Packed With Love, Hero Arts

Hi everyone! I am sharing some really fun cards today from the new Packed with Love release from Hero Arts. This post is PACKED with inspiration!

If you know me, you know I love creating cards with an ocean theme, so when Hero Arts invited me and I saw this wicked fun sardine theme, I was all in! Not only did it immediately make me smile, but it was also the perfect excuse to get a head start on a Valentine card for Chris… because he LOVES sardines 😉

I created this small set of cards using Distress Watercolor Pencils along with Distress Paints to build up those layered, watery ocean backgrounds. I love mixing these two mediums together, they play so nicely and add great depth and texture while still keeping things loose and organic.

Of course, no card of mine is complete without a little sparkle! I added Distress Rock Candy Glitter for subtle shimmer and finished off a few details with Glossy Accents to give the sardines and accents a shiny, dimensional look.

These cards were such a joy to make, and they’re a fun reminder that handmade Valentines don’t always have to be hearts and flowers, sometimes a quirky theme makes them even more special 💙

All of the supplies are linked at the bottom of this post.

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I added extra dimension to this card by creating a 3-D sardine tin, curling and popping the lid back so it looks like they’re packed right inside the can. The layered pieces and curved lid give the tin a fun, realistic feel, almost like you could reach in and grab a sardine! It’s such a simple way to add interest and really make the focal point stand out.

For this card, I stamped and heat embossed the images, then watercolored them to keep the colors vibrant and crisp. I created a simple watercolor wash for the background, layering blues and pinks to give it a fun ocean feel. To finish it off, I added a touch of Stickles to the party hats for just the right amount of sparkle and birthday fun ✨🎉

For this card, I used Distress Paints on the background stamp, spritzing with water to create a more fluid, watercolor look. I stamped and heat embossed the images, then watercolored them with Distress Watercolor Pencils for rich, layered color. To finish it off, I added Distress Rock Candy Clear, which gives the fish that fun, sparkly texture and subtle shine.

For this card, I primarily used Distress Watercolor Pencils directly on the stamps, which gives the images a loose, painterly feel. For the mermaid’s body, I switched to Distress Oxide ink to make sure the shape stayed nice and crisp. I finished things off with a few favorite details, a touch of Glossy Accents on her shell top, Distress Rock Candy Clear on her tail, and Stickles on her crown and balloon for extra sparkle and shine ✨

These ocean-inspired cards were such a joy to create, and I love how mixing different Distress mediums adds so much texture and personality to each design. I hope they inspire you to play, experiment, and maybe even try a quirky theme for your next handmade card. Thanks so much for stopping by, and as always, happy creating! 💙🐟✨

Cardmaking Supplies Used:

The cardmaking supplies I used are linked below. Click on the picture, and you will be taken to the product. I use affiliate links when available, which means if you make a purchase, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support!