Natasha's Colorful Creations

Topflight Stamps 8th Birthday Hop

It’s Topflight Stamps 8th birthday and to celebrate, I’ve teamed up with some great designers to showcase celebratory projects using the unique products available at Topflight Stamps. Please hop along with us and see all the beautiful talent from this group of amazing designers! There is a master list of Hop stops on the Topflight Stamps blog! We are also Hopping on Instagram! You can start at the Topflight Stamps account @topflightstamps .

Did we mention there will be prizes? Be sure to check the giveaway information at the end of this post!

For today’s project I started with a gelli print panel from my stash! I loved the bright pinks, purples, and blues in this piece and thought it would be great for this project! I started by die cutting the panel using the AALL and Create #43 Die Set -Nature’s Doily. I die cut the center using the gelli print and the outer panel using black card stock.

Once the 2 panels were die cut it was time to add texture to the center panel. I used a combination of stamps, a stencil, as well as crayons, and embossing powder. On the background panel I stamped some text and numbers using older AALL and Create sets in my stash. Then I added texture paste through the Lotza Crossez Stencil from AALL and Create. I allowed the paste to dry.

As the paste was drying, I die cut the butterflies and leaves from the Nature’s Doily die set. For the bottom layer of the butterfly, I used a piece from my leftover gelli print panel. For the top layer of the butterfly, I used glitter paper. I added additional texture to the top layer using wax, as well as embossing powder. I did the same to the leaves by adding embossing powder to the leaves for added shine and texture.

I then added texture to the background panel by adding Distress Crayons to the areas around the edges, as well as over sections of the texture paste. I then started to adhere all the layers together using a combination of liquid glue and foam tape. Behind the butterflies, I die cut 3 additional circles for added interest. I then added a piece of cheesecloth, as well as a sentiment, and a few splatters for added texture!

I hope you enjoyed my project today! Be sure to check out all of the AMAZING inspiration and be sure to join us over on Instagram tomorrow for a hop as well!

You arrived here from the AMAZING Autumn Clark, next up is my talented friend Colleen Balija. If you get lost along the way be sure to check out the Topflight post.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday celebration without prizes! Topflight Stamps is giving four lucky winners $50 Gift Certificates to the store. Two winners will be chosen from commenters on the blog hop and two will be chosen from commenters on the IG hop. For a chance to win, make sure to visit the stops on the hop and leave a comment by April 1st. Winners will be announced on the Topflight Stamps blog on Thursday, April 3rd. U.S.A winners only due to shipping issues. Good Luck!

Top Flight Store

March 2025 Hero Studio Release & Blog Hop | Hero Arts

Hello Crafty friends I am so excited to join Hero Arts this month for their release of the Hero Arts March 2025 Card Kit of the Month, Monthly Minis, as well as Extraordinary Extras This month’s release is amazing and it is all about bows. I am excited to be hopping this month, you will find all the details for the hop listed below. So let’s get started!

For my first project I an using the March card Kit of the Month! I had so much fun creating these fun tags! I started with a piece of hot press watercolor paper and the stencil included in the card kit. I placed the stencil over the paper and used 2 colors of Two Tone sprays through the stencil. I used: Fuschia & Gold and Green & Gold. I created texture using the sprays and the stencil by placing the stencil in various ways and then using the stencil with the extra color on top of the paper. Once the inking was completed through the stencil, I allowed the panels to completely dry.

Once the panels were dry, I die cut the panel using the nesting tag dies. Next I die cut 2 bows using the bow die included in the cut. I die cut 2 bows using Glitter Paper from the Holiday Sparkle collection. Once the bow was die cut, I added additional texture using the Icelandic Hero Wax. I added this over the glitter paper with my finger. Next I used the Icelandic Hero Wax with the stencil from the kit. I applied the wax randomly using the stencil over each of the tags for additional textures.

Once the wax was dry I added stamping to each tag using the stamp set from the kit. I also stamped onto vellum and die cut the floral stamps. I then stamped the sentiments onto Pitch Black cardstock using white pigment ink. I then heat set them with white embossing powder. I then trimmed the sentiments using my paper trimmer.

I completed the tags by adding Pitch Black Ink to the edges, as well as adding cheesecloth behind the floral vellum images. I had a lot of fun with this kit and will be a fun staple in your collection!

For my next project I am using the March Clear Stamp and Die set of the month. I started by stamping the floral image from the set onto hot press paper using Root Beer Reactive Ink. I chose this ink to create a loose watercolor image to color. Once the image was stamped I started to watercolor the flowers using my Karin markers.

Once my watercoloring was completed, I added more dimension to the florals using my colored pencils. Once everything was colored I die the panel using the Nesting Tag dies. I then added additional color around the floral images and the tag for added dimension using Karin markers.

Next added texture to the edges of the tag using Espresso Core Ink, as well as Black Hero Wax. I then stamped the sentiment from the set using Pitch Black Ink. I completed the tag by adding twine and splatters using acrylic ink!

Introducing the reimagined Hero Arts monthly subscription program, now with six original options each month. Subscribe from the 1st – 27th to get that month’s kit. There will be a 3-4 day window at the end of the month where no subscriptions can be purchased as we ramp up for the next month’s release. Free (US) shipping on all Hero Studio subscriptions. Active subscribers will still get free shipping on all orders for the first week of each month. If you are interested in a monthly kit be sure to sign up today! You can find all the updated Hero Studio – FAQ here!

Hero Arts Card Kit of the Month – Bows & Beyond

KIT INCLUDES:

  • Bows & Messages Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8”
  • Bow Tag Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″
  • 10 Bows & Messages Coordinating Dies
  • 4 Bow Tag Coordinating Dies
  • Ribbons Cover Plate Die
  • Thin Stripes Stencil, 6″ x 6″
  • 2 Bows Rub-On Transfer Sheets
  • 6 Sheets of Cardstock, 5.5″ x 8.5″ (Bellini, Tutu, Beeswax, Mint, Cascade, Orchid)
  • Pastel Pearl Embellishments
  • $46 with Subscription + FREE SHIPPING

The Whole Studio: The Whole Studio included ALL 5 of the monthly subscriptions in one discounted buy. Includes: Cling of the Month, Clear + Dies of the Month, Layering Stencil of the Month, Fancy Dies of the Month, and the Card Kit of the Month. BONUS: Receive a FREE Bow Die with the purchase of The Whole Studio. (Die is not sold separately.)

  • $120 with Subscription

Hero Studio Monthly Minis

Clear Set + Dies of the Month (Hat Box)

  • $27.50 Subscription + FREE SHIPPING

Cling Stamp of the Month (Bows)

  • $15 Subscription + FREE SHIPPING

Fancy Dies of the Month (Suitcase & Florals)

  • $25 Subscription + FREE SHIPPING

Layering Stencil of the Month (It’s Your Day)

  • $15 Subscription + FREE SHIPPING

EXTRAS: There are so many amazing extras which release each month. The extras work well with your kit, as well as on their own, and with all your favorite Hero Arts Products! You can purchase these from Hero Arts when you purchase a kit, as well as on their own. Here is this month’s extras:

Blog Hop/Giveaway – I am so excited to be hoping, there is so much inspiration, be sure to check out all of the stops and comment along the way! You should have arrived here from the AMAZING Natasha Polite, the next stop is Rachel Kleinman. If you get lost along the way you can start from the beginning at the Hero Arts Blog.

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Saturday, March 8 at 11:59pm PST, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week. Leave a comment on all stops for more chances to win!

Supplies Used: Product links for today’s cards are listed below. I appreciate your support, if you shop through these links I earn a small commission with no extra cost to you. Have a great week! Please feel free to shop through my Hero Arts Affiliate Link as well. I truly appreciate your support!

Hero Studio – FAQ (Click Here)

Hero Studio – Subscribe

February 2025 Hero Studio Release & Blog Hop | Hero Arts

Hello Crafty friends I am so excited to join Hero Arts this month for their release of the Hero Arts February 2025 Card Kit of the Month, Monthly Minis, as well as Extraordinary Extras This month’s release is amazing and it is all about flowers. I love this release as it has me dreaming about warmer weather and flowers! I am excited to be hopping this month, you will find all the details for the hop listed below. So let’s get started!

Introducing the reimagined Hero Arts monthly subscription program, now with six original options each month. Subscribe from the 1st – 27th to get that month’s kit. There will be a 3-4 day window at the end of the month where no subscriptions can be purchased as we ramp up for the next month’s release. Free (US) shipping on all Hero Studio subscriptions. Active subscribers will still get free shipping on all orders for the first week of each month. If you are interested in a monthly kit be sure to sign up today! You can find all the updated Hero Studio – FAQ here!

For my first project I am sharing a card using the February Card Kit of the Month! I started with a piece of Deluxe Smooth White card stock. I inked up the Circling Clouds background stamp from the kit using reactive inks. I used the following colors: Creamsicle, Lemon Drop, Fog, Splash, and Root Beer. I applied one color at a time directly to the cling stamp, lightly spritzed with water, then stamped the image onto the card stock. I repeated this process using all the colors above until I have the color and texture I was looking for.

Next I trimmed the panel using Nesting Rectangle dies. I then inked the edges using Core Inks in Espresso and added texture to the edges using Wintergreen wax. I then added splatters to the background panel using reactive inks (Root Beer and Creamsicle). Then I die cut the smile sentiment using Cup of Joe card stock. I die cut the word smile 3 times, then adhered them together using precision glue. I then applied embossing ink to the smile die cut and heat set using Gold and Green Iridescent Shimmer powder.

Next I stamped the butterflies from the card kit onto vellum. I stamped the images using Onyx Pigment Ink. I then heat set them with clear embossing powder. I die cut the butterflies using the included dies. I stamped a sub sentiment onto Pitch Black card stock and heat set using white embossing powder. I then adhered the panel onto an A2 card base and adhered the sentiments using foam tape. Behind the die cut sentiment I added gold thread as well for added texture. I had so much fun with this kit! There are so many possibilities!

For my next project I am using the fancy Dies of the Month! I was so excited to play with these beautiful florals. I started by die cutting all the floral elements onto Deluxe Smooth White cardstock. I then inked the die cuts using Reactive Inks. I used: Creamsicle, Lemon Drop, Key Lime Fizz, Green Apple, Thistle, Taffy, and Berry Smoothie. I used a small blending brush to apply the ink to the leaves and flowers. I also added Core Inks in Pumpkin, Grape Juice, and Caramel for added visual interest. I set aside my die cuts to work on my background.

Next I used Reactive Inks to create an ink smooshed background. I used: Fog, Root Beer, and Splash Ink. I start by smooshing one color of ink onto my work surface, spritz the ink with water, then smoosh my paper into the ink. I continue to repeat this process until I have the colors and textures I am looking for. Between colors, I also add water droplets to my panel and pick up the color with a paper towel.

Next I created some ephemera for my card panel using the Vintage Map and Ledger and Vintage Postmarks and Tickets stamp set. I stamped images from these sets onto an ink smooshed background using Intensified Black Ink. I then fussy cut the images. I darkened the edges of the tickets using Espresso Core Ink. I also used stamps from these sets to add additional texture to the background panel.

I completed the card by adhering all the layers together onto an A2 card base. I also added a piece of cardboard packing behind the flowers. I love the added texture! What a great way to recycle your Hero Arts boxes too! I then added a sentiment from the Everyday Sentiment Strips. I also added splatters using white acrylic spray.

I had a lot of fun with the Fancy Dies of the Month! I hope you enjoyed my 2 projects today!

Hero Arts Card Kit of the Month

KIT INCLUDES:
               • Tulip HeroScapes Clear Stamp Set, 6” x 8”
               • Circling Clouds Cling Stamp, 6″x 6″
               • Messages Clear Stamp Set, 4″ x 6″
               • 7 Tulip HeroScape Coordinating Dies
               • 4 Word Fancy Dies with Frame Cuts
               • 5 Messages Coordinating Dies
               • 4 Ink Cubes (Thistle, Azalea, Moss, Blue Raspberry)

  • $46 with Subscription + FREE SHIPPING

The Whole Studio: The Whole Studio includes ALL 5 of the monthly subscriptions in one glorious and discounted buy. Includes: Cling of the Month, Clear + Dies of the Month, Layering Stencil of the Month, Fancy Dies of the Month, and the Card Kit of the Month. NEW THIS MONTH: Receive a FREE bugs die set with the purchase of The Whole Studio. (Die set is not sold separately.)

  • $120 with Subscription

Hero Studio Monthly Minis

Clear Set + Dies of the Month (Lovely Flowers)

  • $27.50 Subscription + FREE SHIPPING

Cling Stamp of the Month (Burlap)

  • $15 Subscription + FREE SHIPPING

Fancy Dies of the Month ( Flowers & Pots)

  • $25 Subscription + FREE SHIPPING

Layering Stencil of the Month (Daffodils)

  • $15 Subscription + FREE SHIPPING

Blog Hop/Giveaway – I am so excited to be hoping, there is so much inspiration, be sure to check out all of the stops and comment along the way! You should have arrived here from the AMAZING Rachel Kleinman, the next stop is Natasha Polite. If you get lost along the way you can start from the beginning at the Hero Arts Blog.

Hop List

Hero Arts
Hero Arts Creative Team:
Seeka
Rosie Lopez
Rachel Kleinman
Natasha Vacca
Natasha Polite
Mindy Eggen
Michelle Short
Michelle Lupton
Lisa Tilson
Karen Brown
Jennifer Kotas
Jeannie Lieu
Charlene Madrid
Channin Pelletier
Anna Mahtani
Special Guests:
Nichol Spohr
Rebecca Keppel
Kelly Taylor

Hero Arts will give away a $50 gift card, drawn from the comments left across the hop. Enter by Saturday, February 8 at 11:59pm PST, and the winner will be announced on the Hero Arts blog the following week. Leave a comment on all stops for more chances to win!

Supplies Used: Product links for today’s cards are listed below. I appreciate your support, if you shop through these links I earn a small commission with no extra cost to you. Have a great week! Please feel free to shop through my Hero Arts Affiliate Link as well. I truly appreciate your support!

Hero Studio – FAQ (Click Here)

Hero Studio – Subscribe

Hero Arts Supplies Used:

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