September My Monthly Hero Countdown: Idea #4 + Giveaway

Ilina Crouse

We are back with another look at the September My Monthly Hero release! The kit will be available on Tuesday, September 5th at 1pm Eastern/10 am Pacific. We’ll be sharing ideas for using the main kit and optional add-on products all weekend long (and Monday, too), so stay tuned for inspiration! Now let’s join Ilina, who is sharing another look at this fabulous kit, available on Tuesday.

Isn't this new kit fabulous for fall? Sunflowers are my favorite, so of course I had to use them for my card. And you don't need to use it only for fall cards, pair it with any sentiment and you can make a card for any occasion. For my card today, I started by stamping the first layer of the sunflower in Butter Bar ink  on Snow Layering Paper. For the second layer I "mixed" Butter Bar and Tangerine inks. For the "mixing" of the colors I did the following: inked my stamp with the Tangerine ink and then using soft microfiber cloth, gently dabbed off the ink, then applied the Butter Bar ink and stamped the 2nd layer. For the 3rd, and last, layer of the sunflower I used straight Tangerine ink. Then stamped the center in similar way (the center has only two layers). For the first layer I used Cup O'Joe ink and inked my stamp, dabbed the ink off with towel and applied Pumpkin Pie ink, then stamped the center. For the second layer of the center I used straight Cup O'Joe ink pad. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but trust me it isn't. I added shadows using colored pencils. Next I used the coordinating die and die cut the flower and set it aside. 

For the stem I did the same, only for the first layer I used Lime Green and Moss ink pads, and the second layer was straight Moss ink. I die cut the stem and set it aside, too. 

After my flower was ready, I moved onto the background. I used one of the add-ons to the September MMH kit - Starry Background Bold prints (Van Gogh is my favorite painter, so  I had to use it). I started with a Snow Layering Paper panel measuring 3 3/4" x 5" and smooshed Stone Wash, Navy and Antigua ink pads on it making sure the paper was saturated (the ink started bleeding on the back side). While the ink was still wet I stamped the Starry Night Brushstroke background using Versamark ink and dried it with my embossing gun. This caused the Versamark to leave "white" mark on my paper. Due to the nature of the Versamark ink, it didn't dry completely, so I applied some Ultra Fine Clear embossing powder and heat set it. (I tried to capture that on the pictures below). When all this was done I stamped my sentiment with Versamark ink and embossed with White embossing powder.

After all this was done, I was ready to put my card together. I adhered my panel using fun foam onto Sunshine note card (poppy - the medium hue). Using mounting tape I adhered the sunflower and added few Ombre Sunshine sequins to finish the card.  

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 of the comments left across all countdown posts and announce the winner first thing Tuesday morning, September 5th, before the kit launches at 1pm Eastern. The more you comment, the more chances to win!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to check back all weekend long for additional countdown posts with more inspiration and more sneak peeks!

SaveSaveSave

  • Gina

    I absolutely love everything about this card! The sunflower, ink colors used and the background are stunning!

  • Marilee

    Oh, LOVE! I love yellow and blue — and that back ground!!! Love it!

  • Michelle D

    Beautiful!

  • Maye M. L.

    This card is quite the masterpiece. It shows how much fun and enjoyment you got out of playing with this release. Incredible project. Cheers

  • Lana

    The sunflower looks like a very wonderful stamp. I loved the sunflower fields that I saw on my journey to Spain, and this cards reminds me so vivid of it! Thank you!

387 Responses

Alice

Alice

Sep 02, 2017

Your card is lovely.

Mo Murphy

Mo Murphy

Sep 02, 2017

Thanks for sharing how you created the background! It is fabulous!

Jean G.

Jean G.

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful card. Great for backgrounds.

Nancy Deffner

Nancy Deffner

Sep 02, 2017

Gorgeous card! The background is fabulous. Can’t wait to get this kit.

Kelley H

Kelley H

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful card!

Melynn

Melynn

Sep 02, 2017

The sunflower is just beautiful but that background is stunning.
Can’t wait to buy that.

Brenda

Brenda

Sep 02, 2017

Gorgeous card! Love the idea of being able to use less ink colors and still stamp multiple layers!

Francine

Francine

Sep 02, 2017

Oh, I love that background stamp. Your card is lovely. Thanks for sharing.

sahri walker

sahri walker

Sep 02, 2017

Love this car, I grew ssunflowers this summer, this will be on my list.

Mario

Mario

Sep 02, 2017

Ilina, thanks for explaining so well what you did! It’s an awesome work!

Elaine C

Elaine C

Sep 02, 2017

That background stamp is amazing! What a beautiful card!

Christina Rannow

Christina Rannow

Sep 02, 2017

Super cute!

Rachel Walton

Rachel Walton

Sep 02, 2017

I love the allusion of wind blowing that the background stamp creates. It’s fun and whimsical.

Lauren

Lauren

Sep 02, 2017

Very vibrant and beautiful! Love that background!

Ton

Ton

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful card

Sherry Olson

Sherry Olson

Sep 02, 2017

Sunflowers are my favorite flower. I am excited knowing I will have this stamp set soon.

Vikki H

Vikki H

Sep 02, 2017

Oh, boy, this is a wonderful fall kit!

sandy quilici

sandy quilici

Sep 02, 2017

i love the sunflowers

Lauren

Lauren

Sep 02, 2017

Love this! Defintinely getting some Van Gogh vibes!

Elaine Lewis

Elaine Lewis

Sep 02, 2017

Imreally like the background stamp.

Lonya

Lonya

Sep 02, 2017

Starry night is an all time favorite, I am going to have to have that stamp!

Theda

Theda

Sep 02, 2017

Fall is my favorite season of the year. Can’t wait to see the kit.

Sharon

Sharon

Sep 02, 2017

That background is perfect for the sunflower! I can see using that stamp a lot.

Diane Conklin

Diane Conklin

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful card! I love the background.

Randy

Randy

Sep 02, 2017

This kit looks amazing already!

Lorraine

Lorraine

Sep 02, 2017

Looking forward to a larger stamp in the kit

Laura Staley

Laura Staley

Sep 02, 2017

Love the background you created! And who doesn’t love sunflowers! Terrific card!

Leonie Haines

Leonie Haines

Sep 02, 2017

Love the warm colours and the sunflower is so realistic

Tania

Tania

Sep 02, 2017

Such a pretty card! Love how the dark background makes the sunflower pop.

Linda Peabody

Linda Peabody

Sep 02, 2017

Love this sunflower!

Catherine

Catherine

Sep 02, 2017

Love the way the Hero Arts Inks layer and blend. Your Starry Night creation is spot on!

Caitlin

Caitlin

Sep 02, 2017

Love this color combo!

Julia Longtin

Julia Longtin

Sep 02, 2017

Wow that is really a gorgeous card. I can totally see the Van Gough influence too!

Nina

Nina

Sep 02, 2017

Very pretty card. I like how this kit really does look more like art than stamped images. Super pretty.

Stacey f

Stacey f

Sep 02, 2017

Love the vibrant colors! So very beautiful! Love the details in the background!

Sara Jara

Sara Jara

Sep 02, 2017

Maravilloso, espero con ansias que llegue. Chile

Elise Smith

Elise Smith

Sep 02, 2017

This is stunning! I love the background :)

Emmie W

Emmie W

Sep 02, 2017

Love the solitary sunflower against the blue. Great job!

Stephanie in Corralitos

Stephanie in Corralitos

Sep 02, 2017

Great inking technique.. Thanks for sharing.

Jessica Haines

Jessica Haines

Sep 02, 2017

Striking card

Kara Taft

Kara Taft

Sep 02, 2017

This card is a definite must for my stamping collection. Thank you for creating amazing products.

Kara Taft

Kara Taft

Sep 02, 2017

This card is a definite must for my stamping collection. Thank you for creating amazing products.

Karen T

Karen T

Sep 02, 2017

I do love sunflowers! I love everything about fall – my favorite season! I already love this kit!

dgolly

dgolly

Sep 02, 2017

I love these sunflowers. Can’t wait until release day.

Stephanie T

Stephanie T

Sep 02, 2017

The yellow shades of the flower is amazing against that dark blue.

Terri C.

Terri C.

Sep 02, 2017

I really like your card. I’m writing down the inks you used to order with my kit.

Madge brock

Madge brock

Sep 02, 2017

Oh I just love sunflowers they are in my kitchen I had some planted just live these

Debbie Rumpza

Debbie Rumpza

Sep 02, 2017

Gorgeous sunflower card!!

Elizabeth Burke

Elizabeth Burke

Sep 02, 2017

Oh my goodness, this is a gorgeous card……

jayne

jayne

Sep 02, 2017

Love the VanGoh style sunflowers

Carla Hundley

Carla Hundley

Sep 02, 2017

Love that background!
Gorgeous inking on the
sunflower.
Carla from Utah

Elena Pham

Elena Pham

Sep 02, 2017

I really like this background. I love the sunflower, this is a beautiful card.

Cher Marsino

Cher Marsino

Sep 02, 2017

That sunflower is so pretty against that background

Lindarub

Lindarub

Sep 02, 2017

Love how you used the sunflower on your card.

Linda M.

Linda M.

Sep 02, 2017

So pretty! Love the sunflower in this kit!

Barb Schmitz

Barb Schmitz

Sep 02, 2017

I adore the color combinations you used here ?

Ann

Ann

Sep 02, 2017

Just love seeing all the beautiful inspiration from this kit! Such a pretty sun flower and background.

Eva

Eva

Sep 02, 2017

Cool card!

Eva

Eva

Sep 02, 2017

Cool card!

Krissie

Krissie

Sep 02, 2017

Absolutely gorgeous. Wow!

Patty

Patty

Sep 02, 2017

Love all the beautiful layering of stamps. So pretty.

Bev

Bev

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful layering Ilina. I also like the palette of yellows, greens and blues. Pretty!

spatch

spatch

Sep 02, 2017

Great take on the Van Gogh painting! The colors in the kit are so fall. Beautiful!

Zehra

Zehra

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful card, love the background

KimMJ

KimMJ

Sep 02, 2017

Stunning card! The background is simply gorgeous and really makes the sunflower pop. Thanx for the inspiration

Linda M

Linda M

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful sunflower. Interesting coloring and inking techniques.

Heidi S.

Heidi S.

Sep 02, 2017

I’m really excited about that background stamp. It’s my favorite thing so far!

Lea Lawson

Lea Lawson

Sep 02, 2017

Wow…this is amazing! It has such a Starry Night feel to it!

Viveca V.

Viveca V.

Sep 02, 2017

Sunflowers and a starry night does make one think of Van Gogh so I can see where you were going with this card Ilina. I love the background!

Sandra Resendiz

Sandra Resendiz

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful result with the layer stamps, I need to have more inks

Alie Trujillo

Alie Trujillo

Sep 02, 2017

Sunflowers are good to have for prosperity, they are not only beautiful but bring good fortune to your home,

Susan

Susan

Sep 02, 2017

I love the colors and is very reminiscent of Van Gogh.

Stephanie Bleeker

Stephanie Bleeker

Sep 02, 2017

This is my favorite sample yet! I am just in love with that background stamp – I’m so excited to get it. Beautiful Fall cards.

Denise

Denise

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful colors on this card. Great job. Love the background too!

Roslyn

Roslyn

Sep 02, 2017

I do love that background! So many possibilities!

Sandra

Sandra

Sep 02, 2017

Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists also and I am a huge fan of Starry Starry Night — which I thought of immediately when I saw your card. Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to see the rest of the kit! =)

Edlyn

Edlyn

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful coloring. I love the sunflower image! Looking forward to seeing the whole kit.

Karry

Karry

Sep 02, 2017

Love this card! Love the colors used!

Michelle Scherer

Michelle Scherer

Sep 02, 2017

I love Van Gogh also. He loved sunflowers too. Very creative card.

Amy

Amy

Sep 02, 2017

Lovely. Am loving that background even more with this card.

kari mano

kari mano

Sep 02, 2017

Lovely card! I just adore this sunflower so much. Excited to see more of the kit & add on’s :)

Lori

Lori

Sep 02, 2017

Love this so much!

Carol K

Carol K

Sep 02, 2017

Again with the beautiful background and the gorgeous sunflower …

Heidi Macy

Heidi Macy

Sep 02, 2017

This is so beautiful. The colors have a french country feel, but it is more modern. TFS!

Linda Griffin

Linda Griffin

Sep 02, 2017

Awgh…..dreamy!…Love it!

Katherine

Katherine

Sep 02, 2017

this is stunning!

Rosemary D

Rosemary D

Sep 02, 2017

Gorgeous design… love that sunflower!!

chark

chark

Sep 02, 2017

wow! beautiful!

Christine

Christine

Sep 02, 2017

I just love this background. The sunflower is awesome too.

Karen Lingel

Karen Lingel

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful card. Tahnks for the opportunity to win.

Heather H.

Heather H.

Sep 02, 2017

I’m still loving this background stamp and the sunfower is gorgeous. I love the colors you used.

Tracie Pond

Tracie Pond

Sep 02, 2017

Neat card….the background reminds me of wind.

Sherri Clifford

Sherri Clifford

Sep 02, 2017

I love this card! So pretty. I must have the Starry Night background stamp.

Claudia N

Claudia N

Sep 02, 2017

Love the background! Very pretty card!

Nicole

Nicole

Sep 02, 2017

The sunflower and the starry background work beautifully together!

margie

margie

Sep 02, 2017

I think I’m going to need extras love your background.

Marjorie Dumontier

Marjorie Dumontier

Sep 02, 2017

Very nice card !

Beverley Hollis

Beverley Hollis

Sep 02, 2017

What a beautiful card! Can’t wait to play with this kit!

leslie pierson

leslie pierson

Sep 02, 2017

beautiful card I love sunflowers and this one looks fresh picked.

charlotte

charlotte

Sep 02, 2017

Love this!

Alison Heikkila

Alison Heikkila

Sep 02, 2017

Wow!!! This is so very reminiscent of Van Gogh, and I absolutely love it! Once again, Hero Arts has a fantastic kit!

Sue McRae

Sue McRae

Sep 02, 2017

Love how the sunflower pops against the swirly background!

Leslie S

Leslie S

Sep 02, 2017

Glorious!!! Thanks all! Can’t wait for the release.

Sandy Dietrich

Sandy Dietrich

Sep 02, 2017

The colors are WOW! Not sure I can live without that background stamp, lol.

Lindar C

Lindar C

Sep 02, 2017

Looks like a bit of everything in this kit.

Cindy Rice

Cindy Rice

Sep 02, 2017

Gorgeous card!

Donna Ligon

Donna Ligon

Sep 02, 2017

Gorgeous card! This is going to be an amazing kit!

Celeste Cassino

Celeste Cassino

Sep 02, 2017

I love the dramatic use of color in this one.

Michelle C Montemurro

Michelle C Montemurro

Sep 02, 2017

The background is so pretty.

Betty

Betty

Sep 02, 2017

Cute card for fall!

Crystal

Crystal

Sep 02, 2017

Such a beautiful card…so vibrant! I think I’m going to have to buy that background stamp; I love Van Gogh and his Starry Night, too.?

Tess Hackett

Tess Hackett

Sep 02, 2017

Love, love this Van Gogh inspired card. What a beautiful use of the kit. Lovely ?

Arianna Barbara

Arianna Barbara

Sep 02, 2017

Stunning card and colours!!! Love it!!!

deborah345

deborah345

Sep 02, 2017

Love this fall set.

Mindy Eggen

Mindy Eggen

Sep 02, 2017

this is absolutely stunning! i adore that background!

karen chester

karen chester

Sep 02, 2017

The sunflower in front of the starry night sky; is so romantic. I can’t wait to get my own set. I think the starry night sky with the way it was done on this card will be excellent to use with the zodiac stamps that I bought as the add on last month.

Linda

Linda

Sep 02, 2017

Isn’t it amazing how versatile versamark is? I am impressed!

Cassie D

Cassie D

Sep 02, 2017

I love that background stamp. It’s on my list m! Beautiful card :) I love Van Gogh too

Denise Bryant

Denise Bryant

Sep 02, 2017

Love that gorgeous background and beautiful sunflower! Lovely card! Looks like a fabulous kit!

Kailash

Kailash

Sep 02, 2017

Gorgeous card, love that flower:-)))

Jude

Jude

Sep 02, 2017

Beautiful. Love the colors you used together.

Konnie

Konnie

Sep 02, 2017

I love, love, love sunflowers and I love multi step stamping. Then what is better than having a matching die…..how awesome!

HelenK

HelenK

Sep 02, 2017

Vincent Van Gogh !!!

SarahC

SarahC

Sep 02, 2017

Oh my this is just beautiful. Can’t wait to play. TFS

littlen

littlen

Sep 02, 2017

Very pretty card for Fall. TFS.

Anne B

Anne B

Sep 02, 2017

Love your card, Ilina. That Starry Background is just fabulous!

Lisa

Lisa

Sep 02, 2017

I love the impressionistic vibe I am getting from this card! That background is gorgeous! Paired with the sunflower image, it makes for a lovely card.

Ana

Ana

Sep 02, 2017

You are right, this reminds me of Van Gogh’s paintings. I love the card you’ve created!?

Joanne L

Joanne L

Sep 02, 2017

I’ve been intrigued to try using colored pencils in combination with inks or alcohol markers, etc so that the colored pencils add more intricate definition that cannot be easily achieved with the markers on their own. this is so beautiful!!! I cannot wait until this kit is unveiled on Tuesday afternoon!!! I have a few of these kits and I think that they are the best value on the card-making market for kits, usually priced at half of their value, that is FANTASTIC, so are the add-ons that are available too. Thank you Hero Arts for bringing out such fantastic kits for us each month!

Amy Vitriani

Amy Vitriani

Sep 02, 2017

Stunning card Ilina!! I love the beautiful background you created to go with your beautiful sunflower! I too love Van Gogh so really I enjoyed this card!

Izzy Scrap

Izzy Scrap

Sep 02, 2017

WOW ! It looks like a Van Gogh painting ! Stunning design, I love it ! Thanks for sharing.

Barbara Howell

Barbara Howell

Sep 02, 2017

Your Sunflower is fabulous and so is your background. I love the idea of using the Versamark ink on that beautiful background stamp. Thanks for sharing.

linda bostedt

linda bostedt

Sep 02, 2017

great creation. I so love this kit already

jayne

jayne

Sep 02, 2017

The sunflowers from this kit reminds me of
the Julia Roberts movie Mona Lisa Smiles so pretty!

ShariW

ShariW

Sep 02, 2017

I am so loving this new kit. I like how you did the background, but then I like so much of your art!

Kim Matthews

Kim Matthews

Sep 02, 2017

Love the combination of blue with sunflowers. Thanks for sharing!

Kim Hund

Kim Hund

Sep 02, 2017

Oh WOW!!! That sunflower sure pops on that background. Love, love, love it. Stunning!!!