It's kit day at Hero Arts, the moment I hold my breath for every month, but THIS month they hit a giant Texas-sized thematic home run with me. So welcome to the blog hop and the wonder of a kit that is going to leave you craving chips and salsa. Or maybe that's just me. If I am being honest, I always want chips and salsa, but I wanted them more desperately than ever while making today's cards.
First of all - TACOS and Chihuahuas!! When I saw the It's Fiesta Time stamps and matching dies, I immediately thought of this meme - and I had to try to recreate it. It's one of my favorite images in all the interwebs.
I think I got close! I used the Oval Infinity Dies to cut this beautiful Outer Space paper, and then lined up a strip of white and cut that as well to match. I colored the dog with my woodless watercolor pencils. (You can see my video with these pencils here - I love them! My coupon code for them is OHF-TPE-039 - you'll get 10% off on any purchase through April 10th here.)
My dream of a dog in a taco costume on a stamp HAS become a reality! Thanks, universe! BTW, that sentiment is from this stamp set.
|
But more importantly, it's filled with fanciful and colorful images, flowers, and PETS.
I decided to do something different with the Shake Your Bones set though, and create my whole scene in a sepia tone, instead of the typical bright colors associated with that holiday. I love the way this turned out with just a single Daniel Smith watercolor - Transparent Brown Oxide. Daniel Smith does carry a Sepia, but I like the warmer tone of this watercolor. I used this #2 travel brush to put in those tiny details. This is a great brush by a great company.
First, I stamped the dog, and then stamped him again on masking paper, cut that image out and masked him. Then I stamped the other two figures and painted them, leaving their bones white. It came out moody, just like I wanted. This add-on set does have matching dies.
|
This card is made with images from the kit, but it was the sentiment in the kit that inspired the card. I thought that it was hilarious, so I made sure there were both fangs AND cactus. These images are beautiful, and really easy to color.
First I stamped the snake, and masked him with masking paper. Then I stamped the first cactus, masked that, and then stamped the last one on the right. I stamped all of them with my magical fadeout ink for no-line coloring. It totally disappears and it is amazing. Then I colored the images with the woodless watercolor pencils. (Video and coupon above)
Look how happy he looks, even though we all know he's about to bite you! I think it's adorable. Paper snakes are the best snakes!
|
What could make this southwestern party better? I can't believe I even have to spell this out for you.
I cackled when I saw the Cinco de Meow add-on stamp set and matching dies. Completely cracks me up. I decided to build a scene again - I'm starting to realize that I was in a masking mood when I got this kit. I went from left to right again - stamping the bird (he's from the kit) first and masking him, then the kitty and masking her, and then stamping the dog from It's Fiesta Time. I colored the scene with Copics, and cut it out, along with a mat, with the circle infinity dies. Colors listed below. You know it's a good fiesta if the cats and dogs and birds are hanging out peacefully!
|
The next one is probably my favorite of the bunch. This little mouse at her quinceañera or at Fiesta just squeezes my heart. She's one of the images in the kit.
I decided again to not use traditional fiesta colors on her, but to just leave her lightly shaded with grey. After I stamped and colored her, I masked her (see? more masking) and then put the card front in the center of my MISTI, turned horizontally. I then stamped the rose from the main kit on top of her, and masked that. Then I moved the cardstock to the left and right, stamping and masking the roses until I had a whole row behind her. Then I just colored them very simply. I love the way this turned out.
It has all the feel of our spectacular Fiesta, held every spring in San Antonio - it's coming up in a few weeks.
The Battle of the Flowers Parade during Fiesta is a parade in which the participants toss flowers at each other, to honor the soldiers who fought in the battles at the Alamo and San Jacinto. It's the only parade in the entire country to be planned and directed completely by women, and the only larger parade is the Tournament of Roses parade. The entire city virtually shuts down for this event, and becomes so festive and brightly colored. It's an amazing sight, and should be your goal for a vacation some year. It was the Battle of the Flowers that inspired this card, as I can feel in my bones the approach of the flowers and the dancing and the music.
Isn't she adorable?
|
So speaking of HOT - I had to get this idea out of my head and onto paper with the hot sauce image in the It's Fiesta Time add-on stamp set.
I used Pyrrol Scarlet watercolor, along with Hooker's Green to create my scene, after embossing the sentiment with Ultra Fine embossing powder. I actually painted the hot sauce before I painted the bottle, so when I flipped my card upside down to paint the bottle, I didn't notice that my highlight on the bottle was on the wrong side - DOH! So please imagine that this scene is taking place on some planet with many suns.
|
So here's what the kit contains - as usual, it's $74 worth of product for $34.99. It is available while supplies last. If you have FOMO, I encourage you to subscribe so you never miss one. It includes three brand new inks - they are reactive with water and blend beautifully! These are new to their ink lines.
Here are closeups of the add-ons - they will be in the store and will not sell out.
And if you want, you can purchase ALL of this month's add-ons at a discount here. That's what I like to do - I am someone who loves that buy it all button when I can.
So let's hop, shall we? One commenter will win this month's kit (or a refund if you are a subscriber) so leave some love for my friends.
The Hero Arts Blog
Laurie Willison
Yana Smakula
Janette Kausen
Nichol Spohr
Ilina Crouse
Kathy Racoosin
Clare Prezzia
Lydia Fiedler
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Kelly Latevola
Jana Millen
Amy Tsuruta
Emily Midgett
May Park
Libby Hickson
Laurie Willison
Yana Smakula
Janette Kausen
Nichol Spohr
Ilina Crouse
Kathy Racoosin
Clare Prezzia
Lydia Fiedler
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Kelly Latevola
Jana Millen
Amy Tsuruta
Emily Midgett
May Park
Libby Hickson
Loveyameanitneedsomechipsandsalsabye.
Way to sell out the kit, my friend! Your cards are amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat great ideas! The senorita with flowers is such an innovative design, and the snake by the cacti is just pure fun.
ReplyDeleteGreat cards... so many options with this kit.
ReplyDeleteOh MY!!! I just placed an order! I also have some of the paper of outer space...but planning on using that for the Hero Arts Dream Big set that I have yet to use!!!
ReplyDeleteWowzers! I'm not sure I can choose a favorite! They're all pretty spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI have a picture of a cat in a sombrero and it says Happy Cinco de Meow, so this cracked me up. Love your cards!
ReplyDeleteSo much fun! Love your amazing dreamy night sky and that kitty in a box!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing cards!
ReplyDeleteOh my, what a terrific job you've done with these cards Lydia. Each one has it's own vivid personality and your great sense of ha ha really shines through! Love that Taco Chihauhau and it's a grat poke at the meme. Love it! Thanks Lydia for always inspiring and sharing your talents.
ReplyDeleteCan't decide which card is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteWow, such awesome cards! That little mouse is so elegant dancing with all those roses and the Chihuahua with the galaxy background is awesome!!! I really love how you combined the kitty, Chichi and the bird together. So cute! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAwesome cards! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, colorful cards. The hot stuff is so cute and imanagitive.
ReplyDeleteThis Kit is mine!! yes I have to have it. thank you for insperation.
ReplyDeleteLove the snake card and all of the backgrounds! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSuch festive cards, love them!
ReplyDeleteYour Chihuahua is adorable! What a fun kit!!
ReplyDeleteOhh I need this kit!! So cute! I love your cards! So vibrant and full of fun color!!
ReplyDeleteAll your cards are beautiful but your "Your one hot MAMA" is my favorite! I love your variety in design of each card. TFS
ReplyDeleteSo many great cards. Lovely coloring
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see dogs and cats together for those of is that were wondering about common size for a band. I love your dead party card since I ordered them myself.
ReplyDeleteSo many great cards. Wow
ReplyDeleteCute cards, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour second card idea is by far my favourite !!! I love how that came out and i normally dont love the colour brown, Thank you soo much for your inspiration !!!!
ReplyDeleteI love all of the new ideas!
ReplyDeleteOMG you outdid yourself today! What fun and colorful cards!
ReplyDeleteYou really nailed it with this set. Love all your inspiration with this kit.
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful creations! Each one is beautiful! :)
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAmazing cards!!
Your designs are fabulous and full of inspiration. I just fell in love with the chihuahua taco stamp. This is one of my favorite MMH kits thus far. It’s so fun and festive.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Your cards are really funny!!! Love the bright colors!!!
ReplyDeleteReally like the "Shake Your Bones" card...very nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThese cards are so imaginative, and you are truly a gifted artist. I especially like the cat and dog in the circle card.
ReplyDeleteGreat cards!
ReplyDeleteEvery single month you outdo yourself! This is crazy! My hands are a little achey just thinking of all the cutting you must have had to do for the masking, but with such AMAZING results! Love!
ReplyDeleteBusy lady making so many wonderful cards using the new kit!
ReplyDeleteThese are all great. I really like your card with the bird, cat and dog together. My favorite is the rattler!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I absolutely LOVE everyone!
ReplyDeleteClever and creative cards from this kit.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThese cards and projects are super sweet indeed!
ReplyDeleteCute cards! I especially like the Dia de los Muertos card.
ReplyDeleteOh that kit is just to to much!! It's the cat that got me!
ReplyDeletei absolutely love your cards! this stamp set is amazing!
ReplyDeleteThese look fantastic! I love the skeleton card. It has an elegant look to it. Seeing your creations really make me want to order this stuff.
ReplyDeleteLydia, your cards are FABULOUS!! Love the card with the hot sauce bottle...inspired!
ReplyDeleteThe chihuahua is really irresistible !
ReplyDelete[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
The sepia toned scene is amazing! They are all so beautiful
ReplyDeleteYou've created a great collection of cards but the "Shake your Bones" card is exceptional. I usually like cards with tons of color but this one is beyond awesome for it's monochromatic look.
ReplyDeleteSo many stunning cards! I think that Hot Mama card has got to be my favorite though.
ReplyDeleteThese cards are awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteAWESOME cards! I especially love the sweet lady dancing mouse card!
ReplyDeleteThose add ones are so cute! Love the taco dog and the cats.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun set of cards you created. Thanks so much for sharing...
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, so awesome !
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing cards!! You used the kit contents fabulously. Love the card with the roses and the senorita. So creative and I love the story and inspiration behind it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card samples, loving the colors and layouts ♥
ReplyDeleteAmazing designs, lovely cards with sweet images, stunning!
ReplyDeleteThose are some interesting and creative cards! That is what I like about coming to your post is seeing such creative ideas! There are so many cute critters in this set and along with the add-ons and you did a great job with them.
ReplyDelete