Creating with BasicGrey + Hero Arts

You know. I'll be the first to admit, I'm pretty darn lucky to have the job I do. I get to spend the day creating with BasicGrey, the best paper manufacturer around. But as with any job, some days are luckier or better than others - like the other day when I received a wonderful box of goodies from Hero Arts! And inside? Inside were the incredibly beautiful stamps that coordinate with my two favorite BG lines from CHA-Summer, Picadilly & Little Black Dress.

Now I'll also be the first to admit that I don't stamp much. And when I do, it's usually at the encouragement of Jennifer McGuire, stamping queen extraordinaire. But these stamps were so awesome (AND I had also just purchased a huge amount of Zing! embossing powder I was dying to try out) that I had to put them to work right away. Here's just a bit of what I created:

First with Picadilly:

Can you believe how teeny tiny my Carson was here? I think this was back in 2007 when he wasn't quite 4.

Admittedly this layout doesn't have tons of stamping, but it added just the right amount of detail to the top of the envelope with the red lacy pattern. The stamp consists of rows of patterns, so I simply masked off what I didn't want to use and stamped with the rest. I also got a lot of inspiration for this layout from the talented Stephanie Dagan. I loveeeeee her clean but full-of-eye-candy style and tried to incorporate some of her wonderful elements onto this page.

Check out the gorgeous stitched brads in this line. And those wooden buttons? They have me over the moon. I think I've used every single one I've received and have begged for more already! The colors in this line just scream happy summer!

Supplies: BasicGrey Picadilly patterned papers, stitched brads, brads, wooden buttons, chip sticker shapes, Hero Arts Stamps.

Other: Bazzill cardstock, My Mind's Eye twine, Quikutz Silhouette, Fiskars border punch, Zig pen, Versamark ink.

And then Little Black Dress:

This layout is actually over on the BasicGrey blog as Monday's inspiration sketch layout! Did you know we're doing sketches there EVERY Monday?! After visiting here, you'll definitely want to hop on over there. Prizes just may be involved. :))

Wow. If Carson was little in the first layout, get a look at this! My sweet (now 8-year-old) back when he was only 9months. Oh those cheeks and teeny baby parts! (swoon)

Here I used my stamps to create the tags under the title. The first floral tag was created with the background stamp I embossed. Then I punched a circle from it and mounted it on chipboard. It was super easy but looks so cool. And I think the chip sticker shapes from this line might be some of my all-time favorites. There are plenty of florals, leaves, vines, labels and more. Yum!

Supplies: BasicGrey Little Black Dress papers, chip sticker shapes, Olio rub-ons, Basics alpha sticker, Hello Luscious alpha stickers, Hero Arts Stamps.

Other: Ranger Embossing powder, Versamark ink, Technique Tuesday chipboard circles, My Mind's Eye twine, Jenni Bowlin artisan label (template).

And believe me, there's more. I loved these stamps so much, I have a couple more layouts and several cards to share over the next couple of weeks. Maybe I need to look into getting more Zing! ;) Now remember, these items will be shipping the beginning of October so put them on your wish-list now!

Have a great Wednesday! Remember - my OXFORD giveaway is still open in the post below! Be sure to put your name in there for a chance to win!

xoxo,

k