April My Monthly Hero Countdown: Idea #6 + Giveaway!
We're back with our final countdown post, leading up to the release of the April My Monthly Hero kit! Release day is Monday, April 2nd at 1pm Eastern/10am Pacific. Please note, we will be taking a break from the countdown on Easter Sunday. Don’t forget to comment on each and every post as we’ll be giving away a kit on Monday morning, before the kit launches! Now let's join Clare as she shares a festive and fun card using the kit...
I'm gonna tell ya straight up - I'm a little bit obsessed with the cacti in this month's kit. For today's card, I kept it simple, by heat embossing a cacti in Gold on some black paper.
I wanted a nice fun background for the little guy, and since my mind was thinking desert/watercolor/AWESOMENESS, I eventually made my way to my friend Lisa Spangler's blog. She shared a super cool watercolor technique to achieve an amazing background - see her original post HERE.
For my background, I covered a small watercolor panel with water - LOTS of water, as it helps the ink bleed more. Then I put down some strips of Liquid Watercolor, straight from the bottle, down on the cardstock. As soon as I had all my ink down, and with the cardstock still wet, I used a small comb to create a funky pattern across the panel. The colors I used were Purple (new add-on coming Monday!), Strawberry and Dandelion.
Then, because you all know I have a thing for Sparkle embossing powder, I covered the panel with it, heat set it and then die cut the panel with the Rounded Rectangle Infinity Dies.
I topped the card off with a kit sentiment stamped in Grape Juice, the heat embossed cacti, some black gems and a strip of gold reflective paper.
Be sure to check in Monday for the full reveal and a super fun blog hop!
Win a kit before you can buy it! Just leave a comment on this (and every) Countdown to Creativity post! We'll randomly draw one lucky winner from all the comments left across all the countdown posts, and announce the winner first thing Monday morning, April 2nd, before the kit launches at 1pm Eastern. The more you comment, the more chances to win!
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228 Responses
Ophelia
March 27, 2019
Excited about this kit a card with Sarape background
Anne Furth Snelgrove
April 03, 2018
Such a cute idea. Really like the background as it makes me think of a South West sunrise. I’m a little obsessed with the cactus too.
Marylurdys Hernandez
April 02, 2018
This technique makes a great faux-fabrique aplique. Excellent!
Ginalou
April 02, 2018
Great background idea.
Sandra
April 02, 2018
Using a comb for cardmaking? You’re a creative genius! LOL Seriously, that is super kewl!! Thanks for sharing the link on how that was done. That is my next stop and thank you so much for sharing!! =)
Teresa R-O
April 02, 2018
Really excited about the April ’18 kit release…the theme is perfect for Cinco de Mayo and to make cards for our friends down south!
Linda Schade
April 02, 2018
I love that comb technique! How clever, and the use of unusual colors behind a cactus, so unique. thanks for the inspiration.
Marilee DeMars
April 02, 2018
Wow! That is an amazing technique — the colors, the sentiment, the kit!!
Krystal Showalter
April 02, 2018
Such a great card! I love the idea of using a comb to move the alcohol ink.
DSW
April 01, 2018
Great idea to emboss in hold on black paper. It’s something I definitely want to play with in my cards. Looking forward to the kit!
Rebecca Ballard
April 01, 2018
Never enough Mexican stamps. Your colors are beautiful. I love me cactus 🌵
Toni L
April 01, 2018
I can understand—I have a fascination with cacti too! Great kit content!
Tasha Jorgensen
April 01, 2018
Fantastic card! Love the colors behind the cactus!
Lisa A creations
April 01, 2018
Cute card!
Sharon Vincz 👻
April 01, 2018
Love the fiery colors! 🌵
Kris Reeves
April 01, 2018
I love your background!
Diane Brown
April 01, 2018
I love this card with the amazing background, The cactus is a fun theme to colour, great CAS card.
Rae Culak
April 01, 2018
I love learning new techniques for backgrounds, the use of a comb to create texture is a great idea
Christi Conley
April 01, 2018
Love the way you embossed cactus :)
Bonnie Darroch-Dean
April 01, 2018
What a creative background idea. Can’t wait to see the whole kit and start playing with it!
Dana M
April 01, 2018
Terrific card! Love the CAS layout and the water colored panel is amazing, perfect to ground the fantastic cactus.
Nelissa Winters
April 01, 2018
Great card, love the background.
karenajo
April 01, 2018
What a super card – the background is amazing ! Thanks for a great sneak peek!
Marie
April 01, 2018
What a cool technique ! And the striking cactus on black…Wow!
Ellen
April 01, 2018
I love how you created this amazing background. TFS.
Stacey
April 01, 2018
Sweet card.
Dayle Shimamura
April 01, 2018
Wow! Love your watercoloring! The black and gold saguaro REALLY stands out from your pretty colors!
Judy
April 01, 2018
This is fabulous! Love the effect…looks just like a blanket, cant wait to try this.
Cyndi
April 01, 2018
Wonderful card technique! Anxiously awaiting to see whole kit.
Tabitha Kelley
April 01, 2018
This is a wonderful design
Janet D.
April 01, 2018
LOVE the background and color combo!
Karen L K
April 01, 2018
Nice a nice card! That is a great background for the cacti! Super cool colors too!
Shannon
April 01, 2018
Lovely-the background reminds me of a woven blanket.
Barbara-Jean
April 01, 2018
Fun card. I !
FD91354
April 01, 2018
Wow.. such a creative card. Love the techniques you used. A comb.. cool. Thanks for the ideas
Karen Hale
April 01, 2018
Love your gold and black cactus against your colorful embossed background. Stunning! Can’t wait to see the new kit.
Veronica Griffin
April 01, 2018
Love that technique!! I’m going to have to try it.
Great card!!
Kati Caprara
April 01, 2018
Love the gold embossing and the “comb watercolor” effect! This looks like a great kit! Thanks for sharing!!
DUMONTIER Marjorie
April 01, 2018
Wow !! What a stunning background !!
Mercedes Rivera
April 01, 2018
I love what you did with the background
Mateja P
April 01, 2018
Awesome background :) Love it!
Denise Lagarda Vega
April 01, 2018
I can’t wait to see the whole kit. I’m loving it so far.
Barbara Howell
April 01, 2018
Your gold embossed Cacti on that super cool background is fantastic.
Marjorie
April 01, 2018
I liked the technique with the comb. Very nice background. Looking forward to seeing the new kit.
joyce willy
April 01, 2018
Really enjoy the background and the gold take on the cactus —very original.
Dena Byerley
April 01, 2018
I love this set
christy
April 01, 2018
beautiful! will try this technique, for sure!
Debby K Prutzman
April 01, 2018
Interesting background, love the color combination. Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to see the entire kit.
Carolyn P
April 01, 2018
Great idea using the comb!
Tami
April 01, 2018
Fantastic water color technique!!
karen Chester
April 01, 2018
Love the colors you used on this card. It is really super.
Kirsten Freye Sykes
April 01, 2018
Love the simplicity
Shannon
April 01, 2018
I really like cactus stamps so I’m excited for this one!
Julie B
April 01, 2018
This is entire set is so fabulous! I will be online early to order!!!!!
Retta Lutte
April 01, 2018
Such a pretty background. Never would have thought to use a comb!
Jeanne Beam
April 01, 2018
Great card. Love the background colors. Thanks for sharing…
Carolyn Pokorney
April 01, 2018
Love how you use so many unique techniques and mediums to create such a beautiful card…can’t wait to see this kit!
Susan King
April 01, 2018
The liquid water colors and thank you for the comb idea. It is fantastic and really festive!
Lynda
April 01, 2018
Gold cactus is beautiful. It’s always such fun to see what Hero Arts designers come up with every month.
C4G
April 01, 2018
Neato!
Kathy McCartney
April 01, 2018
I would have never thought of purple with a Southwest motif – but I love it!
Janis Litynsky
April 01, 2018
This is a sweet Collection…
Betty
April 01, 2018
Very colorful, love the texture!
Becky Moore
April 01, 2018
Very cute! And that watercolor combing is so cool!
Kitty Tatman
April 01, 2018
I love the font for these sentiments! Great idea with the watercolor panel., I’ll have to give it a try!
Tani K
April 01, 2018
I love the watercolor technique. I will definitely try this one.
Dee Earnshaw
April 01, 2018
awesome card – love the background panel:)
Janie S.
April 01, 2018
Why do they call them succulents? This one is pretty with the water color background. Love the greeting in purple juice.
Vicki M.
April 01, 2018
Love the cacti—perfect for us Arizonans!
Beverly Robinson
April 01, 2018
Awesome background, and I love the embossing.
Heidi
April 01, 2018
So excited to see the entire kit! The teases have been fun.
Cheri
April 01, 2018
Creative card ……your background technique looks great & I love the cactus stamp!
Kari Mano
April 01, 2018
Oh, I love that background technique, so neat! I love that cactus also
Melissa SunshineHoneyBee
April 01, 2018
Like the cool vibrant coloring of the striped background with the gold embossed cactus.
Melissa
“Sunshine HoneyBee”
Linda
April 01, 2018
That is a very cool background!
Althea Robles
April 01, 2018
What a cute card! This kit looks amazing!
Susan Lang
April 01, 2018
I love the cactus! Great techniques, I will try it.
Lillian T
April 01, 2018
This watercolor technique is really cool! I’ll have to try it with the BFF on our next crafting date!
cyndi morris
April 01, 2018
Love that background. Thanks so much for sharing the “comb” technique. Very nice card — I, too, love the cactus.
Ann-Bsidecrafter
April 01, 2018
Love the cactus
Peege04
April 01, 2018
Great technique! Thank for sharing.
Diane Stricker
April 01, 2018
Fun and colorful card.
Anne Roberts
April 01, 2018
What a unique background, and love the embossing❤️
Nancy Dempsey
April 01, 2018
The background is perfect. Beautiful card!
Can’t wait to see the whole kit on Monday!
Ann
April 01, 2018
Nice effect withe combing technique. And the purple. . .OMG! Love purple.
Sue Manning
April 01, 2018
I love the colors! The black gems really set it off nicely. Great job.
Evelyn Larson
April 01, 2018
Wow who knew that you could use a comb for art. Nicely done. Beautiful card.
Danielle Dietz
April 01, 2018
I can see those gorgeous colors in a dessert sunset Clare! Perfect backdrop for the cactus.
Sue D
April 01, 2018
I like the gold embossing on black and the colorful background.
Beth B.
April 01, 2018
Love this card and technique. Love the cactus 🌵 elements in this release. Thanks for sharing and the opportunity to win.
Kiyomi
April 01, 2018
What a fun technique for the background. Looks like a tapestry! beautiful!
Amy Kleinschmit
April 01, 2018
Love the watercolor background…going to have to try that!!
Janet Axtman
April 01, 2018
Love that background. It really resembles the patterns on the mexican panchos of the past.
Rachel
April 01, 2018
I’m new to crafting. Thank you for teaching new ideas!
Naama E
April 01, 2018
Sunning!! Love the colors and the gold cactus is brilliant! thanks for sharing this beautiful inspiration! I can’t wait to play with this kit ^^
Beth Merrill
April 01, 2018
A brilliant, vivid card. I love the combing effect!
Glenn Zdziarski
April 01, 2018
Neat technique with the comb!
Dorothy Mutafopulos
April 01, 2018
Beautiful background so coloful and the Cactus is amazing too !!
Jade B
April 01, 2018
Love the background technique.
Linda S.
April 01, 2018
The purple in this card is fabulous. Looking forward to the kit reveal on Monday.
Karthikha Uday
April 01, 2018
Fantastic creation! Love this colour combo!!
elaine
April 01, 2018
the background technique is a good one. what fun to emboss a water color technique. will have to try this. thanks!
Katie
April 01, 2018
What a neat technique – I’ll have to give that a try sometime!
Sarah T
April 01, 2018
Such a great watercolor technique, and perfect for the theme of the kit..
Nancy
April 01, 2018
Another (beautiful!) card!
Amy Cooley
April 01, 2018
Cute card design! I’m looking forward to the full kit reveal.
DebbyH
April 01, 2018
Love the cactus too!
Anita Sorensen
April 01, 2018
The combed watercolors are really different. I’ll have to give it a try myself.
Rachel Walton
April 01, 2018
Simple and pretty card. I like the combing effect. Think I try it out myself
Arlaeeh
March 31, 2018
Love the embossing done on the cactus, gives it a nice touch!
Bessie
March 31, 2018
I love the combed background. I also have to admit my weakness for saguaro. I love to hear my granddaughter try to pronounce it! Cute card!
Nancy Fleming
March 31, 2018
Fun watercolor technique! I guess a Dollar Tree trip is in my future for combs!
K Kraft
March 31, 2018
I love this background. Reminds me of those beautiful blankets you see in the Southwest. I love the cactus stamps so much in this kit.
Julia D.
March 31, 2018
What a unique and cool effect with the comb and the watercolor! Provides a great background. Can’t wait until Monday! Thank you for the chance to win!!
Rema DeLeeuw
March 31, 2018
Fabulous CAS card!
Christina Dauven
March 31, 2018
I am so excited about this little guy and the kit containing him. I look forward to using the little images.
Mary Holshouser
March 31, 2018
Having been a Winter Texan, living close to the border of
Mexico, I love this new set. It’s fun and really picks up
the vibe of the country and the people. Hope to get
this kit. thanks for sharing and offering the kit.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Kim Benjamin
March 31, 2018
Love it it going to be great
Sue McRae
March 31, 2018
Love that fun background for the cactus!
Jessica Lyczynski
March 31, 2018
Adorbs!! Can’t wait to see the whole kit!
Juana Vega
March 31, 2018
Love the kit, but also great job on the background. Those are some cool colors used in the card.
Mitzi
March 31, 2018
Thanks for sharing your fun card & the opportunity to win.
Rebecca Attwood
March 31, 2018
Great card – love those colors!
Claudia N
March 31, 2018
Love the bold yet CAS card!
Madeline
March 31, 2018
I need to try this technique. So pretty!
Kim Hund
March 31, 2018
Interesting design.
Anushree Vaish
March 31, 2018
cool card with cacti…loved the gold embossing!!
Lyndel T
March 31, 2018
Just love metallic embossing on black cardstock
Amy
March 31, 2018
Super cool!
Robin P
March 31, 2018
Wow I just love that background, so fun.
KT Fit Kitty
March 31, 2018
Gorgeous card! I’m loving this kit!
Brenda Lubrant
March 31, 2018
The background technique is pure genius. I really love the gold embossed cactus in the black pot.
Debbie Rumpza
March 31, 2018
I have to say I agree! I love the cactus plant!
Debbie Selby
March 31, 2018
Looks like a great kit. Looking forward to the full reveal on Monday
Katherine
March 31, 2018
Super cute!
Maureenb
March 31, 2018
Can’t wait to see this kit! Thanks for offering a chance to win it!
Lynn O'Sullivan
March 31, 2018
Love the creative background. The combing effect duplicates the lines of the Saguaro cactus. What a fun kit.
StephanieM
March 31, 2018
Cool watercolor technique! I’m loving all the cacti in this kit.
Winona
March 31, 2018
Dare I say PURPLE is my favorite color? This set is so much fun. Can’t wait until Monday!
Cindy robinson
March 31, 2018
Very interesting technique for the water coloring! Very pretty card!
Dani
March 31, 2018
Ah! I love the font in this kit!
Rochelle C
March 31, 2018
I’m just in love with 🌵…
kathy Straw
March 31, 2018
Very cool background!
laura
March 31, 2018
I am deffinately going to try that background. I love it.
Susy Ramirez
March 31, 2018
Lovely card! Especially love the watercolor background.
C Cassel
March 31, 2018
Love the simplicity.
Marsha S.
March 31, 2018
Great card! Love your technique for the water color background.
Jodi Warren
March 31, 2018
Thanks for sharing the technique to get that back ground. I think it fits just great. Really enjoying the succulents stamps out and it seems this fits just great with that theme.
MelissaF
March 31, 2018
Wow, love the “combed” watercolor effect on your pretty and festive card!
KarenAnn
March 31, 2018
I like the gold embossed image on that cool background…very striking!
Pam Braithwaite
March 31, 2018
Cool! What an interesting technique for creating a background! Never heard of using a comb before. This looks so great!
Kirsty Vittetoe
March 31, 2018
Awesome, so awesome!!!!!
Priyanka Kantak
March 31, 2018
Adorable card. Such a fun technique. Will definitely try :)
Susan Nichols
March 31, 2018
Awesome technique for the background.
Melanie
March 31, 2018
I love cacti, your card is great!
Lori Frassinelli
March 31, 2018
I’m loving this kit so much!!!
Janet Dand
March 31, 2018
Very interesting technique with watercolor. Great results. Love the card and the kit
Elizabeth Dean
March 31, 2018
Another great card! I can’t wait to get this kit!
Amy McCue
March 31, 2018
I love the watercolored background!
Darlene
March 31, 2018
Love this card! Love the colors!
Karen Lingel
March 31, 2018
Great technique! Thanks for the opprotunity to win
Jacquelyn Harmon
March 31, 2018
Hola! Es muy bonita.
Brandy Duncan
March 31, 2018
This looks it’s going to be another fun kit by Hero Arts. Love the watercolor technique you used in this card. It gives such a cool effect. I’m going to have to give it a try.
Cindy Daversa
March 31, 2018
Perfecto! Magnificent! I’m loving the combing technique! I can’t wait for the kit to be released!
Kailash
March 31, 2018
Very cool design, love the colors!
F. Andre
March 31, 2018
Lovely card and colour palette.
Teri Frank
March 31, 2018
This kit looks very versatile. Great inspiration about using the comb to create unique texture – Thank you!
Laura Staley
March 31, 2018
What a cool watercolor technique! I’m loving this whole set! Can’t wait to see the rest! I have some Southwestern cardstock that would look so good with this fun set!
Jessica L.
March 31, 2018
Love the gold embossed cactus! So excited for this kit 😊
Florentina Vega
March 31, 2018
The background looks like a real fabric poncho, so beautiful that I am loving it so much.
Susan Bennett
March 31, 2018
I love this technique!! Thank You!!
Melinda Stearns
March 31, 2018
I love the clean simplicity of this card. It’s nice complement to the other cards made from this kit.
Heidi Macy
March 31, 2018
That background has so much texture! Thanks for sharing how you did it.
Florentina Vega
March 31, 2018
Clare, never would have thought of using a comb other than for my hair, the tecnic ended up beautiful. I am going to try it out.
Terri Fain
March 31, 2018
Awesomeness!! The things you can do with this set seem endless. I can’t wait!!
Michelle Montemurro
March 31, 2018
fiesta!
Janice E Bryant
March 31, 2018
Ooh neat background! I need to try this! Thanks for sharing!
Cha Lion
March 31, 2018
Love the card and this watercolor technique is stunning! Can’t wait to see the whole set!
Cha Lion
March 31, 2018
Love the card and this watercolor technique is stunning! Can’t wait to see the whole set!
Sara jara
March 31, 2018
Precioso, amo los cactus 🌵
Eva N
March 31, 2018
I don’t have any southwestern themed stamps or dies, so this new kit will be a nice addition to my stash. Love how you made the background for this fun little cactus.
Maria
March 31, 2018
This is my fav card thus far. Simple yet beautiful
Margaret
March 31, 2018
Just love the gold cactus and the sparkly background! Will be looking up that technique for sure!
Jennifer Forster
March 31, 2018
crazy about every oner of these peeks!!!!!
Kelsey Thomas
March 31, 2018
Looks great!
Christine Hicks
March 31, 2018
This party has started!!
Dawn Keene
March 31, 2018
Love the technique, remind me of the tie die days!
Margery C
March 31, 2018
Wow, very neat technique. Who knew I could comb my hair and craft at the same time? Rainbow hair anyone?
D.Ann C
March 31, 2018
Yowza! What a cool background for this classy cactus!
K. Eley
March 31, 2018
Another great card! Love the colors used and great technique thank you for sharing, can’t wait to try it!!
Sue
March 31, 2018
Very nice background. I’ll try that technique.
margie
March 31, 2018
love the technique thankyou
Beverley Hollis
March 31, 2018
Creative use of the watercolour paints, love the colours!
Leanne in Cali
March 31, 2018
Great card! Love the colorful details. Thanks for sharing!!
Liz
March 31, 2018
Totally love that background behind the cactus! It’s like the blankets I grew up with! Love this kit already!
Helen
March 31, 2018
Wow! Thats a great technique!. Beautiful look.
Jackie S
March 31, 2018
Loving the cactus, too. Never embossed with gold on black and will certainly try this, as it’s very striking. Thanks.
Josmary flores
March 31, 2018
I love that colorful background. I think I’m going to start working on them while I wait for my kit.
Arianna Barbara
March 31, 2018
Wow! This card is amazing! Awesome coloring!!!
Hilit
March 31, 2018
What a great cactus!!
Karren Robinson
March 31, 2018
cool background, I’m going to try this technique. hope to win this kit for my daughter.
Jackie Adair
March 31, 2018
Great colors for this new release!
Lyndsay D7nn
March 31, 2018
Love the colours
Lyndsay D7nn
March 31, 2018
Love the colours
Shero
March 31, 2018
This is a new background technique that I can’t wait to try. This whole kit looks so fun!
Jane Mcbee
March 31, 2018
Wonderful effect on the cactus. I just never think to do black with gold embossing on it. Great effect.
Hanatsuki
March 31, 2018
I love the background effect. I need to try this.
Cynthia Cole
March 31, 2018
This is a beautiful card!
Leslie Pierson
March 31, 2018
I love this card as well the water coloring is amazing. Now I know I have to get the bottle of water color, more to add to my list. BEAUTIFUL!
Wendy Lambert
March 31, 2018
Love this card! The colours are so bright.
Lynn
March 31, 2018
I really like clean and simple cards & that background is perfect to make your cacti pop! Looking forward to getting my kit.
Megan Fehr
March 31, 2018
oh this is just so simple yet lovely! I live how the color pops so much more against all the white :)
Stacey Kowbel
March 31, 2018
Ooooooh, fabulous card! Love the colours.
Stephanie Z
March 31, 2018
Very colorful background – thanks for sharing the technique :)
Beverly Uhlmansiek
March 31, 2018
Wow, that comb watercolor technique looks amazing! Loving the cactus!
Lindar C
March 31, 2018
Oh! I really like the color combination in your card!
Denise Bryant
March 31, 2018
Love that background for the cactus! Awesome card!
Michael Rutledge
March 31, 2018
What a nicely understated card. Love it.
Teresa
March 31, 2018
Fun water color accent. Like the colors.
Teresa
March 31, 2018
Fun water color accent. Like the xolors.
Natalie Winterstein
March 31, 2018
Love this card! The background is so pretty!
Ana A
March 31, 2018
Wow!!! I love the cactus embossed on black cardstock, what a great idea and awesome look! Love combed watercolor background as well. The card is amazing!
Jenny Harvey
March 31, 2018
The water color bleeding.. …love it The topping off with the Black Gems…..yummy. Works well with the Cactus . Very very nice….. again. Thank you all for giving us more as usual. 😍
littlen
March 31, 2018
Love the vibrant colors.
Celeste C
March 31, 2018
Fun card, and cool technique. Thanks for sharing!
Golda
March 31, 2018
Great card! Can’t wait to see the whole kit. The sparkle is perfect with an amazing desert sunset.
Becca Yahrling
March 31, 2018
That’s really sweet & a cute CAS design.
kathleen dumpert
March 31, 2018
I really like the new purple watercolor addition!