Category Archives: Hero Arts

Clearly Pretty

I’ve been missing designing with transparencies and couldn’t have been more excited to see the new overlays from Webster’s Pages. {love, love, love}

A few weeks ago I wrote a CLASSroom post on Transparency Tricks and have decided to continue and make it into a little series.

My most recent projects use a gorgeous Damask overlay to create a pocket card and a pillow box. I hope you’ll join me here in the CLASSroom. And stay tuned… I’m pretty sure I’ll be adding another episode in soon!

Have a fabulous weekend!

 

with sympathy

I find sympathy cards very difficult to create. No card or words can ever mend a heart that is aching with loss. It does help to know that someone cares though and you are not totally alone in your grief.

Recently I was going through some closets and came across all the beautiful sympathy cards that I was sent when my mother passed 6 years ago. Most of them were lovingly handmade and I kept them all. Taking the time to sort through them and appreciate anew the work and the words of comfort put into each one became a special time for me. Being able to go back almost six years later when my emotions were no longer raw was a blessing. It’s been a journey of healing. Yes, I did shed a few more tears at the wonderful memories. I wish my mom could have seen the kids as they are now and her absence was definitely felt at my oldest son’s recent wedding. But we go on, the pain has lifted and we can remember her with joy.

This card is for a dear friend of mine who recently lost her mother. My heart is heavy for her and her family. I know the days ahead will be hard. I hope this card will bring some small measure of comfort.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

I don’t like to make dark sympathy cards so I’ve created this one in pastel tones. As accents I’ve used flowers arranged into a little framed bouquet. Butterflies symbolize hope and I always like to include one in a sympathy card as well.

Life is short. Cherish each precious moment & have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

time after time

I’m not sure what it is about clocks but they inspire me. I can’t seem to put it into words. I suppose I love the look of them and that they note the passing of time. Our lives are made up of moments of time and a clock reminds of each passing hour. The tick of a clock can also be a comforting rhythm. We have a grandmother clock my husband made for me that chimes each quarter hour. When it winds down and becomes silent, there seems to be a strange emptiness in the house. While I just can’t totally pin it down, I do love clocks, especially old ones. Here’s a peek at my “till time stands still” Pinterest board…

If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made of.  – Bruce Lee

Today I’m in the CLASSroom sharing a favorite recent project, an altered clock. I hope you’ll join me for the tutorial and step outs.

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous weekend! Happy Memorial Day weekend to my US friends!

a card for dad

Today’s card is for a very special dad…mine. Yesterday he celebrated his 77th birthday and of course, I made a card for him. This man has not retired yet and is still going strong. He amazes me!

Happy birthday to my wonderful dad!

With Father’s Day coming up, this card can be easily changed up to work for that occasion. How about switching out the birthday sentiment for something more like…you’re the best or the standard, Happy Father’s Day?

I guess in some ways, I’m a bit of a girly-girl. Most of my designs are ultra-feminine and I admit that it can be a bit of a challenge to design a masculine card.

Here’s a few tips I have…

  • use a dark background
  • add texture for interest
  • use masculine colors: blues, greens, browns, red
  • geometric and grid prints work well
  • go bold with a focal point
  • metal and hardware make perfect accents

Design Notes:

  • chipboard letters are quickly colored with Copic Markers
  • a paint dabber adds acrylic paint to the button and it’s sanded once dry for distressing
  • stamping on linen is easy with Archival Inks
  • the ledger transparency is a retired product from Maya Road…sorry it’s no longer available
  • the button and other heavy embellishments are adhered using a hot glue gun
  • oops! forgot to include the stamp set below…the stamp is from the Hero Arts Cleardesign: It’s Your Day stamp set

Have a creative day!

Supplies:

Imagine Paris Chalkboard Tag

I’m a big fan of the chalkboard trend. It’s been around awhile now. I first noticed it three years ago on the home decor and DIY blogs. I made my out chalkboard for our kitchen with some paint and an old frame I had in the basement. It still hangs there and I smile thinking about all the messages, menus and love notes that have graced its surface.

I’m seeing chalkboard more and more these days in advertising and it has finally hit the paper crafting circles.

Today I have a tag version of chalkboard style paper crafting. It has a yummy vintage Paris flavour and I hope you’ll join me today in the CLASSroom for more photos and all the details.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Simply Saturday…Easter Wreath

It’s the Saturday of Easter weekend so here’s a simple spring wreath for you.

Just simple stamping and a few colored pencils. I love colored pencils on Kraft.

Quick Tip: Don’t be afraid to stamp off the cardstock for a partial image.

 

Supplies:

An Art Journaling Mini

So this is it.

My favorite project in a very long time.

Messy.

Inky.

Bright & fun.

Having stained fingers just makes me happy. Bizarre, I know!

I created this tag mini art journal for my daughter. She loves to journal and I hope the beautiful colors will inspire her and also remind her of how much she is loved.

Today I’m sharing all the inky details of this mini in the CLASSroom. I hope you’ll join me!

Happy Good Friday!