Inspired by a Hero Artist card

Hi everyone!

When I saw the latest challenge at the A Blog Named Hero site, I IMMEDIATELY knew I would be participating! Anyone that knows me knows that I am a BIG fan of Jennifer McGuire. I love her style! She makes cards that look so complicated--yet, aren't really that hard to do! And the cards always look so classy...LOVE her style! And I hope I don't embarrass her by sharing that she's not only incredibly talented--she's also super sweet! When I first started stamping and buying Hero Arts products, I was shocked to find in my mailbox one day that she had sent me some stamps!!!! I had been fighting a horrible cold and had 2 sick boys--and her package arrived at the perfect time! I could not have been more appreciative of the gesture! In fact, the stamp I used on the card below was from the stack that she sent me...I LOVE her!

Also, the site V's Sweet Ideas is also having a "celebration" challenge. My card was perfect for that, too. The last site that I'm submitting this card in is the Stampin' Sisters in Christ site. Their challenge is to add sparkle to a card..I love those little touches of sparkle. One card--three different challenges...guess that's a good way to stretch my stamps! Anyway, I hope you'll all join me in playing along.

Without further ado, here's my card:

Like I said, I wanted to use one of the stamps I had gotten from Jennifer. I had seen her do a video, years ago, where she took some distress ink pads and inked up the stamp and spritzed it. I'm a bit of a coward in doing it that way b/c I'm convinced I will contaminate my inks...so, I went the easier way and used distress markers to color in the image. Then, I spritzed it with water a couple of times and stamped the image. I took a paintbrush and a bit of water and blended the lines a bit but was overall happy with how the image turned out. I added some purple strips to the side of the main panel and then heat embossed a butterfly on vellum. I wanted to add color to the butterfly so I grabbed my distress ink pads and inked up my work surface with spicy marmalade and dusty concord. Then, I added some water and painted the butterfly on the back of the vellum. This gave it a softer look--and you can't see my messy painting! :) I added some gems throughout the card and then stamped a few small butterflies. The sentiment, although I could have added it on the front, I chose to add it on the inside. It says "Hope you have a super fun birthday"--also from Hero Arts.

I think I've only played with this stamp a couple of times...but I love how this card turned out! And I love that I can still see the main stamp through the vellum wings of the butterfly...

Thanks for stopping by--and hope you can play along!
Pat

PS--If, by chance, Jennifer is reading this--thank you for always inspiring me with your creativity and generosity!