Happy Monday! I'm actually in the middle of my journey home from vacation in Santa Fe right now, so I've had an amazingly relaxing week. If you have a spare million laying around, I'd love for you to lay it on me so I could move there permanently. Thanks a bunch!
But it's also
Hero Arts Kit day, and this month is super fun - it's all about friends & family, and if you love genealogy, you will LOVE this kit.
I'm starting with an add-on this month, because I can't do ANYTHING without warming up with no-line watercolor. I started by stamping the sweet teddy bear from
Swing On By in
Fadeout Ink on
Fabriano cold press watercolor paper. Then I used
my favorite, most economical masking paper - stamping the bear on it again, and masking him before stamping the tire swing image over him.
I don't know about you, but I've been stamping for about 25 years, and still to this day, I have to tilt my head to the side and stick my tongue out to figure out how to mask images to get the things that I want in the foreground. Am I alone in this? I don't always get it right the first time, but I did this time, and the bear is nestled into the tire swing instead of entering another dimension, which happens sometimes.
After that, I used
my ultimate mixing palette of Daniel Smith watercolors from
this miraculous book that all of us in my Daniel Smith split group use - we love it so much. (If you are still trying to grow your
Daniel Smith collection, this split group is a very inexpensive way to do it. Click
here for more info.)
Don't we all need a friend to give us a little push sometimes? My friend
Lori is the one who gave me the little push to start my own Daniel Smith
collection obsession, and for that I'm very grateful. I stamped the sentiment in black and just matted the
watercolor paper. When I've spent a lot of time watercoloring an image, I keep the card pretty simple.
| May My Monthly Hero Kit | Get them all - All May add-ons | Swing By Soon | Swing by Soon Frame Cuts | Fadeout No Line coloring Detail Ink | Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors | The Ultimate Mixing Palette: a World... | Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. Cold Press... | Avery Removable Label Paper | PS623 Sea Mix Layering Papers (12) |... | Basic Black 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5... | Paper Snips (103579) | Escoda : Watercolour Travel Brush Set... | MISTI Stamping Tool | Lawn Fawn STAMP SHAMMY Cleaner LF1045 | Rotatrim Professional Series Cutter -... | Multipurpose Liquid Glue by Stampin' Up! | Nesting Porcelain Bowls - BLICK art... |
| |
Next, I was inspired by one of my favorite artists in the world for a card with
this month's kit. My friend
Yoorah sent me a Banksy card a few months ago with this image - one of my all time favorite Banksy images. If this is the first time you've heard of Banksy - I highly recommend the movie
Exit Through the Gift Shop, as well as a Google image search for Banksy art.
So when I saw
the kit images, the very first thing that popped into my head was this Banksy image. I wanted to take the silhouette image and add that white space that makes Banksy's graphics so... Banksy. I also loved the sort of wistfulness of the balloon getting away from this little girl, and I knew I could recreate that with the kite. I sort of cracked myself up with the sentiment from one of my absolute
all time favorite sets from Hero - this one. Get it? Above and beyond? I amuse myself in very simple ways. :)
To get the Banksy look, I stamped the image off once on my
MISTI in
Soft Granite Ink so the image was barely there. Then I took my
fine point micron pen and traced the outline, and filled it in, leaving some white space to emulate the Banksy girl. I did the same on the kite, this time with
a Copic Marker, again leaving a white highlight. I then masked the kite and the girl with masking paper, and softly applied more
Soft Granite ink through
this stencil with my
Clarity Stencil brushes, keeping the ink very light and faded out towards the edges of the card. The sentiment from
Astronomical is stamped in
Intense Black, and it's all matted on black, and put onto a red card base.
As always, you amaze me! But I think that sweet teddy bear on the first card is my favorite. Thanks so much for hopping with us!
ReplyDeleteFUN STUFF Lydia! I am SO EXCITED to see skeleton leaves return!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLydia! I have a weakness for both, tire swings and Banksy. Your creations are knee buckling!
ReplyDeleteI might have to get that Swing On By set. I love that you can personalize it.
Oh so beautiful cards that you made. The colors and simplicity is just Wow! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteI especially love the bear on the swing. How sweet!
ReplyDeleteWonderful cards! Such a different take with the cards and stencils. Great inspiration for the monthly kit.
ReplyDeletewow how different your examples are! so much different than what i have seen on the hop so far. i love the last card, with the outline of the kite girl. i know i couldn't do that but i can admire yours!!!
ReplyDeleteAll your cards are beautiful and very inspiring !
ReplyDeleteFantastic collection of cards! All in wonderful Lydia style :) Though it may seem a small detail, the thing that caught my eye most was your layering choices - the blue, red, black, white all so perfectly enhance each card.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are marvelous examples of different techniques. Love the results and will definitely use the kit to try some of your ideas. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are so unique and beautiful! Love the slightly different take on the kit and some of the add-on products. Thanks for the ideas! I can't wait to get this kit!!
ReplyDeleteOh my heavens... this is incredible.. so many gorgeous cards!
ReplyDeleteI was hopping along waiting to see if anyone would show the background add-ons some love. I should have guessed it would be you. Thanks for the inspiration and the artsy tidbits as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great kit!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a unique style! I love each of these!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards!!
ReplyDeleteSo many samples! They’re all wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWow. As always, amazing cards. I learn so much from you an this blog! I think the final card is my favourite!
ReplyDeleteI really want to try the monthly kits but the shipping to the UK is so much that I haven't taken the plunge yet! This would be amazing.
So many different ways to use this set. You make me want to purchase all of the add ons. At first I thought I had the wrong blog but I soon realized I didn't. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLydia, your creations are so unique. I love that you really "went out on a limb" with your artwork. Thanks for making me look at this kit in a whole new way.
ReplyDeleteLove the girl on the swing.
ReplyDeleteLove the girl on the swing.
ReplyDeleteThese are the most beautiful cards. What a great kit plus super add-ons.
ReplyDeleteThis kit is absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteLove your cards.
ReplyDeleteI really like that card you were sent very cool. I also really love the bear swing card you made very impactful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great spin in these cards and I loved reading your process of how u did each card. Thank u for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteLydia I absolutely love your cards, they are gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteLove your cards. This kit And add ones remind me of summertime.
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas and cards and that teddy bear in the swing is perfect! Thanks for sharing with us!!
ReplyDeleteLove your water coloring. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery cool cards. Thank you for your ideas.
ReplyDeletePretty colors! They are unique and so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteVery nice cards. Glad to have you back. ;)
ReplyDeleteWow I like your style. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteYour cards are amazing! I just love all the cards with the kites!
ReplyDeleteClean and simple and lovely.
ReplyDeleteReally love that tire swing card - so adorable!
ReplyDeleteThank you for a much need laugh! I spent 4 hours at the dealership for routine maintenance, and I had an appointment!! Your cards are awesome!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome cards. Love the tire swing. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the bear swing card!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are wonderful - so unique!
ReplyDeleteWhat awesome cards to show off this beautiful kit! Well done!
ReplyDeleteLove the simplicity of the swing card!
ReplyDeleteReally fun and adorable cards. Love the colors you chose and this Hero Arts kit is sensational. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLovely creations, so unique.
ReplyDeleteI love the teddy bear in the swing. So precious!
ReplyDeleteThe kit is amazing! Love the die set
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! Your creativity knows no bounds (or not many lol), and I love what you shared today.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great kit! I like the reactive ink and the way you used it.
ReplyDeleteWow! Awesome set of cards!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my what a beautiful assortment of using the kit.Thanks
ReplyDeleteI love all of the new ideas!
ReplyDeleteOh wow - so many stunning cards! This kit is amazing and it's clear everyone is having so much fun with it - can't wait to get mine! Thanks for all the inspiration, I can't decide which one I love more, the last one with the yummy tree stencil or the sweet teddy-bear (I so want to adopt it...)
ReplyDeleteAwww... a teddy bear on a swing!?! Love it! I want one!!!
ReplyDeleteThat bear is so sweet!! Love that card the best, but
ReplyDeleteI love all the different inspiration you've shown.
Wonderful set of creations!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great kit and you have done it good.
ReplyDeleteWow! Love them all! I always love how inspiring your projects are!
ReplyDeleteAwesome HA kit and awesome cards, I especially love the last Thinking of you card!
ReplyDeleteYou've created some really beautiful cards with the new Hero Arts kit. The teddy bear in the swing is so sweet. I just want to pick him up and give him a big hug.
ReplyDeleteWow! Love your unique design on the HA kit! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteInteresting ideas and cards. I have to check into this kit.
ReplyDeleteLove this kit! Beautiful cards!
ReplyDeleteTeddy bear lover so this is a favorite
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! I love this kit so much!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic kit. So many options to create beautiful cards. Your cards are lovely!! The bear in the swing is adorable!! Love the girl with the kite and the little girl with the swing!!
ReplyDeleteAs always, all your cards are absolutely gorgeous !!
ReplyDelete[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
Beautiful cards! I love the teddy bear in the tire swing! Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI'm at the starting end of this masking park so your comment was nice to read. Liking all your cards and the colours you've used but especially loving your ode to Banksy, very good x
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful cards! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are really gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing...
This is my first time on your blog and i love your work i will definitely be back thanks for the inspiration
ReplyDeleteLove your cards! This kit has some really awesome stamps and dies in it and I'm excited for mine to ship/arrive!
ReplyDeleteStunning examples!
ReplyDeleteLove your masking. He is too adorable. Love this kit too....
ReplyDeleteYour cards are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your talent!
ReplyDeleteAwesome cards and techniques, especially that Banksy-style card - so cool, and the no-line coloring is amazing, such a cute little teddy ♥
ReplyDeleteGreat inspiration. I love the Bansky inspired card.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing way to combine your own special creativity with this kit to make it your own! Great work and beautiful results (as usual).
ReplyDeleteI like your cute and unique card designs.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you for the awesome cards
ReplyDeleteI super love these. Didn't know you liked Banksy!
ReplyDeleteWow!! You used some awesome combos...beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing. Great kit!
ReplyDeleteYou always take it to the next level. These are stunning. I may have to go order some of the addons now. I ordered the kit as soon as I saw it. But oh how I love what you've done with the additional products.
ReplyDeleteYes, a thousand times yes... masking is a must tilt head and stick out tounge activity! I am so glad that I'm not the only one who has trouble figuring out what goes where and in what order, it makes me feel like an idiot. 😚
ReplyDeleteWOW! So many great ideas! Thank you for the inspiration
ReplyDeleteNM is my stomping ground! Lovely creations!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the cards you made. I think the "You make the world beautiful" design is my favorite. The ombre inks you used is really beautiful and having just the single image makes the sentiment have more impact.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are always so fun and I really learn some interesting things. Love all your fabulous cards made with this kit - such great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLovely cards! And yes - I am with you on the "tilt my head, stick my tongue out" when trying to figure out masking!
ReplyDelete