Hello and welcome to the final day of the 2011 Hero Arts Hostess Blog Hop (or Hoppin' with the Hosti, as I like to call it.)
If you're just joining us, the blog began on Monday and has continued throughout the week. Order of the Apron alumni have been sharing their take on the new 2011 stamps - and we've all been sort of standing around scraping our jaws off the ground (mine may never close again). To start at the beginning, visit the Hero Arts blog and click back to Monday.
Spouse gave me cling stamp CG266 Dancing with Flowers silhouette stamp for Christmas. I had some sort of brain malfunction when I stamped it on this card, though. For some reason, I used VersaFine black ink which is totally wrong to lie down atop a background wash of Twinkling H2O watercolors on cold press watercolor paper! So I had to darken everything with a black marker - which meant some loss of detail, but the stamp is very kind to those of us with ink issues!
The second stamp I played with is another cling - CG271 Large Blossom. This is what I call a "fooler." I looked at it's black and white register mark and and was totally uninspired. But then once I actually stamped an impression and started adding colors, I became quite fond of it! For this card I heat embossed with white detail embossing powder onto kraft paper and then used Prismacolor pencils. (By the way, if you didn't know it, ColorBox Frost White is the BEST white ink for stamping, in my humble opinion.) The "white marks" on the flower petals are Stickles - they look really nice in person.)
Now, on a slightly related note, I rewrote the lyrics to Let it Snow and posted them on the Hero Arts Flickr discussion board. A number of people requested I perform this today here on my blog. Gigi was game but we both felt goofy trying to sing to the camera, so we filmed something else to watch as we sang (acapella) Love to Stamp.
This is probably why amateurs shouldn't be allowed to own video cameras.
Just remember... you people asked for this!
(Eat your heart out, Madonna.)
Please remember to leave comments as you hop along; every comment left at every blog gives you a chance to win new Hero Arts 2011 stamps!
If you find a broken link, please hop back to the Hero Arts blog for the master list of blog links: http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/. Also, please email [email protected] and provide the blog address with the bad link so she can fix it. Thanks!
Your next stop is the uber-talented Vera Rhuhay - you're in for a treat!
Truly breathe taking Deborah, I am in awe of your amazing creations. I just want to say a very big thank you to organising this wonderful event, it has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside each and everyone of my fellow hostesses, hugs!
Posted by: Joy Taylor | January 14, 2011 at 08:05 AM
Oh my word woman......these are just drop dead Gorgeous! I so need those stamps! Can't wait to see the video....love you sista!
Posted by: kelly booth | January 14, 2011 at 08:07 AM
Gorgeous silhouette background. Love the effect! Beautiful flowers and love the effect of the white stickles! Thank you miss hostess of the mostess... Looking forward to the gigi and deborah show!
Posted by: stampersuzz | January 14, 2011 at 08:08 AM
WOWWWW
Beautiful card with the sihlouette stamp. love the colouring so much. amazing work!!!!
thanks for sharing
x
cathy fong
Posted by: cathy fong | January 14, 2011 at 08:24 AM
OhMy...Deborah!!!!! Gorgeous cards, Deborah!
The background are amazing!!!
And A big...big thank you to organising this wonderful blog hop! You're the best sista!
Posted by: Vera Rhuhay | January 14, 2011 at 08:25 AM
Fantastic cards, Deborah! I love the amazing sky you created and the dancing figures look gorgeous in black against it! Wonderful colouring on the second card and the colours are so beautiful! I'll be back later for the video!!
Posted by: Heather Maria | January 14, 2011 at 08:31 AM
LOVELY...your cards are super....I especially like the silhouette one...soooo sweet!
Posted by: ~amy~ | January 14, 2011 at 08:32 AM
I mostly like the flower card!
I've got that stamp, too, thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Ellie Knol | January 14, 2011 at 08:32 AM
SO gorgeous! I love both the cards you made. You are very talented.
*smiles*
Posted by: Debbi | January 14, 2011 at 08:33 AM
Good save on the silhouette stamp and the flowers card is lovely and spring like.
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawncpaYfDtEM3qr2mLTkELQjsdc0ApfBtaw | January 14, 2011 at 08:33 AM
OMGOODNESS!!!!! STUNNING cards Deborah!!!! You have created one amazing background for the Dancing with Flowers stamp, really shows off the beauty of the stamp too! AND the second card...WOWZERS!! You are so amazing with your prisma pencils Sista!!!! Those colours and are outstandingly beautiful!!! I will for sure be back to see the movie :)
Posted by: Tracey Kuzniak | January 14, 2011 at 08:41 AM
your cards are beautiful! love the silhouette and it's background and your coloring of the flowers....WOW!
Posted by: sheila | January 14, 2011 at 08:46 AM
Very beautiful! I don't even see any issues with the silhouette card, you did a great job with the fix :)
Posted by: Trudi Wilbur | January 14, 2011 at 08:50 AM
Gorgeous cards. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Karina Beck | January 14, 2011 at 08:53 AM
Beautiful cards. I would have never known you had problems with the first one!
Posted by: Melissa Ziggy Cook | January 14, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Wow! Both cards just so amazing beyond words. Love the beautiful dancing with flowers background, it looks they they are at sunrise or dusk and it just comes alive! Thank you for organizing this wonderful week!
Posted by: Leesa Berry | January 14, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Beautiful cards, love the coloring of the flowers.
Posted by: Marijke Maris | January 14, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Gorgeous creations, Deborah... You are so talented in organizing everything and to make your creations as well. It's so much fun in this blog hop that I have been waiting for this hop every night (Indonesia time..LOL)
Posted by: Dwita | January 14, 2011 at 08:56 AM
Gorgeous cards! Both of them! My favorite is the first one just because it is so unique and the coloring is amazing! Can't wait for the video, I'll check again later today for some more fun!
Posted by: Vicky | January 14, 2011 at 08:56 AM
Wow!!! Deborah. Gorgeous cards and I love esp. the sky in the first one. Real lovely colors. TFS
Posted by: Isha | January 14, 2011 at 08:57 AM
Great cards
TFS
Posted by: {vicki} | January 14, 2011 at 09:00 AM
I really love the watercoloring on the first card. The dancing girls really stand out against it.
Posted by: Mary Beth | January 14, 2011 at 09:01 AM
fabby, fabby cards, deborah! love, love, love the 2nd one! just gorgeous!
Posted by: Rosemary D | January 14, 2011 at 09:04 AM
Gorgeous. Love the white embossing and inking. Beautiful
Posted by: [email protected] | January 14, 2011 at 09:04 AM
I thought the dancing girls looked great with the colorwashed background. The flower card is awesome. I would have never thought to embossed the background in white.
Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Sharon L-S | January 14, 2011 at 09:08 AM
thanks for sharing your projects, the dancing girls are adorable!
Posted by: linda patti | January 14, 2011 at 09:14 AM
The dancing girls came out great and the whited embossed flowers are just lovely.
stamping sue
http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/
Posted by: sue w. | January 14, 2011 at 09:21 AM
bonjour de France
it's very beautiful
merci pour l'inspiration
Posted by: any63 | January 14, 2011 at 09:21 AM
Yikes, Deborah, what FABULOUS cards! I know you said it didn't quite work out the way you planned with the Dancing With Flowers stamp, but one would never know...it is gorgeous! I love the effect of the kids dancing at dusk...reminds me of my kids playing outside on a late summer evening (except they don't look that neat and may actually be tying each other with a jump rope!!) I also love your card with the Large Blossom stamp...lovely coloring! Can't wait to tune it later for the video...
Posted by: judy1223 | January 14, 2011 at 09:26 AM
The twinkling H2O card is stunning. I love the second one too!!
Posted by: Addie-Addie | January 14, 2011 at 09:27 AM
Funny how some cards don't turn out exactly like we think they will and many times they turn out better than we imagined!
Posted by: Therese H | January 14, 2011 at 09:28 AM
GORGESNESS all over!!! WOW, these are stunners, Deborah!
Posted by: Anette H | January 14, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Gorgeous cards! Both of them!
Posted by: oolgas | January 14, 2011 at 09:31 AM
Beautiful cards! Thanks for the chance to win new stamps from my favourite stamp company!
Posted by: diana | January 14, 2011 at 09:34 AM
These are both beautiful! The flowers are stunning and thanks for the ColorBox Frost White tip. :)
Posted by: Jen W. | January 14, 2011 at 09:36 AM
Stunning cards. I love all the details
Posted by: Janet Dunegan | January 14, 2011 at 09:38 AM
Wow!!! Absolutely STUNNING cards, Deborah! Love the background of your first card and the colors in your second one are gorgeous! Great job!
Posted by: Sarah M | January 14, 2011 at 09:40 AM
You really rocked both stamps Deborah!! Love the bg you created for the first one and your coloring is so beautiful on the large blossom!! You are truly the "hostess with the mostest" for organizing this - proud to know you girl! Hugs, Robin :)
Posted by: Robin Kubasik | January 14, 2011 at 09:44 AM
Your dancing children look so joyful on the watercolor background. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Barb A | January 14, 2011 at 09:44 AM
so beautiful cards i love it =P
Posted by: patricia | January 14, 2011 at 09:45 AM
I really like the second one - will have to try that technique soon. It seems like such a creative adventure! And you've got to love anything that uses stickles! Thanks for your great card ideas.
Posted by: Deb | January 14, 2011 at 09:46 AM
Stunning cards! So beautiful! I have a thing for floral images and anything watercoloured, so your cards make me very happy! Going to have to try these techniques very soon! The dancing children remind me of pixies.
Posted by: Marylynne | January 14, 2011 at 09:51 AM
Oeh, very nice cards!! Love the background colors on your first card, they look amazing! Like dance on a beautiful summer evening!! And the flowers on the second one are sooo pretty! Love how you made that!!!
Hugs, Wendy
Posted by: Wendy ten Hove | January 14, 2011 at 09:52 AM
Beautiful silhoutte card and embossing, Deb.
Posted by: Lai Yoke | January 14, 2011 at 09:53 AM
WOW! The dancing children card is so vibrant and beautiful. Lovely ideas.
Posted by: naneruth | January 14, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Beautiful cards and great tips. Thanks for chatting about various products and your fixes and preferences. Very helpful.
Thanks, too, for the inspiration. I'm particularly fond of the water color sky. So vivid. The children look extra happy playing in the evening sky.
Posted by: Dana Bincer | January 14, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Beeeautiful cards! I would love to know more details how you did the background colors in the water colors....just a novice here. What a great testament to taking a problem and turning it into something wonderful. Thanks for sharing, they are stunning!
Posted by: Thalia | January 14, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Lovely cards, and how good of you to make that mistake. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Sabine | January 14, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Great cards! I really love the watercolor and silhouette card the best!!!!! so cool
Posted by: Kelly Massman | January 14, 2011 at 09:59 AM
Well I would never know what you went through after stamping the dancing children-it is a fabulous card. I do LOVE the background!! That's been my kick lately. And your second card is beautiful too!
Posted by: Kathy H | January 14, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Hi Deborah, I am love with your first card. The sky is amazing! And the second card is so beautiful and elegant! You're a talented lady!!!!!
Posted by: Leni | January 14, 2011 at 10:02 AM
These cards are just wonderful! That watercolor background makes my heart flutter! You are so kind - and multi-talented (cue the music!)
Posted by: Maureen Morton | January 14, 2011 at 10:03 AM
I think the card looks great and I think we are all a little snow crazy -- even in the south.
Posted by: Marilyn Bronson | January 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Beautiful cards, I just got the Big Blossom stamps and your idea is wonderful, Thanks.
Posted by: Ohkat | January 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM
All of the superlatives have been used up, but I am going to try! Your use of color gives me goose bumps! These cards make my heart sing! I adore your work and thank you for your huge part in making this blog hop work! It has been a joy to be part of the Order of the Apron once again. Thank you for all you do! I will be back for the song! Blessings!
Posted by: Judy Jung | January 14, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Oh, Deborah, these are magnificent! LOVE the colors you achieved in the first one - what a beautiful sunset! And stamping and embossing on kraft on the 2nd card is something I haven't tried yet - you got such lovely results! I'll for sure be back later - can't wait to see the video!
Posted by: Lin | January 14, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Really lovely cards Deborah, the background of the top card is stunning. Will be back for your video!!!
Posted by: Sally Sherfield | January 14, 2011 at 10:14 AM
I'm probably one of the few "guys" that does stamping and card making. My daughter brought me to this medium and I love it. Your cards are really an inspiration! Haven't used craft paper yet.but now I will.
Thanks again!!!
Posted by: Mike Bizup | January 14, 2011 at 10:20 AM
LOVE LOVE your take with Dancing in the Garden (mine turns out "alright", in my humble opinion).Awesome and inspiring--that who you are!!Thanks once again for organizing this hostess hop!
Posted by: Virginia L. | January 14, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Hello Deborah, Love your cards! I know what you mean about cg271, at first sight I didn't really care for it but seeing how people colored, made me have to add it to my wishlist. I'll definitely be back for the video, So I'll be back (said in Arnold voice). 8~)
Posted by: Hannah Nicole F | January 14, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Gorgeous cards Deborah, Jo x
Posted by: Jo | January 14, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Thanks for sharing these beautiful projects. The silhouette card is wonderful.
Posted by: patscrap91 | January 14, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Beautiful cards, Deborah!! Thanks for the
inpiration!!
Posted by: Judy | January 14, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Beautiful cards Deborah! I love the Silhouette in black against the colourful sky, so striking!
Posted by: Sue McRae | January 14, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Fabulous! I love the coloring on the Large Blossom and the wonderful background on the children reminds me of great sunsets.
Posted by: Arlene | January 14, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Jaw-dropping gorgeous, girl! LOVE that silhouette in black against your beautiful bg. The colors in the second card are very elegant.
Posted by: Daria Z. | January 14, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Your cards are perfect, I will be coming back to see you ladies sing :) Thank you for sharing~!
Posted by: Donna | January 14, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Your cards are just lovely! I like both of these stamps so much. Have one/wishing for the other :D
Posted by: Joy | January 14, 2011 at 10:32 AM
I absolutely love that silhouette stamp and your card is stunning with that background!
Posted by: LindaStamps | January 14, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Oh golly..sheer gorgeous-ness! I LOVE that beautiful sunset/sunrise you created for the first card, simply amazing! Your pencil coloring skills are just phenomenal too. I'm totally in awe of your fabulous talent!
And a big thank you for all your efforts to organize the hosti for this fun event.
blessings and hugs!
Posted by: NancyK | January 14, 2011 at 10:37 AM
That first card is a winner & your cards are always wonderful.
Posted by: Caroline | January 14, 2011 at 10:38 AM
You truly are a woman of many talents! This has been such a great week I hate to see it end.
Posted by: Kelly Sas | January 14, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Loved both the cards even if the first was a sort of error. Good recovery to my way of thinking. Thanks for sharing. And looking forward to the video.
Posted by: Mary Pendergrass | January 14, 2011 at 10:41 AM
lovely cards love this hop take care
Posted by: Janet | January 14, 2011 at 10:42 AM
The dancing with flowers card is gorgeous! I love the colors you used. Beautiful!
Posted by: Christin Dukes | January 14, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Both cards are very pretty. We are our own worst critics. Very nice.
Posted by: Flo S | January 14, 2011 at 10:49 AM
This is only my 2nd blog hop. I had never been to your blog before and your blog is one of the best reasons for me to join in the fun. I love ALL of your work. I'll be a regular visitor. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Melody | January 14, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Your cards are awesome--love the flower card. Looking forward to seeing your video.
Posted by: Sue Givens | January 14, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Love both those stamps and your cards are just gorgeous - full of colour and detail!!
Posted by: Elaine | January 14, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Gorgeous!!! The background for the silhouette stamp isso perfect. Thanks for sharing your creativity!!
Posted by: Irene | January 14, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Norma Gehrig | January 14, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Beautiful cards and your coloring is so inspirational. Can't wait to get some more HA stamps to add to my stash!
Posted by: Jacquie Quam | January 14, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Zwei wunderschöne Werke von Dir!
Ich werde auch nach dem Blog Hop gerne wieder vorbeischauen!
Ganz liebe Grüße
und ein schönes Wochenende
Petra
Posted by: Petra | January 14, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Love your humor Deborah! Thanks for you part in organizing a wonderful blog hop for the week! The silhouette card is beautiful!
Posted by: Debstamps | January 14, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Hello! I enjoyed reading about your stamping wows, made me laugh! Love the cards sooo pretty! And I agree with you on the colorbox frost white ink it's the best!
Posted by: AnitaRex | January 14, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Beautiful cards Deborah, and I am coming back later to listen to you sing.
Posted by: Margaret | January 14, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Just loving these silhouette stamps. Your card is beautiful
Posted by: Tracy J | January 14, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Gorgeous, gorgeous cards, Deborah! Love them both--especially the silhouette and that amazing background! Big hugs for being our mighty leader once again.....love ya!!
Posted by: donna mikasa | January 14, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Fab cards, Deborah - can't pick a favourite!!
Julie
Posted by: Julie M | January 14, 2011 at 11:09 AM
TWo of my favorite stamps from the 2011 catalog, and you did them justice and more! Beautiful work!
Posted by: Angel Estes | January 14, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Love both these cards! Twinkling H20's and Colorbox frost white are some of my most used products and I love the effects on your cards! You did a great job organizing all this and it has been a lot of fun! Thanks to you and Hero Arts!!!
Posted by: barbara lassiter | January 14, 2011 at 11:10 AM
I love the white on Kraft...I think it is the best! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Leslie R | January 14, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Gorgeous cards! Love your background design! This is my first time blog hopping and I'd just like to say "Thank You" for organizing this event! So many great ideas and creativity shared this week ... can't wait to start playing. I definitely have been inspired by all the cards! Thanks!!
Posted by: Cheryl Jensen | January 14, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Great cards!!!nice work thank you
Posted by: Paola | January 14, 2011 at 11:15 AM
love the water color background!!
Posted by: Catie Mellen | January 14, 2011 at 11:16 AM
You use such beautiful colors! Love the cards you made!
Posted by: Angela A | January 14, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Your Dancing with Flowers card is gorgeous. It would look amazing in a frame on the wall. Looking forward to your video. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Charity | January 14, 2011 at 11:17 AM
the card with the silhouette stamp is absolutely stunning! When I first saw that stamp I thought I would probably bypass adding it to my collection, after seeing the beautiful card you created, I now have to have it!
Posted by: Krissy | January 14, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Beautiful cards. I really like how the silhouette card turned out.
Posted by: Diana N. | January 14, 2011 at 11:22 AM
I just bought that floral background. Love what you did with it. Fantastic color choices
Posted by: Barbara T | January 14, 2011 at 11:23 AM