Sparkle and Shine for Heart 2 Heart Challenge

2013 is almost over and this will be my last post as Design Team Member of Heart 2 Heart Challenges.  It was a fun way to stretch my creative talents and I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to share with this awesome group of Close To My Heart consultants!  Here is my Sparkle and Shine card:

The silver stripe is very old Metallic paper which was dry embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.  The stamp is Tree Delights and I used the Glowing Lights Technique to color it in.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Sketch Time at Sunday Stamps!

Steph has a fantastic sketch for you to try out this week at Sunday Stamps!

The butterflies pictured can be ANY shape you desire.  I wanted to make a masculine card so I chose hexagons:

The stamps are from Honeycomb  and Sincere Expressions from Close To My Heart.  The papers are Kraft and Outdoor Denim with matching ink.  Outdorr Denim baker's twine is from the Baker's Twine Harvest Assortment.  The background was embossed with the Stampin' Up Honeycomb folder.

In this second card I changed the greeting out to 3 Durable Studs which will be retiring soon from Close To My Heart.

Which one do you like better?  

We can't wait to see what you create using this sketch!   Please use a direct link to join us here and include a link back to us in your blog post.  (Feel free to post our sketch graphic too to let your readers know about our challenge.)  You have until Friday, January 10 6 PM EST to enter.

Please take the time to visit the rest of the Design Team's blogs and leave them some appreciation.
Hayley, Joan, Brenda, Holly, Steph and Kathya.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity! .

:) Marie

Frosted Card with Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch #147

This week's Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch #147 was a perfect sketch to use the Close To My Heart Frosted paper.  Using a snowflake was an extra option for this challenge.  The stamps are from the Frosted Cardmaking Kit and were inked with Twilight ink.  The snowflake was also embossed with polysparkle tinsel embossing powder for a little sparkle (retired CTMH) and popped up with 3D Foam Tape.

Here is the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch #147:

Frosted is also the featured color this week for Color My Heart Color Dare so I'm linking it up there. Snowflakes are the theme at Addicted to CAS so I'm linking it up there also.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Sunday Stamps Color Challenge #65--Black, Tan and Saffron

Welcome back to another Sunday Stamps Color Challenge!  This fortnight we are challenging you to create something with black, tan and saffron colors.

My card inspiration came from Try Stampin' on Tuesday.  The tan paper in my card is Desert Sand CS from Close To My Heart and the saffron is CTMH Buttercup.  The background was dry embossed with a Darice folder called "Brick Wall".  I used a CTMH Chalk Marker in the grooves to create a mortared look.  The stamped image is from Studio 112 which I found in a dollar bin at Joann's.  There is a thin mat of metallic gold and a metallic gold strip down the center.

We can't wait to see what you create using these colors!   Please use a direct link to join us here and include a link back to us in your blog post.  (Feel free to post our color graphic too to let your readers know about our challenge.)  You have until Friday, December 28 to enter this challenge.

Please take the time to visit the rest of the Design Team's blogs and leave them some appreciation.
Hayley, Joan, Brenda, Holly, Steph and Kathya.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity! 

:) Marie

Frosted Colors with a Mojo Monday Sketch for Color Dare #73

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge post.  This week we are challenging you to use the Close To My Heart colors Frosted Grey and Frosted Turquoise as found in the current Close To My Heart Frosted Paper Pack.

Similar colors would be Slate, Heavenly Blue, Crystal Blue, Twilight if you don't have Frosted paper.  I used one of my favorite new stamp sets called Wintry Wishes to make this card.  The card sketch is from Mojo Monday 323.  The hat and ornament were paper pieced.

Materials used:

     Frosted Cardmaking Kit (paper and Frosted twine)

     Wintry Wishes (Close To My Heart Hostess Reward Stamp Set)

     Slate CS

     Crystal Blue CS

     Black Ink

     Twilight Ink

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel

Mojo Monday sketch:

     

We are looking forward to seeing how you use these two fabulous colors together.  (You may also use neutrals such as black, white and off white.)  Please link up your creations here.  Now head on over and see what the rest of the fabulous Color Dare Design Team has to inspire you.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Please stop by again Sunday morning for a new Sunday Stamps challenge.  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

 :) Marie.  

Bright All Night for Freshly Made Sketches #116

This card was stamped in just one color--Close To My Heart Outdoor Denim.  The central image is Quick Cards --Bright All Night which is an exclusive Hostess Reward stamp.  It is backed with old Metallic Silver paper by Close To My Heart.  The flags were stamped from Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit. The thin border was drawn with a Silver Metallic Marker and a CTMH ruler.

My inspiration came from Freshly Made Sketch #116:

I'm also entering this card into 52 Christmas Card Throwdown--choose a previous challenge from 2013.  My card fits into Combo #22 No Red or Green.  

and Less is More #149-- Metallic with one other color (metallic silver mat and marker)

Thanks for stopping by!  Please come back tomorrow for a new Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge post.  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Happy Autumn Flowers in Barn Red for Color Dare #72

This card was made following the Atlantic Hearts Sketch #31 two weeks ago for this week's Color My Heart Color Dare.  I stamped the background flowers from Happy Autumn in Versamark ink and clear embossed over Champagne CS and then sponged with Barn Red Ink to give the details. The background mats are Barn Red CS.  The greeting stamp is A True Thank You.  Other accessories are Neutral Assortment Baker's Twine and 3D Foam Tape.

I'm also entering this card into a new blog challenge I found called Sarah Hurleys Challenges #87 which challenges us to "Create Your Own Background."

Stop by Friday morning for a new Color My Heart Color Dare post and on Sunday morning for a new color challenge for Sunday Stamps.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Love and Hugs for CAS(E) this Sketch #56

I love the simplicity of the CAS(E) This Sketch challenges and was inspired to participate in this challenge.

Materials Used:

       Avonlea paper (retired Close To My Heart)

       Garden Green CS (retired Close To My Heart)

       Words of Comfort

       Twilight Ink

Here is the sketch:

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Penguin Slider Card for Heart 2 Heart Moving On Challenge

Welcome back to another Heart 2 Heart challenge post featuring Close To My Heart products.  This week's challenge is to create something with moving parts so it was the perfect opportunity to make a slider card.  I found a great tutorial here.

When you pull on the right side the penguin moves and you get a greeting.

Materials Used;

    Wintry Wishes--Exclusive Hostess Reward Stamp--found on page 9 of Fall/Winter Idea Book

    Frosted Cardmaking Kit

    Ponderosa Pine CS

    Sky CS

    Glossy White Paper (remnants from photo printing)

    Black Ink  

    Surf's Up Gold (Retired CTMH)

    Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (on background trees)

    Silver Glitz Glitter Gel (on penguin skates)

    One Tiny Wiggle Eye

How will you interpret this challenge?  We look forward to seeing what you create for this "Moving On" challenge.  Remember to use some Close To My Heart products in your creation.  Use a direct link to link to Heart to Heart--you have until the end of December to enter this challenge.

Check out what the rest of the Design Team has to inspire you:

Brittany, Carol,  Haley,  Lucy and our Guest Designers.  Please leave them some well deserved comments.   

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

    365 Cards--"Partially Pieced"-  (hat and scarf)

    Craft Your Passion--Let it Snow

    Crafting From the Heart--Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Glowing Lights Technique with Sparkle and Shine Papers

As I was catching up on my blog reading I found the Tis the Season Stamping Challenge blog which is offering a sketch this week and asks that we use "stars".  (If you look closely there are 4 stars on my tree.)   I tried out a new technique I found on Splitcoaststampers called "Glowing Lights" which is really easy to do.

Materials Used:

    Sparkle and Shine Washi Tape (vertical stripes)

    Sparkle and Shine paper

    Ruby CS

    Black Ink

    Tree Delights

    Juniper Alcohol Marker

    White Gel Pen

    Chalks

    Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel

Here is the sketch:

I'm also entering this card into 52 {Christmas}Card Throwdown--Previous Challenge--"Fairy Lights"

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!  Please stop by tomorrow for a Heart 2 Heart Challenge post.

:) Marie

Pear and Partridge for Freshly Made Sketch #115

I'm just starting to make my holiday cards and was inspired to try this Freshly Made Sketch #115.

Materials Used:

    Pear and Partridge Paper (retired CTMH)

    Cashmere CS

    Ruby CS

    Holiday Tags

    Ruby Ink

    Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel

This is the sketch that inspired me:

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Happy Holidays Card for Atlantic Hearts Sketch #32

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge always gives us wonderful sketches and I'm always happy when I can make the time to play along!

Materials Used:

    White Daisy CS

    Ruby CS

    Sparkle and Shine Paper

    Poinsettia stamp (retired D.O.T.S.)

    Holiday Tags

    Versamark Ink

    Silver Embossing Powder

    3D Foam Tape

Here is the Atlantic Hearts Sketch:

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Hello Card for Sunday Stamps Challenge #64

Welcome back to another Sunday Stamps Challenge post!  This week Hayley has a wonderful sketch for us:

I'm sending this card to a young man who is quite an excellent golfer so I'm using a digital stamp by Darla as my "any shape" for the sketch.  The background papers are Close To My Heart Sarita with Lagoon CS and Outdoor Denim ink.  The Hello greeting is from the Artiste Cricut Collection and outlined with a White Uni-ball Signo pen.

We can't wait to see what you create using this sketch!   Please use a direct link to join us here and include a link back to us in your blog post.  (Feel free to post our sketch graphic too to let your readers know about our challenge.)

Please take the time to visit the rest of the Design Team's blogs and leave them some appreciation.
Hayley, Joan, Brenda, Holly, Steph and Kathya.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity! .

:) Marie

Color Dare #71-- Cranberry and Ponderosa Pine

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare blog post!

  This week's challenge is to use the Close To My Heart colors Cranberry and Ponderosa Pine in your papercrafted creation.  (You may substitute similar colors if you don't have the assigned Close To My Heart colors).  Getting ready for the Thanksgiving holidays did not leave me with a lot of time to create so I looked through the CTMH cricut cartridges I own and found cuts that suited my needs.  This card did come together quickly!

Supplies used:  Artbooking, Artiste, Cranbery CS, Ponderosa Pine CS, White Daisy CS, Universal Backgrounds Stamp, Slate ink, Glossy Metallic paper (retired DOTS from mid 90's!) and a red sparkle.  (I used a flash to photograph this card so you could see the silver metallic panel.)

We are looking forward to seeing how you use these two fabulous colors together.  (You may also use neutrals such as black, white and off white.)  Please link up your creations here.  Now head on over and see what the rest of the fabulous Color Dare Design Team has to inspire you.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!
:) Marie

p.s. I'm also entering this card into Bitten by the Bug 2 Christmas Card , Fantabulous Cricut--Sparkle and Bling, Rose Blossom Garden Christmas Theme and Use it Tuesday-Anything Goes challenges.

Sponging Techniques for Heart 2 Heart Challenges

It's Technique Time at H2H (a blog which features the use of Close To My Heart products) and it's time to take out your crafting sponges.  I have two cards I want to share with you today that use this technique.

This first card uses a variety of sponged colors on the background panel--Slate, Crystal Blue, Sunset, Topiary and Cranberry.  I used a 3" Round Sponge cut in quarters to apply color to the background panel. The stamps are Universal Backgrounds and Heartfelt Birthday Wish.  Cardstocks are White Daisy, Slate, Cranberry and Topiary.  The banner was made with 2 strips of Red Shimmer Trim and 1 strip of Silver Shimmer Trim. The birthday letters are filled in with Silver Glitz Glitter Gel.  

My second card uses "Sponging" along with "Masking".  First I used the Artbooking cartridge to cut out the overlay from page 84 at 5.5".  This mat was then placed over the White Daisy CS and Crystal Blue Ink was sponged through it.  The Twilight flower outline and stem were cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge. (flower petal page 29 shape 11 in Hollyhock at 1.25"; outline in Twilight at 1.25" layer;   stem page 57 layer shift cut at 3").  The stamp set is Sincere Expressions.

Here is how I set up to sponge the background:

Which card do you like better? I would love to read your comments.

How will you interpret this challenge?  We look forward to seeing what you create for this "Sponging Technique" challenge.  Remember to use some Close To My Heart products in your creation.  Use a direct link to link to Heart to Heart--you have until the end of November to enter this challenge.

Check out what the rest of the Design Team has to inspire you:

Shirley, Carol,  Haley,  Lucy and our Guest Designer Hansi.  Please leave them some well deserved comments.   

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Acrylic Block Stamping Technique for FMS #113 and 52 Christmas Card Throwdown

The Cranberry panel on this card was made by inking an acrylic block and then spritzing it with water and then applying it to paper.  That is the challenge this week at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown.  I used the current Freshly Made Sketch #113 to try out this technique.

The greeting is from the Frosted Cardmaking Kit and was black embossed.  The background was embossed with a Darice Snowflake embossing folder.  A strip of Silver Shimmer Trim was placed on the left side and the Cranberry inked panel was popped up with 3D Foam Tape.

This was a fun card to make!  Thanks to Sarah Stone whose blog I follow who inspired me to enter these challenges with this technique.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Numbered Birthday Card for CAS(E) This Sketch #54

My son's birthday is coming up next week and the sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch inspired me to make this card.

Products Used:

    Indian Corn Blue CS

    White Daisy CS

    Outdoor Denim CS

    Darice Brick Wall Embossing Folder

    Artbooking Cricut Cartridge (page 75 photo mat 1 cut at 2.75"; page 40 "3" cut at 1.25")

    3D Foam Tape

Here is the sketch that inspired me:

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Sunday Stamps #63--Lime, Grey and Turquoise

Welcome back to another Sunday Stamps Challenge post!  Last challenge we had 26 wonderful entries for Kathya's sketch challenge and we very much enjoyed visiting and commenting on all of your blogs.  This time it's a color challenge (we usually alternate between a sketch and a color challenge) and the colors are Lime, Grey and Turquoise.  These are not colors that I would usually use together but I have to say that I like how my card turned out.

I adapted a Tuesday Morning Sketch to create this card using these retired Close To My Heart products: Later Sk8tr paper, Card Chatter--Sympathy and Tee Time, Ocean CS and ink.  I also used Pear Ink, Slate CS and Black CS.

Here is our color graphic--click on it to get to our Sunday Stamps blog:

We can't wait to see what you create using these colors!   Please use a direct link to join us here and include a link back to us in your blog post.  (Feel free to post our color graphic too to let your readers know about our challenge.)  You have until Friday, November 29 to enter this challenge.

Please take the time to visit the rest of the Design Team's blogs and leave them some appreciation.
Hayley, Joan, Brenda, Holly, Steph and Kathya.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity! .

:) Marie

Atlantic Hearts Sketch #29 with Dynamic Duos Challenge Colors #79

The Dynamic Duos Challenge this week is called "Black Tie" with Smoky Slate or Silver and the Dessert Option is Christmas.  I combined this challenge with the Atlantic Hearts Sketch challenge #29 and I like what I came up with.

 The top part of my card is from a take out container lid and is shiny silver.  I ran it through the Cuttlebug machine with a Christmas folder (not sure of the name).  The bottom part of the card is shimmery silver and white paper from the Close To My Heart Holiday Gift Guide called "Sparkle and Shine".  I used punches to make the snowflakes and silver star.  (This was really difficult to photograph and I think that my bluish blouse is reflected on the shiny silver paper!)

Here is the silver "paper" I used:

Here is the color graphic for Dynamic Duos:

Here is the sketch graphic for Atlantic Hearts:

If you like color challenges I invite you to check out Color My Heart Color Dare which features Close To My Heart color combinations (substitution colors are permitted as long as they are similar).  Also, Sunday Stamps will have a new color challenge starting on Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Another Color Dare #69 Card Using Freshly Made Sketch #112

This week's Freshly Made Sketch intriqued me and I immediately thought of using the new Charming Chevrons stamp set. (page 13 of CTMH  2013 Holiday Gift Guide here).  I  still had the current Color My Heart Color Dare colors on my craft table so I decided to use them again.  From top to bottom the colors are Goldrush, Smokey Plum and Olive.  The Colonial White background was run through the Cuttlebug machine with the Darice Plaid Embossing Folder.  The stars are from the Perfect Fit--Birthday stamp set stamped in coordinating inks. I was trying to make the chevrons looks like rockets.   The "Celebrate" ribbon is from American Celebration (retired CTMH). The card size is 5" x 6.5".

Here is the Freshly Made Sketch #112 I followed:

We would love to see what you can do with these colors.  You can join the Color My Heart Color Dare here.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Color Dare #69--Smokey Plum, Olive and Goldrush

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare blog post!  This is a challenge blog that features Close To My Heart colors--if you don't have the featured colors you can substitute similar colors so you can still play along.  Here are this week's colors:  Smokey Plum, Olive and Goldrush--beautiful autumn colors!

The background panel of my card uses a Hostess Reward set called Washi Wonder which you can see on page 6 of the Autumn/Winter catalog here.  The greeting is from Card Chatter--Sympathy and was stamped in Olive ink.  The brick pattern made by the Washi Tape stamps was stamped in Goldrush, Smokey Plum and Olive inks.

Are you up for this Color Dare?  If so, please use a direct link to link your project up here.  Please stop by and be inspired by what the rest of the Design Team have created.  We would love to visit your blog and see what you create with these colors.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Seeing Double for Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Heart 2 Heart is a challenge blog that features the use of Close To My Heart products. (In other words you must use some CTMH products if you link your project up to this blog).   This week's theme is "Seeing Double" and I chose to use Desert Sand cut reindeer from the new CTMH Artbooking cartridge (page 57 Icon cut at 3").  The background was stamped with the Quick Card--Bright All Night Hostess Reward Set (stamped three times, trimmed and pieced together for the sky) in Crystal Blue ink.  The bottom of the card was run through the Cuttlebug machine with an embossing folder.  Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel was applied to the antlers and a White Chalk marker was used on the tail and the front of the reindeer.

How will you interpret this challenge?  We look forward to seeing what you create for this "Seeing Double" challenge.  Remember to use some Close To My Heart products in your creation.  Use a direct link to link to Heart to Heart--you have until the end of November to enter this challenge.

Check out what the rest of the Design Team has to inspire you:

Brittany, Carol,  Haley,  Lucy and our Guest Designer Hansi.  Please leave them some well deserved comments.   

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Scandinavian Wishes for Color Dare #78 and Freshly Made Sketch #111

I've never seen a sketch quite like this and decided to play along with this Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #111 by Linda C.  The colors I chose--Close To My Heart Buttercup and Sunset are the challenge colors at Color My Heart Color Dare this week.  The stamp set is the October Stamp of the Month called Scandinavian Wishes.  The embossed background was enhanced with Buttercup Liquid Pearls and the stamped heart and border were glitzed up with my favorite embellishment--Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel. Cardstocks I used are White Daisy, Buttercup and Sunset.  I used Sunset ink over Buttercup CS and popped up the heart using 3D Foam Tape.

Here is the Freshly Made Sketch #111:

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!
:) Marie