Hello friends! It’s a new year and a brand new start for my crafting journey. So what has changed for me? I have decided to step down from all design teams for 2026. I have so much stuff that I haven’t even used yet! I am feeling overwhelmed and creatively stumped. So I have decided to take a step back and just create with stuff I have and stuff I love. I will say this though, I will still be guest designing but on my own time and terms.
That said, I am going to continue creating using Hero Arts kits even if I am not on the design team anymore. I have always been a big fan of the HA kits and I am so glad that they are bringing it back! This month’s kit is all about Happy Mail! It’s such a fun kit and and as I published this, the Super Hero kit is already sold out!

What’s included:
- Mini Notecard Die Set
- Post Box Die Set
- Special Delivery Stamp & Cut Set
- 10 Sheets of Cardstock
They have also reintroduced the My Monthly SUPER Hero Kit with following additional products:
- Front Page Stamp & Cut Set
- Postage Frame Die Set

Even if Super Hero kit is sold out, you may still be able to buy the regular kit. I created a card that uses the mailbox die in the kit but I tweaked it a little to create a book bag! I love to show creative ways to stretch your crafty stash and that will be a recurring theme all throughout the year!

Using the mailbox die, I die cut it out of Periwinkle blue cardstock from my stash. I also die cut the same out of Teal Topaz cardstock and fussy cut the edges and glued them onto the edges of the “mailbox”.
Next, I cut out the flowers and stems. Tutu, Teal Topaz and Beeswax for the flowers and Peridot cardstock for the stems. Then glued it on the front of the panel. I also die cut the word HELLO and paper pieced it and adhered it to the middle of the “flap”.

Then I freehand cut the straps for the bag using the same blue cardstock and decorated the edges with thin strips of Peridot cardstock by tracing and cutting it along the traced lines.
For the background, I used the Script Bold print and stamped it on Alabaster cardstock with Fawn Core Ink. I trimmed it down and glued it at an angle on a panel of Peridot Cardstock.

I wanted this to be a messenger bag with books inside so I took out an old Hero Studio Kit from last year, the Book Bag die set and die cut out two kinds of books using a combination of the same cardstocks.
Before I adhered the messenger book bag onto the card front, I placed one of the books inside to make sure it can go all the way in without interfering with the flap closure. Then added thin strips of foam tape to the bottom, side and also top.

Then adhered it at an angle on top of the card front, then glued the strap. Then I glued the card panel to a side folding white card base.

I hope you were inspired to start thinking of creative ways to use your crafty stash.
I have all the links to the products I used below.
Thank you so much for dropping by my blog!
Have a wonderful crafty day!
Til next time!
❤️
Anna
Product List:

