Monday, March 8, 2021

VIDEO: Me, If I Were a Handmade Card... + Giveaway

*Compensated affiliate links used where possible at zero cost to you. No posts are ever sponsored or paid.*

Were you excited after my sneak peek, you little bookworms? If so, put your seatbelts on, because it gets even better! I'm SUPER excited about all this book-themed madness, and I had some fun. I have a video for you on this first card, which is basically a picture of me in the 70's, reading alone in a cozy spot, barefoot. I really think that growing up with books instead of a TV gave me what I consider to be a skill - and that is the imagination never to be bored. I've been in situations I didn't like and wanted to get out of - like every meeting I've ever been to in my life - but I've never had a moment of boredom. I am always thinking of the next thing I want to try, and I really do credit reading for that, as well as a childhood with no electronic inputs, which can overwhelm your mind with busy-ness, and squash your imagination. 

So I created a fun, die cut reverse masked shadow for the little me child from this glorious kit, using masking paper and this beautiful text background stamp and some Soft Granite ink. The image is colored with Graphit markers (coupon code at the end of the post). I used post-it tape to create my corner. There are several images in the kit like the one I used to come out of the book - so awesome. 



So before I show you the rest, here's what all comes in the kit. If you're not a subscriber, I encourage quick shopping! I think a lot of readers will jump on this - and a lot of people with a little free library! See what I did with the add-ons below. LOOK AT THE KITTY.



Probably my favorite add-on is the library card one! In addition to a library card and die, it has a little folder to put the card into - SQUEE! It also fits a gift card. If I'd had this when I was nine I would have put library cards in every book in our house! Think how fun this would be for a little free library though! I am going to put a stack in the nearest one.

So to create this card, I first stamped the center card in Indigo, and used the matching die to cut a piece of masking paper. I masked that one and brushed Soft Granite ink around it to create a drop shadow so that it looks 3D. Then I repeated that process for all the other cards so it really looks like a stack you could reach out and grab. I stamped the Overdue in Red Royal. What a cute late birthday card!


As usual, the fancy dies are stellar this month. This sweet little tree with its 3D leaves was calling to me. I colored the books with the world's best watercolor pencils - I have a video on why they are the best here. The sentiment is from this literary quotes stamp set, and I cut the circle with my infinity dies.




The second fancy die is this awesome stack of books, which I colored lavender with my Graphit markers. Super quick & simple card.


The third fancy die is a book window - I love the single bookmark, so I colored that red with Graphit markers and left the rest white, but used my oval infinity dies to make the focal point shaped.
The sentiment is from this set.


Then yesterday's card from the main kit! I loved the tree die, so I cut a book page with it, before adding the image from the kit. And yes, that page is from a Nancy Drew book! Don't flip out - I bought it used for a quarter :). I colored the image with Graphit, and used the blender to distress the image so the book looked worn, and the boy looked like there was sunlight shining down.


Finally, I colored and die cut the adorable little kitty from the kit with Graphit markers and their fine point nib and used the slimline bookmark dies - it comes with that die that cuts the hole - to create a bookmark that I stamped with the text background stamp. The twine in the kit is a rainbow ombre, so I chose a yellow green section to mask! I used a sentiment from this set for the story time. 


Here are all the add-ons this month - and they come in a bundle for a discount!

I know my friend Rita is probably salivating over all this book goodness. Probably Jana too - they are both voracious readers. The typewriter die is SO cute - I didn't have time to play with that yet. The slimline bookmark dies make bookmarks of any size, but also slimline layers! The little bookworm set is sized for those bookmarks, and the hemp twine in the kit is for those as well.



I'd shop here before you watch - I do predict a sell-out, but I have a video - I LOVE this technique and I hope you do too. It's like part four in my shadow series! I've added a Master Class with all my shadow and reflection videos, so you can check that out here





Here are all the supplies I used today!
My Monthly Hero Kit March 2021
[ HA ]
Get Them All March Add Ons
[ HA ]
Novel Prose Bold Prints
[ HA ]
Stacked Books Fancy Die
[ HA ]
Library Card Stamp & Cut
[ HA ]
Literally The Best
[ HA ]
Literary Quotes
[ HA ]
Slimline Bookmark Infinity Dies
[ HA ]
Peek-a-boo Books Fancy Die
[ HA ]
Tree of Knowledge Fancy Die
[ HA ]
Typewriter Fancy Die
[ HA ]
Book Window Fancy Die
[ HA ]
Book Stacks Bold Prints
[ HA ]
Bookworm Messages
[ HA ]
Bookshelf
[ HA ]
Hero Arts Oval Infinity Dies
[ HA ]
DI199 Nesting Circle Infinity Dies...
[ HA ]
Caran d'Ache Museum Aquarelle Pencil...
[ BLIC ]
Graphit — Marker Universe
[ MRK ]
AF435 Intens-ified Black Ink Pad -...
[ HA ]
AF225 Red Royal Mid-Tone Shadow Ink -...
[ HA ]
Soft Granite Shadow Ink - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
AF341 Indigo Bold Ink - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
Amazon.com : Post-it Labeling &...
[ AMZUS ]
Amazon.com : AVE6464 - Avery...
[ AMZUS ]
My Sweet Petunia
[ MSP ]
Pre-Cut & Scored Cardstock
[ CTC ]
Art Anthology BIG CRAFT MAT 24x36 311473
[ SSS ]
Rotatrim Professional Series Cutter -...
[ BLIC ]
LightView 2in1 LED Magnifier for...
[ BRG ]
Xyron ADHESIVE ERASER 23675
[ SSS | ART | AMZUS ]
Teflon Bone Folder - Ellen Hutson LLC
[ ELH | SSS ]
Crafter's Companion GEMINI...
[ SSS ]
Scor-Pal MINI SCOR-BUDDY Scoring...
[ SSS ]
Storage Envelopes, Medium 25pk,...
[ ELH ]
CheckOutStore Stamp & Die Clear...
[ CHC ]
Extra Large -50 pk, Avery Elle Stamp...
[ ELH ]
Mermaid tidy towel case and glue...
[ ETS ]
Lawn Fawn STAMP SHAMMY Cleaner LF1045
[ SSS | CST ]
Airtable: Organize your stamps & dies
[ ART ]
Hero Arts Blog
[ HA ]




As usual, you can win a gift certificate by checking out all the inspiration on the hop! Start at the Hero Blog!


Hero Arts
Channin Pelletier
Dana Joy
Daniel West
Debi Adams
Emily Midgett
Ilina Crouse
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Libby Hickson
Lydia Fiedler
Maria Willis
Michelle Short
Mindy Eggen
Pocono Pam
Seeka
Special Guests: Nichol Spohr
Jennifer McGuire


CURRENT COUPON CODES
15% off anything at Marker Universe or any of their other sites - Understandblue15.
10% off the whole store at A Colorful Life Designs - LydiaFan10
5% off at LBC here with code LYDIA5
Phone stand for filming link below in the banner - 20% off sitewide with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

54 comments:

  1. I am so totally in love with this month's kit but that corner reader card - that just takes the cake.

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  2. Wonderful creativeness creation the corner that draws the eye in and shadow look. Unique & oh so amazing. I like to read so reading theme is wonderful. Looking fwd to my subscription kit, bundle I ordered along with a few other items.
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"

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  3. love the shadow technique, all your cards are great.

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  4. I am in awe, Lydia! Love that this is something I might be able to do. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  5. As you can imagine, it didn't take enabling at all for me to Buy. All. The. Things. And your cards (and that sweet bookmark!) are just the inspiration needed to have me jumping every time I think I hear the mailman (is my order here yet? Is it? Is it??)

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  6. Love the corner idea! I will be using this kit a lot!

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  7. Can't wait to try the shadow technique.

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  8. I love your creative projects, especially the card with the text tree--fantastic!

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  9. I hear you. My favorite place to be as a teenager was under a tree with a book. This set takes you on journies doesnt it?

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  10. Fabulous job! These look great. That script background is my favorite of the release. Thanks for sharing such a great technique with it.

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  11. Really enjoyed your video and will definitely have to try these techniques, Very cool!

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  12. These are all incredible! I love how you did the shadow and that cute little bookmark!

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  13. These are really inspiring samples... and so different that the others.

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  14. I love your corner reader, especially since it's not a murder scene 😁 Now I can see that you didn't use an actual book page on the tree die (sneak peek)

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  15. love the library card belated birthday and the cat bookmark

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  16. Such a wide variety of cards. So creative. Thanks.

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  17. Everyone of your cards are AH-MAZING!! Can't decide which on I like the most.

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  18. Thank you SO MUCH for that corner tip! Brilliant! Loved your card & the shadow technique! (Hope this comment works- Google hates me...)

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  19. Love your shadow idea! Yes, it’s an amazing kit.

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  20. I love the bookmark! I work in a library, and that would be great birthday presents!

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  21. Great video- I love how you created the wall and the shadow! Your cards are so pretty!

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  22. Absolutely love the belated birthday card! These sentiments are so versatile.

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  23. You are so creative and these are lovely. The first was incredible to me. The shadow made from the bold print stamp? LOVE IT!

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  24. Your projects are wonderful and so inspiring. I have saved the video for tomorrow, but I can say in advance that I know it will be great.

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  25. Wow Lydia, you gave us soooo any examples for this new release and I love everything you made. Thank you for so much inspiration! ❤️

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  26. I especially like the boy reading under a tree made of book page. Really great look.

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  27. Oh my Goodness, that shadow! I am so happy I found your video showing how to do it, can't wait for this kit!

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  28. The word shadow is sooooo creative! Love it!!!

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  29. I really love the the corner image and will do the same for my card!!
    It was very nice to watch the video of how you created this card, very unique and lovely

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  30. I love the simplicity of your cards. They are all beautiful!

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  31. Fantastic card designs! My fave is the library card set...so clever!

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  32. Totally awesome cards! I love them all & the belated birthday card is so cute!!

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  33. Your cards are so awesome and unique! Great new kit from Hero Arts.

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  34. I love your cards and your shadowing technique! Thanks for sharing & the opportunity at winning this giveaway.

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  35. Gorgeous cards! Thanks so much for sharing...

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  36. Oh my-such an interesting group of cards using the same stamp set! I especially love that first one with the shadow. Just so creative! And my second favorite has to be the boy under the tree made from the Nancy Drew book. Another clever idea which can be translated into so many cards. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  37. These are so fun! I love how you created the shadow on the first card. :)

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  38. When Imfirst say the book page tree I thought immediately Lydia! Terrific! Then the shadow, WOW, that is so cool, love it! This set is definately Lydia! Awesome.

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  39. Wow- you were busy! and with such magnificent creations I had to go back and forth among them several times. As a reader, I already thought the products were especially fabulous this month, but then you took them to a whole new level with the reverse and drop shadows on those first 2! I'm inspired to give both techniques a try-- they make such a impact. Many thanks for the inspiration and for sharing your amazing talents on the hop.

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  40. Awesome cards and bookmark! I am really loving that rainbow tree!

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  41. Love the variety of projects you created.

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  42. That text shadow is GENIUS. Love the simplicity of your makes. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  43. So many projects. I like them all. The reverse shadow is especially intriguing.

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  44. I placed my order with your links! I am not missing out on this and I do think it will sell out! I am very selective when buying stamps because I have very little extra time on my hands with all that I do for teams but you inspire me every time with Hero Arts! :) I think this will be a classic set that I can use all through the years! I don't have a library card set so I grabbed that too. I like the idea of the fun little card holder! Thanks for the beautiful inspiration. I love all your cards. I especially love the first one. That was SO me, growing up! Books opened up a whole world.

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  45. Wow! So many great cards! Thanks for the great ideas!

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  46. WOW! Love how you created the corner and the shadow. Thanks for the great video and inspiration.

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  47. Oh my gosh, that shadow effect is so unique and fun. I love reading, so this collection is a must have for me.

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  48. Love the stamp set but the wall trick got my creative juices flowing, omg a game changer for me.
    Thank you so much for sharing.

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  49. What a beautiful, creative set of cards!

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  50. I like the idea for using book pages in the designs.

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  51. Oh my goodness! The card with the shadow is amazing. Thank you for sharing!

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  52. Great cards! Such variety! Thanks for sharing.

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  53. That 'shadow' of the girl on your 1st card is so cute. Lucky me I am a subscriber so I don't miss out. I'm thinkin that technique could work on other stamps/dies. Thank you so much for sharing.

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