Delightful cards. Love the Bug You card – it’s so bright and cheery
Great stuff! Really love the bugs. So glad I ordered them this morning.
I love Key Lime Fizz and Pool Party. These are all great cards.
love your style! love this release!
Wonderful cards. Thank you for sharing – nice variety.
I like the backgrounds on the first two and the cute scene on the last.
Wonderful cards!
Cute graphic backgrounds! Thanks for sharing your pretty card creations using this fun new kit.
Such wonderful cards, Debi! I love the doggie!
Lovely!
Colorful cards and so inspiring!
Love your color selection. Excellent!
Whaaat?!! I know you! I just ordered this kit for the first time. Looks fun! Love your cards…still have my address??!
I love the idea of frisket. I have some in my watercolor stash but never thought to use it for my card making. Definitely will give it a try.
Love your cards
For the love of color and frisket (which is new to me) your cards are stunning!!!
Absolutely love your cards, great release!!
I love the bright colors you used and everything is so well balanced, I have trouble with that so examples like yours help. Thank you for sharing, it’s so appreciated.
Beautiful cards! Love the colors you used!
Great cards! Fantasic kit!
I love the pool party and key lime combo on the first card- that is really fresh and happy. I also laughed at the “Sending a little something” gift card holder with all the little buggies.
Absolutely gorgeous, colorful cards!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Very pretty cards, love the blues and greens on that first one!!
Oh I love your first card! The colors are awesome!
All your cards are awesome. The first background is very cool! I also like your last card that uses the bug add on stamp set. It’s Spring and we welcome those important pollinators and friendly bugs! (Maybe not the snail sad to say- but it is cute on a card LOL).
The insect card is absolutely adorable!
Your use of the stencils is wonderful! Liked the playfulness of your last card, too!
Awesome cards! I love the blue background on the first card !
These are fun. Need to read up on frisket, interesting effect and really neat effect! Love the bold colors and simple bold critters. Great masculine kit, but love the springy citrus colors Tom soften it. Love your cards.
As always, I love your cards Debi! You’re so creative! I especially love the birthday card with the cute cat and dog! Thanks for sharing!
Fantastic cards! I really love the blue green colour combo!
I just love the last card you made…so sweet! Thanks for sharing! ~Kim
Enjoyed seeing all of your very pretty cards! Loving the mix of stenciled backgrounds with the new cute stamp images!
The card with the Caterpillar is my favorite, though they all are really good.
This kit is so so funl! so many options. I love how you used the stencils!
Love the color combos, thanks for the inspiration
Debi, I am so drawn to your first card… the colors and composition are inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
I NEED THE BUGS STAMPS!!! These are so darned cute!
Wow! What a stunnng set of cards! I love your first card with the soft pretty colours and tall your clever designs!! Thanks so much for the inspiration! Stay safe!
Love the colours you used!
I missed the bug set. You have such a whimsical touch!
Love your cards