Jul 5, 2016

Hero Arts My Monthly Hero July Blog Hop

Hello friends! I'm participating in today's Hero Arts blog hop!  I'm sharing two cards using the new July My Monthly Hero kit. The kit features a gorgeous ocean theme, with boatloads of jellyfish, octopus, sea turtles, coral, etc. HA! Seriously, it is a huge set. As usual, once the kit sells out, it is gone. I'm predicting a sell out.

UPDATE:  THE KIT SOLD OUT and a winner has been selected.  

NOTE:  Hero Arts will donate 10% of profits from sales of the July 2016 kit to the World Wildlife Foundation for ocean preservation.  Sweet.

Card #1

Made this card with the add on stamp set, Color Layering Octopus. Apparently, octopus** are trendy. Who knew?




I stamped the solid octopus over the embossed layer, using Kuretake Clean Color markers on Strathmore Bristol paper. I learned from Kristina Werner that you can get a great image stamping with these markers if you condition the stamp with Ranger Black Archival ink (then clean the stamp!). It worked perfectly!  A little watercoloring over the image and on the panel, a little gold shimmer, black speckles, yada yada, and it was done.

Card #2

For my second card, I just wanted to make a pretty pattern.  So, I  used a bunch of small images from both sets, using every acrylic block I own, and carefully stamped out a pattern.  The tiny fish are great for filling in gaps.  Clean and fresh.




The main kit:

The Color Layering Octopus add on:

You like?  Me too!

Here's a list of the designers participating in the blog hop. Hero Arts will select one comment from all the blogs to win the kit. Good luck!

Hero Arts Blog
Yana Smakula
Amy Tsuruta
Clare Prezzia
May Park
Laura Bassen
Lydia Fiedler
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Justin Krieger
Jennifer McGuire
Jenn Shurkus
Veronica Zalis
Libby Hickson
Joan Bardee <----- me!

 ** There's a dispute over the proper word for more than one octopus. I'm sticking with octopus.

MOOD WHEN DONE = Good. Now, it's time to clean up the craft room!

177 comments:

liz said...

LOve that fishy blue background you made!

Jan Castle said...

Both cards are GREAT Joan...especially like the Octopus! The kit is GORGEOUS….and the add on octopus is WONDERFUL!!! All going on my wish list!!!
Paper Hugs,
Jan

Melissa H. said...

your cards are so different but so beautiful!!

pcm said...

love how you used all the little stamps to build a background!

Mom and wife. said...

Wow this card is so lovely,

Susan Raihala said...

I love how you got two completely different looks. Both cards are fabulous!

Cindy C. said...

Both so cute!!!

Unknown said...

I love this kit, so cute! I really like the Ombré Dolphin ink and Mermaid mix that comes with it :o)

Laura said...

your cards are great, I love the pattern stamping!

Lydia Fiedler said...

Freaking masterpieces!!!

Jennifer said...

Both are lovely. I really enjoy the second with the little stamps. So cute.

AJ Bodine said...

Great sentiment on your top card, love that color combo, so peaceful and beachy feeling! Beautiful background you've created on the bottom card!

Pam said...

Enjoyed both of your catds, but especially liked all the images for the background.

Betty said...

love that background you created with the little stamps and your octopus is so pretty (for an octopus!!)

conil said...

Absolutely love your choice of colors for that trendy octopus...and, of course, the sentiment is hilarious. And the background you made with this little images is fantastic.

Margaret said...

Love the bright blue background of little images! and thanks for the tip about stamping with Clear Color markers - will have to try that. Just before I came to the blog hop, I ordered my MMHK plus the seahorse set. I live by the sea, so I love everything ocean-related.

Unknown said...

Great cards! I love both. I like the blue background (love the blue colour) but the first with the octopus is super fantastic. Great!

Unknown said...

Wonderful cards - both so different, but great techniques on each. Thanks.

Starla said...

Clever use of all the different small images to create the background!!! Great examples of how versatile this kit is!

BożenA said...

It's a beautiful look at this set of stamps. Beautiful cards!

Unknown said...

Loved the cards! This is a beautiful set - very versatile

joy said...

fabulous cards! love the allover background design.

Susie Sonnier said...

Great card kit! Not often I say I MUST have something, this was the exception.

Becca4296 said...

Love both cards even with their very different styles

Oliev said...

Awesome cards!

Ahava said...

Its my birthday soon and I love the sea. This kit is meant for me. Love your cards

Iris Esther López said...

Beautiful cards. Love this kit.

kartelene said...

so original design loe it thank you for sharing your work

Unknown said...

Beautiful cards! And octopi or octopuses. either would be correct lol.

Kathy H said...

Wonderful cards Joan!

Unknown said...

Great cards. I love the ocean theme. This is such a great stamp set

Abby said...

I like the look of the embossing on card 1.

Unknown said...

I do believe its octopi? I love the colours on your card.

Unknown said...

I do believe its octopi? I love the colours on your card.

Amy M. said...

Love your second card - simple, but fabulous! :)

Sarah said...

Lovely cards. Thanks for sharing.

Mariah Mason said...

I love how you did the octopus but I really love the second card. It is so simple yet so beautiful! It would definitely make someone’s day! But you could definitely make a ton of those to have on hand. It would be great.

sheron said...

I like the blue card the best, the colors and using all the little sea creatures to make a background.

Kathren-Ann Designs said...

Thanks for sharing! I really like both of the cards you made!

Unknown said...

How fun. I love the deep blue sea

Leslie said...

Love these. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Awesome cards!!! Love the bright colors on the first card and the fun pattern on the second one. Thanks for sharing!!! Laurie B

Kathryn A said...

Love the circle layout overtop the water coloured background! Very effective focal image ;)

Dana said...

Awesome card!!! Really love the octopus card!!!

NicoleN said...

Great cards. I like the embossing technique used for the octopus and the pattern of using all the little stamps.

Unknown said...

Great cards, thanks for sharing.

Scrapper69 said...

Both cards are simply lovely!

Theresa

Unknown said...

Clean and Simple, love the background using the small stamps to create your own design

Unknown said...

I especially love the patterned paper. very nice.

Unknown said...

Was cleaning my craft room and needed a break and it has been a wonderful break looking at all these beautiful cards. You made a octopus look beautiful. Love both your cards now back to cleaning. Thanks

Jan B said...

I really, really like your card layouts. Wonderful!

NWFlamingo said...

Wonderful use of all those little stamps. Good thinking!

Linda T said...

Just lovely cards. I love your Octopus scene. Beautiful Ocean stamps and dies from Hero Arts.

nailgirl said...

Really pretty cards!!! Thanks for sharing them!

Chark said...

love your many octopus(i) (es) :)

Unknown said...

Both cards are great but I love the way you spotlighted the octopus.

Isabelle said...

Your two creations are beautiful. I'm always admirative to watercolor work.

Brenda Fernandez said...

Beautiful cards :)

Copics Crafts and More said...

Wow, I love both cards, it always amazes me how talented everyone is. Such a great use of the stamps for the background. What a wonderful kit.

Skrater said...

These are beautiful cards!

Unknown said...

Love both of your cards. The texture on the octopus adds great visual interest & the blue pattern sea creatures is stunning!

Unknown said...

Your cards are amazing. I love this kit. I would type more but broke wrist

Tina's Crop Shop said...

Sooo beautiful! Amazing texture on that octopus!

Parker said...

I really love the octopus in the circle and the rest of the items outside the circle. Your coloring is gorgeous and I love the white on the Color Layering Octopus "add-on". The second card is something I never seem to remember. Using the smaller items stamped as a background, and what a pretty background it has. Super job.

Sunshine said...

Love the octopus. What a great kit!

Sunshine said...

Love the octopus. What a great kit!

Renee M said...

Your cards are both fabulous and so beautifully made! A great kit and is terrific that HA is donating to the foundation.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic background you made! I really enjoyed browsing on your blog .... you are too funny!

Rebecca said...

I really like the texture you created on card #1. It is absolutely beautiful.

Marcia said...

Beautiful colors! Love your card and the new release.

Nicki said...

Oh, I love how you used the July card kit. Awesome card.

Helen Gullett said...

Amazing cards! Love the ocean background on the second card.

Nancy said...

Love the blue card. So different from your other one. Very creative.

Nancy said...

Love the blue card. So different from your other one. Very creative.

kReN said...

Funny, I was just thinking that who knew an octopus could look so wonderful on a card. I like it with the white embossing and the swirly pattern of the tentacles almost seem to add movement to the image. Great job and TFS!

Unknown said...

Like how the octopus is moving in the coral.

Jill said...

Love both of your cards---what a great kit!!!!

Carol Ric said...

This is such a fabulous kit. Super cute cards. tfs!

Lynne Robinson said...

Both of your cards are so nice. I always loved seeing and watching an octopus when I was diving. It is amazing to see how they move and how small a space they can squeeze into. I love that these stamps bring back great memories.

Tammy Hubley said...

I think making your own background with all the little stamps was a great idea, great job!Thank you for sharing!

Monika/Buzsy said...

Super cute and fun cards Joan. Love the heat embossed octopus with the bright colors... great underwater scene. The second card looks great with those tiny images.

Barbara said...

The blue and white card is stunning and the octopus card is amazing! Wow! This has been a great blog hop!

Amy McCue said...

Your card is so pretty. I love the colors you chose.

Ann said...

I just love how each one of these is so creative and unique. Such an awesome kit. Would love to win. Thanks for the inspiration.

Thalia said...

Very nice cards, love the blue on white, just stunning!

Rebecca Ednie said...

Both beautiful cards, but I especially love the octopus one!

Andrea Garland said...

Great cards, love the circle in the fist one gives another focus in the card.

KT Fit Kitty said...

Your cards are both gorgeous but I love how you've stamped your own patterned paper on your second card with the tiny stamps - brilliant!

MelissaF said...

Both are gorgeous cards,move the watercolored octopus and the blue on white stamped background!

bzyPTmom said...

Love both of these cards--this kit is wonderful1

Lagene said...

GREAT cards! Awesome new kit from Hero Arts!

FeM said...

Awesome cards. I like your clean and fresh card.

Jan G said...

Great card. The kit is fabulous.

Kimberly Bennett said...

both cards are lovely! I have to admit the 2nd card is my favorite! I really like the look of the bright background in contrast to the white card! Beautiful!

Denise Bryant said...

Awesome cards! Love the first one with its pretty color combo and textures! Fun sentiment too!

Dee dee said...

Really love your cards!

cindybearj said...

Wow! Two totally different cards. I love the way your put some of the coral outside the circle on the first card. I love that awesome bright blue on the second card! Great background!

jen said...

You don't care for octopi? 😜 these are both fabulous- this kit was already calling to me- but seeing your beautiful creation with the layered octopus has me thinking it's calling me too!

Karenladd said...

Wow!! I never think of octopi as beautiful, but your version is magical! These are both just gorgeous designs.

mandalj said...

I had no idea octopi were trendy either but I'm happy to go along with it if they're are lovely as yours! Your blue card is beautiful too!

Unknown said...

Love the first card you made!

Lauri Bacalzo said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lauri Bacalzo said...

Beautiful cards and a fun inspiration !
Thank you for sharing!

None None said...

Beautiful projects!! Love the shimmer you added to your first card.

~amy~ said...

Joan, you rocked the kit...love these both!

Tracy May said...

Wow love them both!!

Charlotte C said...

Your cards are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Janet said...

Lovin' this kit!
Great cards and oh so fun!
~God bless~

Sue D said...

Wonderful card designs with this new kit.

Judy Woodland said...

This kit is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! So many possibilities! And your cards are stunning, thanks for the inspiration!!!!

CCDivaMM said...

Love your card with the circle in the layer - it really adds to the card. I can't wait to get my kit

Katia said...

I love your first card is perfect and the best card in this hop, so awesome!!!!

Teri Ann said...

What FUN!!!

Pam Watson said...

I wish I could afford to buy this kit right now because those color combinations are my favorite. Thanks for the chance to win the kit :)

D.Ann C said...

These are just lovely! I especially like the spotlight octopus!

Lady Fair said...

Love how you created the focal image on the circle and continued the scene beyond the circle. The colors are amazing, too. And your background card really makes perfect use of the smaller images. Beautifully done!

Unknown said...

Really neat technique and beautiful outcome. Cant wait to try this.

Rosemary said...

beautiful cards... the first one is so soft and pretty!

Dee Earnshaw said...

Great cards and very inspirational. Thank you for sharing them with us:)

Karen Petitt said...

Both of these cards are fabulous and inspirational! I love the soft colour pallette, almost like water, you achieved on the first and for a CAS card it packs a beautiful punch! Then we have your second card which just packs beautiful punch because of those little stamps and the ink you used. Thank you for the awesome inspirations and for reminding me that I must try to use all the stamps in a set and not just the big ones lol! A final thanks for the fabulous hop Karen x

Sandy D said...

Love your octopus card - to soft and pretty (I guess octopi can be pretty ??)
This is such a great kit - and supporting a great cause!

Sabrina said...

Great cards!

Purple Princess said...

such a pretty card!!

Joanne said...

Love the embossed octopus and the watercoloring. So pretty, Joan!

Pauline said...

Such pretty cards!!

Mary Holshouser said...

Love the blue - so bright and vibrant.
The layering on the first card is
wonderful. Carrying the design over
is a great idea.
thanks for sharing.

Aileene said...

Your card design is wonderful and the technique you used with white embossing a layer of the octopus was great. A pretty card.

Rebecca Romines said...

What a unique card! I love the embossing technique used!

Arianna Barbara said...

Awww!!! Definitely one of the most beautiful release! And your cards are really breathless!!! <3

Debbie Olson said...

Joan, BOTH cards are fabulous! I love the soft colors and seaside feel of the octopus card, and the blue one reminds me of delft china, but in a seaside motif. Just lovely!

Linda said...

Great release and beautiful cards. I like both cards, however, the last one is so different. Thanks for sharing.

Linda D.

Denise S. said...

I just finished a book about octopuses and this is the correct plural. It was for a book club at the library and they are fantastic creatures. Love seeing all the cards. I do like the blue and white and how nautical it looks.

Rose said...

Your cards are very unique. I really like them.

Deeps said...

Love the watercoloring and the embossing.

CoolPaperArt said...

I think this set is cool, great colors! I LOVE that HERO ARTS is making so many layered stamps! They are easy and fun. Also, what a great cause! Thanks for sharing! I think it is octopi :)

Izzy Scrap said...

I love your two cards, so different but very great both ! The colors on the first one are tremendous and the pattern you gave on the second is terrific ! Can't wait for my kit ! Thanks a lot for sharing and for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

Your first card is different but I really like and the other one is great too.

Dee said...

Two great cards - What an awesome neon octopus! Thanks for showing allof the small stamps in such a smart fashion!

Judie said...

Stunning cards! Love the white embossing on the octopus!

Janis said...

Love your layered technique for your background!! Just gorgeous!!
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Love the new kit!

Debbie B said...

Never thought O would like octupi....but this ser puts under the sea on another level. Great cards. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win it.l

Debra said...

I love your designs. They are so unique and different. It's a sign of a very talented artist.

BeckyR71 said...

Love your card design. Beautiful! The background you created is super cool.

Colorado Crafter said...

This monthly kit is just wonderful!! Love everything in it!!

Anja said...

I LOVE both of your awesome cards, Joan! They make me want this gorgeous kit so badly ;-)

cassie said...

These are both fantastic. It's great to see only the smaller stamps used for that pattern. I always forget to give that a try.

Brenda in IN said...

Love your first card and the second one looks so symetrical I thought it was pattern paper! Great job.

Rachel Vass said...

Such amazing looking cards!

Nana Griffin said...

A beautiful blue background.

Debbie A. said...

Great cards, Joan. Thanks so much for sharing with us AND for participating in this great hop and giveaway.

Debbie A. said...

Great cards, Joan. Thanks so much for sharing with us AND for participating in this great hop and giveaway.

Unknown said...

Love the kit and your cards! So pretty!

eliza said...

What a cool look with that white embossing! But I have to say, my favorite is the pattern you made in that lovely shade of blue!

Emma Rose said...

Love the way you did the background and circle. Great card

Driven to Ink said...

Lovely cards Joan! I'm so ready for those jellies, but they're all sold out. I hope they'll be back in stock.

knottedscraps said...

Both cards are beautiful. I love the texture on the octopus and that background u made is fabulous!

Patt H. said...

Love the octopus card & the blue & white one is stunning! Love the design for that ne.

Unknown said...

I love both cards and you are the only one who embossed anything. Great job!

Karen L K said...

Nice cards! Nice coloring on the octopus and I like how you used all the little stamps and made a great looking pattern.

lilvtchic said...

WOW!!! beautiful cards!

Jess said...

Omg your cards are just stunningly beautiful... love them.

Jess said...

Omg your cards are just stunningly beautiful... love them.

Elizabeth said...

Love these cards, especially the background made with the smaller images.

Sherry Butcher said...

Great job! Love the kit and add on. Thanks for sharing.

Paulette S said...

Love them both, Joan! I was really taking in the water color, then I saw the blue card and my heart leapt at all of that blue and white space. LOL. Blue is my favorite color. Great kit.
Thanks, Paueltte Still
Craftqueen417 at yahoo
HTTPS://paulettesrpettypapercrafts.wordpress.com

Kathy Mc said...

Both cards are awesome, Joan. Love how you showcased two totally different looks from this kit. Great job!

Karen S said...

I love your designs!

ARTnas said...

Your cards are amazing! Great ideas and totally different! *-*

Rose Santuci-Sofranko said...

Your cards are so sweet and serene looking. Love the soft colors. Thanks and God bless! ILuvTheEucharist (at) aol.com

Brandi R said...

Fabulous cards! Love the colors and the design of the first one. The second....such fun images. Love them both ♥

patti said...

WOW!! I just love how you created your cards, they are so different and creative!

Marianne said...

Love the artsy look of your first card and the fun pattern on your second one.

Kate B said...

Both cards are fantastic! I love the octopus on the first, and the background on your second!

Gwen said...

Beautiful cards! Love the spotlight circle.

Marta said...

I think I already missed the giveaway :( but i wanted to say it's a really lovely card.

Ria Montefalcon said...

Love both cards, so pretty