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!
Beautiful! The golden images are stunning and the cardinal card is so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteFabulous 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:)
ReplyDeleteWOW Sue, these are STUNNERS! Just fantastic cards!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully crafted cards, that second one with the cardinal stunning:-))))
ReplyDeleteOh, 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
ReplyDeleteThis cardinal stamp set is a must have. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI adore your beautiful cards, so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are gorgeous! I really love the tone on tone background and the brass EP in the first card.
ReplyDeleteI really like the embossing on the first cards
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are so beautiful, Sue! They are special Christmas cards, sure to be cherished!
ReplyDeleteTwo 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!
ReplyDeleteSue 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
ReplyDeleteLove the cardinal peeking through the hole - just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSue, your cards are fabulous! Very exquisite and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat cards! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, FABULOUS cards!
ReplyDeleteWow 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!!
ReplyDeleteLove your cards, especially love all things bird!
ReplyDeleteLove your cards! They are gorgeous!! Thanks so much for sharing on this fun blog hop.
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely. I especially like the bird in the window!
ReplyDeleteBoth of your cards are lovely. I like the background stamping and the way you created a window for the bird to sit on!
ReplyDeleteLove the embossed backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteWow! As a beginner card maker, I really enjoy seeing cards made with familiar techniques put together in new-to-me ways. So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards!
ReplyDeleteWhat 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?
ReplyDeleteI mentioned in my post that the white panel on the cardinal card was white heat embossed with the Woodgrain Bold Prints stamp.
DeleteVery pretty cards!!!
ReplyDeleteLove both cards but my favorite is the cardinal card.
ReplyDeleteLove the curve on the first card with the lovely greenery and the circle cut out for the cardinal. Both cards-winners.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card!! Love the red background you have created in the first card!! The cardinal is so pretty!!
ReplyDelete-Berina
Moxie Craftie
Both cards are really lovely.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, this is such a great set.
ReplyDeleteGreat 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...
ReplyDeleteI really like how balanced your cards are and how you layer paper. Very nice cards.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteSue, I love both cards, but am partial to the red Cardinal. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are so elegant. I love the balance and techniques. You make them look so perfect.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. I like the heat embossing, colors and stamped background.
ReplyDeleteStunning cards, Sue! I love your subtle background on the first card and the glitz on the second one!
ReplyDeleteYour 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!
ReplyDeleteWow, Sue! Gorgeous, gorgeous cards! Love them both! Sure is fun hopping with you and our hostess sisters!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards Sue, your Red Cardinal is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love both cards, but I think the red and brass embossing makes the more striking card! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI especially adore your monotone woodgrain embossing on the cardinal card! Very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the soft look of the greens embossed with brass and green glitter embossing powder? Sounds and looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThat brass embossing is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty cards, Sue! Love your style and color choices.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work as always, Sue! I'm in love with that handsome cardinal!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work on
ReplyDeletethe cards. Love the
red bird one.
Carla from Utah
Beautiful cards, Sue. The Color layering cardinal
ReplyDeleteset is on my wish list. Every winter, I look for
those gorgeous little birds.
Absolutely gorgeous, Sue!! Now my list of 'must' haves gets even longer!! Beautiful inspiration with such bold color schemes! Glad to hop with you!!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteLovely cards, I like how you did the background too!
ReplyDeleteOh so chic! Love both of these cards.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful-love the cardinal card.
ReplyDeletebeautiful elegant cards - love the cut out circle you used to frame the cardinal - great idea:)
ReplyDeleteWonderful cards, love the layers!
ReplyDeleteLove them both. So very colourful!
ReplyDeleteLove the green sparkly card edge!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful 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!
ReplyDeleteBoth your cards are gorgeous, but I am in love with that cardinal! I think I need that set!
ReplyDeleteLove both cards, but the cardinal is definitely my favorite with its cut-out focus!
ReplyDeleteLove the cardinal. Beautiful card
ReplyDeleteO this card is out of this world gorgeous. Awesome job.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards. Love the die cutting!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeletelove this!! So behind in myc ards for this year, Thanks for the Inspiration!
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are beautiful. I love the sentiment. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are wonderful, but I really love the cardinal!!
ReplyDeleteboth are gorgeous, love the subtle woodgrain with the cardinal!
ReplyDeleteBoth of your cards are just wonderful - thanks so much for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteLove pinecones on holiday cards. The cardinal is awesome and love how the branches hang outside of the window; nice effect.
ReplyDeleteWow both so gorgeous!! The second one with the Cardinal is stunning!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! The pine cones and holly have especially captured my heart...
ReplyDelete~carol
What an inspirational post with lots of beauties!
ReplyDeletePretty cards. TFS
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards! I love these images and the composition is just perfect, I love the heat embossed backgrounds, such a lovely touch.
ReplyDeleteLoooove your stamping and layering, Sue! The use of Hero Arts stamps and dies is superb! Happy to be hopping along with you!
ReplyDeleteI like the soft details- they are wonderful! HA is my fav.
ReplyDeleteLove how you made the background.
ReplyDeleteThe simple embellishment of the
holly and pinecone is wonderful.
The cardinal is fantastic.
thanks for sharing.
I have that cardinal - that's a great way to use it!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. These cond card is just so gorgeous! I love the stamp set. tfs
ReplyDeleteAwesome cards. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLinda D.
Both cards are beautiful, but your cardinal is so special. Love it.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty cards. I esp. like your background on the first one.
ReplyDeletelove your cardinal peeking out of the circle - both cards are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm in love...both cards so elegant. Love the backgrounds on both, and especially the woodgrain detail.
ReplyDeleteLove the look of the brass embossing powder; add to wish list.
ReplyDeleteI love the brass embossing powder also, and the glitter on the side is great.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards, Sue! It's been great hopping with you!
ReplyDeleteSuch classic card images. I love the embossing as well, you can never have too much embossing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. I like the brass embossing powder a lot.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful cards! I love the cardinal with the wood grained background. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat cards! Love the subtle backgrounds!
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are very very pretty. Love the wood grain background in white, very different.
ReplyDeleteanmatt1@aol.com
These are beautiful! I love the curves and circles around the arrangement and the cardinal.
ReplyDeleteWOW! That cardinal is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLike 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.
ReplyDeleteI really like the first card, the acorns look so real !!!
ReplyDeleteJust 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.
ReplyDeleteI love the cut out circle with the cardinal.
ReplyDeleteI love these nature images and your beautiful cards!
ReplyDeleteTwist with the Carninal like the effect
ReplyDeleteThe cards are beautiful! Your creativity with the backgrounds is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank you
LOVELY cards...traditional with trendy touches. Great details!
ReplyDeleteGreat backgrounds and love that cardinal! Beautiful cards.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and elegant holiday cards!
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL cards. Love the cardinal peeking through the circle.
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are so pretty--I love the cardinal one--stunning!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, classic Christmas cards! The red bird is my new favorite!
ReplyDeleteLove how you made the red background of the first card and your Cardinal is excellent!
ReplyDeleteI love the background of the first card and your cardinal looks life like!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely 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!!
ReplyDeleteLove both cards. Thanks for sharing. Will need to pick up the big background stamp - very effective.
ReplyDeleteWow, these are just stunning!
ReplyDeleteLove how you set that Cardinal!!!! They are my favorites!!!!
ReplyDeleteOutstanding!! You really rocked Hero Arts stamp sets.
ReplyDeleteLove how you have the bird peeking out - great idea!
ReplyDeleteLovely! I just love the red background you did and the cardinal is beautiful! Great job!
ReplyDeleteLovely cards. I really like the glittery look of the pine boughs?
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful cards! I love how you set the cardinal in the circle with the pine branches!
ReplyDeleteOh my goshness!!! I love the pinecones! I have got to get that set♡♡♡♡
ReplyDeleteLove your cards. The cardinal is such an original
ReplyDeleteYour card I also is fabulous. Love the designs on both.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards!
ReplyDeleteWonderful coloring, dimension & arrangment. Especially like the Cardinal.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
"Sunshine HoneyBee"
On your first card, the card design is perfect for the stamp design. It's that perfection of line that I love.
ReplyDeleteIn 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. :)))
I really like the background you created on the red panel.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! Love the pinecones and cardinal!
ReplyDeleteNice cards.
ReplyDeleteThe cardinal card is great!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteYour cardinal card is just beautiful!! I love cardinals and pine trees in winter. Gorgeous idea, thank you for the inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. Such great card designs.
ReplyDeletegreat cards! love the composition!
ReplyDeleteSue,
ReplyDeleteThank 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
Both of your cards are simply elegant. I love that simplicity! The layout and style are really inspirational.
ReplyDeleteReally nice😊
ReplyDeleteBoth of your cards are beautiful. I love the tone on tone backgrounds. So many details that really make a difference.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards...love how bright and beautiful the cardinal is!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! The cardinal peeking out from the circle is a genius idea.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting this set since I saw it a couple of weeks ago. Now I NEED it! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAdorable, 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!
ReplyDeleteVery nice cards. The cardinal one is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are amazing! I love the backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful traditional cards! Love those backgrounds that just add a bit of interest.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this cardinal!! Great cards!
ReplyDeleteWow 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!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are pretty.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, love your card designs!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. The pine cones are lovely in the brass. The cardinal looks great popping through the opening.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! Love how you did your background on the first card! The design of the cardinal card is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery Christmasy Love the pinecones.
ReplyDeleteLove both cards. Very creative.
ReplyDeleteLove the cards. Really getting insperation for my own cards. Thanks
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. I love the circle cut-out with the cardinal and wood grain background!
ReplyDeleteawesome cards Sue.. Love the beautiful cardinal on your second card.
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing cards!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love both of your cards; however, I am partial to the cardinal...beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSuper, j'adore la carte avec le cardinal, les feuilles ressortent bien grâce aux paillettes.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, the cardinal always make me think of my Grandma, it was her favorite bird!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love the designs.
ReplyDeleteBeautilfu,simple,clean designs. Love them!
ReplyDeleteLove the backgrounds!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful 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.
ReplyDeleteLove your cards. The bird is just so pretty - the way you set the pines just gave such a nice pop to your card
ReplyDeleteWow, 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!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are beautiful and inspiring. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous 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.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. Love the bird.
ReplyDeleteLovely cards!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! Love the pine cone.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards! I can't wait to get that color layering cardinal!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful classic cards! Loving this inspiring blog hop!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards! I am in love with that cardinal.
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how stunning the layered stamps are. Love how you framed the cardinal. Great card design!
ReplyDeletelove, love, love both cards!!! so pretty!
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteI love birds, I love pinecones! Perfect!
ReplyDeleteLove your cards ! Love how you used the bronze embossing, reminds me of the cards I received as a child,
ReplyDeleteLove the cardinal peeking thru the window, So pretty,
Really great job with the dramatic windows! The pine cones look gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are beautiful but especially the Cardinal .... love it! TFS
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards
ReplyDeleteSTUNNING cards! Beautiful colours and I love the embossed background on the firstnone!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards!! The stamping on the first one is stunning!
ReplyDeleteLove these cards, especially the cardinal. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLovely cards~!!
ReplyDeleteLove the pine cones as well as your other card with the cardinal.
ReplyDeleteLove the subtle texture & tone-on-tone background pieces. Very elegant cards. Great inspiration for a wide range of holiday wishes. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards! I love all of the beautiful embossed details!
ReplyDeleteWhat 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!
ReplyDeleteWow! Those are beautiful cards!!! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLovely. I really like the circle cut out for the cardinal and branches. A simple touch with a big impact! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove these cards...birds are always draw me in.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing.