February My Monthly Hero Countdown: Idea #1 + Giveaway!

Michelle Short

Hello and welcome as we begin the countdown to the release of the February My Monthly Hero Kit! Release day is Monday, February 5th at 1pm Eastern/10 am Pacific. We will be here for the next three days, sharing ideas for using both the main kit, as well as the new optional add-on products that will also be available on Monday, so stay tuned for more inspiration! Now let's join Michelle who is sharing the first look at this wonderful kit.

What a fabulous kit this month! The main kit, along with the optional add-on products are all bird themed and are perfect for so many occasions. I decided to stick with the main stamp set for my projects today.

Spread Your Wings by Michelle Short for Hero Arts

I started off by die cutting a piece of watercolour paper using one of the Nesting Circle Infinity Dies. I cut the bottom off to create a flat edge at the bottom. Using an ink blending tool, I blended Bold Inks over the piece. I used Dandelion, Tangerine and Strawberry. These inks blend beautifully together!

Spread Your Wings by Michelle Short for Hero Arts

I took one of the birds from the main stamp set, along with one of the sentiments and placed these in my Mini MISTI. I lined them up with the ink blended piece and then stamped them using Black Ink. I stamped these twice to get a nice dark impression, so the MISTI comes in very handy for this.

Sending Hugs by Michelle Short for Hero Arts

I did the same thing for my second card. This time I used Soft Pool and Pool Shadow Inks for the ink blending and a different bird and sentiment. I took two white card bases and adhered Decorative Woodgrain Cardstock to the fronts. There is some wonderful woodgrain paper in the kit, so this could be used too. I added the stamped panels on to the card bases with foam tape. To finish off, I added a few clear gems.

The bird images have a distressed look to them (the edges are uneven) but because I wanted to keep my cards clean and simple, I went around the edges of them with a black fine-liner pen. This was very easy to do and shows that you can still use these images in a clean and simple way, if you wanted to.

Sending Hugs by Michelle Short for Hero Arts

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, February 5th, before the kit launches at 1pm Eastern. The more you comment, the more chances to win!

Good luck!

Save

  • sara n

    I love these cards, simple yet beautfiul

  • Mitzi

    Thanks for sharing your beautiful cards & the opportunity to win.

  • Niralee Yeisley

    Love the simplycity of this card

  • Fanny Cantero

    Love the beautiful blended backgrounds you created!

  • Brianna

    Beautiful colors and simple cards. I am going to try my hand at making some like this, too!

399 Responses

Melinda Stearns

Melinda Stearns

Feb 02, 2018

I love the bird theme! I’m already a huge fan of this kit!!

Cindy robinson

Cindy robinson

Feb 02, 2018

Very simple but beautiful cards!

Juana Vega

Juana Vega

Feb 02, 2018

Love the colors used in the backgrounds.

Lori wachtel

Lori wachtel

Feb 02, 2018

Love the simplicity of you card

Colleen F

Colleen F

Feb 02, 2018

I love the birds, I love silhouette images! Thanks for the chance to win!

Cindi Patton

Cindi Patton

Feb 02, 2018

I’m a sucker for bird stamps. Love these!

Judy

Judy

Feb 02, 2018

Lovely CAS card design! I can’t wait to see this bird themed kit!!

Toni

Toni

Feb 02, 2018

The ink blended backgrounds are very nice settings for the bird images.

Sue D

Sue D

Feb 02, 2018

Great card design and love these birds.

Gail Anderson

Gail Anderson

Feb 02, 2018

Such a pretty, simple card that can be used for many things.

Kailash

Kailash

Feb 02, 2018

Such elegant cards, love the bird image!

Carol Viens

Carol Viens

Feb 02, 2018

Love the silhouette cards that have been featured by Hero lately. This bird card is no exception. Beautiful blending and creative ideas.

Helen Potter

Helen Potter

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful cards. Looking forward to seeing more

Veronica Griffin

Veronica Griffin

Feb 02, 2018

I love the ink blending.

Marie

Marie

Feb 02, 2018

Very pretty cards. I would love to win the kit.

Wanda

Wanda

Feb 02, 2018

oh my gosh, I love the idea of a bird themed monthly kit…can’t wait to see more

JANIS LITYNSKY

JANIS LITYNSKY

Feb 02, 2018

OH, I am wishing it is Faith Based… I Love Hero Arts…

Karen Arana

Karen Arana

Feb 02, 2018

So simple and peaceful picture! Love how nice the ombré background looks.

Golda

Golda

Feb 02, 2018

These are beautiful. I love the beautiful backgrounds you created for the birds. Cutting the bottom off made them unique and grounded, as well.

Becs Attwood

Becs Attwood

Feb 02, 2018

These gorgeous new bird images are fabulous. Can’t wait to see more!

Michele jones

Michele jones

Feb 02, 2018

Looks like another great kit! Looking forward to more sneak peeks.

Betty

Betty

Feb 02, 2018

Love the birds!

Leslie Pierson

Leslie Pierson

Feb 02, 2018

I love the way you cut the circle and the cards with the Pool is so peaceful.

Susan coumont

Susan coumont

Feb 02, 2018

Absolutely beautiful. Simply lovely. Thank you for the chance to win.

Sandra Bussey

Sandra Bussey

Feb 02, 2018

Ohhh! I love it how beautiful.

Tiffanie Kyle

Tiffanie Kyle

Feb 02, 2018

I can’t wait to see the rest! Very nice cards!

Joelle

Joelle

Feb 02, 2018

I love the simple design of these cards. Nicely done.

DeniseP

DeniseP

Feb 02, 2018

After not being interested the last couple of months it looks like you’re really starting to suck me back in. I can’t wait to see more sneaks and what reveal brings (and please say you’ve brought back the 6×8 stamp). :D Love the font and the encouraging messages!!

Jennifer H

Jennifer H

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful cards! The blue one is my favorite that background is absolutely gorgeous!

Beverly

Beverly

Feb 02, 2018

This looks to be a great kit and I love the bird images!!!

Cheryl Robertson

Cheryl Robertson

Feb 02, 2018

I think I need this kit. I don’t have any bird stamps.

Julia Cissell

Julia Cissell

Feb 02, 2018

Love Hero Arts My Monthly sets! Every month you offer great sets and good value. What a combo for creativity! Thanks!

Rema DeLeeuw

Rema DeLeeuw

Feb 02, 2018

Love birds, so I know I’m going to love this set!

Julia D.

Julia D.

Feb 02, 2018

Lovely cards! Really like the blended backgrounds you created for the silhouette stamps. Thank you for the chance to win!

Carol Tidrow

Carol Tidrow

Feb 02, 2018

Can’t wait for another peek!

Kerry Nicholas

Kerry Nicholas

Feb 02, 2018

I love hummingbirds and I can see me using this one a lot.

Josmary

Josmary

Feb 02, 2018

Oooh I love the sentiments. Can’t wait to see the entire kit ? love love

Josmary

Josmary

Feb 02, 2018

Oooh I love the sentiments. Can’t wait to see the entire kit ? love love

Raven Magill

Raven Magill

Feb 02, 2018

Yay! Bird-theme! I just love hummingbirds… can’t wait to see what else is in the kit.

Beverley Hollis

Beverley Hollis

Feb 02, 2018

Birds are my favourite subject, and a kit based on them is fantastic. Beautiful cards, perfect to showcase the stamps. Can’t wait!

Kendra

Kendra

Feb 02, 2018

I love the hummingbird! Can’t wait to see the whole kit.

Ann K.

Ann K.

Feb 02, 2018

“Sending hugs” is such a great sentiment… looking forward to the rest of this kit!

Martha Berry

Martha Berry

Feb 02, 2018

These lovely clean and simple cards translate to beautiful and textural! Love the ink blending and the birds in silhouette:)

Derrica Brown

Derrica Brown

Feb 02, 2018

Simple and beautiful!!!

Luci M

Luci M

Feb 02, 2018

Great, beautiful, and simple!

Randy

Randy

Feb 02, 2018

So far so gorgeous! Extremely excited for this new kit!

Jackie

Jackie

Feb 02, 2018

Love cards with silhouettes. I think the little gems really make the birds stand out more. Thanks for sharing.

Renee Thompson

Renee Thompson

Feb 02, 2018

Wow those clear gems just make the card! I can’t wait to see the rest of this kit.

Ericka

Ericka

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful blending, simple … can’t wait!

Terrie

Terrie

Feb 02, 2018

These are both really beautiful cards! I love how you featured the birds :)

Ikeda Evans

Ikeda Evans

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful card. I just love the simplicity of the card, simple but elegant. Looking forward to the reveal of the kit.

Tracie Pond

Tracie Pond

Feb 02, 2018

Your ink blending is beautiful, Michelle. Love the look with the woodgrain cardstock.

Nancy Dempsey

Nancy Dempsey

Feb 02, 2018

Sweet and simple…my favorite kind of card. Show me more!

Susan Nichols

Susan Nichols

Feb 02, 2018

Cute card!

Lagene

Lagene

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful silhouette birds! I love the blended backgrounds!

karen chester

karen chester

Feb 02, 2018

I love all the little birds that fly around. Are you aware that humming birds can only see red, everything else is black and white. So a bunch of red flowers with that cute humming bird going into them would make a perfect card. I can’t wait for the kit. Every month is so exciting!!!

Ashley Shaffer

Ashley Shaffer

Feb 02, 2018

as always i can’t wait to see what else we get this month! beautiful cards!

Shameenia Hopes

Shameenia Hopes

Feb 02, 2018

My favorite stamp company. Love the birds. Sneak peek 2 ready.

FD91354

FD91354

Feb 02, 2018

What pretty birdies. Excited to see the next kit release

Barbara  Howell

Barbara Howell

Feb 02, 2018

Oh, I love the birds, cannot wait to see the rest of this kit. Your projects are beautiful today.

Katie M

Katie M

Feb 02, 2018

So pretty. I love the fresh look of the blended color with the crisp white background

Celeste C

Celeste C

Feb 02, 2018

I love the elegant simplicity of theses cards.

Cindy

Cindy

Feb 02, 2018

Birds will be so versatile, can’t wait to play with this kit!!!

Carole

Carole

Feb 02, 2018

Fabulous background and birds are such fun. Looking forward to the rest of the reveal!

Nandini Karmarkar

Nandini Karmarkar

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful images and gorgeous inspiration. Love the ink blending and thanks for the to for cleaning up the edges of the images. I also really love the sentiments.

Heather DePasquale

Heather DePasquale

Feb 02, 2018

Love the woodgrain cardstock. The little bird in flight is so dear. I love how you blended your inks. Thanks for sharing!

Lora S.

Lora S.

Feb 02, 2018

I love the backgrounds. The birds can be used for so many events. Can’t wait to see the rest of the kit.

Brooke Shull

Brooke Shull

Feb 02, 2018

I simply can not wait!!!! Hummingbirds!!!!

Stacey Kowbel

Stacey Kowbel

Feb 02, 2018

Love your card! Great peak at the main stamp set. Look forward to seeing the whole kit!

Bonnie Darroch-Dean

Bonnie Darroch-Dean

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful cards! The blending is gorgeous and the birds ate very pretty!

Leigh Madison

Leigh Madison

Feb 02, 2018

I’m so excited to see this kit! I looks like it would be a great addition to my floral and garden embossing folders and stamp sets!

Madge

Madge

Feb 02, 2018

There is beauty in simplicity as well.

Linda Roberson

Linda Roberson

Feb 02, 2018

I just love the clean and simple inspiration with the beautiful color blending. Birds are the perfect touch!

Heather J

Heather J

Feb 02, 2018

I ❤️❤️❤️❤️Birds and cannot wait to see the whole reveal!

Samantha C

Samantha C

Feb 02, 2018

What a great way to use essentially the same sketch and come up with a few different cards. I can’t wait to see the rest of the new kit! Thank you for taking the time and sharing your inspiration with us ! Gray cards

Megan Fehr

Megan Fehr

Feb 02, 2018

I love that blended background and the look of the woodgrain on the second card, very clean.

Susan H

Susan H

Feb 02, 2018

What a pretty card. I really like how you blended the background and the clear embellishments that you used.

Kathleen Prince

Kathleen Prince

Feb 02, 2018

Yay! A bird themed card kit. This card is simple and pretty. Love that wood grain cardstock.

Lydia King

Lydia King

Feb 02, 2018

Looks like it’s going to be another beautiful kit. I look forward to seeing the whole reveal.

Rosemary D

Rosemary D

Feb 02, 2018

beautiful cards… love the ink-blended backgrounds!!

Michelle Yuen

Michelle Yuen

Feb 02, 2018

Such an elegant, simple card! Love the woodgrain background and the inking.

Anne Wylie

Anne Wylie

Feb 02, 2018

Love these cards! Clean and simple, yet very bold. Can’t wait for the next hint!

Becky Moore

Becky Moore

Feb 02, 2018

These cards are wonderful! I love the bird images.

Debbie Rumpza

Debbie Rumpza

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful silhouettes! I love the ink blending.

LaNell Taylor

LaNell Taylor

Feb 02, 2018

I love birds. Beautiful cards. So excited to see this kit revealed!

Corinna

Corinna

Feb 02, 2018

I’m so excited about the new kit! The sneak peeks are super fun!

Natalie Dominguez

Natalie Dominguez

Feb 02, 2018

Such pretty ink blending. I love birds! Excited to see the whole reveal!

Debi Walton

Debi Walton

Feb 02, 2018

Like your use of color and composition. Very pretty.

Robin P

Robin P

Feb 02, 2018

Love the these clean and simple cards. I very few bird stamps, never really know how to use them. Thanks for sharing.

Cynthia Cole

Cynthia Cole

Feb 02, 2018

Love the simplicity!

Donna A

Donna A

Feb 02, 2018

I love woodgrain texture. I’m going to have to get some! Using woodgrain card stock will now be one less step for me to do when making a beautiful card. Awesome!

Natalie Winterstein

Natalie Winterstein

Feb 02, 2018

Gorgeous! The ink blending is so pretty.

Leanne in Cali

Leanne in Cali

Feb 02, 2018

Love these beautiful blended backgrounds and the birds and sentiments look so nice! Can’t wait to see more!!

Lynn Wallick

Lynn Wallick

Feb 02, 2018

Be still my soul. I love bird stamps and dies. They make beautidul , serene cards. ?

Patt H.

Patt H.

Feb 02, 2018

Love these simple but awesome cards! The simplicity of the design is beautiful! My favorite type of card. Thanks for the inspiration post!

Kathy H

Kathy H

Feb 02, 2018

Lots of lovely birds in this kit! I think I am going to love it!

Aash B

Aash B

Feb 02, 2018

Love birds, and can’t wait to see the entire release!

Patricia Henschen

Patricia Henschen

Feb 02, 2018

Cannot wait to see the rest of these stamps and sentiments from the main kit. I love birds…this is perfect for Spring! (so ready for winter to be over)

Betty

Betty

Feb 02, 2018

two lovely cards, Michelle – such pretty ink blending – looking forward to seeing more of this kit!

Dee Earnshaw

Dee Earnshaw

Feb 02, 2018

Love the sponging on these sweet cards – the CAS design works so well on the embossed background:)

Christine Smith

Christine Smith

Feb 02, 2018

Stunning CAS cards with gorgeous stamps and fab colours! xxx

Kimberly

Kimberly

Feb 02, 2018

Love the color technique, spring is coming!

Donna Ligon

Donna Ligon

Feb 02, 2018

Ooh, I love it already. You had me at hummingbird ❤️

Martha F Deines

Martha F Deines

Feb 02, 2018

Absolutely stunning cards. I can hardly wait to see the entire set and would consider my self one lucky woman to win this!!

Cheri

Cheri

Feb 02, 2018

So pretty – looking forward to receiving this Kit! Love birds of all kinds, & bird stamps are great for card-making. Love the CAS look!

Linda S.

Linda S.

Feb 02, 2018

I really like the Hero Arts kits and am looking forward to seeing the other images and sentiments. I like silhouette stamps for quick cards and Michelle’s card is a lovely, clean and simple card.

Arianna Barbara

Arianna Barbara

Feb 02, 2018

Two beautiful cards!!! Love colors!!!

Eva N

Eva N

Feb 02, 2018

Your clean designs with the birds are very pretty, and thanks for using stamps from the main kit in your sneak peak.

jeanne h.

jeanne h.

Feb 02, 2018

a very clean and simple card.. love the card stock.. love the colors you blended together.

Thalia Waldvogel

Thalia Waldvogel

Feb 02, 2018

Lovely! I love birds!

Lisa A creations

Lisa A creations

Feb 02, 2018

Can’t wait to see more sneak peeks of this new kit!

Sharon

Sharon

Feb 02, 2018

Love the simplicity.

Helen

Helen

Feb 02, 2018

What a great way to look forward to Spring —these bird silhouettes promise to be so versatile. tfs

Kelly Richards

Kelly Richards

Feb 02, 2018

Both images are so beautiful. I am trying to push my art techniques this year. The blending of inks softens the images and brings the feeling of hope for spring. Thank you for sharing.

littlen

littlen

Feb 02, 2018

Very pretty.

Rita María Castillo GT

Rita María Castillo GT

Feb 02, 2018

Lovely cards and sentiments! Clean and and fancy design!

Jeanne Beam

Jeanne Beam

Feb 02, 2018

Very pretty cards. I love how you used the Circle die. Thanks so much for sharing…

Nancy Sue

Nancy Sue

Feb 02, 2018

The use of the blending of inks with the black as the spot light is so vibrant. Looking forward to birds in this new Kit.

Lindar C

Lindar C

Feb 02, 2018

I can’t resist a hummingbird, your cards are so pretty.

Cindy C.

Cindy C.

Feb 02, 2018

Wonderful CAS designs, love how you highlights the bird images!!

Becca Yahrling

Becca Yahrling

Feb 02, 2018

Oh yay for birdies! My favorite images for sure.
Your cards are gorgeous!

Karen P

Karen P

Feb 02, 2018

I love the simplicity of these cards. Can be used for so many occasions.

Janet

Janet

Feb 02, 2018

I love the understated clean and simple look of these cards! Great colors and the woodgrain cardstock is perfect!

Bunny

Bunny

Feb 02, 2018

These cards are for the birds and I love them! CAS yet so pretty.

Cathy Lenda

Cathy Lenda

Feb 02, 2018

Lovely cards and great color combinations!

Betty Chen

Betty Chen

Feb 02, 2018

Love the sneak peek! Can’t wait to see more!

Samantha O

Samantha O

Feb 02, 2018

Very elegant. Love the clean look, but also how you give it a little bit of a different look by cutting bottom off the circle.

Marilyn Massey

Marilyn Massey

Feb 02, 2018

Bird images are so versatile, adding a nice touch to many types of main images. Looking forward to seeing the Feb kit!

Mercedes

Mercedes

Feb 02, 2018

Those backgrounds are beautiful, I wish I had that skill.

Ginger

Ginger

Feb 02, 2018

Looking forward to the full reveal on 2/5.

Amy Cooley

Amy Cooley

Feb 02, 2018

Looking forward to this month’s kit!

Dgolly

Dgolly

Feb 02, 2018

Great beginning to what looks like a great kit. The sentiments and images are so nice.

Lori Kobular

Lori Kobular

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful cards! Love them both!

Crystal Finley

Crystal Finley

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful, so much can be done with silhouettes

Ruth

Ruth

Feb 02, 2018

Can’t wait to see this set

KELLI S.

KELLI S.

Feb 02, 2018

Nice cards, looks like a great new kit.

terri

terri

Feb 02, 2018

Very elegant!! I am not a huge fan of birds but I love how you used them to create a beautiful card.

Susan King

Susan King

Feb 02, 2018

susankingcs@gmail.com what a stunning bird! Looking forward to seeing all the wonderful ideas with this set!

Claudia

Claudia

Feb 02, 2018

Oh, wow, how cool is this… birds and the idea for this card is fantastic. Love the ombre backgrounds and the layout with the partly cut circle. Looks to be a very interesting Monthly Kit again…

Jen

Jen

Feb 02, 2018

So crisp, clean, and springy! Can’t wait to see the kit! Thanks for the sneak peeks!

Cristina

Cristina

Feb 02, 2018

These silhouette bids are very nice…
Cristina
thehouseoftheblackbirds.blogspot.it

Michelle Rivera

Michelle Rivera

Feb 02, 2018

I love these clean and simple cards! Beautiful color combinations compliment the black bird images perfectly! Great job!

Susan Manning

Susan Manning

Feb 02, 2018

I am so excited! As a bird photographer, this is the best subject yet! I can’t wait to see more hints.
We are in Massachusetts and I am feeding bluebirds now! Thanks, Hero arts.

Sarah T.

Sarah T.

Feb 02, 2018

So simple and effective. Excited to see more.

Sally Ann Bird

Sally Ann Bird

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful CAS cards! Absolutely love them!! Looks like another fun kit and I am excited about the wood grain paper.

amy

amy

Feb 02, 2018

Classic clean + simple…absolutely gorgeous Michelle!

Gretchen N

Gretchen N

Feb 02, 2018

What gorgeous cards! I love the simplicity and elegance. Wonderful job! Thank you for the inspiration!

Christy Q

Christy Q

Feb 02, 2018

Beautiful CAS cards!! Love the color combination you used and the woodgrain textured background.

Susan Bennett

Susan Bennett

Feb 02, 2018

You make it look so simple – beautiful cards