Hero Arts

My birthday was a month ago today. This past weekend, as a sort-of birthday present, my friend Kristina took me out shopping at our local stamp store. I was giddy and excited as always, and was able to fill up my arms with all sorts of goodies I've been staring at for awhile. 

With new toys in hand, I decided to play along with the Hero Arts November contest; specifically, the holiday gift tags/gift wrap, and I played a little with the color challenge too!

For the gift tags, I used some Basic Grey paper, a few sheets from the Hello Luscious 6x6 pad. I've found that some of the prints are just too bright for me, but they are toned down nicely with some white embossing!

I stamped the Fabulous Patterns stamp (from the BG/HA Picadilly collection) in Versamark, and use white embossing powder to make it pop brightly. I used a 2.5" circle punch from EK Success to make the ornament shape, then I added a little bit of green Stickles on the green ornament, and some Liquid Pearls on the red one. 

On the backside, I wanted to add my message, so I used some Real Red ink from Stampin' Up to make a bright greeting. The Merry Christmas is from the Hero Arts Swirl Christmas stamp set. I finished the whole thing off with some Forest Moss distress ink (on the green tag) and some Barn Door distress ink (on the red tag), and some baker's twine.

Next, I really wanted to play with the color challenge: pink, pool, green, neutral, and white.

I started with some white project paper (kind of like a butcher paper), and used the Hero Arts Four Framed Snowflakes to make a pattern of differently-colored snowflakes. I used some Studio G chalk inks, in pink, blue, green and grey. 

For some extra shine, I spritzed it all with some Perfect Pearls mist (water + Perfect Pearls), and blinged it out (a little) with some liquid pearls around the snowflakes. I wrapped my gift and topped it off with some grey baker's twine!

I have to say, I don't know if I'll make my own wrapping paper in the future. I have a weird, mad love for red wrapping paper with white snowflakes - and I could easily see myself making my own with these stamps. BUT - it would have to be for little gifts only. Way too time-consuming otherwise!  The gift tags, though...I just loved them! Super quick and easy to make.


Hope you enjoyed - thanks for reading!