Top

Lisa Stein

paper crafter, crochet addict, book reader, golden retriever lover, vegan

Expressing thanks with Reverse Confetti

For this month’s challenge we have the privilege to work with the fantastic designs from:
I chose an adorable coffee themed set, because I know I’ll get tons of use from it. A bonus for me was that I was finally able to use this Hero Arts coffee cup stamp that I HAD TO HAVE, and have never used. That’s not just me, right? 🙂 I also incorporated some fun papers from another company that I really like, and respect, Lawn Fawn. 
The tricky part of this card was that the die cut that I used, the small ticket from Hero Arts, wasn’t big enough for me to stamp the sentiment. So I stretched it by partially die-cutting the shape, and then moving the die, and finishing the cut. Perfect.
Please join us in the challenge. I know you’ve got some dies that are itching to be used. You could win a $25 gift card from our wonderful sponsor: 

Congrats!

This month we are fortunate to be collaborating with Paper Smooches over at A Blog Named Hero. I chose this stamp set to work with, knowing I would get tons of use out of it, and I happen to love the font. For the focal image I used a new stamp set from Hero Arts, and stamped the main image twice. Then a few filler images to make it less empty. Used the Hero Arts unicorn white ink, which is the best I’ve used. Seriously, go buy it. Now. I’ll wait. 🙂
I used some Faber Castell Design Memory Craft colored pencils for the coloring, and honestly, they blended so smoothly, it was wonderful. Part of what made it so easy, I believe, is that I used a smooth paper for the stamped image. Just look at the way the colors move seamlessly into each other. And I’m certain I could have done a better job, but I wanted it to be a bit “rustic”, since it was on a kraft card stock. I mounted it onto a white card base which I had adhered some glitter paper to; just on the sides, can’t be too generous with glitter paper! 

My favorite part of the card is the sentiment strip. I took a piece of the same paper that the image was on, and just scribbled the pencils back and forth across it, until it was very well blended. Then I embossed the sentiment on it, cut it into a large flag shape, and popped it up on some foam dots. 

Please use the links below for some shopping. We love Simon Says Stamp and we love to support them by spending our craft dollars there. Some of us, a little too much. Ahem. 

Mama Elephant Collaboration and a new Challenge

The newest challenge at A Blog Named Hero is #43, Inspired By… meaning inspired by a Hero Arts designer. Since we are also collaborating with Mama Elephant, I combined both into one card. So much fun!

I often make my husband little cards. It started when he was traveling for work, and I would slip them into his suitcase, shaving kit, etc. Now I just make them for fun little expressions of love. And when I saw this set from Mama Elephant, I knew exactly what I would do with it. 

Julie Ebersole showed a technique last year that I have been wanting to try ever since I saw her post. I didn’t have the supplies with me to make it work exactly the same way, so I got creative. Instead of embossing with a detailed die, I actually stamped the images and embossed them with embossing powder. This made it very easy for me to color the little birdies. I watercolored them with Distress Markers. And gave the little girl bird a Wink of Stella bath. Which you can see in the picture below, if you look closely. 

I then covered the stamped pieces with versamark and clear embossing powder, and then heat embossed. Did this three times per bird. Absolutely love the finished look on this. It’s a small little work of art. Makes me happy.

Here’s another shot of the card. To finish it off, I stamped the envelope pattern stamp from Hero Arts onto the layering paper. A little embossing of the sentiment and then glued together five of the punched hearts to make a thicker embellishment. Colored those with some markers, adhered them to the card, and applied some Wink of Stella and glossy accents.
I am very happy with this cute little card. It’s just three inches square, but absolutely perfect for me to leave somewhere for my husband to find. 
I hope you’ll join us on this challenge. The awesome Mama Elephant is offering a prize pack for this challenge. Two stamp sets of the winner’s choice. That’s a great prize. 
Also up for grabs is a $25 voucher to Simon Says Stamp. Have you seen their new website? It’s gorgeous, and so much fun to shop. Lots of sorting and filtering options. You will love it. Go check it out!

A New Design Team in Town…

I’m thrilled to have joined a new design team. For the awesome a2zscrapbooking shop. Here’s a little sneak peak of what I’ve made as a little welcome card. Please go to their great blog and check us out. I think you’ll be very happy with what you see.

This is one of two blog posts today. Please make sure to check out both. You’ll like them. 

Building a Background Challenge

I was thrilled to be able to use this “new to me” starburst stamp in today’s challenge. I’d been wanting to try an acetate card, and decided this stamp would make it happen.

To start off, I cut two pieces of card stock to fit the front of a card. I then took my stamp and inks, and stamped a background. This stamp makes it so easy. Stamps perfectly, every time, and makes a great statement.
Then I took the ticket die from Hero Arts and cut out the center of the two card fronts. Now I had pieces for the inside. 
I also partially die cut the ticket shape from a piece of plain paper, so I could attach it to one of the stamped pieces, and have a place to write a message on the inside, without it showing from the outside.
Just another shot of the card, so you can get the full effect.
These two pictures show the back of the card. I was careful to use the proper pieces of card stock, so that the pattern appears continuos. 
Then I used this lovely die from Hero Arts, cut it four times from white card stock and glued them on top of each other to make a thicker embellishment. Then I cut it again from a piece of card stock I’d colored with the Green Hills inkpad, so it would match the card. Glued that on top of the other four and topped it off with some Wink of Stella glitter pen. My first time using the pen, and I’m a convert. You can see a hint of it in the above picture. Subtle, but I love it.
Now, this is a tip/trick that helped me so much.
  1. Don’t use your stickiest adhesive here. I love my ATG gun, LOVE it. It’s such a strong adhesive though that if the card stock even touches the acetate, it’s DOWN. And if you don’t have it in the proper position, you’re not going to be happy. (ask me how I know…) So I switched to a regular tape runner. Worked perfectly.
  2. Use your stampamajig! Oh my gosh, when I figured this out, I monkey clapped like Julie Ebersole! Just place your acetate card in the corner of the ‘jig, then place that corner of the card stock down first. The rest falls into place perfectly. (Read the following in a sing-songy voice.) It is awesome!!!

Thanks go out, as always, to Simon Says Stamp. They’re a fantastic sponsor of A Blog Named Hero, and we love them. 
Why not join our current challenge. You could win a $25 gift voucher to Simon Says Stamp. Fun!

Birthday Blog Hop for A Blog Named Hero + Prizes!!!

Hello and welcome to my stop on A Blog Named Hero’s celebration blog hop. You probably came from Shari Carroll’s blog. I just love every single thing that woman produces. She’s awesome.
I have made a simple card that really just showcases this wonderful stamp from Hero Arts. I love the Birthday Balloon. It just makes me smile, and is really spectacular as a focal image on a card. Some white embossing powder, a wee bit of watercoloring, and it practically puts itself together. Well, as long as you use a lot of foam adhesive underneath the watercolor paper. It does warp a bit. 🙂
I am so thankful for A Blog Named Hero. I am an avid fan of Hero Arts, and was thrilled when Linda and Mary Dawn put together the fan blog. And now I get to be a part of it. Thrilling!
I’d love it if you took around my blog, maybe something will inspire you. Leave a comment, it’s always nice to hear from readers. 
Please go visit the next stop on the hop. The always elegant Maya Isaksson. You’ll love what she’s made!
Don’t forget to leave a comment on all of the blog posts. There is a prize package to be won from either Hero Arts or Simon Says Stamp. A big thanks to our sponsors!
Please visit Simon Says Stamp for all of your crafting needs. I can’t say enough good things about them. 

Exciting Announcement

I am excited to say that I am a part of A Blog Named Hero’s latest design team. It is a very talented group of ladies, and I am honored to have been selected. 
This is the “Hello” card I made for our welcome post. 
I love the Hero Arts envelope background stamp so very much. And I am always happy when I get to use it on a card. 
This card uses about 80% Hero Arts goodies, and for the card base, I used a Pool note card, turned inside out. I love the pop of color you see in this picture.
I wanted to use some of the Hero Arts twine and I did a simple crochet stitch to make a more substantial embellishment. I really like the way this turned out.
I want to thank Simon Says Stamp for being an amazing sponsor of A Blog Named Hero. They have a great selection of crafting products and the best customer service. If you haven’t shopped there, you should!
I can’t wait to work on my next project for A Blog Named Hero. Stay tuned!

A2Z Blog Hop!

Hi friends!
You should have come here from Michelle’s blog, welcome! 
We’re so excited to be here today, because it’s time to BEAT THE WINTER BLUES with a blog hop, celebrating a huge sale at one of our favorite online crafty retailers on etsy, a2z Scrapbooking .
Their Sale section is jam-packed full of Hero Arts items that are 50% off!!
As if that’s not enough, we have an extra discount code for an extra 20% off your entire purchase!!! 
So hop along with us today (February 21st), to see some fantastic, inspirational projects made using products you’ll find in the a2z Sale Section!
Be sure to comment on each of the blogs, “LIKE” our Facebook page, and enter below using the Rafflecopter widget, to increase your chances of winning a gift certificate of $25.00!!!  You have until February 28th midnight, to comment and get extra entries via rafflecopter.
Now that’s sure to beat those wintery blues!
Here is the list of Hoppers! If you get lost along the way or encounter a broken link, please come back here for the full list!
Lisa Hey, that’s me! 🙂
Here’s the card I made for today. 

Using the great Hero Arts “World for Taking” stamp, and creating my own background on watercolor paper. Had so much fun. And that stamp embosses beautifully. A little twine to wrap it up and it’s ready for an envelope.

Please note the terms and conditions:
  • Minimum purchase of $25.00 in order to receive the 20% off. (no minimum purchase required to receive the original 50% off discount)
  • The code A2ZHop20 will be good for February 21-28
  • If you spend $50.00 or more, you will also get a free gift with your purchase!!!
  • You have until Midnight February 28th to enter via the Rafflecopter widget.
  • Winners will be drawn randomly and will be contacted via email, by March 5th.
  • Please ensure you leave a current email address with your entry, so that we can contact you! Be sure to check your email, to see if you’ve won!
  • Any winners who are contacted, but who do not reply with their full details (so we can organize their prize) by March 10th, will forfeit their prize and new winners will be drawn.
Thanks for stopping by! We hope you enjoy the hop!
Make sure to go to the next stop, Christine, for even more fun!