Keep making

Some Like it HOT!

Erika L Hayes1 Comment

It is HOT in Arizona! (as I write this post it is 9:41 am and 103 degrees outside), When it is HOT what can you do but stay inside and craft! That’s just want I am doing.

Now, let’s talk about less is more.

When I was creating this card, I was really happy with how it came out and then I started adding cute little jungle animals to it from one of my favorite Lawn Fawn releases. This is from the Toucan Do It stamp set. (Toucan Do It) I had a little toucan on the ending loop of the “o” and a jaguar on the bottom edge and oh I added a cute lizard to the “H” loop to complete that visual triangle. It was cute. Then I took it off and said you know sometimes less is more. While those elements were cute, the truth is the sentiment shines (literally) better without the cute animals. It’s got lots of power so let it be the star.

I don’t know about you, but there are times when we need to just enjoy the simplicity of our work. Over detailing can lead to a clutter of items that look good together btu compete too much with each other and leave a piece overdone.

Remember, if you are struggling with placement of an embellishment or even a stamped image, Stop, take a look– even walk away or ask a trusted friend do I really need to add this? While you may be anxious to get to use that cute stamp set or embellishment it is okay to wait and use it on the next one.

Don’t forget you can shop here at The Craft Dash and at our Etsy store where I have a lot of retired stamp sets that I have decided need destash.

Have a great weekend!

Some Like it Hot….

Practice makes Progress!

Erika L Hayes

Fruity Friday

Erika L Hayes1 Comment

Friday was a long hot day here in Arizona. We got over 110 degrees. How do you beat the heat in Arizona? Stay inside and craft! This fun Hero Arts card was inspired by the yummy part of Summer. Bright, happy colors, fresh fruits, and delicious berries. I kept this one simple because that is how summer should be. Simple. It is part of the reason why people love this time of year. While outside activities happen in the desert happen after the sun goes down; it doesn’t stop us from enjoying summer too!

In Arizona, grapefruit are abundant. At almost every social gathering, at least one person will bring several bags of freshly harvested grapefruit, oranges, or lemons. When I was making this card, I made a color choice that was let’s say not great. My lemon slice was too bright, (we are talking put on those shades bright)! When I tried toning it down it went too honey. I thought I will just make a new one. Then realized I can make it a grapefruit. Not a common fruit for most people but it worked great! It also added as a blending step between the orange and the raspberries.

The Hero Arts My Monthly Hero kit has really been a great experience for me. I have found that the images and kit are new and fresh. I don’t love every one of the kits, but they stretch me to try new things. They have really helped me grow as a creator. This card may find its way to a YouTube video and I will keep you updated! If you are interested in the kits from Hero Arts you can find the subscription information here. (MMH Subscribe). There are two options both are great. I used the March Kit 2023 for this card and as of the writing of this post, there are a few still available. I love that Hero Arts makes the kits for sale not just through subscription. They cost a little more without the subscription but it is nice to be able to purchase individual kits.

I am adding this card to the store and am happy to make multiples if you are wanting to send out some sweet summery birthday greetings. Just let me know in the message box how many and we can talk about the price.

We may have a new artist joining us soon. Subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss a thing!

Visit http://www.thecraftdash.com A fun place to explore art and crafting for all levels of artist.

Erika Hayes

Crafter her entire life, Erika spends hours creating every day. She loves the crafting community and all the humans that are a part of expressing themselves in creative ways. She has been lucky enough to work in the industry as a concept designer and is a multiple-time published artist. Encouraging crafters to take part in education to better their craft is her life goal.

“Practice makes progress, perfection is unattainable.”

Busy Day at TCD

Erika L Hayes1 Comment

Summer is in full swing! This hand-crafted card was a great combo of whimsy and elegance. Much like a summer garden party. The project sheet is also available in the resources tab if you would like to share this card with another.

A tip I wanted to share with you about this card is to be sure to add a very fine mist of water to the lush lagoon paper before you run it through the die cut machine. A second thought is about what is called bleeding off the edge. When you see a card like this, and the flowers are cut off but not full images that is called bleeding. It is a graphic design term that simply means that the entire portion of an image “bleeds” off the page. It is really a fun and effective way to add visual interest to your cards. Go on give it a shot.

The Craft Dash has been busy interviewing and getting a few new artists on board. Heidi McKeever will soon be adding her beautiful oil paintings to our store and writing about her experiences with painting.

I am always interested in adding more content. If you are interested in having your products added to our store, shoot me an email and we can talk about it. (erikahayes@thecraftdash) I am currently looking for a hand lettering artist to share products and education.

We are also looking for projects and ideas for our coming soon newsletter where we will be discussing current trends and ideas for our art.

This card is available for sale on the shop tab on this website as well as on our Etsy Store.

Again, thank you for your support as we build this site to create and educate!

The Craft Dash, a place for creating and educating artist of all levels!

Erika Hayes

Crafter her entire life, Erika spends hours creating every day. She loves the crafting community and all the humans that are a part of expressing themselves in creative ways. She has been lucky enough to work in the industry as a concept designer and is a multiple-time published artist. Encouraging crafters to take part in education to better their craft is her life goal.

“Practice makes progress, perfection is unattainable.”

Happy to announce…

Erika L Hayes1 Comment

I have been a busy bee… YOU CAN ORDER your hand-crafted goodness right on this site (pop over to the shop tab and take a look at a few hand-crafted items as they are slightly cheaper here because I don’t have listing cost.) Additionally, The Etsy store is finally open with some inventory! I am working hard to add inventory every day. Currently, there are a lot of retired stamps on the Etsy shop I am trying to rehome and every day I hope to add more and more handmade cards and other items, including some crochet and some paintings by my sister. She is a wonderful artist.

This card was a perfect way to make that announcement! I was very lucky to be a member of the Concord & 9th class just prior to the release of the new color collection. (Color in the Classroom). The card above is a combo of both the class items and some of the product releases just prior to the class (Sweet Bee Bundle). I have a card sketch book that I keep lots of fun card ideas and this one has been waiting for the perfect moment to be created. While the dies were exclusive to the class and not available for sale, I tried to use a set that could be substituted with the Sweet Bee Bundle.

I will be offering most of the cards I add to the blog for sale here and over at the Etsy store, but I will continue to add project sheets as well. Because this card uses unavailable products, I won’t be able to make a project sheet using the exact products, but I will do my best to create both a card and a project sheet for you all.

NOTE: I have updated the site, you can find a link to the Etsy Shop under the new “SHOP” tab.

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Erika Hayes

Crafter her entire life, Erika spends hours creating every day. She loves the crafting community and all the humans that are a part of expressing themselves in creative ways. She has been lucky enough to work in the industry as a concept designer and is a multiple-time published artist. Encouraging crafters to take part in education to better their craft is her life goal.

“Practice makes progress, perfection is unattainable.”

Somethings Never Go out of Style

Erika L Hayes2 Comments
Spellbinders Seahorse Garden SDS-182

Summer has HIT Arizona. It is H-O-T! We are over 110 today and I find myself dreaming about the ocean and the cool breeze that comes along with it!

I have had some fancy washi tape I purchased about two years ago at a convention sitting around taunting me. I felt like the washi tape has been saying, “I’m too pretty to use.” When I pulled out my Spellbinders Seahorse Garden my brain said, “Use that washi.” I knew it would be a perfect coupling.

I added it to my card, and it was not showing up very well, so I added a white strip of cardstock behind the washi. It was a great way to add some pop to the washi and finally get it off my “to use” list.

Enjoy your weekend friends, I will be busy working hard to try and get a video out.

Let me know what you are up to this summer. Creating? Traveling? Just relaxing.

Erika Hayes

Crafter her entire life Erika spends hours creating every day. She loves the crafting community and all the humans that are a part of expressing themselves in creative ways. She has been lucky enough to work in the industry as a concept designer and is a multiple-time published artist. Encouraging crafters to take part in education to better their craft is her passion.

“Practice makes progress, perfection is unattainable.”