Thanks so much for stopping by to help celebrate the release of the Hero Arts 2018 Summer Catalog. I’m so excited to be participating in this fun blog hop. There are so many wonderful items in this new catalog its hard to pick my favorite. I have a few cards to share using the new Peonies stamp and Scrollwork stencil plus some older Hero Arts products from my stash.
Let’s get started with my first card using the Peonies stamp.
I white heat embossed the image on water color paper and then used my Gansai Tambi watercolors in #35 and #33 to paint the flowers and some greens for the leaves.
Once they were dry, I fussy cut the images out and prepared my background. I used the same watercolor paper and splattered gold and black watered down acrylic paint on the paper. I stamped the sentiment from the same set on black card stock and heat embossed it in white. Then I used Zot glue dots on the back of the flower to give it a little dimension and finished the card with some sequins.
For my second card, I used the same set but with vellum, colored pencils and the Scrollwork stencil background.
I stamped this beautiful image on vellum with Versmark ink and heat embossed it in gold. Then I flipped it over to color the flower with color pencils. I used Mulberry, Process Red, and Rose and blended them the white pencil. I love the soft color these pencils have on vellum.
To create the background I took the Scrollwork stencil and watercolor paper and applied gold acrylic paint with my paint brush. I also added some black splatters to add a bit of interest. I covered the background with the vellum and added sequins and the sentiment which is heat embossed in the same gold.
For this card I used alcohol ink on Yupo paper.
I stamped the image with Versafine ink on some heavystock Yupo using my MISTI and then heat embossed it in gold. Note: Be sure to have a very hot heat gun so it doesn’t warp your paper. Once the image cooled off, I alternated between dropping alcohol ink and painting with it on the petals depending on the look on wanted. I did the same thing with the leaves and background using alcohol ink and blending solution and blowing around the ink.
Once everything was dry, I used my MISTI to stamp the image again and re-emboss it to get a brighter gold look. I also used it to stamp the sentiment. I added gold sequins to finish the card. For more tips on painting with alcohol inks you can also click here.
Scrollwork Stencil: My next card uses the HA Scrollwork stencil, photo paper and distress oxide inks. This stencil is so fun and pretty and I love the look.
I took some photo paper and distress oxides and blended them into the paper covered with the stencil. Once I was done, I wiped it off to reveal the bright colors on the glossy paper. I sealed the paper with Distress Glaze. I added the sentiments from the March Kit, die cutting the hugs from gold paper and white heat embossing the sending sentiment.
For this card I used Bristol Smooth paper and distress oxide inks and blended them using a stencil brush.
I finished the card by heat embossing the sentiment and adding white Nuvo drops, and adhered it to the blue card base with foam tape.
For this card I used texture paste with the stencil and some Liquid Watercolor to color it blue. I stamped the elephant in Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide and used Zig Clean Color Pens to watercolor the elephant. I fussy cut the elephant out and adhered it to the background with glue. I die cut the speech bubble and white heat embossed the sentiment. With both the speech bubble and card base, I blended Walnut Stain Distress Ink into the edges and then added dashes with my white gel pen to give it a leathery look. Both the background and speech bubble are adhered with foam tape to add a little dimension.
Thanks for stopping by to take a look at all my all my cards and I hope they inspired you to create. Don’t forget to leave a comment on this blog as well as the rest for a chance to win one of two great prizes.
HOP ALONG WITH US!
The Hero Arts Blog
Amy Tsuruta
Clare Prezzia
Emily Midgett
Illina Crouse
Janette Kausen
Jessica Frost-Ballas
May Sukyong Park
Michelle Short
Yana Smakula
Kathy Racoosin
Kelly Latevola
Lydia Fiedler
Wanda Guess
Cynde Whitlow
Ericka Strange – you are here
Jeanne Jachna
Juhi Khanna
Karen Bull
Kim Hamilton
Lisa Stein
Meghan Peterson
Michelle Yuen
Libby Hickson
Jennifer McGuire
Hero Arts is giving away two (2) $50 shopping sprees to the Hero Arts online store to a randomly drawn comments left across all blogs in the hop . So be sure to leave a comment for your chances to win. Comments on blogs must be in by 11:59pst on Sunday, May 20.
Click on the link to purchase or check out more items from the 2018 Hero Arts Summer Catalog.
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Supplies
*Listed below are the products I used and contain affiliate links at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
 Hero Arts Monthly Kit March 2018 Shop at: HA |
 Hero Arts – Color Layering Elephant Shop at: EH | BL | HA | SC |
 Hero Arts – Happy Birthday to You Shop at: HA | SC | AZ |
 Hero Arts – Peonies Shop at: EH | HA | SC |
 Hero Arts – Scrollwork Shop at: EH | HA | SC |
 Canson XL Watercolor Paper Pad Shop at: EH | BL | DB | AZ |
 Photo Paper Glossy Shop at: AZ |
 Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock Shop at: EH | SC | AZ |
 Strathmore – Bristol Smooth Shop at: BL | SC | DB | AZ |
 Yupo Heavyweight Shop at: DB | AZ |
 Tonic Studios – Nuvo Collection – Crystal Drops Gloss – White Shop at: EH | BL | SC | AZ | TC |
 Hero Arts – Embossing Powder – Gold Shop at: EH | BL | HA | SC |
 Hero Arts Embossing Powder – Detail White Shop at: EH | HA | SC | AZ |
 3M Scotch Double Foam Tape Shop at: EH | BL | AZ |
 Plus – Permanent Vellum Glue Shop at: AZ |
 Ranger Ink – Texture Paste Shop at: EH | BL | SC | AZ |
 Therm O Web – Zots – Clear Adhesive Dots – 3D Shop at: BL | SC | AZ | Th |
 Tombow Xtreme Adhesive Tape Runner Shop at: BL | SC | DB | TC |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Distress Ink Pad – Walnut Stain Shop at: EH | BL | SC | DB | AZ |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Distress Oxides Ink Pad Kit – 2017 Bundle Two Shop at: EH | BL | SC | AZ | Th |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Distress Oxides Ink Pad Kit – 2018 Bundle Three Shop at: EH | BL | SC | AZ |
 Tsukineko – VersaMark Ink Pad Shop at: EH | BL | HA | SC | AZ |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Alcohol Blending Solution Shop at: EH | BL | SC | AZ |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Gold Mixative Shop at: EH | SC | AZ |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Mariner Shop at: EH | BL | SC | DB | AZ |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Nature Walk Shop at: EH | BL | SC | DB | AZ |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Poppyfield Shop at: EH | BL | AZ |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Shell Pink Shop at: EH | BL | SC | AZ |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Spring Break Shop at: EH | BL | DB | AZ |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Valley Trail Shop at: EH | BL | SC | DB | AZ |
 Ranger – Tim Holtz – Watermelon Shop at: EH | BL | SC | AZ |
 Ranger Ink – Dina Wakley Media – Acrylic Paint – Black Shop at: SC | AZ |
 Ranger Ink – Dina Wakley Media –  Acrylic Paint – GiltShop at: BL | SC | AZ |
 Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Set of 36 Shop at: EH | BL | DB |
 Air Blower Shop at: AZ |
 Hero Arts – Wagner – HT400 Precision Heat Tool Shop at: HA | SC | AZ |
 MISTI Stamping Tool Shop at: EH | HA | SC | AZ |
 Ranger Ink – Tim Holtz – Distress Micro Glaze Shop at: EH | BL | SC | AZ |
 Kuretake – ZIG – Clean Color – Real Brush Marker Shop at: EH | BL | SC | DB | AZ |
 Hero Arts – Liquid Watercolors Deep Ocean PD113 Shop at: EH | HA | AZ |
 Hero Arts – Liquid Watercolors Indigo PD114 Shop at: EH | HA | AZ |
 Kuretake – Gansai Tambi – Solid Watercolors – 36 Piece Set Shop at: EH | BL | SC | DB | AZ |
 Uni-ball Impact Gel Pen, White Shop at: EH | BL | AZ |
I love all of the new ideas!
Thanks Shanna!
amazing, stunning cards, all so inspiring.
x Karen
Thanks Karen!
wowza, Ericka, you’ve been busy! These are all simply gorgeous!
Thank you Amy!
Your cards are beautiful and love the different looks and techniques. I will have to get the peony stamp!
Thank you Vickie it really is a beautiful stamp!
Wow fabulous examples and tutorials to show the many possibilities in using different techniques to create amazing cards- THANKS!
Thank you Dee Ann.
Love these Ericka. The coloring is spectacular!
Thanks so much Lisa!
All of these cards are just gorgeous but your alcohol ink one is intriguing! I will have to try your technique! I think that is a STUNNING card!
Thank you so much!
Amazing cards! I love the flowers!
Thanks Tara!
Wow! How did you get the most perfect splatter ever?! The elephant takes the cake – love this card super much!
Thanks Karen, I think I splattered my clothes just as much as the paper lol. Need to work on that 😉
All so beautiful and fabulous backgrounds! I love the colors you used on the first flower; just beautiful.
Thank you Becca.
Beautiful cards! Love the blue backgrounds!
Beautiful cards and the coloring is just awesome and great technique….well done and tfs
Thanks Terrie
Holy stunningness!! I started by thinking that you first card was my favorite peony on the hop so far, but then that stained waterglass one!?! That should be framed!! SO beautiful!!
Thank you so much Clare!
WOOOO….lovely flowers!!such gorgeous set of cards!!
Thank so much Anushree
Love ALL of your peony cards – one of my favorite flowers! Thank you for the opportunity to win! 🙂
Beautiful cards, think I am gonna try the alcohol ink flower!
The red flower card is stunning! Love that technique!
Your flowers are stunning!
WOW, I will have to spend more time here. Wonderful techniques and cards.
Thank you so much.
Beautiful cards! Love the colors!
I found your blog through the blog hop and wow – what wonderful cards! I’m loving this entire new release line from Hero Arts.
Thanks Laine
I really love the watercolor painting look and these cards are art.
Gorgeous cards! Love the water coloring.
I love the pink and gold flower, so pretty!
That peony is amazing!
Beautiful! I love how the alcohol inks on the yupo paper make the flower pop.Thanks for some great ideas.
Really stunning! I love your ideas –
Gorgeous cards Ericka. Love the different mediums you used for coloring… the alcohol ink and yupo paper technique is my favorite!
Wow—what a great assortment of cards. The peony is my favorite stamp in this collection, and I love the cards you created with it.
All of your cards are lovely, but the Yupo flower is amazing! I have not had success with embossing Yupo so I will try a heavier weight.
wow these cards are stunning – love them all:)
Thanks Dee!
These are just stunning!
Beautiful coloring, beautiful cards. I love the stencil, and the florals are amazing.
Am in loooove with this huge HA peony!!! Gorgeously colored and such beautiful cards!
Beverly, Congratulations on being selected as the random Hero Arts Winner! Please claim your prizes by emailing info@heroarts.com (subject line “2018 Summer Catalog Blog Hop Winner”). Enjoy!
Your cards are fantastic ! This peony stamp is gorgeous and your card on Yupo is so beautiful ! I have never tried this technique … but I think I have to ! I love alcohol inks 🙂
gorgeous cards!! Love the florals so much.
OMG! Why had I never thought of stamping directly onto yupo paper. Doh! Stunning
Wonderful projects. Thanks for sharing the different techniques you used with the peonies stamp; all three cards are exceptionally beautiful! The third one with alcohol inks is very cloisonné-like; gorgeous!
Thank you Sue!
Love all the unique ideas you’ve presented.. I love the new release and its obvious you did too.. You were so inspired. Thanks for sharing!
Great card! I love Hero Arts
So many great cards, love those peony cards the best!
These peonies are just gorgeous!! And I love how you used the scrollwork stencil, just beautiful!!
Very pretty. Really, really love those blue backgrounds.
Beautiful inspiration!
Wow, gorgeous cards! So fun to see the different medias and techniques for different results. Stunning!
I love blog hops because they inspire me to create! Thank you.
Beautiful cards! 🙂 Really love the elephant one!
Beautiful cards! I love the idea of using colored pencils on vellum. I can’t wait to try this technique.
Wow! Beautiful cards. The colors are so vibrant on all of them.
Beautiful work. Your coloring is stunning. Love the vibrant colors. Thanks for sharing.
wow beautiful cards Thank you
Wow–you have been busy creating. Fabulous cards.
Erica is a great name
You really did a lot of work with this new release! I think I would have been eager to used everything too, as this release is amazing. so are all your cards. I was glad to see that I am not the only person who used acrylic paint to spatter with – it is a habit from my old painting days.
Then coloring on your elephant is amazing! So life like. Love it.
Love all your cards but especially the alcohol Ink one. Thank you for sharing.
absolutely gorgeous!! love them all!
Love the bright colors on your cards and the gold embossing.
Everything is so vibrant! Beautiful.
Wow! Your cards are simply stunning! And your colouring is totally breathless!!!
Thank you so much!
Wow! Your cards are so gorgeous I almost don’t know how to add to that. You’ve been one busy lady & I’m so glad I came across your site via this blog hop. I’m going to come back & explore when I’m finished seeing everyone’s post. Thank you for sharing your creativity!
Thanks so much Teri for your kind words! I really appreciate them.
Absolutely gorgeous cards.
Thanks so much for sharing..
Love the flowers, so very pretty. I like how you used the stencil too.
I love all of your cards but think my favorite is with the alcohol inks! I am looking forward to giving that a try!
Stunning floral cards, and so fun see you the various way to use that stencil! Thanks for the inspirations Ericka!
Really lovely cards! I love to watercolor flowers.
so cute
Pretty cards.
Ericka, these are absolutely gorgeous! So much detail and vivid colors! I also love my Gansai Tambi watercolors – they are so rich! TFS ♥
Wonderful cards! Thanks for the chance to win.
Beautiful cards! Love the bright floral in warm colors against the cool background. The contrast is just spectacular! Thanks so much for sharing.
Erika, your coloring/painting is delicious! Beautiful cards, all!
Love, love, love the peony cards!
Stunning cards! Every one is a work of art. Thanks for sharing your colors schemes and ideas. I am inspired!I look forward to creating with that peony stamp set. It is a must-have for me.
I’m really loving your floral cards. Love their vibrancy and design. Thanks for sharing.
The peonies cards are breathtaking!
I am so excited about this new catalog. Your cards are gorgeous
Really love the gold embossing. Elegant!
Wow! I a, absolutely loving these cards, especially the florals, so beautiful!
Your cards are amazing! Such inspiration!
Wow!Your cards are stunning!
I really like the one that you painted with alcohol inks-it is so vivid!
Fantastic work!! Super pretty!!
Your whole set of cards is great but your florals are even more !!
[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
So many nice cards! I think the orange peony is my favorite.
What a lovely collection of cards you’ve created for us! I love seeing one stamp done in many styles, so I appreciate seeing all the different ways of playing with the peony. And I’ve really come to appreciate stencils recently, so I love seeing you play around with the scrollwork stencil. thanks for sharing such beautiful art and design ideas!
Thank you Annalisa for your kind comments!
All the cards are gorgeous! Love the stencil. It is really beautiful.
Terrific cards. I loved the gold embossing. It makes the cards very elegant.
I am in awe of your creations…stunning colors, great designs! tfs
Thank you so much Helen 😊
Your peony alcohol ink cards are gorgeous–great job! I want to try that technique. Your elephant card is lovely too, elephants are such cool animals!
Love these cards! You have given me lots of ideas to try out. Thanks!
Great cards – love the three different looks with the peony stamp. Thanks for the inspiration!
The rose cards are fab! But of course love all your work!
Sorry – peony – but still!!!!
Fabulous cards. Those florals are so beautiful.
Amazing coloring on these images. My mouth dropped when I saw the bold alcohol ink blue and red! OMG! LOVE!
Thanks Jeanne 😊
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Thanks!
I think in the email you get it should have something to click to revise notifications.