April My Monthly Hero Release and Blog Hop with GIveaway

***Click HERE for my Guest Design Post for Concord and 9th from earlier today***
Hi Stampers! 
I am back today with another post, this time it's the My Monthly Hero April kit! I am honored to be guest designing with it this month. When I saw the kit it reminded me of my school days when I dreamed of being a fashion designer and drew a lot of models and clothing. Yes, I not always dreamed of being an engineer. lol. But I am glad I am an engineer, I think it suits me way better than a Fashion Designer. And yes, I have lost some of my feel of how to draw, because I haven't really practiced for years. And I think I was pretty good at it, especially at drawing portraits. OK, another fact about me, I not always drew only electrical circuits lol.
This month's kit is full of fun products! 



 Kit contents
6"x8" clear stamp set
18 coordinating Frame Cuts dies
1 bottle Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops (Duck Egg Blue)
3 ink cubes (Lavender, Light Teal, Midnight)
2 half sheets Onyx shimmer cardstock (5.5" x 8.5")
2 half sheets Pink shimmer cardstock (5.5" x 8.5")
2 half sheets Tiffany Blue cardstock (5.5" x 8.5")
18" long pearl string
Themed paper clips
The kit value is $70, an amazing deal at $34.99.

If you started the hop from the Hero Arts blog, then you probably came here from Lydia Fiedler 's blog. 

Now, onto my cards. And I have videos for 2 of them :). The first one is pretty straight forward. I used some Bee Creative watercolor paper and stamped the Eiffel tower and the images from the kit with India Black ink, then did some watercolor wash with Daniel Smith Sleeping Beauty Turquoise pain. I stamped the sentiment and put together my card. I added some Clear Nuvo drops as accents.



I kept my second card pretty simple as I did some no line coloring using my Luminance pencils. Watch the video below on how this card came to be. 





Next I have another card using some watercoloring, the image kinda reminds me of myself. I wasn't going to use the Mom sentiment as it brought a lot of emotions, as my mom passes away about a year ago (and my Mother in Law passed away 5 yrs ago), but I did it anyway. Both of them were wonderful women! Watch the video on how I lined up the stamps and colored the image. 




And last but not the least is this clean and simple card. Another tidbit about me, is that I wanted to do ballet when I was 5-6 (but the only place was the music academy and required a lot of time and dedication, as it was like 2nd school, you supposed to be there every day for few hours, which is totally different than here in the US). So, I had to use this stamp, too ;) I stamped the image and sentiments with Hero Arts intense black ink and colored with my copic markers. 



That is all I have for you today, read below the details about the giveway. And hop on over to Heather Ruwe  blog to see her amazing creations!!! 


GiveawayHero Arts giving away one kit as a prize to one blog reader - selected from the comments across all of the blogs in the hop. (Hero Arts will reimburse you if you already bought the kit) Giveaway closes Sunday, April 9 at 11:59pm, and the winner will be announced the following week.

Kit availability and shippingThe kit is available for a limited time only - once it's gone, it's gone. Kits begin shipping from Hero Arts on Friday April 7th. Grab yours while supplies last!!!!


Ilina Crouse - That's ME


Comments

Debbie Rumpza said…
Wow! I love your cards today. The one of the dress colored with Luminance pencils.. oh my. I have not heard of those pencils before today.
Stunning work!! The feminine images are wow and so is your coloring. Love it!!
Unknown said…
Stunning cards! So simple and chic!
Kjudy1 said…
All your cards are beautiful but I especially love the one to the mom. I hope I win this awesome kit because I would love to make a card like yours for my mother.
Beverly said…
Well look at you girl! Such beautiful cards, loving the simplicity of the ballerina feet and sentiment!
Teri Frank said…
Wonderful no line coloring!
FD91354 said…
Love your cards. Thanks for sharing your talent
Simply gorgeous cards!
karrot22 said…
Fab cards! I love your tutorial of the no line coloring, I just received my new pencils and can not wait to try.
Tracy Chambers said…
Your cards are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your techniques I look forward to trying them.
Take care
Tracy
Daria said…
Wonderful cards! Thank you for the video. I love what you do with colored pencils.
Kailash said…
An array of fabulous card designs, love them!!!
Anonymous said…
Love this kit and the ways you interpreted the pieces on your cards! Beautiful work!
Unknown said…
Love your cards. Thanks for sharing.
Macimbalo said…
Beautiful work! Love how you used the new supplies!
LOVE your amazing cards and this new kit!!!!
starqueen said…
Hi Ilina,
What a bounty...4 gorgeous cards and two videos! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity. This HA kit is lovely!👏🏻
Unknown said…
Lovely cards, and great techniques.
Tammy B said…
Beautiful cards!
Deedee Maldy said…
All your cards are amazing, but the simplicity of the ballerina feet just goes to show how versatile this kit is! You can go crazy building a scene, or keep it simple with focal points. Great job!
littlen said…
Simply beautiful cards. TFS
Unknown said…
I love your cards, very lovely. I really like the no line pencil card, I have been loving that technique lately.
Beautiful projects! Love your coloring of the images. Thank you for the chance to win! Sorry to hear about your mother and mother-in-law; it's difficult losing parents.
Becca Yahrling said…
All of your cards are lovely! I especially adore the 2nd one
with just the dress in the no line coloring. It's stunning to me!
Betty said…
your last card with the ballerina toes is fantastic in its simplicity!
Unknown said…
These are just beautiful! I love your color palette and simple details...amazing!
cghundley said…
Lovely cards and
I love the ballet
slipper card!
Carla from Utah
Sandra said…
All of your cards are beautiful.
Debbie B said…
Great cards! I especially liked watching you color the blue dress! Awesome release! Love this new kit!
3kidmama said…
What a great kit this month! I love the "chic" cards you've created with it. Gorgeous!
Unknown said…
Beautiful cards. Love your amazing coloring & the fun new kit and add ons. I know how hard Mother's Day can be when you've lost your own Mother - over thirty years for me & it is still hard.
Cindy C. said…
Wow all so beautifully done, love how you colored them!!
Mummywright said…
I absolutely love the cards you made, fantastic, what a wonderful kit! xx
Suzan Dorchik said…
Your colouring is amazing. I'm in love with the My Monthly Hero April kit.
MelissaF said…
Beautiful and fun cards, amazing coloring! Thanks for the tutorials.
Candy said…
Wow on the coloring!!
Lovely cards! Love this kit.
None None said…
Wow, all of your cards are breathtaking! I just adore your ballet slipper card - so CAS and so elegant!!
Such cards, that no line coloring is fantastic!
lisa808 said…
What an awesome set! The black dress and hat remind me of Breakfast at Tiffany's.
JD said…
Hi Ilina, beautifully colored cards! Thanks for sharing!
Nicole said…
Gorgeous cards! Your no-line watercoloring is amazing! Great video! I'm so excited to get my kit. Thanks for sharing!
Kristine said…
Your cards are so beautifully simple. I really love your style! Thank you!
Unknown said…
Beautiful cards!
Betsy said…
Very classy! Your no line coloring is gorgeous!
Joan said…
All beautiful cards, Ilina. So sorry for your losses.
charliemmh said…
Your cards are gorgeous. I could watch you color all day. Thanks for the inspiration.
joy said…
Great cards today! I love this kit and the add-ons are so nice, too. Thanks for the videos.

joybird1223@gmail.com
Melissa said…
Beautiful cards, Ilina! It was so much fun learning more about you in the post, too. :)
Becky Moore said…
Great cards today!I enjoyed the videos too.
Patty said…
OMG!! You hit it out all the ballpark with this kit!! LOVE everything you did...colors & design!! My favorite is the blue dress with the color pencils!!
Unknown said…
Such wonderful cards. Simply done
Unknown said…
Loving these cards - so chic and classy! And loving the sparkle you've added, the perfect touch!
McStamper said…
Beautiful cards. Your coloring is awesome.
Annette Pearce said…
Great cards and wow, that blue ballet dress done with luminance pencils!! TFS
Nora Noll said…
What Stunning cards!! I LOVE the dress with the colored pencil-it is breathtaking!! I also like your CAS with the ballerina slippers. It is so sweet. Great design!!
Helen said…
These are three delightful cards. Your two videos are a great help to understanding your different coloring techniques in the various cards. I enjoyed watching them--and learning! Thanks for sharing your cards and videos.
StampinLouie said…
All of the cards are so beautiful! I haven't tried no line coloring but think your card was amazing. Also thanks for sharing the videos.
Jeanne Beam said…
All the cards are so gorgeous. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas.
Debra said…
The ballet shoes card is fantastic! All of your cards are so unique.
Natalie said…
OMG! What awesome cards you made. Great job they are so adorable.
natgodfrey4@gmail.com
~amy~ said…
Your work is always beautiful...love today's projects.
cindybearj said…
Wow, 4 awesome cards! I absolutely love the coloring on that blue dress!
gabriella said…
I love the coloring you did on the dress
janpat said…
Love what you've done with it,can't wait to play!
Cheryl L. said…
Such great coloring! I just love how you did the dress! So many creative cards!
Genelle said…
Love the new HA kit and all of the ideas I'm getting from the Blog Hop!
Becky Dunham said…
Beautiful cards Ilina! Thanks for the video tutorials - I need all of those I can get :). I love this new kit!
LPickerel said…
Wow - fabulous cards! The one with the no-line coloring is stunning. Great way to showcase such a fun kit.
Unknown said…
All your cards are lovely. I especially like the blue dress as it is colored so expertly, but all the cards are gorgeous in their simplicity.
Linda M said…
Very pretty cards! The kit and add-ons are fabulous!
Dana M said…
Beautiful cards Ilina! Looks like you had so much fun with this kit. I just love the blue dress card, the texture of the pencils bring the fabric of the dress to life.
Leanne in Cali said…
Really fun cards! Thanks for your great videos on this blog hop!!
Mary Holshouser said…
Tres chic.
Fantastic release of stamps and dies.
The cards are wonderful.
thanks for sharing.
Toni said…
Your cards are brilliant. I especially liked the "You are the best" coloring!!
Colleen said…
I really like the different way you looked at this kit. I never would have thought of doing just the ballerina slippers - but I loved it! Great work!
Renee V said…
Your cards are incredible, especially love the no line coloring look :) TFS!
Lisa :) said…
Your cards are just darling, especially the dress that you did with no-line watercoloring!
Isabel Z said…
You always create the most amazing art!
Charlotte C said…
I enjoyed watching you color. So pretty.
Danielle Dietz said…
Beautiful pencil coloring!
Robin P said…
Love your cards. Thanks for sharing your video.
paperpicnic said…
Oh, I really adore all of your designs, Ilina! Your cards are so beautiful and the videos are really wonderful!
Tanja said…
lovely cards, i especially like the Mom card and the lovely aqua painting of the image and the soft colours in the background.
Arianna Barbara said…
Oh my goodness!!! I'm in love for your glamorous, cihc and adorable cards!!! Love them so much!!! This is one of my favorite kits ever!

Violet Rose said…
Lovely cards!! Great kit!
Unknown said…
love all the cards. the colors blend beautiful and that blue dress is so awesome and simple. yes Paris is beautiful and the card and the mother's day card is so touching any mom would love.
Mary Miller said…
I love to watch you color. You are so talented. This kit is fabulous.
Beth H. said…
Beautiful cards!
katrynka said…
Terrific cards, especially the dress alone.thanks for the video!
Nice cards! Thanks for sharing!
Alma Dirpaul said…
Beautiful card! Thanks to Hero Arts for the opportunity to win one.
Golda said…
Love your variety of examples.
Sharon77 said…
These are all beautiful cards but the two I love are the Mom card and the dress on it own, these are stunning. Thank you for sharing.
Michelle H said…
Gorgeous cards. I love the coloring on the blue dress.
turbito said…
Your cards look simple and elegant. But I know simple requires lots of planning and coloring. The blue dress is so pretty!
Sue D said…
Fabulous and creative cards with this kit.
Susi said…
All of your cards are just so lovely that I just couldn't pick a favourite! The colouring on your party dress card is fabulous!
Your cards show us so many great options and add on with this month's kit. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Tracy Welham said…
All gorgeous, but I especially love the second and last card. Creative Blessings, Tracy x
Kirsty Vittetoe said…
Oh you just did an amazing job with this new kit!
Monica said…
I watched both videos.. they are so wonderful! I love the tips on the no line watercolor! Thanks for the ideas and sharing your talent!
Jackie said…
Wow beautiful work!! The card with the little blue dress and the card with just the ballerina's feet are absolutely stunning!!
Peculiaris said…
Beautiful delicate cards! Really loving this kit :) Thank you for all the coloring tips! xx
Colleen said…
They are all great cards
I love them all. Thanks for the inspiration
Judy Tuck said…
Lovely cards and thanks for sharing your videos!
Susan K said…
Love all your cards. The videos are an added joy. Thanks for sharing.
Carol Ann said…
I just adore the cards you made particularly the last one with the pointe shoes! Thank you also for filming videos of your processes. I always find these very helpul :)
Ann K said…
Fabulous cards - but the 2nd card with the gorgeous blue dress is my favorite.
laure said…
Beautiful cards and coloring. Blue dress is amazing!
Ginny K. said…
Lovely cards that you made. This looks like an amazing monthly card kit!
Thanks for sharing!

~Gin K.~
Unknown said…
Beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing!
Denise Bryant said…
Pretty cards! I really love the dress!
Oliev said…
Gorgeous cards!
Great job on the blue dress!
Beautiful coloring! I love the CAS designs of your cards. I really enjoyed your videos. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
-Miranda
TheCraftyCritter.com
Amazing cards, Ilina!!! I love them all, and thank you so much for the videos!! It was great to learn things about you, too! 😘
Miriam Prantner said…
Wonderful cards! My favorite is the blue dress, the coloring on that is just so beautiful!
Katia said…
I love how you coloring your second card, absolutely beautiful!
Darcy Shelstad said…
Fun, fabolous cards. I am in awe of the versatility of this kit
mandalj said…
All your cards are wonderful! The colouring on the second is especially amazing!
Kris in Alaska said…
What a unique set of stamps and cards!
Marina said…
These cards are awesome. And the kit looks so great.
Jean said…
Such wonderful cards.
Your use of colors is really beautiful and such care. These cards are lovely and romantic. Great job!
Katina said…
Love your cards, especially the blue dress, fabulous shading!
Maryleva said…
Love your cards. Beautiful coloring.
Lagene said…
Wonderful new kit! Great cards, I especially love your Classic Beauty card!
Nox said…
Beautiful cards - love how that blue seems to glow softly.
Sheri said…
Fabulous cards. Eager to try those pencils. I'm sure these are even more gorgeous in person with the color and shine.
crafty ashley said…
beautiful layout. i can't wait to start with my kit. but of course i have to visit all the blogs for inspiration before diving in.
Ashley Wells said…
I love how the colors you use on the cards don't distract from the wonderful stamped images. Great job!
Judie said…
Gorgeous creations!!! Love the ballerina one!!!
LaDonna said…
Your cards are lovely.
Hsin-Yi said…
Awesome work! I really love everyone of them! Each one speaks differently to me when I lay my eyes on them. Love, love, love! Thank you for sharing!
Anonymous said…
I love how simple your cards are and the coloring is awesome. Thanks for the videos...I'm getting better at coloring because of artists like yourself who share!