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A Blog Named Hero Blog Hop

Hello Friends, It’s Day 26. of “The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge” AND today is a hop to celebrate the fifth anniversary of  … A Blog Named Hero! To start at the beginning of the hop go to A Blog Named Hero. Also you will find the full hop list in case you encounter any broken links.

Every five year celebration brings wonderful things… like great prizes!! The hop will take place over two days and there are different giveaway prizes to be won each day … more details about today’s prizes in a bit.

You might wonder my relationship with A Blog Named Hero? I would say it’s a mutual love for Hero Arts and through that I was lucky enough to have them ask me to be a guest on occasion & I am super excited to be celebrating their 5th Anniversary!! Woo Hoo

Today I have a video, a set of cards and a bonus card. Let’s get started …. Click here to watch the video in HD.

Hero Arts “Layering Koi” is one of my favorite layering stamps especially since it’s great for the men in our lives. This large “hugs” die cut is perfect to take center stage on your card & I love it when you can poke an image though one of the letters.

These came together quickly for me so I was able to  make a card set. (not counting the cutting but, I didn’t have the Koi die cut & in this case I really recommend it) I used this stencil for the background and it’s the same one on the card below.

Once my card was finished I added glossy accents to part of the embossing on the body. Then I added two coats of glossy on the Koi’s  head and eyes. Dots of glossy were added to the bubbles. (sequins just didn’t look right)

More embossing on my second card but, on vellum this time …. add a layer of dimension with vellum to mimic a koi pond and I am here to tell you that you can use only one layer of the popular “Layering Koi” if you don’t have a lot of time.

I die cut the “happy” three times with some red cardstock and glued them together. The birthday is from this stamp set that I often reach for. The happy is kinda suspended on the birthday but, it worked.

Under the vellum I stamped a few of the layers of the koi but, not all. To get more movement I used this stencil.  The water droplets in 6mm & 4mm were glued on with some matt medium. When the background was finished I stamped the 2nd layer of the koi with a layering ink and used clear embossing powder. It really does look cool in person and my 25 year old gave it his stamp of approval.

These are the inks I used for the background. I used two of the four layers of the koi on the background.

GIVEAWAY INFO: A Blog Named Hero “is so thankful for our wonderful sponsors and collaborating companies!  Several companies decided to help us celebrate our fifth anniversary with giveaways and they were so generous that we decided to spread the love over both hop days with different prizes to be won each day!  Giveaway prizes total more than $500!  To win, leave a comment on each hop stop.  We will select winners randomly from different blogs so the more blogs you visit each day, the greater your chances of winning!  And be sure to visit the Saturday post from A Blog Named Hero for the list of Saturday hoppers and prizes!  Comments must be left before 11:59 PM EDT on Tuesday, March 28th and winners will be announced on March 30th.”

Today’s prizes include the following: 

HOW ABOUT A GIVEAWAY FROM ME: WIN A goodie bag chock full of stamps and some other goodies. I will pick a random winner from my You Tube Subscribers and announce at the end of the 30 day coloring challenge. 

Good luck and happy hopping!!**

Next on the hop is a special company Winnie & Walter.  Thank YOU for your visit today and always. See you tomorrow and have a great day. Hugs, Kathy

CARD SUPPLIES AND LINKS: Affiliate links are used depending on the products.


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Comments

  3. Rica says

    Thank you for sharing! Loved the koi set since it came out and it’s always nice to see new ways of using it!

  4. Barb says

    Love both cards but the second card is so awesome, thanks for all the wonderful ideas. I am also enjoying the color challenge, so far I have only had to miss one day. I have been trying new techniques, some good and some not so good but always fun.

  11. Kathy L says

    Kathy, those koi are amaaaazzzing!!! I have never used Distress Inks with layering stamps, but what a beautiful result! Thank you so much for your creations and Happy 5th Anniversary to A Blog Named Hero!

  12. Rowena M. says

    Ooohhh!!! Love how you showcased the Koi Fish stamp ❤it’s getting harder to resist on not buying this set! Lol!!!

  15. Liz Mcallister says

    I love the card with the vellum. Wondering if stamping on acetate and using layers would look like water. Maybe even a shaker…..

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      Great idea! Only way to know is to try!!! If you do be sure to share it on IG so we can see! 🙂

  17. Avra Williams says

    I love all the details in these cards! Especially the little guy poking through the “hugs” and the vellum layer. Thanks for some great ideas!

  18. Nora says

    Oh WOW!! I love both of your cards. I like the fun hugs on the first card as the center piece and the way you used the vellum over the stamped background on the second card. I also like the fun sentiment layering. Thanks for the inspiration!!

  23. Becky says

    Beautiful cards. I have the koi set ordered, but haven’t gotten it yet. Now I can’t wait!

  27. Charlanne says

    I agree that weaving the koi through the words really makes the card. Nice new idea for me.

  30. Kelly Horn says

    I liked how you were able to layer it to get one knock and use it without the layer to get another .

  32. Carol H. says

    Totally love both cards!! The koi on the first card looks so lifelike with the embossing and flossy accents!! You really come up with the most unique designs too!! Love them!

  33. Kelly Horn says

    I liked how you were able to layer it to get one look and use it without the layer to get another .

  34. Mary Holshouser says

    Your koi are so pretty.
    Love the one with the tail wrapped into and out of the
    sentiment.
    I have to get that set. Have several of their other
    layering sets but never got that one. My mistake.
    thanks for sharing.

  35. Sarah Mahon says

    I love vellum, but rarely use it in my cards. I love your coy pond card!!! Time to get out my vellum and try something new.

  36. Neesey Gebalski says

    Luv this set of cards. I’m on the fence about this set . The die that gives the fish scales really caught my eye. The second card is equally beautiful. TFS

  38. BunnyD says

    The vibrant Koi weaving through your letters is my favourite! What stunning colours. It’s a gorgeous image too work with.

  39. Laurie DiGregorio says

    Love these cards, and all of the great dimension! I have to say that my favorite part is how you entwined the tail of the koi into the cutout! You never seem to run out of ideas, and I want to copy all of them, lol! Thanks again for all of your inspiration! 🙂

  43. Andrea D. says

    I love your set of cards. I’m always struggling with ideas for more masculine cards. I just might have to get this stamp set. What a great touch—layering the fish tail within the letters.

  44. Mary Ann Evans says

    Gorgeous! Thanks for always sharing your talent and a chance to win the give away.

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      You must leave a comment on the YouTube to be enetered in the giveaway, FYI!

  54. Gretchen N says

    I really love the koi set. Those cards are fantastic, you show how fun and classic the set can be. How versatile it is! Well done!

  55. Joan says

    Your cards just keep getting better and better. Those colors are just amazing on the Koi cards…love the Navy blue…yum.

  58. Sheri says

    You always do a great job but I especially like the velum over the other fish. Looks like that are really swimming!

  62. Michele says

    Amazing Kathy, I don’t care for the fish set, personally, but you’ve made it so adorabke wrapping the tail into the word ‘hugs’! That bright orange embossing powder and your glossy accents are such great touches. Love your videos!!!

  67. Mary W says

    WOW, this koi looks beautiful – can’t wait to try it with my set. Thanks for the video, also.

  69. Helen says

    Two great cards. The techniques you shared in your video and the written tutorial are so helpful. I know I’ll be using them in future cards. What better way to celebrate the Hero blog!?

  70. Dona Green says

    Love that you showcased the same set in two different designs. HA has such great layering sets. Thanks for sharing such wonderful, unique ideas!

  71. Mary W says

    The velum on the second card makes the koi underneath look like they are underwater. I LOVE the first card with the tail swishing around the sentiment. WOW!

  73. Laura Buehler says

    Both cards are awesome. I don’t think Koi fish are ugly, but you are right that they have lots of splotches in their natural coloring. I really like how the tail of the fish goes through the hugs opening.

  74. Mary W says

    The velum on the second card makes the koi underneath look like they are underwater. So cool! I LOVE the first card with the tail swishing around the sentiment. WOW!

  77. Debbie B says

    You are right! He is an ugly fish but you made him beautiful with the colors that you used. That dark blue with the splash of orange is absolutely perfect! Tied it all together with the orange behind the die cut word! I LOVE it! I like your 2nd card even more with the embossing on the vellum koi! Fantastic! Loving this blog hop with all this talent and inspiration! Thanks for sharing yours!

  80. Monika/buzsy says

    Oh, I love these koi fish cards Kathy! Each one is a treasure… the layered images are amazing along with the die! I want that set! You make it look so good! 🙂

  81. Kristina CraftyPaws says

    I don’t know how you do it time and again, but your card designs just blow me away! Fabulous cards and so inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us. xoxo, Kristina

  82. Marcia Scantlin says

    The blue koi with the orange is such a striking and unusual combination. It’s one you won’t forget seeing.

  86. Tracy A says

    Your coloring of the blue and orange Koi is stunning. You never cease to amaze. As always, thank you for including the video. For those of us new to stamping and coloring, they are so very helpful.

  87. Jennifer K says

    Fantastic cards Kathy, I love how you added the orange embossing as the last layer of the Koi, it really looks incredible and the glossy accent bubbles were the perfect finishing touch! On your second card I can see the clear embossing on the Koi and it looks awesome, it really gives the Koi texture and he looks wet. Loved your video, thank you for all the inspiration.

  88. Maaike Uijthoven says

    bought that stampset as my father keeps kois in his garden and wasn;t really sure how to stamp them, which colors but your video gave me some great ideas, with the embossing. Also love the blue one on the vellum, might be all the stamping you need, thanks for sharing

  96. Jan Mancini says

    LOVE what you did with the 3D fish and threading through the HUGS! Going to have to try that one! Thanks so much. You always produce such great cards!

  101. bev p says

    Oh,WOW,again. You continue to surprise and amaze me. I love the look of these fish(actually all the layering stamps). And I am always impressed by your coloring.

  102. Stef White says

    As always, your videos do a fantastic job of breaking techniques down for this beginner. I really want to try the negative die cut words and now i know why yours looks great, foam tape! You are an inspiration to me, thank you!

  106. paperpicnic says

    Your card set is spectacular, Kathy!! I adore the way the fish tails are nestled into the die cut sentiment! Brilliant and beautiful!

  110. Madi says

    Kathy, I always love your cards and I definitely loved this one! I also love all your colouring challenges!

  111. Alexandra says

    Amazing cards Kathy! I love the colors and I love how you added the orange embossing as the last layer of the Koi. Thanks for sharing!

  112. Lieve S says

    Beautiful cards !!
    Funny how the tail is “swimming” around the “hugs-letters” !
    Thank you for sharing your talent in the video.
    Warm Birthday greetings (it’s mine today as well) from Belgium,
    Lieve

  113. Marianne says

    Fun cards, Kathy. I see you are still enjoying the twine lol. Thanks for the tip about getting into the nooks and crannies for the outline. I hadn’t thought of that yet.
    Marianne x

  115. Linda says

    absolutely love your videos and your creativity! Such beautiful cards. You bring the Koi alive. Thanks for sharing!!

  117. Mary Lee Makinen says

    Very beautiful cards. I love the extra cut out and background. It adds so much depth and interest to the card.

  119. Tracy Lustick says

    Kathy everything you touch turns to beauty ! Happiness always on your 5 year anniversary to a blog called hero !

  120. Helen Montgomery says

    Love the Koi stamp set and the beautiful card you made using it. Thank you for your creativity.

  121. Sharon Roselli says

    Once again your talent is amazing. Love the fish they are so vibrant. Great cards.

  126. Jean Maxwell says

    Love the card, the goldfish looks great. I like how you used it with the hugs diecut

  128. Barbara F. says

    These are both beautiful, but the koi pond is exceptional! I will be pinning this for inspiration! Thank you for sharing and for the tutorial, too.

  129. Debbie Meyer says

    I love using dies. I like how you’ve used them to give depth and texture. Thank you for all the ideas

  131. El Difani Ivens says

    Beautiful cards. Love that fish. Thanks for the inspiration and participation in this blog.

  135. Doreen says

    Thanks Kathy! Love the use of distress inks combined with embossing powder on the fish.

  138. Jane Sirak says

    Very nice! I am always looking for ways to use the vellum I think it is so pretty but I don’t always know how to work with it. Love your 30 day challenge KATHY and to team up with this blog hop it’s a no-brainer!

  140. Joanne Miller says

    It was fun to see how you incorperated the embossing powder and glossy accents. Great ideas.

  143. Michele says

    Kathy, your color combinations always astound me. They work so well and they are never what I would envision. Thanks for the inspiration and a chance to win. Take care!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      You have to comment on the YouTube video, to be entered to win the giveaway. FYI!

  146. jane harrah says

    Well, I do have to say that I don’t see the beauty in koi but you certainly managed to make them look great! Such beautiful colors. Both cards are amazing. Love how you twirled that little tail and popped everything up so nice. Thant really makes the whole card come together perfectly.

  150. Laurie Page says

    Great mix of stenciled background with the Koi. And how clever to tuck the tails among the letters.

  153. Carolyn Roberds says

    Love your cards and always love your coloring – congratulations to the ladies on their 5 years. I must say though that this has been one of the best blog hops that I have ever been on.

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      That is so nice of you to say, Carolyn. Puts a huge smile on my face. SO happy you’ve enjoyed the hop! 🙂

  156. Cyndi Morris says

    I think this is the cutest koi fish I’ve ever seen! Beautiful colors, beautiful card.

  159. jag says

    The koi and hugs card is fabulous! I like the interaction of the fish and “hugs”. I also like the way you used vellum for dimension in the koi pond.

  163. Linda Duensing says

    Your card is absolutely beautiful and love all the colors. Thanks for sharing.

    Linda D.

  164. Jaycee Cooper says

    The koi’s are stunning on the first set of cards and I love them with the cutout. I really like the layout of the 2nd set as well.

  165. BabsLouie says

    Love the koi swimming out of the word ‘HUGS’. So pretty! Thank you so much for sharing this!

  167. barbara lassiter says

    Beautiful card and coloring. You’ve taken that Koi stamp to new heights! 🙂

  171. Rachel Vass says

    Fabulous cards – I love how you have poked the fish tail through the letters. Simple yet stunning.

  177. Teresa Doyle says

    Great cards Kathy but also great tips here. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win a goodie bag!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      You have to comment on the YouTube video, to be entered to win the giveaway. FYI!

  178. Lisaerica says

    Stunning Kathy! Those layered blues are gorgeous. I’m not a big orange fan but this combo is beautiful. Just hopped back over from watching your video. Your work is sooo inspiring, even on days that I’m not motivated you get me to get in that craft room to make something. Thanks for sharing your incredible talent. Happy Anniversary A Blog Named Hero!

  180. Caroline B says

    Love your attention to detail with these projects, Kathy. You really showcased the versatility of these fish stamps. Love knowing even one layer looks good. I also like the concept of “fish hugs!”

  181. Linda Grady says

    Neat image for a masculine card. I esp. like the vellum look to resemble water; very creative. Great backgrounds.

  184. Billie A says

    Wonderful card. I love the colors of the fish and really awesome idea his tail in between the letter. I love that fish. You made a plain fish beautiful.

  187. Michelle Hackett says

    I love these cards. I love all the little details you put into all of your cards. So much talent. Thank you for all your inspiration.

  189. Anne Sturgeon says

    These koi are amazing. It is just like peering into a fish pond. I just love them both. Plus, wonderful colors. You just amaze me with your energy, wow.

  192. Kleri F says

    Very nice cards!Although I am not a big fan of fish, I admit this stampset is fantastic!
    Thank you for the inspiration and the hop.
    Happy 5th Anniversary to ABNH!

  193. E Nelson says

    Your Koi cards are beautiful. I got the layering Peacock, but now I need this, too!

  195. Jeannie B says

    All I can say is WOW! I loved the first card but the second is even more amazing. I have looked at that Koi stamp and passed it up thinking I wouldn’t ever use it, but with these ideas, I think I just might have to have it. Perfect for guy’s cards that I have trouble coming up with ideas. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity.

  198. Lisa Stein says

    Kathy, these are gorgeous. I absolutely love the colors you chose, and tucking his tail? Perfection!

    Thanks so much for helping us celebrate at A Blog Named Hero! You’ve always been so generous with your time and talents and we appreciate you.

  199. Daria says

    Thank you for the video showing how you made the first card. It turned out beautifully. I loved the addition of the bubbles. Funny how such a small detail can make such a big difference. Your second card is my favorite–simply stunning.

  208. Mitzi says

    I really like the first card with the koi swimming out of the word. I also like it because you gave me another idea for that stencil. I have only used it as blue water! Love the colors you used!

  212. Karen Gerek says

    Both cards are full of texture and depth and are so different from each other. Gorgeous details. So much inspiration from these cards.

  213. Conil says

    You’ve made that koi swim right into my heart…don’t know why I haven’t bought this set yet. Must be a brain fart. As always, your coloring is magical but these two card are spectacular.

  214. Barbara S. says

    Thanks for the video. I loved the way you fussy cut the koi, rather than using a die. Your card is delightful.

  222. Julia D. says

    Wonderful cards! Love all the vibrant colors you chose. In the first one I love how the fish tail goes into the die cut! Thank you for the chance to win!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      You have to comment on the YouTube video, to be entered to win the giveaway. FYI! 🙂

  224. Jil L says

    I love your Koi cards! They are so beautiful. I just love all of the extra touches like the orange embossing powder & the glossy accents. You always know just the right little touches to put your cards over the edge. Jil

  230. Karen Page says

    Love the cards! Especially love how you tucked the tails through the die cut words! This stamp set always reminds me of when I lived in FL and my hubby and I had a koi pond in our front landscaping. Lasted years until suddenly the koi started disappearing. Not dying.. disappearing. Finally figured it out when I woke up to find a big crane *eating* out of my pond. We stopped stocking it with expensive fish after that but you still had to keep fish in it to keep it from breeding mosquitoes and frogs… oh, the frogs! That is a story for another day! 😉

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      Oh my goodness! Maybe you need the koi stamp to substitute for the actual koi pond! LOL 🙂

  239. cynthia link says

    Love the hugs sentiment on such a great colored card! Great job on the background of the fish card. Choice colors!

  246. Laurie says

    That embossing on the vellum is so cool and i love the fish tail poking through the die cut. As always, your projects are so inspiring!

  251. Manda says

    Beautiful cards! you cut the first koi out?! wow! I love how its tail is tucked into the sentiment.

  252. Kathy Mitman says

    How realistic those cards are, your inspiration has me putting another thing on my ‘to buy’ list!

  253. Gloria Peterson says

    Layered up koi and layered up happy makes for some great cards! I’m glad that so many crafters can help celebrate ABNH and their fifth anniversary.

  261. Cindy says

    The Koi in the first card was so real like in colors (at least the ones I have seen). Looks fantastic for both.

  263. Tami B says

    I have that HUGS die on order and according to tracking, I should have it tomorrow, so thanks for showing a great example using it. I love the fish stamped on the vellum.

  265. Rosemary Lare says

    I really like this card . I had never saw a Koi fish stamp before now which would make a great Man card. Keep up the good work!

  272. Lindsey-NY says

    Really enjoyed the Koi swimming through the hug! I love photographing and drawing Koi fish.

  273. Lindsey-NY says

    I love photographing and drawing Koi fish. Really enjoyed the Koi swimming through the hug!

  275. Becky Dunham says

    Gorgeous cards Kathy! The more I see the layering Koi the more I know I need to have them! Thanks for the video – I can use all the help I can get when it comes to great techniques!

  276. Mary-Anne V. says

    I love your Koi cards. I especially love how you intertwined the tail in the hugs sentiment.

  277. Barb macaskill says

    ❤️ these cards! Hero Arts Koi color layering stamps and dies have been on my wish list for a while and I finally preordered it from SSS and am awaiting its arrival, can’t wait to get it and play around creating lots of cards and as wall hanging piece that is dying to get out of my mind.
    So hard to believe that the color challenge is almost over and I have been able to color every day during it this time around.
    See you tomorrow!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      You will love the layering stamps! Have fun playing with them when they arrive!

  286. Diane Bakehouse says

    I love that you used distress inks to stamp the koi. They looked great! Two fantastic card designs.

  293. Kathy Sinnamon says

    What a beautiful stamp set. The vellum card is my favorite. I love the bright images and the ones muted by the vellum. Thanks for sharing.

  294. Meghan Peterson says

    These cards are stunning as always!! The level of detail you put in is amazing, and you make these beautiful stamps look even more incredible. Thanks so much for sharing your talents and this inspiration!

  296. Julie Quin says

    Wow! they layering of the koi stamps on the cards and the colours you chose look superb! thank you for doing the video, that is a huge commitment which is really helpful.

  300. Ellen Cooper says

    These cards are awesome! I love everything about them…especially the crisp graphic look and the color combo 🙂

  305. Pam Dunbar says

    Great cards! I really like the background. The embossed koi on the vellum is beautiful.

  308. Pam Lindaman says

    I’m excited…..I recently bought that koi stamp set and have yet to use them. Thanks for the ideas, love your cards!

  310. Deborah Kaye says

    Your cards are beautiful! I love that the koi’s tail goes through the word cut out.

  320. Carol Ann says

    GORGEOUS cards! I love color layering stamps…they help me pretend that I can color like you!!

  321. Carolyn Pokorney says

    I also love Hero Arts “Layering Koi” seems there is so many options to do great cards… love how you used The large “hugs” die cut is perfect to take center stage on your card & I love it when you can poke an image though one of the letters

  323. Kelly Santi says

    Absolutely stunning ! These Koi fish have literally made me swoon! Tomorrow is my birthday and I know your cards today have convinced me that now I absolutely need them!! 🙂 thank you for sharing your works of art !

  325. Jo says

    WOW! Kathy these are all fantastic!!! You did an AMAZING job! They look so realistic!
    WOW… the colors… the look of action and movement… so so beautiful! Please don’t forget that I host “always anything goes” challenges every Friday with lots of prizes and companies sponsoring me. Would love for you to join and check it out!
    Hugs,
    Jo
    ♥ Jo’s Scrap Shack ♥

  326. Tanya Lochridge says

    Really fascinated with the technique here. Need to take a few more looks and then I’ll give it a try. When I first saw the koi stamp I liked it but wondered how I would use it…now I know! Thanks for sharing.

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      The koi set is so fabulous! It certainly will not disappoint! The layering is also so very forgiving, even for people who are beginners to layering stamps! Cannot recommend enough!

  327. Janelle H. says

    Great guy cards! The fish are just lovely. Love the way you put the tail through the die cut HUG.

  328. Loly Borda says

    Fabulous cards Kathy! I especially like the Second one, with the koi on vellum! Such a creative idea! TFS

  330. Carla Hundley says

    This bunch of cards
    are so cool looking!
    I’m a subscriber on
    your YouTube channel.
    Carla from Utah

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      Awesome Carla. Thank you for being a subscriber on my YouTube channel. You have to comment on this particular YouTube video, to be entered to win the giveaway. FYI!

  331. Vicenta Ghylin says

    Awesome cards. Love this Koi set. You did a fantastic job with the layering and backgrounds. Thank you for making the video and sharing your ideas and techniques.

  334. Melissa says

    First, let me say that I generally don’t like fish (to eat, to look at, to decorate with). But WOW! You have me rethinking my fish-hating attitude. You’ve done a fabulous job with this stamp! I love the depth and the detail in your koi cards! The detail work is truly stunning on your Hugs card. And the use of vellum on the next version is perfect. It gives your fishing a swimming under water look. I love them both!

  335. Chelle Lee says

    While I like both of your cards, I love the one with the vellum embossing. It creates such dimension with the rest of the Koi stamping.

  341. Karen Rice says

    A beautiful set of Koi HUGS!!! I love your ingenuity and style! Thanks for sharing today!

  345. Barbara Carlberg says

    Beautiful Koi you design for your card ..So many layers that just look pretty..Happy 5 th and Thank you for sharing..

  346. Pati L says

    Very cool, I really like your first Koi card with the Hugs Die! I like your colors of the Koi and your layers of glossy!

  350. Tracy says

    Kathy I love how you have made the colours pop ! Brilliant technique. Thanks for helping us celebrate x

  352. Aileen Ryan says

    Wow amazing number of comments, nothing like a blog hop to get us all motivated. Stunning cards Kathy, love those fish and how you have highlighted them.

  363. Linda F says

    Gorgeous cards. I love the way you have the koi swimming through the hugs. This stamp set is fabulous.

  371. Jennifer Ruby Matthews says

    love the Koi cards. Never really though about stamping and making something with them until I say this. Thanks Kathy.

  372. Eileen R says

    Kathy, I just love how playful your koi are! the layering is phenomenal and the one where the koi is swimming through the letters in HUGS is precious.

  375. sharon bessinger says

    Your fish is AMAZING, and I love how “hugs” is using the negative space. GORGEOUS card, the lime green colored background only enhances all your beautiful work perfectly!

  378. SusanME says

    Gorgeous color combination! You might call it simple, but it’s got so much dimension and detail – love it!

  380. Catherine Smith says

    Wow,I need to get this stamp set, thanks for sharing such beautiful creations 🙂

  385. Laura Peddicord says

    I love all the different color combinations in the cards. My favorite is the first one because you wrapped the fish’s tail through the Hugs. Great idea! Thank you very much for sharing.

  388. Daria Zender says

    Kathy, your card set is just beautiful! I’m not really a fan of the koi stamp set;however, your second card is just ah-mazing!! Definitely makes me look at that stamp set differently.

  397. Martha Berry says

    The koi are so beautiful! I love your coloring and use of vellum to simulate a real pond. Fabulous, Kathy!

  400. d idlet says

    Kathy, your cards are beautiful! Yes we all have a love for Hero Arts! So happy you came back to join in on the celebration.

  402. dloates2005 says

    Great idea for men’s cards! Love the colors! Hope tp post before 30 days challenge is up Had hand surgery so I’m as fast as a one armed paper hanger! with everything!!!!

  403. Z Sullivan says

    Wow! What an awesome tutorial. Embossing that last layer really makes the koi pop. TFS.

  410. Maureen Chandler says

    Gorgeous cards – your are amazingly talented! Thanks so much for all you share!!!

  412. Carolyn Carter says

    I like the way you’ve used the stamps multiple ways! I love the Happy Birthday card with the vellum. Reminds me of the time I lived in OR and my boss had a koi pond in his backyard. It was very beautiful and soothing.

  415. Denise Kasbohm says

    Beautiful. Your 1st card is so cute but the second one wowed me. Love your color combinations.

  417. Terry Simmons says

    You’ve given me inspiration! The koi set is one if my absolute favorite and I would not have thought to use it the way you have.

  426. Kaylene says

    Loving the vellum layer on top with the blue fish and water droplets. Great masculine card.

  427. Christy Q says

    Wow, Kathy, I am speechless now. You blew me away with your cards today – up until now the koi was not on my wish list. Now I feel like I must get it and soon! LOL I always thought it was too fussy for my tastes, but having seen how you used it two different ways – I’m sold! 🙂

  429. Teresa C says

    Terrific cards, Kathy!! Love the layering stamps, the vellum and the die cuts!! Wonderful design!!

  431. Rocio says

    Loving this card and how amazing the coy look. Thanks for the inspiration and thank you for the 30 day color challenge. Although I have not photographed my coloring, I love that I can color and get creative and decompress from a busy day.

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      So happy you’ve enjoyed the challenge and made time for YOU every day! 🙂

  434. Melissa B. says

    Beautiful cards Kathy! I love how you used such unusual colors for the koi fish, I’d never have come up with the color combos you did!

  437. Mary says

    Your cards are among my favorites! I am partial to sea life, fish, animals!! The koi pond is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

  438. Kimberly Rendino says

    Such amazing projects, as always, Kathy! So glad you could join us for the A BLog Named Hero hop!

  441. Susan Wareham says

    wonderful cards as always Kathy, and what a great hope I am so behind must keep hoping

  443. Marie says

    I haven’t tried stamping on vellum but now I will have to. Those cards (and the koi) are fantastic!!

  446. Paula Fuller says

    You are the best, Kathy. I love both cards, but the second is my favorite. This has been a very informative and inspirational blog hop. Well worth my time.

  448. 5911countess says

    Also love the Koi layered stamp set. Use it a lot — loved what you did with it. Congrats to the Blog on their anniversary.

  449. Rosali says

    Amazing cards! I know I always say this but I really find your color choices so inspiring because they are so different than my go to choices! TF inspiring, Kathy!!

  453. Starr Patrick says

    im not sure if im commenting on hero arts blog hop or the coloring challenge , but anyway your card is stunning as always thank you for sharing your great talent

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      This is The Daily Marker, the 30 day coloring challenge blog. Thank you for your kind words. 🙂

  460. Susan R K says

    Both cards have such wonderful ideas and techniques. The background is perfect to set off the koi – and the vellum is inspired. Thanks for sharing.

  464. Sharon Taylor says

    Relatively new to card making, have always scrap booked before, so thanks for all the wonderful inspiration!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      These layering stamps (there are other besides koi fish), from Hero Arts are perfecrt for beginners. They are super forgiving if you don’t stamp each layer directly on top. I highly recommend them! 🙂

  467. Irene says

    Awesome cards!! Great idea to use embossing powder for the third layer and I like that you tucked the tail into the “hugs!” Thanks for continuing to inspire me!!

  468. Monika Reeck says

    Oh Kathy
    STUNNINGGGGGG!!!
    I really love the way you colored or added the texture on the orange area of this fish
    so so adorable LOVE
    and second one also beautifully made miss Kathy
    Thanks for sharing all you colored on the 30 days Coloring Challenge
    Love your post always Kathy
    hugs from old HA Flickr Friend
    Monika

  470. Emily Griffiths says

    So very creative, love the use of the happy too I wouldn’t have though of layering that to get more height. Great tip

  472. Tanja S. says

    Very clever and unique cards, i love the Koi tail poking through the die cut letters!

  477. Debbie says

    Wow I love your color schemes for your cards today! Really rich… I could see these being for a male recipient.

  481. Swldebbie says

    Love how you have the fish “swimming in amongst the letters of your word die. Very clever!

  482. Lydia Lee says

    Love your cards! Amazing use of color and dimension! So beautiful! Thanks for the giveaways and inspiration!

  483. Robin Ridpath says

    Beautiful cards! I love how different they are using the same set. I love the embossed on vellum koi, swimming over the background koi, really neat.

  484. karenajo says

    Love this Koi layering stamp and your very creative cards ! The card with the vellum is especially great !

  490. Georgene T. says

    Love what you did with the layering sets. You are so talented…thank you for sharing!

  499. Jackie P. says

    Beautiful! Love your creativity. Nice to see something different. Love the bold colours!

  500. Lynn Violet says

    Really like your unique color combinations. I also love to see velum used on cards, I think it is such a wonderful type of paper.

  501. D.Ann C says

    Oh my goodness! Love your coy koi, especially with that tail tucked through the sentiment! Congrats to A Blog Named Hero on their 5th anniversary!

  502. Kristy says

    I love how you tried different colors for the fish that you may not normally think of. Great card(s)!

  506. Amy Seigler says

    I Love both of your cards! I raise koi fish and when I saw the first card I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing! These are great! Guess there’s something else I need to add to my wishlist now!

  507. KT Fit Kitty says

    I missed this hop but wanted to pop in to say that both of your cards are gorgeous! I just watched the video on the first card but the second card is so beautiful too – loving the vellum overlay and the koi in various colours.

  508. Danielle Vincent says

    Oh man is this ever fantastic! What a terrific stamp set! Loved your video on how you did this. I never thought to turn the image over to get those little nooks colored in (light bulb moment for me!). Thanks once again for the inspiration.

  510. Linda Davidson says

    The vellum and koi just go together! Such creative talent! Thanks for helping us celebrate!

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