Truly the hardest thing in the world is to make a card and then not blog it for months. I made some samples for the Hero Arts booth at Creativation, and have had to keep them a secret since November. At least you know you can trust me! :)
When I was little, we had a very small linen closet at the top of the stairs. Being on the second floor, it was already warmer than the rest of the house - but it also was up against the sloping part of the roof, so the closet was especially warm. There were stacks and stacks of blankets in there (God knows why - it wasn't often that you needed a blanket in that part of the world), and towels and sheets.
For some reason, I used to climb up on top of all of the linens - almost to where my head was touching the ceiling, and read books for hours. We didn't have a TV for much of my childhood, so my entertainment was primarily books and radio, and the books were primarily read in this warm, cozy nest of the linen closet.
Those reading sessions were the inspiration for this first card. When I saw the images in the Story Time set, they just melted my heart - it's exactly how I feel about books. So I went dramatic, with a galaxy background on watercolor paper, my favorite moon man from Astronomical, and the little boy from the set. Those of you who love to read will be totally at home in this card. I drew the stars with a white gel pen, and colored him with Copics (E09, E15, E08, E44, C3, BG96, BG93, B41, B45, E11, E51, PV000, W2, W1, W5, W7, B52, B04, RV09 - a lot, I know!
I'll tell you something that's hard - trying to make a circle on cold press watercolor paper. Those probably took the longest! I die cut the boy and the space man with the matching dies. The Daniel Smith colors I used for the galaxy are: Jane's Grey, Phthalo Blue Green Shade, Hansa Yellow Medium and Quinacridone Rose.
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And for something completely different - I had a ton of fun with the new Paper Layering Swan die. You know these are my thing. I wanted to make a black and a white swan, but I went with really deep blue-grey watercolor for the black one, and just added a ton of water to my lightest grey for shadows on the white swan. Since there were feathers, I wanted my watercolor pretty loose to give the impression of texture. I brushed Soft Granite ink with a stencil brush through the Abstract Waves stencil for the background, and used the Circle Infinity dies and the Color Layering Swan bundle for the sentiment. It's all on a Sunshine Mix Layering Paper card base - these are nice for card bases because the inside is white.
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For the Elephant Pair Stamp, I just stamped these little guys in black, and then cut a mask out for them using my ScanNCut2 and this removable label paper. I then brushed Green Apple ink through the Delicate Petals Stencil, added a sentiment from one of my favorite sets in the Spring Catalog - Weird and Wonderful - and added Green Ombre sequins, being careful to adhere some of the holes cut from the sequins as well - I love those. I attached all of them with Ranger Multi Medium Matte and a jewel picker and patience. I did use the "fling" method to determine placement - just fling a handful on the card and glue them where they land. I store my sequins and other loose embellishments in this organizer, in ROYGBIV order.
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Then I went back to sort of a book-themed card with the adorable rabbit and tiny cup from Woodland Tea Party, and the sentiment from Mouse Tea Party. I masked the rabbit before I stamped the stump so that he would look like he was on his tippy toes on the edge. I colored the whole thing with Copics (R29, RV13, C3, C5, E57, E37 and 110) and die cut two ovals from the Oval Infinity die - the mat in black. Then for the background, I wanted an Alice in Wonderland feel, so I used a sponge dauber to sponge Strawberry and Intense black ink through the Spades stencil on a white panel. I matted that in black and put it all on a white card base.
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But the Woodland Tea Party was too cute to leave, so I had to pair it with super fun scene background, made with the Into the Woods stencil, Wet Cement Ink and stencil brushes. If you were at Creativation, you might have done this make & take with me!
I stamped and cut out the fox and the mushrooms and colored them with Copics (YR14, YR27, YR07, E09, B24, B26, N6, W3, R29), and cleaned up the edges with a Gasenfude Pen - I like this one because the soft nylon brush gets into the nooks and crannies. The card base is from the Earth Mix papers. This is a super fast card - that stencil does all the work. 80+ people made this card in three hours! The sentiment is from the Make a Fountain set.
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And last but not least - a fun Newspaper background stamp to go with this sweet pup from Headline Messages. Reminds me of my golden retriever I had as a child. The sentiment is from Make a Fountain. I colored the dog with Copics (C3, C5, Y13, Y19) and the Ombre Sunshine sequins (again with the fling method.) I used the Circle Infinity Dies for the dog and Sunshine Mix Layering Paper.
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Now before I tell you about the blog hop today - I just wanted to share a peek behind the curtain as to how I work when I get new stamps. When I buy new stamps I can't wait to use, I keep them all in a fridge bin on my desk so I'm prompted to reach for those when I sit down. When I know I'll be blogging them later, as I make the card, I write the supplies down on a Post-It note which I stick on the back of my card. Then I put the cards into my Foldio2 for photographing (There's a Foldio3 out now. I love my Foldio2 and it's more affordable.) After they get photographed, they go into the card rack in my office (I use this one) and the Post-Its go into my planner for what day I plan to blog them.
In this case I had a spreadsheet that I stuck the Post-It's on to keep track of what I had made for Creativation and for PaperWorld. I just hung onto that until today, when they were nice enough to let me guest hop with them for the new catalog!
I just thought it would be fun for you to see the OTHER part of "just" making a card. :)
So on to the blog hop! The Hero Team has some prizes for readers on the hop. They will choose three lucky commenters to win $50 shopping sprees. Please comment by February 22nd, at 11:59 PM PT to be eligible to win.
It's a huge honor to guest in this amazing list of people! I'll be hopping alongside you today.
The Hero Arts Blog
Jennifer McGuire
Kristina Werner
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Yana Smakula
Cathy Zielske
May Sukyong Park
Nichol Spohr
Michelle Short
Wanda Guess
Amy Tsuruta
Lydia Fiedler
Heather Ruwe
Laurie Willison
Clare Prezzia
Iliana Myska
Emily Midgett
Janette Kausen
Jenn Shurkus
Sean Fetterman
Simon Hurley
Joan Bardee
Megan Hoeppner
Lisa Stein
Ilina Crouse
Amy Kolling
Rubeena Ianigro
Kelly Latevola
Libby Hickson
Lucy Abrams
Jennifer McGuire
Kristina Werner
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Yana Smakula
Cathy Zielske
May Sukyong Park
Nichol Spohr
Michelle Short
Wanda Guess
Amy Tsuruta
Lydia Fiedler
Heather Ruwe
Laurie Willison
Clare Prezzia
Iliana Myska
Emily Midgett
Janette Kausen
Jenn Shurkus
Sean Fetterman
Simon Hurley
Joan Bardee
Megan Hoeppner
Lisa Stein
Ilina Crouse
Amy Kolling
Rubeena Ianigro
Kelly Latevola
Libby Hickson
Lucy Abrams
Loveyameanitbye.
Love seeing the process & all of your great designs ... that galaxy sky is perfection.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are amazing, I am in love with the first one. I know it's hard to keep from sharing!! You did good! :)
ReplyDeleteLove reading about your reading sessions. ALL of your projects are amazing...I especially love the fun elephants!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing set of creations!! Each card is unique and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThese were definitely worth waiting for! As a retired librarian, I love your linen closet reading story and the card it inspired 📚
ReplyDeleteI love them all... each is amazing.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing array of cards! Each one is so clever and unique. The sentiment on the book card is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI just love the first one! All of the cards are fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteWOW Lydia, you have been having FUN! What a great release. I do love and appreciate your first card (as a book lover), it really says it all...
ReplyDeleteAll of your cards are amazing and I enjoyed seeing the many different ways you interpreted each stamp\set.
You certainly outdid yourself! They’re all beautiful! My favorite is the galaxy background! Your colors are absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteJust fun!! Fav is the first— the reading/ astronaut. Thank you for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteSo many cute and creative cards! I love it... my favorite part of your blog? loveyameanitbye. That made me giggle.
ReplyDeleteLove the child reading with the visions in hi head Cool! Thanks
ReplyDeleteAll of your cards are wonderful, but I Love Love the Daily News one. Such great new products from Hero Arts, thanks for showcasing them for us all.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! thanks for sharing ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your cards! They are so creative, the astronaut and tea time rabbit are especially awesome! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeletesuch wonderful ideas... love the spades stencil!!
ReplyDeleteSo many great ideas. I love the elephants!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great variety of cards. I love to read so I'm partial to the first card. Great design and gorgeous background. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo many different ideas in one post. Thanks for all the inspiration, your cards are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWow. The first two are amazing, the newspaper stamp is too fun and your process for keeping track of it is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love all of the ideas!
ReplyDeleteI like your story about your reading in the linen closet. I was a reader way back then, too! Your card is a cute reminder of what adventures we can find in books.
ReplyDeleteYou have very mad imaginative ideas love the backgrounds
ReplyDeleteGreat imaginative ideas
ReplyDeletegreat job. I love each of your cards. Thanks for inspiring
ReplyDeleteOh. My. WOW! All your cards are so Wonderful. I especially like the astronaut cards with the PERFECT sentiment about books. Now I new items to add to my MUST HAVE list!
ReplyDeleteI love the fox card... absolutely adorable
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic variety of wonderful cards. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSome really lovely cards Lydia. My two favourite are the astronaut and black swan cards... two great card compositions. Thanks too for the tip on "just" making a card. I do recognise that it is a lot of hard work and appreciate that you take the time to share and teach. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThese are so fun! Such great colour and style :-) Loving all of the new Hero Arts release.
ReplyDeleteSo much inspiration! I’m so glad for the variety of uses of new Hero Arts products.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas and love the background story to the card bout reading! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe swan is perfect for a friend that is working to save the swan"s habitat in a nearby community. Need to own it.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I think - that’s it. This is my favorite blog post. You post something like this. So for prob. 100th, I say to myself again - this is my FAVORITE! The reading card, the Fox, the tea totter. Oh my!
ReplyDeleteHow can you make so many beautiful cards?? The child reading and the astronaut one blew me away and then one after another after another after another. Every. Single. Card. I just discovered your videos and blog last week and I can't stop watching your tutorials. Thank you so much for being so awesome!
ReplyDeleteYou created some truly fantastic cards!
ReplyDeletewhat a fun array of cards, Lydia - love the book sentiments!
ReplyDeleteOH THANK YOU for all the ideas you are so sweet to make so many cards for this hop... BOYS CARDS YIPPPPPPIEEEE... THANKS
ReplyDeletewow wow wow!!! You got busy with all these fun sets!!! LOVE THEM ALL!
ReplyDeleteW0w - fantastic ideas!! Love the swans and the fox the most - such unique and cool designs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration. This is a wonderful release.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many stamps I love from this release! Love the color layering stamps.
ReplyDeleteI love how artistic your cards are - especially the first two! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSO happy to see the astronaut card again! It is just total perfection! Love the insight to your childhood too! You are a fabulous story teller! Love all your cards her Lydia!
ReplyDeleteThe space card is the coolest card I have seen in a very long time. I love how unique your ideas are and that you share them with us.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards thank you !!
ReplyDeleteOh my - it's almost too much goodness in this new catalogue! Terrrific and fun cards - love them!
ReplyDeleteOh, what fun you must have had!
ReplyDeleteAmazing cards - love the swans.
ReplyDeleteYour first card is how I picture my grandson looking in a couple of years, his mom loves to read to him. The galaxy sky is gorgeous. I use the little sequin hole dots too! I have 5 of those embellishment tray holders, I just can't say no to anything shiny. Give me a box of colored rocks and I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteGreat cards great company thank you
ReplyDeleteLovely cards!
ReplyDeleteLove your galaxy.
ReplyDeleteWow, your cards are beautiful and thank you for sharing the "behind the scenes" of "just" card-making!
ReplyDeleteLovely cards and I especially love the first one.
ReplyDeleteWow! So many great ideas! I especially like the story time card. My 8 year old grandson is an avid reader and this would be perfect for him.
ReplyDeleteAll of your cards are beautiful (as usual)! I think my favorite is the first one because it totally reminds me of the beginning to Reading Rainbow.
ReplyDeleteYou've made some amazing cards with this new release.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh woman!!! You have went all out and made me fall in love with everything. My wallet says thanks. Lol
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful cards! And thanks for the peek at how you keep track of it all too.
ReplyDeleteWow!! You were busy!!! They are all so fabulous!
ReplyDeleteWow--your cards are awesome and unique.
ReplyDeleteJust when I thought oh that card is my favorite I saw another one. Lol. All of them are amazing .
ReplyDeleteThe Daily News card is super adorable.
ReplyDeleteLike the fox in the woods. Reminds me of RED RIDING HOOD. Also love the backgound on the spaceman.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing collection of cards! Gosh you are talented. I love how you adding interest to the elephant with the flower stamp!!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are fantastic and everyone of them was my favorite! TFS
ReplyDeleteThe galaxy card - super. The colors and the swirling of the colors - powerful!
ReplyDeleteI am really liking the Woodland Tea set. Great job depicting those. Those very cards made me what this set and other things you used (stencil and background die). Great cards. Love them.
ReplyDeleteWe had a TV when I was growing up but I was still a voracious reader, so I LOVE your memory of finding that snug spot in the linen cabinet to read!! All your cards are so fabulous Lydia, but as a Sci-Fan your first card really resonated with me.
ReplyDeleteLove your cards! I am also an avid reader. I love your story about reading the linen closet. I love to read in warm cozy spots too.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully creative cards. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI was and still am an avid reader...your first card is total perfection! LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteOh my, AMAZING cards! Fun to see your process to track your supplies and blogging. I think we must have been sisters in another life. When I was young I would climb up on the shelf over the hanging rod in my closet and read for hours.
ReplyDeleteAll of your cards are lovely, but that galaxy card is spectacular! Thanks for showing us how you made it :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Your cards are simply stunning!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your colouring!!!
goods ideas there, thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI loved your behind the scenes...
ReplyDeleteI've loved books my whole life, just like you & a couple of years ago I realized I wasn't reading as much as I used to & wanted to because the TV had become such a bad habit. I called the cable company & canceled my TV & got back into reading. I read more in the last two years than in the previous ten😃 I have a nephew who likes to read & he dreams of being a pilot so I want to do a similar card for him (they need to add a cat to that stamp set!)
ReplyDeleteYour swans are one of the prettiest things I've ever seen, just gorgeous!! You are so talented. Thanks for sharing your cards!
OMGosh! What beautiful, unique designs. I love the vibrancy of your galaxy card; just gorgeous! As an avid reader myself, that card really displays why so many of us love to read. A real inspiration to anyone!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your cards but the first one with the boy reading and seeing it in his mind is just gorgeous and so creative! Thanks so much for inspiration and sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteGoodness gracious! SO much eye candy today! They're all terrific, but the reading card it truly out of this world in more ways than one! Being an avid reader it resonates (as does your story) and your Galaxy is FABULOUS --- love the reflection on the astronaut's helmet!!
ReplyDeleteLove ALL of these cards! My fave is the elephants and I am definitely inspired!
ReplyDeleteThey're all lovely!
ReplyDeleteWow! So much inspiration! I like the one that looks like a playing card with the bunny.
ReplyDeleteOh my Lydia, how could you keep all these wonderful cards and designs a secret since November? Amazing all of them but my heart was really caught up in the first card with the little boy reading and dreaming of being an astronaut. I too grew up without tv and spent most of my younger years reading and day dreaming. Very special card. Thanks for inspiring and showing us the other things that go into the card. I for one will be checking out that Folio2, as hopefully it would solve some of my lighting/photography concerns. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI love all of these cards! I need to try galaxy backgrounds one of these days, and I think I am going to NEED that Into the Woods stencil! And that golden retriever puppy is too cute!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on all of your fantastic cards!
ReplyDeleteWow and Wow. The first one is for all of the amazing cards you made and the second is for all that you do behind the card. You’re so organized!
ReplyDeleteTotal awesomeness!💕
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love these cards. The boy immersed in the world of his book is stunning; kudos on getting those circles just right. Thank you for so much inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAll your cards are amazing. But I just loved the concept of the first one. With the imagination world of a book and where it can take you. So very cleaver. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat cards. That galaxy is perfect!
ReplyDeleteAll your cards are so lovely. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAll your cards are great! Love the sky you created in the first one!
ReplyDelete🤯 mind is blown from all your creativity manifesting itself into these wonderful cards. So hard to pick a favorite. I love them all
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeletewow, great cards! You have been a busy gal!
All your cards are so amazing. Thanks so much for sharing..
ReplyDeleteWow, you’ve been busy! My favorite is the puppy! I’m a sucker lol
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! I loved your story about reading... I often had my nose in a book too! Your galaxy sky card is amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat galaxy background is the BEST. THING. EVER.
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy... and quiet! Unheard of! ;)
ReplyDeleteHOw on God's green earth did you ever keep these cards a secret??? They are fabulous! I love each one of them!! wow! hugs, treen
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic look into your creative process - thank you for sharing it with us! Your cards are so cool and the puppy with the newsprint is my favorite!
ReplyDeletebeautiful inspirations....thnks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteAll your projects are wonderful, but the first one with the Story Time set is so special. Very sweet and unique.
ReplyDeleteYou gave us lots of cards to enjoy today. I liked the behind the scenes spot too. Great cards. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWow, what a work do you have for all the blogposts, whe don't think always about the time and effort that bloggers make for us, so a big thank you for all the beautiful things you post, have been posted and shall posting!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, your cards are stunning, but that galaxy card! WOW! Honestly just amazingly stunning work! TFS!
ReplyDeleteThese are all amazing cards. Love the story about your reading sessions, I am the same way and that is how I pictured myself when reading :) thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour creativity knows no bounds! Always enjoy seeing the results of your creative process.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm not creating cards, I'm probably reading....LOL! I love your cards with this theme and your story about reading!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are amazing! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! I kept thinking we were at the end of the blog post, then *poof* there's another card! The gift that keeps on giving! I feel like I would have to leave another blog post to express everything I like about these cards, so I'll just have to pick my favorite. I think it needs to be the first one, because it really just captures the wonder of books. I want to live in that card. (Also, I love your setup for "just" making cards. We call just "the J-word" around here, because it's so reductive of all the work that goes into whatever one is doing. So yeah, keep "just" making cards, because you're awesome.)
ReplyDeleteOMG, that astronaut card is fabulous!! I love everything about it.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are creative and a ton of fun, especially the elephant card! My favorite was the 'reading~dream' card, the theme has my heart and the colors are so vibrant! Thanks Lydia!
ReplyDeleteWow, what an amazing group of projects! Really love the galaxy background and the fab black and white swans!
ReplyDeleteWow - your cards are amazing!
ReplyDeleteWOW! So many beautiful examples of the new release. Your galaxy background is stunning.
ReplyDeleteAll the cards were great, my favorite would be the child reading. Love the depth of color you got in that one. Great job!
ReplyDeleteLots of great stuff.
ReplyDeleteyour cards are so joyous...thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWow, you were busy! Love the astronaut book card and the story to go with it. My family had a tv, but it was usually reserved for the adults with the exception of Saturday morning cartoons :-) I did a lot of reading as a child, but that served me well through school and as an adult. To this day I don't watch tv, and am glad!!!
ReplyDeleteAs always, your cards are absolutely breathtaking !
ReplyDelete[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
Wow!! Unbelievable amount of fantastic cards...I'm luck if I get one card a week done!! I did enjoy reading your process & if I ever start making a bundle of cards that rack is perfect for keeping them neat & organized!!
ReplyDeleteWow! You have done great cards here! I'm loving the book-themed ones and the one with the newsprint background. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThese cards are wonderful, Lydia! Such awesome ideas & so much inspiration! My favorite is the boy work the book & that great saying!
ReplyDeleteVery different ideas from what I've seen before. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteSuch vibrant use of those liquid watercolors!! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful set of cards! So many of these remind me of children's book illustrations. My favorite is the one with the swans. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWOW, amazing cards. Love them all.
ReplyDeleteThese cards are all so amazing! I love the book/space one!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful cards you created! I can tell an amazing amount of work and creativity went into them. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are amazing, love them! The wonderland one is a favorite
ReplyDeleteHop hop
ReplyDeleteWow... Beautiful cards..Love each one of them...all are so unique and different. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteO wow, you've been busy playing and what wonderful cards you've created. I love how you think outside the box and bring us cards thà t are so different. Love the last card the most with that cute little golden retriever.
ReplyDeleteLove the glimpse behind the scenes!
ReplyDeleteLove your bright watercolors! This release is fantastic! Thanks to all!
ReplyDeleteMust get the newspaper daily news background! We just rescued twin sisters and this would be the perfect way to announce it! Thank You!
ReplyDeleteNice and interesting cards! You always come up with unique cards. Your Woodland Tea Party cards are really great. What a fun set that is. Thanks for showing and explaining your organization. I often wonder how you folks do all that. I just post a few cards that are not for companies and it is time consuming. I was looking for a way to remember what I did on cards if I don't post right away so this was a big help.
ReplyDeleteWow, you are so creative. Your cards are fun and so different. You don’t get stuck in one type of card. I appreciate all the organization you put into making your cards.
ReplyDeleteAmazing cards! And thank you for the "other" side ;)
ReplyDeleteThese cards are SO Cute!
ReplyDeleteI really must have the newspaper stamp!!!
ReplyDeleteVery unique and different aesthetic - love the creativity here - thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful cards! I love your galaxy dream bubble on the first card!
ReplyDeleteWonderful projects! I love reading about your childhood reading ritual, and that first card is stunning!! Thanks for the inspirations.
ReplyDelete