On the 9th Day of December...it's the HERO ARTS BLOG HOP

Hi there!

Are you ready?! I have something super-special for you today. And I'm so excited I can't stand it! Welcome,everyone, to the the 2012 Hero Arts Catalog Blog Hop!

I always love it when I can promote my favorite companies especially when I can combine them with my love for BasicGrey and today I get to do just that! The awesome folks at Hero Arts generously sent me a few of their 2012 Catalog releases and they are gorgeous!

For the below layout, you *might* be able to tell that I tried to channel my inner Stephanie Dagan (*tried* being the operative word!). I've always been a huge fan of both hers and Susan Weinroth's and the way they are able to include so much eye candy within a clean and linear style. I'm not sure I got there, but it's so much fun to play around with a different style every now and then. :)

The CL570 This is Big clear stamps ended up being just perfect for this layout about my son making his first Honor Roll! As I'm still a bit too nervous to stamp directly onto a project, I first stamped onto my chosen papers before I then punched or cut out the design. For "Whoo Hoo" I stamped with clear Versamark ink, then embossed it with white Zing! When I was done, it was just a tad *too* white for the page's creamy colors so I took some brown chalk ink and rubbed it over it just a bit to tone it down. The other stamps in this set that I used are the "This is BIG", "WOW" and "You can do it!" What a great collection, right?!

Supplies: Hero Arts Stamps CL570 THIS IS BIG; BasicGrey OXFORD papers, Element stickers, alpha stickers, glazed brads; chipboard elements; American Crafts ZING! Embossing Powder and ink; Versamark ink.

Here's a few close-ups of these amazing stamps....

I'd love it if you'd leave a comment telling me what you love about Hero Stamps, BasicGrey, stamping or all of the above! By leaving a comment, you will be entered for a chance to win one of five prize packs that include brand new 2012 Catalog stamps that will be chosen from ALL of the blog hop comments received by midnight PST on Monday, December 12, and will be announced on the Hero Arts blog shortly thereafter. So that means MANY chances to get your name in!

So hop on over to the next blog in our chain - BASICGREY!! (I know, you're shocked, right?!)

Remember, if you find a link in our hop that just doesn't work, you can always hop back to the Hero Arts Blog for a list of direct links to all the blogs in the hop.

OH! And just a couple more things I have to share:

BasicGrey has loved teaming up with Hero Arts who produces beautiful, high-quality cling rubber, wood and clear acrylic stamps with BasicGrey's collections. As an added treat for one week only, all available BasicGrey Hero Arts stamps are 20% off MSRP at basicgrey.com! Click here to see everything available! (PS, click Buy Online to filter only those available).

And my Nordic Holiday giveaway is still open in the post below! Just click here after leaving your comment for Hero Arts! (So many chances to win, why you'd think it must be CHRISTMAS! :D)

Happy Thursday!

Enjoy your day!
xoxo,

kg