Hi all! It’s time to hand out our sixth and final apron today, and we’ve saved this one for…(drumroll)…Arlene McClung (Clarian’s Hawk * Arlene)!
Arlene has been commenting, answering questions, welcoming new members, and praising cards every step of the way since the beginning of the Hero Arts blog. Steadfast, generous, and kind, she is a Hostess in every sense of the word. We so appreciate her many contributions to the group! Arlene’s love of stamping has rubbed off on her granddaughter too! She mentioned that her granddaughter has really taken to the cute girls from the Sweet Wonderful You set, and just look what Arlene created with one of the girls on this super sweet card for today! I love the way she colored the hair to make it fun, playful, and youthful, and the strip of music paper is a wonderful touch!

Click HERE for more information on Arlene’s card.
Now, let’s sit down and visit with our newest Hostess!
How long have you been stamping and how did you get started? It feels like forever that I’ve been stamping, however I think my earliest recollection would be in the early 1990s (I still have a 1995 Hero Arts stamp set that hasn’t gone out of style). Quality shows and Hero Arts stamps were quality stamps then too. My daughter-in-law, Rosalie, had some stamps and I became interested in what she was doing, found some stamp shops and became immersed in stamping right away…very flat, one layer stamping. As I gathered more stamps, Rosalie wondered why I purchased more stamps…didn’t I already have enough (NO)…So many years and stamps later, I’m happy to be part of the Hero Arts Flickr group of stamping addicts.
When did you discover the Hero Arts blog and did you leap into the Flickr group right away too? I found an email from Hero Arts in my in-basket about a new blog with their web site address…that was all it took. It was easy to start with only a few people to view your first attempts. I had lost my stamping buddies years before and couldn’t wait to learn new techniques and have someone who was interested in the same things I was…stamping. I felt my inspiration had died before the blog started, but with the Hero Arts challenges, I began to enjoy and challenge myself.
What has been your favorite Hero Arts blog challenge so far? It is so difficult to name just one favorite Hero Arts blog challenge. I’ve usually learned something new with each challenge and I may have been completely out of my comfort zone on quite a few, but I think my favorite challenge was the “shabby chic” challenge. I had to look up the definition of this odd name and still couldn’t decide if I was just being shabby without any chic…A lot of time has passed since that one, but I think I remember it so well because of the fun name…think that was November 2008.
What is your favorite kind of card to stamp? I think my favorite card to stamp is one where I color in something. I frankly love to color. Give me a coloring book - that’s what I guess stamped images are…part of a large fun coloring book. I’d love to just color if I had nothing else in the world to have to manage or do.
If you could have one “stamping wish” what would it be? I think my one “stamping wish” would be to have enough room to spread out…maybe two tables would be enough. I used to have a large room, but I was down-sized and now share my craft room with Rosalie. Having a larger room means room for others to stamp too. I had a “stamping wish” that has been fulfilled and I’d like to share it with you. I wanted stamping friends and now I have them - all the wonderful people I’ve met through the Hero Arts Flickr Group.
What a heartwarming sentiment, Arlene…thank you! We’re so glad you’re here!
How about a few more ideas featuring the sweet girl images? Check out this fabulous (and oh-so-cute!) group of cards by Lisa Spangler…


You can click HERE for more information on all four of Lisa’s designs.
Congratulations once again to our new Hero Hostesses — Suzanne, Jill, Sue, Vera, Linda and Arlene. You’ve been perfect Hostesses all along. Our heartfelt thanks for all you do!
We’ll see you back here tomorrow with another “100 Days” card, and then on Monday the new February contest will be announced. Can’t wait! Here’s wishing you a wonderful, creative weekend!
