So I asked Heidi at Simon Says Stamp to let me know when she had all the new Hero Arts in stock. And not only did she let me know, but she offered a discount code for my readers. Sweet, isn’t she? Just head HERE and use the code “JMSpring12″ for 10% off ALL Hero Arts products. (Code is good until 2/29. Remember that shipping is free in the US for orders over $75.)

I thought I would let you know what a few of my favorites are. I was hoping to create a card today but was in one appointment after another and was unable to. But I promise to share some soon.

If you want to see all of the new product, you can go HERE.

So first up, this butterfly. It speaks for itself. So lovely…

This set of script images is awesome. Thing of the backgrounds and the subtle touches you could add with these. Oh my…

Anything zig zag rocks…

Check out THIS unique background…

THIS one would be good for masculine cards…

This Tartan Background stamps so amazingly well. Another good one for his or her cards…

I really like this Hero Arts + Basic Grey border set…

The Konnichiwa line is so sweet. Sweet  Konnichiwa Lantern and Japanese Garden…

The flowers in THIS set would be fun for coloring… and the heart is so sweet…

Have you sen the Add Your Message card sets? These box sets come with printed notecards, envelopes and 4 wood stamps. They are adorable for fast cards, or you can add some some extra embellishments, etc. I really like THIS bird set and THIS owl set…

Be sure to also check out the two new Basic Grey 6×6 pads. They are ideal for cardmakers. One is Konnichiwa and one is Plumeria…

And if you haven’t gotten all the new Mid-Tone Shadow Inks (you can see a video of them in action HERE), now is a chance to get them with the discount code…

Again, you can find these stamps at Simon Says Stamp. Just head HERE and use the code “JMSpring12″ for 10% off ALL Hero Arts products. (Code is good until 2/29.)

Oh, and I may just have an extra new goodie to giveaway…

Enjoy.

(BTW, the winner of the SSS card kit was Sue Alg.)

I am madly in love with the Card Kits from Simon Says Stamp. You can buy each month individually (hurry – they sell out fast) or sign up for a subscription where you automatically get it each month (at a discounted rate). Regardless, these kits are delicious. The colors are amazing – pure eye candy. And for me – someone who struggles with color – this is a great thing. (By the way, go HERE if you want to see a video my friend Mary Dawn did showing the kit.)

I used the March Kit for three cards. Here is the first – simple…

The two other cards I shared over on the Hero Arts blog this morning. I am doing a week over there of “his and her cards“ – showing a masculine and feminine card created with same products. First, “his” card…

Love window cards…

And then “her card”… (By the way, those little hearts are made with THIS awesome punch.)

Be sure to stop by the Hero Arts blog this week for more “his and her” ideas.

And of course the sweet Heidi at Simon Says Stamp offered for me to give a March kit away here. Just leave a comment by Tuesday at 11:59pmEST for your chance to win! Good luck.

I have been getting a lot of questions about our next Online Card Class. It is a good one – taught by my friend Tim Holtz.

Currently, it is only open for pre-registration for folks who had signed up for the Online Card Classes newsletter in the past. (You should have received an email this morning.) These folks get the perk of a discounted rate. On March 1, regular registration starts and you will see more information about the class from Tim and Online Card Classes. To be notified when registration is open, please go HERE and click to sign up for the newsletter. (No worries – everyone will be able to get in!) This class will be a great one – good for newbies and pros alike. Like many of you out there, I admire Tim for his amazing talent and ability to share it in an inspiring way. But above this, he is an all around good guy, so we are thrilled to bring you this class.

More soon!

By the way, if you are looking for a badge to add to your blog for Online Card Classes, feel free to use this great one Kristina created. Love it…

I also wanted to let you know that I have emailed the four folks I randomly picked for the craft goodie boxes. But never fear if you still want a chance at one. After reading your kind comments, it inspired me to start putting some more together. (I need to be doing this badly! I have procrastinated because I don’t want to give many of these goodies up. But I also like to share…) So, stayed tuned for more goodie boxes. Thanks for your support.

I also mentioned that I would be doing random giveaways here and there. Well I have one today! I picked a winner from my February 15th post - Shannon Ketchum. You will be getting a few of one of my favorite adhesives – Plus Adhesive. I love this adhesive. It puts down tiny dots of adhesive that can be rubbed away if you would like. And it applies the dots in a thin line – something cardmakers can use. (You can find it HERE.)

I will have some more giveaways here soon. Purging reveals great giveaway material that I am dying to share. See you soon!

What’s in a box?

I have put together 4 more flat rate shipping boxes filled to the rim with lots of crafty stuff. The contents are a surprise! Each box will have a good size stack of 12×12 paper (Basic Grey, etc.), many stamps (wood, clear, alpha sets and such), embellishments, an ink or two, etc. Some may have a punch, 6×6 paper pad or favorite paints, etc. Most is product that has never been used… some stamps have been used… only a few letter sticker sheets are missing a few letters. Some product is older, some is newer. But I promise there is good stuff.

I have 4 boxes for $45.00 each – with free US shipping. Trust me – the goodies in these boxes add up to a lot more than this cost.

Shipping

Everything is in a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box…

• For those in the US, shipping is included/free.
• For those in Canada or Mexico, shipping will be an additional $16. You will get another separate Paypal invoice for this extra $16.
• For those anywhere out there, shipping will be an additional $33. (Sorry – going by USPS prices!) You will get another separate Paypal invoice for this extra $33.

How to Buy

Interested in buying? Read all the details? If you want a chance to *purchase* a box, please leave a comment on this post saying so. At 11:59pmEST Saturday, I will randomly pick and contact four people to complete the purchase.

Thanks!

The background of this was such fun to make…

Using ink…

And one with tracing…

I use the Studio Calico Intertwined Circle Mask for these, and the other supplies are linked below. For more info, visit the Studio Calico blog.

I also wanted to give you a heads up that True Scrap 3 is coming up. I won’t be a part of it this time around (as I don’t want to be in labor during class – ha) but there is a GREAT crew of teachers. (I am going to sign up and take the classes.) If you go HERE and sign up for the info email, you will get a discount for when the class sign ups open.

See you there.

I also wanted to give an update on giveaways. I have a bunch of goodies that I have uncovered while purging my studio. And instead of doing the normal giveaway method, I am going to randomly give away prizes to comments left on any day. So I may give a prize to someone who leaves a comment today… tomorrow… sometime. That will be more fun! We will give this a try for awhile.

Oh, and we have winners. The winner of the Echo Park Paper is Paula C. and the winner of the Amuse dies is Anthonette. I emailed you both.

Just wanted to pop in and say Happy Lovey Dovey Day to everyone. This baby in my belly is giving me a run for my money tonight… need to go lay down.

Here are the Valentines Colin gave out this year. Super fast and easy. (And please excuse the terrible iPhone photo.) It was inspired by the many lollipop Valentines out there, but I used a cake pop (made by my friend Christy) instead.

Happy day. Big hugs.

So over the years I have collected a bit of ribbon. Not a ton – I know there are some bigger ribbon hoarders out there – but I do have some. And I rarely tie a big bulky bow on my cards because each of them get mailed. (My bows never seem look as good after going through the mail!) But I do love ribbon.

This is one trick for using ribbon without bulk. See that jute background on this stamped piece? That is actually May Arts ribbon adhered in rows across a piece of cardstock. I then did a bit of sewing around the edges and trimmed it. You can do this technique with any ribbon. So versatile. Then I just added my stamp + die cut flower. (So easy.)

Oh, and I stamped the background with Frost White Pigment Ink on a Pool notecard. It will actually dry on there nicely… if you zap it with a heat gun.

By the way, I did this card for the Hero Arts + May Arts blog week. You can see all the other creations HERE. (See supplies in the thumbnails below.)

Warning – I also have a bit of enabling for you. There are just so many great new products coming out. Gotta share!

• Have you seen the new look of the Simon Says Stamp website? LOVE it.
• If you have taken any of my online classes, you know I adore the high quality products from Memory Box. However, sometimes they are hard to get your hands on! But lots are now in stock HERE. I especially love this 6×6 paper pad, butterfly die and tiny hearts die.
• Love love love THESE exclusive Studio Calico stamp sets – in stock! Move fast.
• All of the newest Tim Holtz stamps are in stock HERE. Some great ones there. My favorite is THIS one with the butterflies and script.
• Good news! There are new Copic Marker colors HERE. You can get the whole set HERE or pick and choose. All the colors are great, but Jasper makes my heart pitter patter the most.
• By the way, Simon Says Stamp has all their newest products (including things from CHA) HERE in one spot. Happy browsing.
• 2Peas has the newest Dear Lizzy goodies HERE. I adore this line.
• 2Peas also has Copic Sketch Markers 25% off right now HERE.

Oh, and a bit of enabling that won’t cost you a penny: Check out the great free fonts HERE.

Enjoy!

I shared some cards over on the Paper Crafts Connections blog today. Quick. Simple. Happy. Lovey. Dovey. Valentines.

And the best part? Just go HERE to download the FREE pdf with these owls and sentiments. The owls are Hero Arts digital images… but this pdf is free free free. Time to whip out some Valentines!

Just download, hit print, color and add to cards.

I also used some fun Echo Park papers on this. Love their 6×6.

See you soon!

Delicious, isn’t it? You can get the kit HERE or sign up for a subscription HERE. (Since Kristina Werner is the master mind behind these, I am sure each month will be just as eye-catching.)

Will be back soon. Possibly with some sand in my toes. Take care!

The kind folks over at Operation Write Home are doing a Clean and Simple Blog Hop. I am happy to be part of it! And this is a good thing, as I was quite sad that I had to back out on attending the cruise they are on right now. (Cruises won’t let anyone part 24 weeks pregnant on anymore. Boo!)

Operation Write Home is a great organization that gathers handmade cards for soldiers to send home to their loved ones. Hero Arts has recently started selling stamps designed specifically for OWH, with part of the profits going to them. Love it.

So here is a clean and simple card I did that I can send in to OWH…

First, I used one of the OWH + Hero Arts stamp sets. Here are the three sets they have created…

Fun, huh? Oh, and I replaced the stamped kite string with real string, held in place with Glossy Accents.

And I used Echo Park papers on this. Their papers are fabulous. Such fun patterns and colors.

Now be sure to continue the hop… there may just be giveaways of our Clean and Simple Card Making Class along the way! So next head over to Dixie’s blog HERE. If you want to start at the beginning of the hop, go HERE.

Speaking of Echo Park papers, how about a giveaway? I have a pack of the 12×12 Echo Park Victoria Gardens Papers for a lucky winner. Just leave a comment here by Wednesday at 11:59pm EST for your chance to win…

Good luck. I will be posting other giveaway winners soon.