This one will have you thinking of Springtime and Easter but instead we are going to show you how well this works on holiday cards. The cool pastel shades of pink, purples and blues remind me of fresh fallen snow, ice on the windows and a splendidly decorated gingerbread house. The touches of green bring the “holiday” feel together.

Up first is a card I made. This was my first chance to play with the Clear Design: Holiday Dolls! They just couldn’t be any cuter! I did a blocking design here by stamping two different backgrounds and then cutting them into smaller rectangles to piece onto the front of my greeting card. A touch of Christmas cheer was added with a line of clear gemstones.

Supplies:

• Clear Design: Holiday Dolls
• DesignBlock: Grid Pattern
• DesignBlock: Reach for the Stars
• Happy Holidays Greeting
• Clear Gemstones
• Spring Mixed Notecards
• Other: patterned paper, scallop punch, colored pencils

Leslie’s Tips:

• The pink swirly stamped image is actually from a large background stamp that I cut apart after stamping to turn the one swirl in a different direction.
• The gemstones come in a long line, all adhered temporarily together. Pulling the entire line and adhering onto a card allows you to get that uniform straight “border”.

Up next we have a beauty of a card by Tami Hartley. I absolutely love how the color combo worked here and the delicate, feminine touch this card has. That satin ribbon really is a nice touch!

Supplies:

• Clear Design: Decorate Your Own
• Antique Flower Background
• Raindrop Background
• Beautiful Memories
• Memories ArtPrint Brown Ink
• Soft Pool Shadow Ink
• White, Chocolate, Pool & Lime Notecards
• Small Accent Pearls
• Frosted Lace Stickles
• Other: satin ribbon, assorted inks, machine stitching, pop dots

Tami’s Tips:

• Outline each snowflake square with a thin line of Frosted Lace Stickles for added holiday sparkle.
• Mount the strip of snowflakes to the card with pop dots for dimension. If you’d like to keep the design flat for mailing, you could omit the pop dots and ribbon, and replace the pearls with Hero Arts Metallic Decor.

Lisa Spangler just outdid herself with a card sweet enough to eat! I love the scalloped shape of the card and the deer on the front is my next “must have” stamp! Lisa says: “I love playing with different color combos, and when Leslie sent me the scheme for today I did a little happy dance!  I instantly thought of using the Young Deer and making her pink — the rest all flowed from there.”

Supplies:

• Young Deer
• Clear Design: Holiday Cheer
• Snowflake Circle
• Pale Pink Gemstones
• Felt Snowflakes
• White Embossing Powder
• VersaMark Ink
• Zig Glue Pen
• Pool, Lagoon, Wisteria, White & Lime Notecards
• Other: ribbon (American Crafts), pink chunky glitter (Doodlebug), Copic markers, circle and scallop dies (Spellbinders)

Lisa’s Tip:

• To make a circle card like this one, cut two circles of the same size — one for the front and one for the back.  Score the back circle about 1/2 inch from the top.  Then adhere it to the front circle.  It will stand up like a picture frame.

Thanks everyone for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed another day with another fun color combination. I hope you are feeling inspired and encourage everyone to enter this week’s challenge -  there is still time!

The Winner of our Tuesday giveaway is comment #72 by Shirley K (Nov. 3rd at 7:00 a.m.)

Congrats Shirley and thanks to everyone for participating! Shirley, please contact us at the winners address (located in the blog sidebar)  and we’ll send your prize right out.

Enjoy your goodies!

(Click image for supplies and instructions.)

Here’s more from Robyn: “For my neighbors this holiday season, I wanted to make them a yummy holiday treat and put them in a cute bag as a small token of our friendship and appreciation. As I was walking through Target the other day, these darling turquoise and kraft polka-dotted bags jumped out at me and I instantly snagged a few. I often feel like I have to completely make the gift item from scratch…take that weight off of yourself this holiday season and decorate a pre-made bag like I did here.”

Always love a simple, time-saving idea…thanks Robyn!

See you next Friday for a project that promises to be a tasty one!

Our Fresh Face prizes goes to Kim Dellow for this tree-mendous card that caught our attention with its great color combo! And her stitching? Perfect!

In the Digital category we have this gorgeous creation from scrapperjjb! She printed a tree from the Scribble Trees DigiKit and added some lovely finishing details. The result is a card that’s simply beautiful!

Now for our First Place winner — congratulations, kimberlykscrawford! Her snowflake card is breathtaking and is a wonderful example of simple stamping. So elegant with the silver accents!

The Second Place prize this week goes to Virginia L for her beautiful layered holiday design. Everything about this card says “classy”! We especially loved the touch of glitter on the pine bough.

In Third Place we have a simply sweet set of cards from sugarbuffet featuring reindeer set against a polka-dot background. Adorable proof that less is more…

But wait, there’s more — we’d like to recognize several outstanding Honorable Mention creations too!

We fell head over heels for this design from Lucille K — clean, crisp, fresh, and simply perfect!

Next, NinaB (Croatia) stamped a card so sweet, you can almost taste it! The ruffled ribbon detail is irresistible…

Another Honorable Mention goes to Sanne - Denmark for her beautiful scalloped square card. The added touch of gold makes the design extra special and really makes the trees stand out.

And finally, take a look at the simple elegance of Rosemary D’s pine bough design. We love the way she highlighted the ornament with the color block and the gems.

Way to go! Winners and honorable mentions, please email us your addresses and phone numbers with “Simple Holiday Winner” in the subject line and we’ll take care of your prizes. NOTE: We now have a NEW, separate email address for blog winners to use when contacting us. You can find it over in the blog sidebar under the heading “Email Us”.

Great work this week everyone…thanks again for sharing your simple holiday cards!

Happy holiday stamping,

Today we are working with a somewhat traditional holiday color scheme with a few surprises thrown in. The red, green and blue are very much what we’d all expect in Christmas colors but have you ever tried adding touches of orange and yellow? Today, Jennifer and I both give it a try!

I did a layout today using this color scheme. It was a great combination of colors to work with two of my favorite Christmas photos of the kids from last year. For my main element on the page I used a Hero Arts digital kit for the ornament, I printed it out on photo paper for a nice sheen finish, then I cut it out with scissors and added to my page. Additional detailing was added with some stamping - then I embellished with chipboard, buttons and some red metallic decor.

Supplies:

• Digikit - Hero Arts Joyful Ornaments
• Houndstooth Pattern
• Card Buttons Summer
• Card Buttons Neutral
• Red Metallic Decor
• Other: patterned paper, needle & embroidery thread, chipboard circles, green ribbon

Leslie’s Tips:

• If you are blocking out a page with squares and rectangles of paper, be sure to introduce some curves to the design like I did here (circle ornament, buttons, curved bottom photo corner). It softens things up a bit.
• Sometimes when I am adding a long strip of ribbon to a page, I will cut a strip of sturdy cardstock first and adhere it to this first. This helps the ribbon go on perfectly straight and keeps the adhesive from seeping through the fabric of the ribbon.

Next we have some cards for you! Jennifer McGuire used a few of her favorite techniques to create these simple (but show stopping) holiday cards. Be sure to watch the video below showing how to color metallic decor, multi-ink a stamp and create a “kissed background.” I bet you’ll learn something new - I know I always do!

Supplies:

• Winter Tree
• Holiday Sayings
• Holly Flourish
• Friend Definition
• Colorbox Fall Chalk Ink Queue
• Scattered Straw Distress Ink
• Black Memories Ink
• Silver Metallic Decor
• Other: Copic markers

Jennifer’s Tips:

• Creating a set of coordinating greeting cards makes for a special gift - tie a bow around a set of four for a personalized gift anyone would love.
• Simple embellishments like the Metallic Decor or gemstones from Hero Arts make a subtle but memorable statement on your stamping projects.

I hope you enjoyed today’s video and got some great ideas on how to work challenging color combos onto your layouts and card designs.

Don’t forget you still have time to enter Tuesday’s giveaway for the chance to win some fabulous Hero Arts stamps and embellishments!

Hi! This week’s layout is from Erin Lincoln and it shows a wonderful use for the tag from the Clear Design: Cozy Moments set. The original tag image includes a sentiment, but Erin cleverly filled the tags with photos and little stamped scenes instead.  For a closer look, just click HERE!

Enjoy,

The color scheme our three artists used for today is so yummy. Not your traditional holiday combo by a long shot but I think once you see the projects, you’ll see how well it works?

For my card, I stamped a background design onto dark brown paper and then embossed it with silver. I love how it gives just a hint of shine and shimmer to the card. I took the metallic factor up a notch by also using some of Hero Arts “metallic decor” scattered on the card. I kept the bold colors in the combo but used them sparingly to add just a touch of color here and there.

Supplies:

• Dots and Flowers
• Silver Metallic Decor
• Kraft Notecards
• Summer Mixed Notecards
• Neutral Mixed Notecards
• Memories Artprint Brown Ink Pad
  
• Silver Embossing Powder
• VersaMark
• Other: patterned paper (plum), chipboard accent (KI Memories), buttons (vintage), gemstone brads (Making Memories), scallop border (Doodlebug Designs)

Leslie’s Tips:

• I really like adding gemstones or metallic decor to my cards. Any easy way to make a uniform “border” like I did on the purple, is to use a dotted patterned paper and then just place a gem over top of each dot on the paper.
• Instead of sewing my buttons on, I put gemstone brads through the center holes of each button.
• Brown is a great neutral to use when working with challenging or non-traditional color combinations.

Next, check out this gorgeous creation by Sheri Reguly. I really like that she did a square card and it is just chock full of beauty and details. Sheri adds: “This unexpected color combination will give your holiday cards a fresh, new look. The touches of silver add a hint of holiday sparkle, while felt accents add both interest and dimension. Machine stitching and a touch of ribbon complete this modern design.”

Supplies:

• Antique Flower Background
• Joy
• White Notecards
• VersaMark
• Silver Embossing Powder
• Clear Embossing Powder
• Felt Trees
• Felt Poinsettia and Leaves
• Silver Metallic Decor
• Other: cardstock, glittered cardstock (Die Cuts With A View), circle/scalloped circle punches (Marvy Uchida), decorative edge scissors (Fiskars), ribbon (Pebbles), machine stitching

Sheri’s Tips:

• A clear embossed background on the blue paper adds a nice subtle detailing to the design.
• Using pre-cut felt embellishments makes assembling your holiday cards quick and easy.

Finally, to wrap up today’s inspiration, we have a great card by Robyn Werlich. Robyn “instantly fell in love with this color scheme that Leslie put together - it is so fresh and modern right now! They are the perfect colors for a modern Christmas card this year! I took the colors and put a traditional twist on this card with a die-cut ornament and a banner title. I’m thinking these colors are going to have to make their way onto my own Christmas cards this year!”.

Supplies:

• Antique Flower Background
• Holiday Sayings
• Raindrop Background
• Silver Metallic Decor
• VersaMark
  
• Embossing Powder Clear
• Chocolate Notecards
• Green Apple Notecards
• Lagoon Notecards
• Summer Mixed Notecards
  
• Other: brown ink, silver metallic paper, 1/2″ circle punch, white string, machine stitching

Robyn’s Tips:

• To re-create the look of snow, I stamped the polka-dot stamp with VersaMark Ink and then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. By adding a few 1/2″ punched blue circles in a random order on top of it, it added to the winter feel of the card.
• Stamping in layers can really add to your cards. Cut up your papers and add on top of each other. I think that it adds additional depth and richness to a card when you see multiple layers of stamped images.

Now, let’s have a giveaway inspired by today’s cards. One name will be randomly drawn to win a set of notecards, the Antique Flower Background stamp, Felt Trees and a package of our Silver Metallic Decor. To enter simply comment on today’s post before 11:59pm PST on Thursday, November 5. We will post the lucky winner on Friday, November 6.

Thanks for another great day at the Hero Arts blog. I’ll see you tomorrow when you will be treated to a scrapbook layout as well as a terrific and always informative video by Jennifer McGuire.

This week we are jumping into COLORS again. I thought it would be fun to offer up 4 very fun and unexpected color combos and show you how our designers work magic with them…bringing you lots and lots of holiday projects you will fall in love with!

Today we have 3 cards for you. All use this non-traditional color combo of pinks, reds and purples. The red in this combo keeps the projects looking holiday-ready while the pinks and purples add a nice surprising touch…I think a little of the unexpected is always nice.

First up is a card I created for this week. I just love working with different color combinations for holiday projects and I had lots of fun here. The pink and purple really add a playful element to my card and the red gives it that “Christmas punch” I was after.

Supplies:

• Antique Flower Background (purple floral pattern)
• Clear Design: Holiday Dolls (snowflake on red)
  
• Handwritten Holiday Message
• Kraft Notecards
• Summer Mixed Notecards
  
• Red Metallic Decor
  
• Memories Ink Pad - Cherry Red
  
• Memories Ink Pad - Violet
  
• Other: ribbon, patterned paper, Diamond Stickles, scallop punch, circle punch

Leslie’s Tips:

• I added glitter glue (Stickles by Ranger) in a light layer onto my kraft paper circle - the combination of the “diamond glitter” and the kraft paper made for a sparkling gold backdrop to the felt purple snowflake.
• I really like using inks in the same color (but a darker shade) as the background paper. I tend to do this on most of my projects.
• When using a mix of bright bold colors, be sure to “ground” the design with some neutrals. Here I used the kraft/beige and whites to do just that.

Next we have a beautiful card made by Lucy Abrams. Lucy is a whiz at using Hero Arts digital kits on her handmade cards! Here she printed digital snowflakes directly onto the pink paper. She distressed the edges and added the sentiment, the pieced snowman and the gems to finish.

Supplies:

• Tiny Snowflakes Digikit
• Clear Design: Holiday Sayings
• Clear Design: Create Your Own
• Gemstones
• Winter Mixed Notecards
• Memories Black Ink
• Other: patterned paper (My Mind’s Eye), ribbon (Creative Impressions), red thread, pop dots

Lucy’s Tips:

• To make the scarf, simply tie a double knot in the ribbon and adhere to the snowman.
• Stitch a red border around your background paper for a little definition and handmade whimsy.

Kandis Smith has this fun and festive candy cane creation for us today! Her free floating candy canes stamped onto pink patterned paper really make this card as sweet as can be. The touch of gingham ribbon and the splash of purple make this a card anyone would be thrilled to receive this holiday season. Kandis says: “How funny that when I was a kid I used to think that pink and red did NOT go together. Now I can’t get enough of the combination!”

Supplies:

• Clear Design: Cozy Moments
• Antique Flower Background
• Colorbox Chalk Queue - Primary Elements
• Memories Ink Pad - Ruby
• Blush Notecards
• Winter Mixed Notecards
• Heart Accent Pearls
• Small Accent Pearls
• Other: patterned paper, ribbon, machine stitching

Kandis’s tips:

• Before tying your ribbon to the card, tie it around a small piece of cardstock, then cut the back and adhere it to the card. This makes for a great looking bow!
• Cut apart your sentiment stamp - this allows you to stamp part of it above the card and part of it in the middle!

Now let’s talk about this week’s challenge. To enter the challenge we’d like you to create a holiday card, layout or project with an unexpected color combination you find that is not “traditional” to Christmas. Hints on where to find some inspiration: look at fashion magazines or a favourite room in your home - what colors don’t scream Christmas yet would make a fantastic, bold statement for a holiday card? Feel free to use one of the combinations we will feature as the week goes by.

Upload your colorful holiday card, layout or project to our Flickr group by 11:59pm PST on Sunday, November 8. All entries should be tagged with the word unexpected. Please include at least one Hero Arts stamp or digital element on your creations. By entering, you could win a shopping spree of your choice of Hero Arts products from the Hero Arts Online Store! (Shipping charges apply.) Winners will also receive a 2009 Hero Arts catalog, sent separately. The prize amounts are as follows:

• Fresh Face Winner (someone who has not yet won a contest): $50
• Digital Winner (create something using a Hero Arts Digital Kit): $50
• 1st Place: $50
• 2nd Place: $25
• 3rd Place: $15

This should be a fun filled week, I cannot wait to spend it with you and see what you come up with for this new color challenge!

Hi there! Today we have a gorgeous holiday card designed by Laura Griffin that features one of our holiday Cling images — the Poinsettia Circle. Embossed in white, the poinsettias really pop, playing beautifully off of the red background. For more on this week’s Card of the Week, click HERE!

Daily links:

• Monday - Sheri, Kelly and Barbara share three simply sweet cards with a touch of pink
• Tuesday - Two more fabulous, easy-to-create holiday cards from Kandis and Leslie
• Wednesday - Elegant embossed designs from Laura and Jacki
• Friday - My package card with a surprise and Lucy’s adorable penguin gift tags

Thanks so much for joining us on the blog this week! I hope we’ve given you some ideas that will help simplify your holiday cardmaking process. Remember…less is more! We look forward to seeing all of your simple holiday cards in the Flickr pool! You have until 11:59 pm PST on Sunday to submit your entries. (More info HERE.)

And good news for U.S. stampers! The end of Daylight Savings Time means we gain an extra hour this weekend — an extra hour to stamp!

Have a fun and safe Halloween weekend!