Monday, October 24, 2016

Hero Arts Hostess Blog Hop



Welcome everyone to the Hero Arts Hostess Alumni Blog Hop! I'm so excited you're joining us for this two day event. You should be arriving for Emily's blog.

The Hosti's have gotten together to feature projects using products from the new 2016 release and winter catalog.

My first card uses the Happy Holly Days Stamp and Die Set. I love all the greenery in this set, perfect for so many different styles of cards. 



I heat embossed all my stamped images with Hero Arts Brass Embossing Powder. It's my first time trying it and is now a favourite. I'll be using it on a lot of my holiday cards this year. After embossing and die cutting I coloured in my pieces with Zig Markers. 



For the red piece I stamped the Holiday Florals Bold Prints Stamp with red ink on red card stock and used a Sakura glitter pen to add red dots on the background. Then it was just a matter of assembling the card and adding a sentiment.

On my second card I used the Color Layering Cardinal as my focal image. Half the fun is experimenting with different colour combos for the bird. The colours on my bird are Ranger Pink Gumball, Ranger Classic Cherry and Memento Love Letter.



I die cut a circle from white card stock and white heat embossed the Woodgrain Bold Prints image on it. I also heat embossed branches from the Happy Holly Days set with green glitter embossing powder and used them to frame the bird. 



For the strip of green I used Versamark to ink the edge of the cardstock, sprinkled it with the same green glitter embossing powder and heat set. I finished off the card by adding my sentiment.

Are you ready for some prizes? Hero Arts will be awarding 4 prizes ($25 shopping spree to Hero Arts online shop) from randomly drawn comments. For a chance to win, simply comment on ANY of the stops along the hop on Oct. 24th and 25th, including each day’s ending post at the Hero Club Blog. The more comments you leave, the better your chance of winning! Comment by Sunday Oct 30th at 11:59pm PT for a chance to win. If you find a broken link, you'll find a master list of the hop links at the Hero Arts Blog.

I'm including a list of all the participants today in case there's a glitch.

Virginia Lu
Emily Leiphart
Sue McRae - You Are Here
Sarah Moerman
Nancy Krueger
Tiffany Ervin
Arlene McClung
Joy Taylor
Suzanne Czosek
Heather Doran
Hero Arts Blog

Now your next stop is Sarah.

Thanks for visiting today and have fun hopping!


239 comments:

  1. Beautiful! The golden images are stunning and the cardinal card is so wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fabulous cards, Sue! On your first card the background is absolutely gorgeous and I love the look of the images embossed in brass! The cardinal looks fantastic and I love the way he's perched on the branches and teamed with the woodgrain! It has been great fun hopping with you again:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW Sue, these are STUNNERS! Just fantastic cards!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautifully crafted cards, that second one with the cardinal stunning:-))))

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, I love these layouts! Little surprises here and there. A curved line and little pine boughs sticking out. Nifty! Great project and thanks for the inspiration! kReN@afourthlife

    ReplyDelete
  6. This cardinal stamp set is a must have. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I adore your beautiful cards, so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like the background, your arrangement of the greenery and the curved element on your first card. So pretty. I like your second card, as well. The die cut greenery, the bright bird, the embossed wood texture, just all of your elements, even how you cut the sentiment banner. Really nice job on both cards.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Both cards are gorgeous! I really love the tone on tone background and the brass EP in the first card.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really like the embossing on the first cards

    ReplyDelete
  11. Both cards are so beautiful, Sue! They are special Christmas cards, sure to be cherished!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Two really gorgeous cards, Sue! I'm so impressed with how you played with the Brass EP, and how you added so much dimension to both cards! Beautiful work!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sue your cards are always so polished. these are beauties. I love the the little subtle touches you add, like the green strip or the tone on tone stamping. Just perfection

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the cardinal peeking through the hole - just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sue, your cards are fabulous! Very exquisite and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow Sue - what gorgeous cards! I just love the curved two piece background on card one with the yummy greenery! The white embossed panel with circle opening for the cardinal is perfect with all the pines!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your cards, especially love all things bird!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love your cards! They are gorgeous!! Thanks so much for sharing on this fun blog hop.

    ReplyDelete
  19. These are lovely. I especially like the bird in the window!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Both of your cards are lovely. I like the background stamping and the way you created a window for the bird to sit on!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow! As a beginner card maker, I really enjoy seeing cards made with familiar techniques put together in new-to-me ways. So beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  22. What lovely cards. The greenery stamps are just wonderful and I like the background on the first card. I wasn't sure if it was a background stamp or a combo of stamps. Love the background on the second card as well. Is that the paper that comes like that (I forget what it's called)or was it embossed?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I mentioned in my post that the white panel on the cardinal card was white heat embossed with the Woodgrain Bold Prints stamp.

      Delete
  23. Love both cards but my favorite is the cardinal card.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love the curve on the first card with the lovely greenery and the circle cut out for the cardinal. Both cards-winners.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Beautiful card!! Love the red background you have created in the first card!! The cardinal is so pretty!!
    -Berina
    Moxie Craftie

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautiful cards, this is such a great set.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great cards... I am hosting the scramble for the Hero Arts Flickr group on Sat the 29th. Hope you drop by one of my sample cards is similiar to your first card. What fun...

    ReplyDelete
  28. I really like how balanced your cards are and how you layer paper. Very nice cards.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am from St. Louis so the Cardinal really struck me! He is so beautiful and I love the design of the card with it's cut out peek a boo. And I adore the pine cone card too! Very elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sue, I love both cards, but am partial to the red Cardinal. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your cards are so elegant. I love the balance and techniques. You make them look so perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Beautiful cards. I like the heat embossing, colors and stamped background.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Stunning cards, Sue! I love your subtle background on the first card and the glitz on the second one!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Your cards are gorgeous! I have the stamp sets used in the first card, and you've convinced me that I "need" the color layering cardinal set!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Wow, Sue! Gorgeous, gorgeous cards! Love them both! Sure is fun hopping with you and our hostess sisters!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Gorgeous cards Sue, your Red Cardinal is spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love both cards, but I think the red and brass embossing makes the more striking card! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I especially adore your monotone woodgrain embossing on the cardinal card! Very beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love the soft look of the greens embossed with brass and green glitter embossing powder? Sounds and looks fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  40. That brass embossing is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Very pretty cards, Sue! Love your style and color choices.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Beautiful work as always, Sue! I'm in love with that handsome cardinal!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Beautiful work on
    the cards. Love the
    red bird one.
    Carla from Utah

    ReplyDelete
  44. Beautiful cards, Sue. The Color layering cardinal
    set is on my wish list. Every winter, I look for
    those gorgeous little birds.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Absolutely gorgeous, Sue!! Now my list of 'must' haves gets even longer!! Beautiful inspiration with such bold color schemes! Glad to hop with you!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love the Hero Arts brass embossing powder, too. I thought the first card was so beautiful and then I scrolled down and found another equally beautiful card. Amazing! Love this!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Lovely cards, I like how you did the background too!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Beautiful-love the cardinal card.

    ReplyDelete
  49. beautiful elegant cards - love the cut out circle you used to frame the cardinal - great idea:)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Wonderful cards, love the layers!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Love them both. So very colourful!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Love the green sparkly card edge!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Beautiful cards, Sue! I especially love how you used the background and curved edges on the first one and I love the cardinal sitting on the pine branch in the window on your second card. It’s been so fun hopping with all my hostess sisters again!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Both your cards are gorgeous, but I am in love with that cardinal! I think I need that set!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Love both cards, but the cardinal is definitely my favorite with its cut-out focus!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Love the cardinal. Beautiful card

    ReplyDelete
  57. O this card is out of this world gorgeous. Awesome job.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Gorgeous cards. Love the die cutting!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Beautiful cards! Thank you for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. love this!! So behind in myc ards for this year, Thanks for the Inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Both cards are beautiful. I love the sentiment. Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Both cards are wonderful, but I really love the cardinal!!

    ReplyDelete
  63. both are gorgeous, love the subtle woodgrain with the cardinal!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Both of your cards are just wonderful - thanks so much for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Love pinecones on holiday cards. The cardinal is awesome and love how the branches hang outside of the window; nice effect.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Wow both so gorgeous!! The second one with the Cardinal is stunning!!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Gorgeous! The pine cones and holly have especially captured my heart...
    ~carol

    ReplyDelete
  68. What an inspirational post with lots of beauties!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Gorgeous cards! I love these images and the composition is just perfect, I love the heat embossed backgrounds, such a lovely touch.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Loooove your stamping and layering, Sue! The use of Hero Arts stamps and dies is superb! Happy to be hopping along with you!

    ReplyDelete
  71. I like the soft details- they are wonderful! HA is my fav.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Love how you made the background.
    The simple embellishment of the
    holly and pinecone is wonderful.
    The cardinal is fantastic.
    thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I have that cardinal - that's a great way to use it!!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Beautiful cards. These cond card is just so gorgeous! I love the stamp set. tfs

    ReplyDelete
  75. Awesome cards. Thanks for sharing.

    Linda D.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Both cards are beautiful, but your cardinal is so special. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Very pretty cards. I esp. like your background on the first one.

    ReplyDelete
  78. love your cardinal peeking out of the circle - both cards are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  79. I think I'm in love...both cards so elegant. Love the backgrounds on both, and especially the woodgrain detail.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Love the look of the brass embossing powder; add to wish list.

    ReplyDelete
  81. I love the brass embossing powder also, and the glitter on the side is great.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Gorgeous cards, Sue! It's been great hopping with you!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Such classic card images. I love the embossing as well, you can never have too much embossing!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Beautiful cards. I like the brass embossing powder a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  85. I hope this comment will come through. I've had a technical glitch getting to the comment box. I wanted to comment on how beautiful Sue's cards are! The red background is so pretty- I like the brass embossing powder. It has quite a different look from the usual gold. Also really striking is the embossed wood grain pattern on the cardinal card. Love how the greenery spills out of the bottom of the cut out. I'm going to Google the Green glitter embossing powder. I have not seen glitter embossing powder before. I like it! Thanks, Sue, for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  86. What beautiful cards! I love the cardinal with the wood grained background. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  87. Great cards! Love the subtle backgrounds!

    ReplyDelete
  88. Both cards are very very pretty. Love the wood grain background in white, very different.

    anmatt1@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. These are beautiful! I love the curves and circles around the arrangement and the cardinal.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Like the pop of color the two tone, I like the cardinal on the second card like the glitter edge it gives it that pop that it needs.

    ReplyDelete
  91. I really like the first card, the acorns look so real !!!

    ReplyDelete
  92. Just stunning!!! I love the brass embossing on the first card - what an amazing effect! Will have to try that for myself now that I've seen it. Your second card is just breathtaking with the woodgrain embossing and the cardinal peeking out of the circle window you created.

    ReplyDelete
  93. I love the cut out circle with the cardinal.

    ReplyDelete
  94. I love these nature images and your beautiful cards!

    ReplyDelete
  95. Twist with the Carninal like the effect

    ReplyDelete
  96. The cards are beautiful! Your creativity with the backgrounds is awesome.
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  97. LOVELY cards...traditional with trendy touches. Great details!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Great backgrounds and love that cardinal! Beautiful cards.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Very pretty and elegant holiday cards!

    ReplyDelete
  100. BEAUTIFUL cards. Love the cardinal peeking through the circle.

    ReplyDelete
  101. Both cards are so pretty--I love the cardinal one--stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  102. Beautiful, classic Christmas cards! The red bird is my new favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  103. Love how you made the red background of the first card and your Cardinal is excellent!

    ReplyDelete
  104. I love the background of the first card and your cardinal looks life like!

    ReplyDelete
  105. Absolutely love these cards. I have the layering Cardinal too, but haven't had a chance to play with it yet. I would also have the Happy Holly Days, but as I had to make a choice, kept the cardinal as I love birds. I think I will have to give in and just splurge on the Happy Holly Days. Great job, Sue!!

    ReplyDelete
  106. Love both cards. Thanks for sharing. Will need to pick up the big background stamp - very effective.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Love how you set that Cardinal!!!! They are my favorites!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  108. Outstanding!! You really rocked Hero Arts stamp sets.

    ReplyDelete
  109. Love how you have the bird peeking out - great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  110. Lovely! I just love the red background you did and the cardinal is beautiful! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  111. Lovely cards. I really like the glittery look of the pine boughs?

    ReplyDelete
  112. These are beautiful cards! I love how you set the cardinal in the circle with the pine branches!

    ReplyDelete
  113. Oh my goshness!!! I love the pinecones! I have got to get that set♡♡♡♡

    ReplyDelete
  114. Love your cards. The cardinal is such an original

    ReplyDelete
  115. Your card I also is fabulous. Love the designs on both.

    ReplyDelete
  116. Wonderful coloring, dimension & arrangment. Especially like the Cardinal.
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"

    ReplyDelete
  117. On your first card, the card design is perfect for the stamp design. It's that perfection of line that I love.

    In your second card, the colors you used for the cardinal are perfect. WOW, wonderful color combo. Thanks for sharing.

    So good to be hopping with you again. :)))

    ReplyDelete
  118. I really like the background you created on the red panel.

    ReplyDelete
  119. Beautiful cards! Love the pinecones and cardinal!

    ReplyDelete
  120. Your cardinal card is just beautiful!! I love cardinals and pine trees in winter. Gorgeous idea, thank you for the inspiration!!

    ReplyDelete
  121. I love how you divided the background on the first card. The second card is my favorite. I love how the branch peeks over the circular window. The circular window cut is a very cool and interesting way to "spotlight" the bird. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  122. Beautiful cards. Such great card designs.

    ReplyDelete
  123. great cards! love the composition!

    ReplyDelete
  124. Sue,
    Thank you for sharing the cards you made and the techniques you used. My favorite part of the first card is the red stamping on the red background. You incorporate so many details. Love the inspiration!
    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  125. Both of your cards are simply elegant. I love that simplicity! The layout and style are really inspirational.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Both of your cards are beautiful. I love the tone on tone backgrounds. So many details that really make a difference.

    ReplyDelete
  127. Gorgeous cards...love how bright and beautiful the cardinal is!

    ReplyDelete
  128. Beautiful! The cardinal peeking out from the circle is a genius idea.

    ReplyDelete
  129. I've been wanting this set since I saw it a couple of weeks ago. Now I NEED it! Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  130. Adorable, simplistic and classy cards!. The scheme you used for the pinecone card is classy and love that the cardinal 'comes out" through the hole. The stamps look so lifelike!

    ReplyDelete
  131. Very nice cards. The cardinal one is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  132. Your cards are amazing! I love the backgrounds.

    ReplyDelete
  133. Beautiful traditional cards! Love those backgrounds that just add a bit of interest.

    ReplyDelete
  134. I'm loving this cardinal!! Great cards!

    ReplyDelete
  135. Wow both are such nice designs! All the embossing of those great images on the first card look super nice. On the second card I just love that cardinal!

    ReplyDelete
  136. Beautiful cards, love your card designs!

    ReplyDelete
  137. Beautiful cards. The pine cones are lovely in the brass. The cardinal looks great popping through the opening.

    ReplyDelete
  138. Beautiful cards! Love how you did your background on the first card! The design of the cardinal card is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  139. Very Christmasy Love the pinecones.

    ReplyDelete
  140. Love both cards. Very creative.

    ReplyDelete
  141. Love the cards. Really getting insperation for my own cards. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  142. Beautiful cards. I love the circle cut-out with the cardinal and wood grain background!

    ReplyDelete
  143. awesome cards Sue.. Love the beautiful cardinal on your second card.

    ReplyDelete
  144. I love both of your cards; however, I am partial to the cardinal...beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  145. Super, j'adore la carte avec le cardinal, les feuilles ressortent bien grâce aux paillettes.

    ReplyDelete
  146. Beautiful cards, the cardinal always make me think of my Grandma, it was her favorite bird!

    ReplyDelete
  147. Beautilfu,simple,clean designs. Love them!

    ReplyDelete
  148. Beautiful cards, love all the details - tone on tone red background, vibrant layered cardinal, brass gold and green sparkling embossing powders are all so pretty and festive.

    ReplyDelete
  149. Love your cards. The bird is just so pretty - the way you set the pines just gave such a nice pop to your card

    ReplyDelete
  150. Wow, both cards are amazing! Thank you for listing the colors for the cardinal, I was having a hard time finding the colors I liked & yours are perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  151. Your cards are beautiful and inspiring. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  152. Gorgeous cards, Sue! I love how well the greenery pairs with that background stamp on your first card. And I love that the branch overlaps the circle opening on your second card. Both designs are just fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  153. Beautiful cards! Love the pine cone.

    ReplyDelete
  154. Gorgeous cards! I can't wait to get that color layering cardinal!

    ReplyDelete
  155. Two beautiful classic cards! Loving this inspiring blog hop!

    ReplyDelete
  156. Gorgeous cards! I am in love with that cardinal.

    ReplyDelete
  157. I can't get over how stunning the layered stamps are. Love how you framed the cardinal. Great card design!

    ReplyDelete
  158. love, love, love both cards!!! so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  159. I loved the first card and then I saw the Cardinal - what a interesting and fun addition to have the greenery peeking over the frame - love that touch

    ReplyDelete
  160. I love birds, I love pinecones! Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  161. Love your cards ! Love how you used the bronze embossing, reminds me of the cards I received as a child,

    Love the cardinal peeking thru the window, So pretty,

    ReplyDelete
  162. Really great job with the dramatic windows! The pine cones look gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  163. Both cards are beautiful but especially the Cardinal .... love it! TFS

    ReplyDelete
  164. STUNNING cards! Beautiful colours and I love the embossed background on the firstnone!

    ReplyDelete
  165. Gorgeous cards!! The stamping on the first one is stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  166. Love these cards, especially the cardinal. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  167. Love the pine cones as well as your other card with the cardinal.

    ReplyDelete
  168. Love the subtle texture & tone-on-tone background pieces. Very elegant cards. Great inspiration for a wide range of holiday wishes. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  169. Gorgeous cards! I love all of the beautiful embossed details!

    ReplyDelete
  170. What wonderful cards! I love the beautiful tone-on-tone background of your first card - it beautifully compliments the brass embossed focal image - and also love the way your cardinal is peeking out from your die-cut window - so clever and creative!

    ReplyDelete
  171. Wow! Those are beautiful cards!!! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  172. Lovely. I really like the circle cut out for the cardinal and branches. A simple touch with a big impact! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  173. Love these cards...birds are always draw me in.
    Thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

All comments are very much appreciated!