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.

We're back again at Fab Friday #142 with some gorgeous new colors to play with - and I decided to try mine in this layered sketch from As You See It #180!
So, I can not tell a lie - this was HARD!  I have to admit that secret thoughts to throw out the sketch, or call in sick to my Fab Friends crept in a couple times, lol.  But I kept at it, and tweaked and jiggled, til I landed on something I could live with.  Especially after AYSI said to take HUGE liberties!  My kinda gig!  My main problem I do admit was insisting on trying to work in our upcoming limited-time-only set Blended Seasons.  I'm fresh off of working it into our Christmas in July class, and I was ready for more!  Maybe next time not for a color challenge, lol.
Can't wait to see what YOU come up with - see you at the challenge!
Blended Seasons Stamp Set; Tranquil Textures DSP; Powder Pink, Tranquil Tide & Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Tranquil Tide, Powder Pink, Mint Macaron & Mossy Meadow Inks; Stitched Seasons & Stitched Labels Framelits; Mint Macaron Twine; Banner Triple Punch; Fancy Frost Sequins (retired); #FabFri142; #AYSI180.

Catch Up Classes Available July 21!
Oopsie!  Did you miss something you still want to make up?  Well, this day is for you!  Come any time, all day, on Saturday, July 21, for your chance!  I'd love for you to visit with me at Sarah's 2018 Summer Craft Retreat, at the Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree!  I'll have FIVE classes available for you to make up - just let me know which ones you're interested in!  This will be your chance to check out the fun at retreat, too - maybe next year you'll join us for the weekend!
Available classes:  March 2018, Bubbles & Raindrops, 2 seats; April 2018, Man Cards 2018, 3 seats; May 2018, Picnic With You & Barn Door Class, 3 seats; June 2018, New Catty Intro, 4 seats; July 2018, Christmas in July 2018, 2 seats.  All classes include all supplies (bring your own snips & fave adhesive) and a special gift from me, all for $25 each!  Classes can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more per class!  RSVP today!

Sketchin' on the slant this week at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #372!  What's your angle?
Lol.  Today is a pig day for me, with This Little Piggy coming out to play!  I kept bright Spring-y colors front and center, with lots of shimmer and sparkle, too.  "cause that's what pigs do - get their glimmer on, lol.  I started with this flowery sheet from the pearly Share What You Love collection - not sure why this color is so hard to match - it seems not quite Grapefruit to me.  Lemon Lime Twist seemed like a fun color to combine with, especially with my striped ribbon!  A little glitter on the wings and she's ready to fly!  Can't wait to see YOUR creations!
This Little Piggy Stamp Set; Share What You Love DSP; Whisper White & Lemon Lime Twist CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Nude Blend Marker; Dazzling Diamonds Glitter; Iridescent Sequins; Mini Striped Ribbon in Lemon Lime Twist; #TSOT372.

Christmas in July 2018!
It's once again the most wonderful time of year - for Christmas in July!  This is your chance to get started early on your Christmas planning, and check out the beautiful new holiday suites available in our new 2018-19 Idea Book and Catalog, and a look at some favorite returning sets as well!  As always, I'll be ready with the sleigh bells!  Class will feature 5 holiday cards, and will include all your supplies (bring your own snips and fave adhesive), snacks, drinks and a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  RSVP today to save your spot, for either Thursday, July 12 at 630 pm, or Saturday, July 14 at 3 pm, or contact me for make-up dates!  You don't want to miss it!

Happy happy Friday!  Time for Fab Friday #141!
For this week, I really wanted to try and stick to the SCALE of our super-cute sketch (get, it, SCALE???  I crack myself up!) so out came the smallest jar from my beloved Jar of Love set - my little fishy needed some swim time!  I paired it up with a smidge of our gorgeous Tranquil Textures DSP, and a few glimmery accessories - I tried not to go TOO crazy, but you know I have a hard time with that, lol.  Just keep swimming!
Jar of Love Stamp Set; Tranquil Textures DSP; Whisper White & Crumb Cake CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Balmy Blue (stamped off) & Pumpkin PIe Inks; Seaside EF; Everyday Jars Framelits; Banner Triple Punch; Glitter Enamel Dots in palest Dapper Denim (retired); Glitter Ribbon in Pool Party; #FabFri141.

Christmas in July 2018!
It's once again the most wonderful time of year - for Christmas in July!  This is your chance to get started early on your Christmas planning, and check out the beautiful new holiday suites available in our new 2018-19 Idea Book and Catalog, and a look at some favorite returning sets as well!  As always, I'll be ready with the sleigh bells!  Class will feature 5 holiday cards, and will include all your supplies (bring your own snips and fave adhesive), snacks, drinks and a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  RSVP today to save your spot, for either Thursday, July 12 at 630 pm, or Saturday, July 14 at 3 pm, or contact me for make-up dates!  You don't want to miss it!

You know, tic-tac-toe challenges are really starting to grow on me, and so I'm now psyched to try it retro style at this week's Retro Rubber #89!
It took me a little bit to pick my row, and I finally landed on watercoloring-patterned paper-congrats - I just did an easel and a baby card so I pretty much ran down the vertical middle, lol.  Next I went shopping on the retired shelves for a good congrats and came across this 2016 SAB set Sky Is the Limit - I haven't been able to let it go yet!  I thought I might have some cloudy DSP to help out, too, and I did!  A quick aqua-painter watercolor wash background and I assembled my pieces - good times!
Sky Is the Limit Stamp Set (retired-2016); Sweet Lil Things DSP; Pool Party, Watercolor Paper & Very Vanilla CS; Pool Party & Memento Tuxedo Black Inks; Banner Triple Punch; Pool Party Sequins (from some Paper Pumpkin or other, lol, I keep all my little leftover baggies in a jar on my desk!); #RR89.