Crafting the Sweet Goodbye to Summer with Hero Arts
Sep 4, 2025 | By: Lea Lawson
As the golden light lingers just a little longer each evening and the breeze carries whispers of fall, I’m holding tightly to the final days of summer warmth here in Montana. There’s something especially sweet about this seasonal shift—when sailboats and sunsets meet blooming hydrangeas and heartfelt sentiments.
This collection of cards features the beautiful Seaside Blooms and Summer by the Shore collections from Hero Arts’ July release, and they felt like the perfect way to celebrate summer’s soft farewell. From BetterPress textures to pastel skies and glittery frames, each card captures a little piece of sunshine before we turn the page.
This dreamy duo from the Seaside Blooms collection captures the soft beauty of summer’s final stretch—sunsets, sailboats, and those lush hydrangeas that feel like a warm hug from nature. I especially loved working with the Layered Hydrangea die; the ink blending brought such depth and softness to the blooms, and it was a joy to see them come to life on paper.
P.S. The Layered Hydrangea die set is currently sold out at Hero Arts, but you can still find it at Scrapbook.com and Simon Says Stamp if it’s on your wishlist!
Easy Step by Step instructions:
- Cut & fold (2) A2 card bases.
- Cut (2) A2 panels from white cardstock.
You Are Magic Card:
- Ink blend the harbor stencils in shades of pink, orange, and turquoise.
- Prep the panel with anti static powder, then sponge embossing ink into the sand stencils.
- Cover in iridescent gold embossing powder, then heat set.
- Mount to the front of a card base.
- Diecut a postage edge frame from ivory glitter cardstock, then mount to the front.
- Heat emboss the sentiment in iridescent gold, then diecut.
- Mount to the card front as shown.
- Accent with self-adhesive gems in Aura AB to finish.
Sending Birthday Wishes Card:
- Ink blend the harbor stencils in shades of pink, purple, and turquoise, omitting the boats and sand.
- Mount to the front of a card base.
- Diecut the layered hydrangea pieces from white cardstock and the middles from ivory glitter cardstock, then ink blend in pink, purple and green.
- Assemble the hydrangeas as shown.
- Heat emboss the sentiment in iridescent gold, then diecut.
- Arrange & adhere the pieces to the card front as shown.
- Accent with self-adhesive gems in Aura AB to finish.
This trio from the Summer by the Shore collection is all about soft shimmer and heartfelt sentiments—like little keepsakes tucked into envelopes. I loved exploring the versatility of press plates here, using both BetterPress and Glimmer Hot Foil techniques to bring out different textures and finishes. The foiled cards feature Opal foil, which adds the gentlest touch of shine—just enough to catch the light without stealing the spotlight. Each card feels like a quiet moment by the sea, full of warmth and intention.
Easy Step by Step instructions:
- Cut & fold (3) A2 card bases.
- Cut A2 panels from blue, peach & ivory glitter cardstock.
Miles Apart but in my Heart Card:
- Adhere the ivory glitter panel to a card front.
- Press the Scattered Shells plate into porcelain cotton paper in soft gradient.
- Diecut with an arch die, then mount to the card front.
- Diecut pieces from the Message in a Bottle die set, then assemble.
- Heat emboss the sentiment in iridescent gold, then diecut.
- Arrange & adhere the sentiment & diecut pieces to the card front as shown.
- Accent with self-adhesive gems in Aura AB to finish.
You're a Treasure Card:
- Hot foil the Scattered Shells press plate in Opal foil to blue cardstock.
- Trim slightly smaller than A2, then adhere to the card front.
- Diecut pieces from the Message in a Bottle die set, then assemble.
- Heat emboss the sentiment in iridescent gold, then diecut.
- Arrange & adhere the sentiment & diecut pieces to the card front as shown.
- Accent with self-adhesive gems in Aura AB to finish.
Can't Wait to Hug You Card:
- Hot foil the leftover opal foil with a solid plate to peach cardstock.
- Adhere to the card front.
Diecut a panel of ivory glitter cardstock slightly smaller than A2 with an oval cut from the middle. - Create a shaker window from this piece using acetate and thin foam strips.
- Pour Aura Opalescent sequins and glitter to the middle of the card base, then mount the shaker window to the top.
- Diecut pieces from the Message in a Bottle die set, then assemble.
- Heat emboss the sentiment in iridescent gold, then diecut.
- Arrange & adhere the sentiment & diecut pieces to the card front as shown.
- Accent with self-adhesive gems in Aura AB to finish.
Thanks so much for stopping by to check out this little lineup of seaside-inspired cards! From soft shimmer to bold blooms, it was such a joy to play with these summer collections and explore different techniques. Whether you're here for the hydrangeas, the foiled finishes, or just a dose of crafty inspiration—I’m so glad you came by.
Here’s to more creativity, more sparkle, and maybe even a few messages in bottles. 🌊💌
Before I close up, I wanted to mention that my Crafty Sale and Events/Classes pages are updated, and I'm also currently work on my FAVORITES page! Thank you so much for your support!
If you would like to see more posts from me, I would love for you to sign up for my email newsletter! I share blog posts, giveaways, sales and new events/classes regularly. Thank you!
You can also check out my complete supply list below to multiple stores, or CLICK HERE to see it a bit easier. :)
SUPPLY LIST
**Includes affiliate links which provide me with a small amount of compensation at no cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
Archive
Never Miss a Blog Post
Welcome to Lea Lawson Creates emails!
Thank you SO MUCH for joining my email list! I typically send out emails a few times per week with project inspiration, new release info, crafty sales and free project PDFs from time to time!
Check out my latest Email Newsletter for cardmaking inspiration!
Have an awesome day,
Lea
Leave a comment
2 Comments
Sep 6, 2025, 1:53:39 PM
Kathy Witt - Beautiful, Lea!
Sep 6, 2025, 3:36:33 AM
Gab - Oh wow these are gorgeous - such lovely colours