Masterpiece Pop Up Card | Hero Arts | My Monthly Hero Kit March 2022

Hello friends and happy weekend!

I finally got a chance to play with the My Monthly Hero Kit March 2022 and I am absolutely in love with the cards I made! Don't worry, I will be sharing them throughout the month. 

This month's KIT INCLUDES:

• 4" x 6" Clear Stamp Set

• Fancy Window Die

• 4 Embossing Powders in Goldenrod, Orange, Blue, Purple (1/4 oz. each)

• Clear Embossing & Watermark Ink Cube

• 2 Sheets Extra Thick Canvas Paper (4.25" x 5.5")

• 1 Sheet Canvas-textured Paper (5.5" x 8.5")

Kits arrive in a Hero Arts reusable 8" x 10" zipper pouch. 

Your kit will arrive in a Hero Arts reusable 8" x 10" zipper pouch. With all of the goodies packed into this kit, it's an incredible value at $34.99. (Contents add up to $70 if bought separately.)

Valued at $34.99. (Contents add up to $70 if bought separately.)

Today's card features the dies included in this month's kit. I soon as I saw the dies, I knew I had to make a Pop Up using a technique Jennifer McGuire recently shared (she's so clever). This would give the card a 3-dimensional vibe and give you the feeling like you are also staring at a gorgeous piece of art at a museum.

CARD RECIPE

To begin, I actually started with the art piece. I used the Picasso Inspired Stencil with Prismacolor pencils to color in the individual openings of the stencil. Once the coloring was done I then applied a layer of Hero Paste Glitter to the top and set it aside to dry.

Next, I die cut the frame using a scrap piece of foiled gold paper. I then glue the frame to the stenciled glitter piece that I had trimmed down to fit the frame. 

Using the dies from the kit, I die cut two layers of the bottom half of the images using a white and black piece of cardstock. I then snipped the pieces off that I wasn't going to use leaving only the man, the bench, and the woman. I used Copic markers to color in the images and the floor. I then glued the images to the black layer to make the pieces sturdier. 

To create the box for the pop-up, I just measured the height of the floor, which was 7/8" inches. I then scored a black piece of cardstock that was 4 1/4" wide and scored it at 7/8" then at 1 1/4", then at 2 1/8" and again at 2 1/2", I then trimmed the paper at 3 inches. I then used a bone folder to crease the scorelines and glue the box together, ensuring that the box folded flat and that it made a perfect rectangle. Once the box was made I glued the tiled area of the die-cut piece to the front of the rectangle. Once the pop-up piece had dried I then glued it to the bottom of the front of the card base so that the box would fold upward. I then added the art piece with foam tape and centered it on the wall/card front.

To finish I used a sentiment from the kit that was stamped and heat embossed using Unicorn Pigment Ink and White Detail Embossing Powder.

As you can see from this next picture the card folds nicely into an envelope.

I hope you loved your trip to the museum with me today. I'm still trying to figure out the Picasso-inspired painting I made. What do you see in it? I'm really curious. Leave me a comment if you do see something and I will reply with what I see. 

Thank you for stopping by and until next time... Happy Crafting!

Ilda 🖼

SUPPLIES

My Monthly Hero Kit March 2022 Shop at: HA	Picasso Inspired Stencil Shop at: SSS | SB | HA	Museum Frame Fancy Die Shop at: SSS | SB | HA	Hero Paste Glitter Shop at: SSS | SB | HA
Unicorn Pigment Ink Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS | HA	White Detail Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS | HA	Precision Glue Shop at: SSS | SB | HA	Gemini Jr. Die-Cutter Shop at: SSS | SB
New Mini Misti Shop at: SSS | SB	Prismacolor Pencils Shop at: SSS | AMZ	Neenah Solar White 110lbs Shop at: SSS | AMZ | HBS	Media Spatulas Shop at: SSS | SB | HBS | TS US | HA

To make supplies easy for you to find, I have linked them above. If something is no longer available I will link to a similar product. Affiliate links may be used depending on the product linked. Please help support my blog by using these links while shopping at no additional cost to you. For more information about the affiliates I use, please visit my disclaimer here. Thanks so much for all your support!

Love Shadow Box | SVGCuts

Hi guys!

 I have a Fall project to share with you today! I know it's not even Spring here yet (although it feels like it), but somewhere around the world, it is Autumn... my favorite time of year! 

Today I want to share with you my latest shadow box creation. I was commissioned to make this for a friend and fan of mine. She loved the original Autumn Love Shadowbox I made and wanted me to make her something similar. I really love how it turned out! Enjoy it Tomina!!! :)

For those interested in the files I used, here are the SVGCuts kits required to make this:

Fall Harvest SVG Kit

Crisp Days of Fall SVG Kit

3D Mums and Fall Flowers Kit

Pick a Pumpkin SVG Kit

Mother's Garden SVG Kit

B is for Birthday SVG Kit

Fall Harvest SVG Kit

Hope you "love" this Shadow Box as much as I do! I think this would make the perfect gift for a birthday, wedding, or anniversary! Next time you are looking for inspiration for a unique gift idea, I hope you remember this beautiful love shadow box.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting  :)

Silhouette Tutorial - How to create your own art from a drawing

Hey Everybody!

Today I want to share with you how to create your own art from a drawing! I'll show you how to go from a hand drawn sketch to the beautiful piece of art below step by step using the Silhouette Designer Edition. Super easy once you know how :)

I made this as a gift for our Cousins that travelled from Portugal to join us on a road trip we took this summer!

Here is a close up of the mountain scene, which I had hand drawn while driving through Jasper. So happy with how it turned out!

Here is the HOW TO...

• Using a sharpie marker create any image you want (pen or pencil lines are too thin). Make sure the lines all connect with each other or it will be difficult to break each piece apart. (Maybe use a ruler, and create straight lines if possible it might save you some work!)
• Take a picture of the drawing, as straight on top of it as possible. (I just used my cell phone, to make things easier and quicker, then email the picture to myself).
• Locate the picture on the computer and open it up in the Silhouette's work space (see image below).

• Next thing you need to do is trace the drawing, by highlighting the trace area (I increased the high pass filter value to 50 and then clicked on the trace function). Refer to next image.

• Once you have traced the image you will be left with the outline of the drawing. Move the outlines off the drawing.
• Right click on the image and select Release Compound Path. (This will break up your image in to many different pieces). 
• Delete any unnecessary pieces. (Just like the little lines on the outside of the drawing below).

• Next thing I did was remove the outside square of the drawing as it was all crocked, and replaced it with a square I created with the square drawing tool. (This is where using a ruler when creating your drawing may have helped a little!)
• Now this is where the work really begins. Clean up time! Highlight each piece of the drawing and using the edit point tool (top left hand, image below) simplify and delete any points that make the lines smoother for your machine to cut. Don't worry about deleting the wrong points as you can just use the undo function and start again. Drag outside points of each piece to make the outer lines parallel to the square you created. See image below.

• Once you are satisfied with the image and your lines all look fairly straight, group all pieces together and resize it to fit the frame you are going to use. 
• Ungroup the image again.
• Before sending each piece to be cut out, I like to visualize what it will look like with color. (This will also help you when selecting your cardstock).
• To add color to your image, I first copied the image and pasted it it next to it. Then simply selected each piece by highlighting it and used the fill color and line function. Group the colored image together and use it refer back to it when assembling the pieces back together.
• You are now ready to cut!
• Once you have all the pieces cut out glue them back onto the square, reproducing the color image created below. 
• Emboss and embellish as desired!

Hope this tutorial has inspired you to create your own art work! Now that you know how and aren't limited to files you have purchased the possibilities are endless! Sometimes the best things in life are FREE, well with a little bit of work and patience that is!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting  :)

Sharing this with my Crafty Peeps!

Framed Paper Christmas Wreaths | SVGCuts

Happy Boxing Day to all who celebrate the Holiday today! For us Canadians, it's kinda like the US Black Friday, lots of crazy shopping and SALES ;) I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and enjoyed some time with your friends and family! 

Today I want to share with you these awesome framed Paper Christmas Wreaths I created. I purposely didn't share this post sooner as I didn't want to spoil the surprise as they were given as gifts.

Back in the Fall, I had created something similar but on a much smaller scale as a Wedding gift for Mary and Leo of SVG Cuts. The post was titled Autumn "love". Since then, I have thought of making a similar project, only this time as a Christmas gift.

Here is my "White and Gold" Framed Wreath. Isn't it beautiful?!

To add some gold touches, I inked the edges of the flowers with a gold stamp pad and added a little gold glitter to the tips.

A little time-consuming and messy when working with the glitter, but so worth the end results! LOVE how they came together. The picture doesn't do the glitter justice... it is so vibrant and sparkly in person!

For those interested here is how I planned it out on the SSDE.

1. First I grouped all the layers of my flowers together. 
2. Next, I created a circle (not shown as covered up by the flowers below) the size I wanted my wreath to be. (As you can see the wreath is larger than the cutting mat)
3. Resize the flowers as you like and arrange them on top of the circle you created (this will give you an idea of what the finished project will look like and how many flowers you will need to cut out).
4. Ungroup each flower and cut. 

Here is the list of supplies and files I used to create both frames:

poinsettias - 3D Wintergreens SVG Kit

branches - Spirits of Christmas Past SVG Kit

bow - Gift Boxes SVG Kit

RIBBA Shadow Box Frame from IKEA - 19 ¾x19 ¾x1 ¾"

Embellished with glitter, gemstones, beads, buttons, pearls, and Ribbon

Brown and gold ink

 Hot glue and a glue gun

Scotch Quick Dry glue

White poster board 

Cut and created on the Silhouette Cameo using SSDE.

Here is a more traditional colored Christmas Wreath. I don't know which one I LOVE more!?

I guess it all depends on the rest of your Christmas decor and what would look best in your home! Don't the poinsettias look SO realistic?

By far the poinsettias from the 3D Wintergreens SVG Kit have been my most used file this Holiday Season! I LOVE how easy and beautiful they turn out each time! They are so stunning!!! I'm always amazed at what we can make out of plain old paper these days!

For these photos, I have removed the glass from the frames. I wanted to get great pictures and avoid all the glare you get when taking pictures of a reflective surface. With the glass on, these frames look just as amazing!

Another option if you choose to do so, is to etch something across the middle of the glass. If etching intimidates you, use vinyl! Click here for an example.

I hope you enjoyed my Framed Christmas Wreaths. My Family LOVED them by the way!

It is a little late to create this as a gift for someone this year... but you can sure get an early start for next year, or why not make one for yourself  ;)

Enjoy your holidays everyone! EAT, DRINK, and stay SAFE!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting  :)

Paper Christmas Tree Tower for Treats | SVGCuts

Happy Holidays to all my Crafty Friends! Today I'm excited to share with you the cutest Christmas Tree Treat Stand!

The perfect centerpiece to display all your Christmas goodies. For specific instructions on how to put this together, you'll want to check out my latest SVG Cuts Guest Post... "Christmas Tree of Treats"

This project comes together fairly quickly. Simple, elegant, and my favorite USEFUL! Need to store some extra treats? No problem, the base of the tree is the perfect place to hide all those extra treats!

Functional and Fun! 

The top of the tree is adorned with a bright star that lights up with a flick of a switch. The tea light just pokes through the center of the star to add a little twinkle!

Use some fun papers and colors to coordinate your treat stand with the rest of your table and party decor. 

For those interested here are the SVGCuts files you will need:

Garland - Clara’s Christmas Strips SVG Collection

Treetop - Catacomb Manor SVG Kit

Tree bottom - December Gifts SVG Kit

Star - Stars and Stripes SVG Kit

Cut on the Silhouette Cameo with SSDE

I hope this has inspired you to create your own treat stand to display and serve your Holiday goodness! Make sure you stop by the SVGCuts Blog for all the how-tos and exact instructions.

Also if you are interested in the macaroons I made click here for a link to a previous post and the recipe I used :)

Thanks for stopping by, stay SAFE everyone!

Happy Crafting  :)

DIY Paint Theme Birthday Party

My daughter Maia will be 7 if a few more weeks but because her birthday always falls on the August long weekend here in Canada, her little school friends always seem to be away on vacation. Last year it was she who was on vacation, so she never did get to celebrate with her little friends. This year we thought we would celebrate it earlier to avoid disappointments.

Since Maia loves art, we thought it would be a great idea to have her party at a local art studio. Turns out the owner of the studio's son was in Maia's class last year... what a small world! If you are an art lover, you should definitely check out 4 Cats Art Studio. This fun little franchise started here in Canada and is spreading all over the world! Here are some pictures of the party... I'm warning you, there are quite a few! 

This was such a fun place, here is the cake table all set up. I love all the art on the walls, so bright and colorful!

Here is Maia surprised to see her name upon the board!

Pictured below are some of the girls quietly coloring while they wait for all the guests to arrive.

The Birthday girl showing off her pastel drawing.

Look at all those paints... an artists dream *swoon* ;)

Maia's ready to start on her version of Picasso's flower paintings!

 What a bunch of great little artists!

Clean up time!

After all that work they deserved a little snack!

Yay! Cake time, my favorite ;)

Don't they look so excited?! LOVE those little smiles!

Sit back, it's sparkler time! Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...

Maia couldn't blow out the last two candles, but I love how she got some help from her friend Elise!

Cake anyone? If you would like to see more details on the cake click here.

Here are our future little artists posing by their masterpieces! Beautiful job girls! So much fun!

As our little guests left the party, they each received a goody bag. Here is what was inside... more crafty goodness and some candy to keep them going, hehe!

Thanks so much to Maha from 4 Cats Art Studio for making this such a fun Party, everything ran on time and very smoothly. Also, thanks to all the little girls that were able to come out and join Maia on her"early" Bday!

I hope I've inspired you with some ideas for your next birthday party! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Happy Crafting and Party Planning :)