Eek!  I am loving the sketch and fish combo at this week's Fusion Tropical Fish!
So, even though they might not quite qualify as "tropical," I couldn't resist pulling out my beloved (and retiring, SOB!) Jar of Love set and doing a few bettas for this card.   I really wanted to do the jars, too, so I had to turn the sketch sideways so they could all fit.  It turned out to be a pretty simple and understated little card, lol.  Watch out, these guys are giving us the fishy eyeball!
Jar of Love Stamp Set; Whisper White & Pool Party CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Pool Party, Night of Navy & Merry Merlot Inks; Everyday Jars Framelits; Night of Navy Enamel Dots; #FusionTropicalFish.

Back to Basics #20 is pulling out another oldie but goodie - salt technique!
It's so funny, my main experience with salt techniques is actually with silk painting - such cool effects come from the distortion of color you get when you add it to a wet area - and it works just as well on paper, too!  I decided to go for a bright sunshine-y card today - I see so much snow in the news elsewhere in the country, maybe we could all use a bit of Arizona out there!  I started with a panel of watercolor paper, so I could get it nice and water-saturated.  I sprinkled on some Yellow Brusho Crystals, along with a few touches of Orange, and then quick hit it with some coarse salt.  I went and had a snack while I waited for it to dry, lol.  I'm happy with the result!  I finished with a "dazzling" sentiment and some cool Mango shades - bring on the rays!
Pocketful of Sunshine Stamp Set; Watercolor, Whisper White, Basic Black & Mango Melody CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Yellow & Orange Brusho Crystals; Salt; Layering Ovals & Pocket Framelits; Black Faceted Dots; #BBB020.

Thank You Cards Class Feb 7 & 9!
I don't know about you, but I ALWAYS need Thank You cards!  It's so handy to have a little stash on hand - and we have some gorgeous new sets for them right now, too!  Class will include all supplies needed for 6 cards and envelopes (bring your own snips and fave adhesive!), drinks, snacks and a special gift from me, all for $25!  Class could also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  Class is on for Thursday, Feb 7, at 630 pm, or, Saturday, Feb 9 at 3 pm!  RSVP now to save your spot today! 

So excited by this super cute sketch at Freshly Made Sketch #369 - such fun layers!
I couldn't resist pulling out our froggie SAB set again today - So Hoppy Together.  For this one, I added a crown for this prince, and put a lovely big congrats on the inside from yesterday's Well Said set - a lovely combo if I do say so myself, lol...  With all the green, I couldn't help adding a splash of Gorgeous Grape - we all know I'm a big purple-green freak!  A quick and simple card, finished with a few glitter enamel dots for an extra bit of shine - fit for a prince, lol...
So Hoppy Together & Well Said Stamp Sets; Granny Apple Green DSP; Whisper White, Lemon Lime Twist & Gorgeous Grape CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Lemon Lime Twist Stampin' Write Marker; Granny Apple Green Blend; Granny Apple Green Glitter Enamel Dots; #FMS369.

Birthdays Galore 2019!
I'm so excited to kick off our new Spring Occasions catalog with our annual Birthday Cards class!  We have so many fun new sets to play with!  This class will feature SIX cards and envelopes, all using stamps from our new Spring Mini and Sale-A-Bration catties!  There were just too many to choose from!  Come get a good start on having your birthday cards ready for the year!  All supplies provided, just bring your own snips and fave adhesive!  Class will be $25, and includes, drinks, snacks and a special gift from me!  This class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  Class is announced for Thursday, January 10 at 630 pm, or Saturday January 12 at 3 PM.  RSVP today to make sure I have your supplies ready and waiting for you!

Check out our wintry cardinal in this week's Sunday Stamps #195 color challenge!  Isn't she gorgeous??
Today I let the colors speak to me through another new stamp set I'm super excited about - Vibrant Vases!  I love it when we get to play with stamp sets made to go with framelits or punches we already have, as this one does - yippee!  This new vase set has new vases AND flowers for us to arrange, along with some lovely new sentiments as well - just right for saying SO much.
I can't wait to see what YOU make of our lovely colors this week - see you at the challenge!
Vibrant Vases Stamp Set; Whisper White & Smoky Slate CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Pool Party, Cajun Craze & So Saffron Inks; Vase Builder Punch; Basic Gray Shimmer Ribbon; #SSC195.

Another fun challenge from Back to Basics & Beyond #14 - use stencils or masks!
Confession time - I have but have NEVER used the Sweet Soiree Decorative masks - I loved that panel of delicate vines, though I never got the birthday set that went with the other mask, lol.  Today is the day I'm finally using it!  I decided they would be the perfect backdrop for our beautiful First Frost stamp set, that also comes with gorgeous and delicate dies - it's hard to not go too crazy with all the fun elements, lol.  After stenciling my mask, I tried to exercise some restraint on my leaves and flowers, and wound up with this gorgeous Congrats - Best Wishes inside!
First Frost Stamp Set; Whisper White, Vellum & Pear Pizzazz CS; Mossy Meadow, Merry Merlot & Pear Pizzazz Inks; Sweet Soiree Decorative Masks; Frosted Bouquet Framelits; Glimmer Enamel Dots; #BBB014.

I think Back to Basics #12's "inky backgrounds" will be a blast!  I LOVE to get messy!
Today's challenge was just what I needed to pull out my Brusho Crystal Colors, and "brush" them off for a little fun, lol.  I decided to work with a my heavier watercolor papers for this one, because I knew I wanted to really play with the "blooming" effect of the Brusho crystals.  This turned out to be a good call, as was the "messy board" I put down first.  Put a spritzer in my hand, and it just goes everywhere!  Anyway, I started with a heavy water spritz, and then tapped on blue and orange crystals, letting them bloom how they wanted, though I did add a few more water spritzes after the crystals on the corners.  I blotted any big drips with a tissue, then finished with my heat tool - too impatient to wait!  I decided some big Mango letters were the perfect finish, and I added a congrats on the inside - so fun!
Another Wonderful Year Stamp Set (inside); Very Vanilla & Blueberry Bushel CS; Watercolor Paper; Blueberry Bushel Ink; Large Letter Framelits; Maps Etc DEF; Jumbo Rhinestones; #BBB012.

I love our alpine colors this week at Sunday Stamps #187!  And I think I can do something fun with them for Global Design Project #154's pretty landscape sketch!
So, I suspect a theme for me whenever I spy Mint Macaron in a color challenge is going to be to run straight for the gorgeous First Frost suite, lol.  Seriously, I just can't get over the beautiful pearly papers in the Frosted Floral DSP!  I'm excited too by how the sketch allowed me to sneak some BRIGHT pops of color against my wintry background - I think I'll be filing this one in the wedding section - for real!
I can't wait to see your beautiful ideas with our colors - see you at SSC!
First Frost Stamp Set; Frosted Floral DSP; Whisper White & Tranquil Tide CS; Tranquil Tide, Mint Macaron, Real Red & Melon Mambo Inks; Frosted Bouquet Framelits; Real Red Solid Baker's Twine; #SSC187; #GDP154.

Ready for Fall Class Sep 13 & 15!
Time to start warming up for the cooler weather, and make some gorgeous Autumnal cards with our new harvest sets from the 2018 Holiday Catalog!  We have some beautiful suites to play with, and I'm pretty sure there will be a spooky treat in it for you, too!  We will make 5 cards, using all new products, celebrating the season and gratitude.  Class will include all supplies needed (bring your own snips and fave adhesive!) and will also include snacks, drinks and a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!   Classes are on for Thursday, Sep 13 at 630 pm, or Saturday, Sep 15 at 3 pm, chez Heroldt!  RSVP today to reserve your spot!

Yummy - Paper Players #406 has a cute "fruits and vegetables" challenge going this week!
As soon as I saw the challenge pic, I immediately leapt to the retired set Market Fresh, from 2015.  Did I still have it?  A quick rescue from the "for sale" box and I am on my way, lol.  This lettuce image is actually the one that originally caught my eye with this set - too cute!  Why-oh-why didn't we blends back then for coloring??  Because, I mean, look how perfect they are for it!!  I combined with a quick stamped-off background made with our upcoming Buffalo Check stamp - so excited to make any color background or check I want - the mind boggles.  I kept it otherwise quick and simple - gotta stay CAS!
Market Fresh (retired, 2015) & Buffalo Check Stamp Sets; Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black & Leon Lime Twist Inks; Lt & Dk Granny Apple Green Blends; Brights Sequins in Green; #PP406.

Pumpkin Club August 25!
Did you get your August Pumpkin kit yet?  Prepare for bliss!  Check out the video HERE!
I hope you can join us for our next Pumpkin Club, Saturday, August 25, 3 pm, chez Heroldt - RSVP to let me know you are coming! 
Club is free for my subscribers, and includes any extra supplies you might need, drinks and snacks!  I also have ONE extra kit on hand for $20 if you'd like to check it out!
Remember to subscribe here if you haven't already - sign up by September 10 and you can join us in time for next month!

We have a super cute sketch at Fab Friday #143 this week - and I couldn't wait to get started!
Treehouse Adventure looked so darn cute in the catty I finally just caved and got it - doesn't everyone wish they had a cool treehouse??  Especially one in very cool University of Arizona colors??  Lol.  That's right, my bug leaves for dorm move-in at UA in two weeks, and we 're all pretty psyched for her!  I'm trying to tell myself we won't have an empty nest - she'll just be camped out in a different treehouse!!  OK, I know that's pretty goofball, but I plan on stashing this baby in her room before we take off.  I'm only a little freaked out!  I swear!
Can't wait to see YOUR creations - see you at the challenge!
Treehouse Adventure & Labeler Alphabet Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Pool Party, Real Red & Night of Navy CS; Crumb Cake, Granny Apple Green, Early Espresso, Night of Navy & Real Red Inks; Stitched Shapes Framelits; Up & Away Thinlits; #FabFri143.

All About the Stamparatus Class Aug 9 & 11!
This class will include SIX (I just got so excited!) mixed occasion cards that all feature how to get the most out of our amazing new tool, the Stamparatus!  You will never go back, lol.  Every card will use a fun new stamp set from our still new 2018-19 Idea Book & Catalog, so you can play with as many fun sets as possible!  All supplies provided and prepped, as usual (bring your own snips and fave basic adhesive) plus snacks, drinks, and a special gift from me!  Class is $25, or can be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  Classes are on for Thursday, August 9 at 630 pm, or Saturday August 11 at 3 pm.  RSVP today to save your spot!

WOW, Hand Stamped Sentiments #294 is bringin' the pink with their inspiration challenge this week!
I'm not really known as a pink person, lol, but luckily, at my downline Sarah's Summer Crafting Retreat, I was able to borrow from her stash - and she's totally a pink person, lol!  I quickly pulled her Lilypad Lake - I really wanted to play with those water lines, and I ended up making a whole background sheet for a few little birds.  I think these are really supposed to be cranes, but what the hey, I think cranes can be cute flamingos, too!
Lilypad Lake Stamp Set; Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Tranquil Tide & Lemon Lime Twist CS; Memento Tuxedo Black & Melon Mambo Inks; Petal Pink, Pink Pirouette & Flirty Flamingo Blends; Tropical Thinlits; Melon Mambo Enamel Shapes; #HSS294.