I remember the first time I went to the Texas State Fair vividly. It was 9000 degrees outside, as usual, and they hold the fair on the large patch of hot concrete known as Dallas, Texas. (The only larger, hotter patch of concrete in America is called Las Vegas.)
But there is magic lurking there on that burning piece of earth. I especially loved the agriculture pavilions, where you could go see both the animals and the technology that you find on American farms. There are petting zoos and rodeo events, cooking contests, art exhibits and much, much more.
For whatever reason though, county and state fairs are MOST known for their food on a stick, and in Texas, at the heart of the stick food is the Fletcher's corn dog. That slightly sweet batter and deep fried perfection comes flying into the mind any time anyone says the word "fair" to a Texan. Yes, there's also deep fried butter (not kidding), deep fried Snickers, deep fried ice cream, Spam, you name it, but our Texas State love affair begins and ends with a Fletcher's corn dog. MMM I could use one right now!
Anyway, the theme of this month's Hero Arts kit and add-ons is County Fair, so it speaks to my corn dog loving heart in an epic way. The images are adorable, and it's one of those kits that will be good for all occasions and all year, which I love.
So I'll start with my favorite image from the main kit, which is the long, border silhouette of the fair. It's so detailed and beautiful, that it makes for very quick cards. I stamped the image on an old Gel Press print, and then stamped the little airplane with a banner above it. The gold glitter paper is the new no-shed paper from Concord & 9th, and I die cut the little stars out of that as well with this die.
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I took the same image from the kit and used it on an Artist Trading Coin for a one for one swap in my Facebook Community Group - I've been waiting to post a photo of it in our group till today! I cut the coin with the Circle Infinity Dies from Fabriano watercolor paper and just blobbed watercolor on it. Then I stamped it with the add-on County Fair Bold Print stamp in Wet Cement Ink before stamping the sentiment and image from the kit in black. I glued the paper onto two more circles I cut from this lightweight matboard before mailing it. I love making these trading coins, and I have more coming up for our larger swap in our group, so stay tuned for those soon! ATCoins are 2.5 inches, and that just happens to be one of the die sizes in the Circle Infinity dies, which made me squee a LOT when we set up this swap, and I became obsessed with making these.
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So here is what the full kit looks like, and this month it comes with just gorgeous card front die, vintage postcards and red, white and blue ink cubes. I'll wait here while you go buy it - because it's while supplies last. Go on - open a new tab - I'll be here when you get back. :)
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Now - on to the add-ons!
First up - a stunning carousel set with matching dies where you can switch out the carousel images and use the top and the bottom on each image.
I decided on a warm, vintage pink, so I mixed Quinacridone Gold and Quinacridone Rose watercolor, and then added some shimmer on top with Pearlescent Shimmer. You can barely see the sparkle here, but it's really shimmery and fun in person. The sequins are the Like Magic ones, and the card base - if you look closely - is my dark brown wood grain cardstock, which just felt right with this image.
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Next, I did some combo projects, where die cutting gave me the pieces I needed for a second project - I love project that naturally double themselves. First, I stamped three card fronts with background stamps. I'll list the supplies for all three cards under this first one, because the supplies are so similar. All three feature the County Fair pig images, which are adorable, and the matching dies, and I cut all three card fronts with the circle infinity dies to make an opening for my piggies, which are all colored with Copics. This first background is the Brushstroke Bold Print, stamped in Intense Black.
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Next, I used the Scribble Bold Print the same way to send hogs & kisses.
Finally - I had to make a little piggy who is blue because he is missing you pig time! :) He's framed by the Festive Bauble Bold Print stamped in Intense Black.
Now that I had those circles cut out, along with one stamped with the Filigree Pattern Bold Prints background that I didn't make into a card, I had the perfect backdrops for three gift card holders. Half of a 4 bar card size is the perfect size for a gift card holder, so I cut those up and scored them so that I could do a matchbook style gift card holder with a pretty colored staple.
The images for all three are from the You're Sweet as Pie add-on set - the images are awesome and the perfect size for coloring, so I die cut all three with the matching dies and placed them on the leftover patterned circles on each gift holder and stamped the sentiment from the set. Love that cherry pie.
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Then I had to try a rainbow bright snow cone!
Then for the last one, I did that adorable pretzel from the set, and accented it with a white gel pen.
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So do you want to watch the video and see my hilarious mistakes? Enjoy below or click here to watch on YouTube in HD.
They are offering all the add-ons at a discount this month, as usual, so you can grab those when you order the kit. I'm pretty excited that they released a new liquid watercolor with the add-ons, so I'll have to order that, especially now that I got my new shelves for all my coloring mediums. Here's what is included in the discounted bundle, and you can also get them individually.
As usual, Hero is giving away one kit this month, and if you win and you're already a subscriber, they will give you a refund. You just need to comment on the blogs in our hop today, and your next stop is my sweet friend May.
So now that I've given myself and probably you the hangries for a corn dog and a snow cone, it's time to go find a snack!
Loveyameanitbye.
Superb, what a website it is! This web site gives helpful information to us, keep it up.
ReplyDeleteLove your carousel card! Such pretty colors and fun cards!
ReplyDeleteWow - so many cute cards and wonderful stamps in this kit and add ons!
ReplyDeleteI think that your samples are my favorites!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour watercoloring is just beautiful. Those little animals are so cute. Thank you for inspiring me to watercolor more.
ReplyDeleteI usually do not care for fair type stamps. I am loving these that you made and I do believe I need this set😘
ReplyDeleteAWESOME cards, fabulous colors and backgrounds. Thanks for sharing your creativity and ideas.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is quite a variety of cards! Great inspiration, especially the way you used different backgrounds to highlight the focal points.
ReplyDeleteWhat's up friends, its impressive post on the topic of teachingand entirely explained,
ReplyDeletekeep it up all the time.
I'm enamored with every single card you made! Without a doubt, my fav stop in the blog hop(ssshhh... don't tell!! Lol) My favorite of favorites is the Party Animals!❤ You are wonderful at watercoloring & that card deserves to be framed.
ReplyDeleteGreat cards! Your ATC is just fab! And, I love those bold graphic backgrounds - I've never seen that brushstrokes bold print before - it's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteYour no line water coloring is amazing!
ReplyDeleteYour description of corn dogs and fairs made me smile and I swear I could smell those corn dogs. Every fair I’ve ever been to, regardless of what part of the country I was in, (Illinois and California State Fairs) smelled of corn dogs, LOL. Fabulous, fun cards. But my heart is drawn to your first silhouette card. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that any food on a stick is awesome. Love your cards, especially the piggy cards! So cute!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome array of cards! Love those fun piggies.
ReplyDeleteAll your cards were lovely! Love those pigs :)
ReplyDeleteSuch fun backgrounds including the gell print, love your cards.
ReplyDeleteThis whole release is so cute! And I love your watercolored farm animal card, floating pig and all!
ReplyDeleteWOW FANTASTIC CARDS! You were really busy! So many fun styles! And the coloring is AWESOME on each of them!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW.. these are all so amazing.. all that creativity in one spot.. let me send you some corn dogs so you'll stay there, nice and content!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!!! Love these
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I can't even decide which of your cards is my favorite! I just love them all! My favorite image is the silhouette as well - followed closely by that carousel pony! Thank you so much for the terrific ideas!
ReplyDeleteYou were right.. this kit is awesome! And after seeing everything you created. I think I need it ALL! Thank you for inspiring me and for also making me hungry!
ReplyDeleteLove your cards Lydia! My favorite is the snow cone one. Probably because I'm into rainbows with a lot of black/white to contrast lately. I wonder what you all are doing with these artist trading coins. I hope you will do a blog post on it. If you haven't already. I'll admit I am a bit behind on your blog! I will catch up, I promise! I do love reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat cards and coin! And the new kit looks like another winner from Hero Arts!
ReplyDeleteSo not only do I want every single item in this release after seeing your cards, I am also craving a corn dog. What could be better than eating a corn dog while making cards? Thanks for sharing your creations with us!
ReplyDeleteLove the pie card.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'm hungry for "fair food" now - corndogs, cotton candy, caramel apples, sno-cones, you get the picture LOL. Now I'm starving but thanks for the memories :) Love your card designs, they are so different from most of what I've seen and that always makes me happy (new ideas of course). Let's just say thanks for everything with this blog post :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great variety of cards that you made and it looks like you mad great use of the kit add ons. I like your color combinations!
ReplyDeleteIt's a cute kit and your cards are so fun!
ReplyDeleteGreetings! I've been following your website for a while
ReplyDeletenow and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from
Lubbock Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic work!
All these cards are great. I especially like the pigs. They are so cute.
ReplyDeleteLovely cards !! A beautiful way to use the new kit!
ReplyDeleteYour cards were awesome!!! And yes...I am a fan of food on a stick...can’t beat the great times you can have with family and friends at the county fair......horse races, carnival food.....corn dogs and of course cotton candy and snowcones....this kit has it all...and the add ons are great too.....Loving the pigs.....thank you so much for sharing your great cards....Hope I win this kit...
ReplyDeleteOk, seriously craving a corn dog now! Amazing collection of cards. All so fun and wonderfully summery.
ReplyDeleteLove your cards. My favorite hands down is "hey you all" it is too cute! Great variety of color combinations and selection of stamped items. Keep up the good work. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteLove your cards!
ReplyDeleteLove all your cards!! The pig is so stinking cute!!! Texas state fair has the best food!! I look forward to it every year!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun new release. I can see the plane flying over the beach (last month's kit).
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all of your cards, but especially the Hay There card with all the farm animals. You really went all out with these items!
ReplyDeleteI love you water coloring. It has a old world feel to it. You are quite versatile, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow wow wow! This post is an absolute feast for the eyes.....like walking down the Midway...so many wonderful things to see! I love our county Fair at the end of the summer....and I love this new release!
ReplyDeleteThis kit is amazing and so are all of your creations! They are all so much fun and would brighten anyone's day!
ReplyDeleteLove the pink.... i need to go back and buy the add ons...
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I am blown away by all your cards. You have been so busy. I can’t believe all the ideas I am getting from on blog post
ReplyDeleteStunning cards! So cute piggy :)
ReplyDeleteLike the colored backgrounds. Especially like the airplane with banner.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
"Sunshine HoneyBee"
Been there...long time ago..to the Texas State fair. Grew up in Ft.Worth.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing cuter than a baby pig and these add ons are almost cuter than the kit although the kit is a keeper.
Lydia, these are ALL so much fun and all so gorgeous! I especially like your ATCoin! The colors and designs are so cheerful and fun and capture everything I love about summer! Thanks for some fun inspiration today!
ReplyDeleteIt's always hot when the fair rolls into town! Love your cards and ATCoin.
ReplyDeleteWOWZA. Love all your gorgeous and inspiring projects...that snow cone ROCKS.
ReplyDeleteThe background on your first card is gorgeous. I do love this kit and your creations show the versatility of this release. All are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThis set i wonderful. Thanks for your inspiration
ReplyDeleteWhat’s a fair without piggies - love your comments and the awesome card and ideas
ReplyDeleteOh I just adore your work....all of it. Love the backgrounds and layout. What talent!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat cards, Lydia. County Fair is a great theme for summer cards. Our fair starts next week.
ReplyDeleteGREAT CARDS
ReplyDeleteGREAT KIT!
Love the roller coaster.
ReplyDeleteWhat great ideas.
ReplyDeleteLove the ones featuring the little piggy! Adorable
ReplyDeleteLove the coin!! And the Hogd and Kisses card is adorable!
ReplyDeleteYour cards and ATCoin are wonderful! I really love your first card and the animals you colored are adorable :)
ReplyDeleteThese cards are all so fun! Love your ATC (which I had never heard of before joining your group).
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to see your name on this blog hope!! YEAH!!! Your work is inspiring. I love the “Missing you pig time”. Thank you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are beautiful, as usual ! I specially love the first and the last one, they are very different and I find both of them very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards! I love all the various backgrounds you used!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your cards! The background gel print on the first one is stunning! Thanks for all the great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWhat a variety of cards --- you are so ambitious! My favorite is the carnival with the beautiful background of colors!
ReplyDeleteEeek! Those piggies are adorable and I love the county fair theme!
ReplyDeleteLove you cards Lydia! They're so fun.
ReplyDeleteDeep fried butter? I think I'll pass! But your cards are definitely making me drool. I think the snow-cone card is my favorite. Live the colors!
ReplyDeleteThanks for these great inspirational cards. Loved the video and how you rescued it.. I can't wait to get my kit, but I might have a wait as I live in the UK.
ReplyDeleteAmazing cards! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm headed to the fair for a corn dog....
ReplyDeletesuch great backgrounds! This kit and add on's is so good!
ReplyDeleteThese cards are AMAZING!! I love all of them! Especially your coin card!
ReplyDeleteyou create amazing and stunning backgrounds ! your cards are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow--all of these are great. Great backgrounds and cute critters. I never heard of Artist Trading Coins before.
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely , just a bit different from what we usually see
ReplyDeleteWow! Fabulous use of this beautiful kit!!!
ReplyDeleteLove all your gorgeous cards!!!
Beautiful cards! Love them all!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
ReplyDeleteYour backgrounds are just amazing! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteLydia-Love your cards and the use of all these mediums! Looking forward to meeting you and taking your class at Junkiefest!
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous work! You have so many great ideas. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are the over achiever!! Every card is great in its own right! But from the first to the last, all unique endeavors! Gorgeous and so creative!! Thank you for such fabulous inspiration with the newest release!
ReplyDeleteyours is the 2nd card maker that I have seen that had used gel press paper. love seeing the black and white background then used colored images.
ReplyDeleteI especially love the pig cards with backgrounds! Looking forward to many ideas with this set.
ReplyDeleteFantastic collection of cards.
ReplyDeletethis is a wonderful kit - fun and
happy. thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Silly physics! Love hearing you laugh!
ReplyDeleteI love all of the new ideas!
ReplyDeleteMaybe YOU can ix anything with watercolor... but not so much with me! I often have disasters that happen like this but don't record them! ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your cards and your video. You make me want the monthly kit because of your cards. I just have one comment to add. Hay is green because it is grass or alfalfa and straw is brown or tan color because it is the leftover stem from wheat or oats. Sorry as a farm wife for 30+ years I just had to mention that. 😁
ReplyDeleteAlthough my entire body is a diet I'm now craving carnival food especially pink sticky candy floss. I used to buy one to eat after all the rides as we walked home buzzing about our night & carry home another bag of multi coloured floss. Fantastic cards you made with every image on that you could think off, thank you for masses of inspiration x
ReplyDeleteabsolutely amazing creations with the kit and addons ♥
ReplyDeleteSo cute! That pig has to be one if my favorites!
ReplyDeleteGreat cards and very creative backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...
Great cards love them.
ReplyDeleteThat silhouette image is a must have! You showcased it beautifully!!!
ReplyDeleteawesome kit, awesome cards!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are beautiful. I especially love the gel print background. Fabulous
ReplyDeleteNice! I totally went to the Texas State Fair - might have been 1992. Did I see you there?
ReplyDeleteLove your creations here!
Another amazing release. Great patterns, coloring and designs. Just amazing! I just love it, and so much fair fun. And fair food is the best...
ReplyDeleteLove the pigs...so cute. And your backgrounds are fabulous
ReplyDeleteLet me just say, AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteOkay, now I really DO want a corn dog! And this kit!
ReplyDeleteLots of fun cards! Love the carousel and party animals.
ReplyDelete