Modeling Pasted Roses for Simon Says Paste Challenge

This is my first attempt at using modeling paste, an old plastic stencil and Perfect Pearls.  I've had the supplies for a while and was inspired to use them with this week's Simon Says Paste Challenge.  (They are offering a $50 gift certificate to a randomly chosen entry which helped motivate me to complete this project!)

Here is a side view so you can see the texture better:

Supplies:
      Gold and Black Metallic paper (retired D.O.T.S.)
      White Daisy CS
      Nested Frame plastic stencil (retired D.O.T.S.)
      Versamark Ink
      Perfect Pearls--Jewels from Ranger
      Gold Metallic pigment ink (retired CTMH) lightly sponged
      Gold Metallic Marker (CTMH)

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

Dynamic Duos Triple Threat Meets Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch #157

"I Dream of Spring" is the twist that goes along with this week's Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch #157.  It's been a long winter in the northeast and I'm so ready for spring!  The colors are from this week's Dynamic Duos palette:

My Close To My Heart color substitutions are Olive, Sunset and Hollyhock. 

Close To My Heart Products Used:

      Feathers stamp set

      Hi stamp

      Hollyhock CS

      Sunset CS

      Olive CS

      Artiste Cartridge pg.31(accent 4 cut at 2.75")

      Olive B & T paper (retired)

      Hollyhock Ink

      Sunset Ink

      Black Ink

      Retired CTMH markers--Hollyhock, Olive, Sunset

Other:

      Liquid Pearls--White Opal

Here is the Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch that inspired me:

     

These are great spring colors and the feathers could pass as bunny ears for a spring image.  If you like color challenges like I do please check out Color My Heart Color Dare blog for weekly inspiration.

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

:) Marie

Snowflake Swirls Tutorial for Merry Monday #97 Challenge

Sparkle and Shine with Aqua, White and Silver/Grey is the theme for Merry Monday #97.  This challenge gave me the opportunity to try out a technique with Gelatos, Gesso and Dry Embossing to create the background for my card.

Here is a slanted view so you can see the silver metallic beauty:

How did I do it?  First I used a sponge brush to cover White Daisy CS with a thin coat of Gesso.  I let it dry for an hour and then used my heat tool to complete the job.  Then I spritzed the paper with water and scribbled with Cotton Candy and Silver Ice Gelatos.  I used my fingers to spread out the colors.

Next I heat dried this piece before running it through my Cuttlebug machine with the Darice Snowflake Swirls Embossing folder.

Then I used a "wet wipe" to gently remove some of the color from the raised parts of the CS.  (You can see this in the finished card).

Here is a photo of some of the art supplies I used to create this card:

Supplies Used:

      White Daisy CS

      Cotton Candy and Silver Ice Gelatos by Faber Castell

      Silver Metallic CS (retired D.O.T.S.)

      Christmas Melodies stamp (retired Close To My Heart)

      Versamark Ink

      Silver Embossing Powder (retired Close To My Heart)

      Snowflake Swirls Embossing Folder by Darice

      Twinkle Brads (retired Close To My Heart)

      Glitter Ribbon by Celebrate It!

      3D Foam Tape

It was fun to try out a new background technique and I really like how this card turned out.  I can't wait to try it out with more than 2 colors!

I'm also entering this card into http://52cct.blogspot.com/2014/02/metallic-papers-challenge.html52 Christmas Card Throwdown Challenge to use metallic papers and Addicted to Stamps and More for a Clean and Simple card.

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

:) Marie

Black Magic Embossed Sympathy Card for Freshly Made Sketches #124

If you are looking for the Sunday Stamps Sketch challenge post please go here.  If you are looking for the Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post please go here.

This week's Freshly Made Sketch #124 really appeals to me so I've made a second card using this sketch.  I started with Coredinations Black Magic paper and a Darice embossing folder.  The raised images were sanded to reveal the color inside.  The three panels are layered over Grey Wool CS (retired CTMH).  The greeting is from Close To My Heart Sincere Expressions and the metallic stripe on the bottom is Silver Shimmer Trim.

Here is the Freshly Made Sketch that inspired me:

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

:) Marie

Sketch Time at Sunday Stamps

Welcome back to another Sunday Stamps blog post!  It is my turn to bring you a fun sketch to try.  I liked it so much that I made both a masculine and feminine card to inspire you. Here's the sketch:

Masculine Card:

Close To My Heart products used:

     Timberline paper

     Whisper CS

     Barn Red CS

     Bamboo CS

     Wild About Love--February Stamp of the Month

     Durable Studs

    Woodgrain Washi Tape

    3D Foam Tape

Other:

    Sizzix Embossing Folder

Feminine Card:

Close To My Heart products used:

    Ariana paper

    Cherub Pink CS (retired)

    Vineyard Berry CS (retired)

    Holiday Tags stamp set

    Vineyard Berry Ink

    3D Foam Tape

    Licorice Adhesive Gems

Other:

    Stampin' Up Ticket punch

    Heart punch

I would love to read in your comments which card you prefer.  If you'd like to see yet one more card made with this sketch please go here.

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, March 7 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

Ariana Thank You with a Pals Paper Arts Sketch

If you are looking for the Color My Heart Color Dare post please go here.

Ariana is my favorite new paper from Close To My Heart.  I love the colors and the large floral print.  I followed the Pals Paper Arts Sketch to create this card.

Close To My Heart products used:
     Ariana paper
     Outdoor Denim CS
     Cherub Pink CS (retired)
     4 My Friend Stamp
     Outdoor Denim Ink
Other:
    Small heart punch

Here is the Pals Paper Arts Sketch #192:

I'm also entering this card into the Sweet Stamps Blog #157--anything goes challenge.

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

Delicate Wings for Color My Heart Color Dare #82--Goldrush and Topiary

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare post where we challenge you to use Close To My Heart color combinations.  This week's challenge colors are Goldrush and Topiary and they made me think of spring! (Neutral colors are permitted as are close color substitutions if you don't have the assigned colors yet.)  We look forward to seeing what you create and leaving comments on your blog.  We have blog badges for weekly winners and a randomly chosen monthly prize winner--the more challenges you enter the greater your chance of winning a prize!

(Please note that Goldrush is not quite as orange as it appears in this photo.)The Operation Write Home sketch #175 was my inspiration for this card.

Close To My Heart products used:

      Topiary CS

      White Daisy CS

      Goldrush CS

      Goldrush Ink

      Black Ink

      Goldrush Marker

      Sweet Leaf Marker

      Swirls Around Stamp set  

      Say It In Style stamp (retired)

      Petite Perks--Delicate Wings*

*Delicate Wings is available to consultants only for them to use as sales incentives for customers.  If you would like this adorable set just place an order on my CTMH website and I will be happy to mail you this adorable set.

The theme for this week's Heart2Heart challenges is "Flourishes" so I'm linking my card up there also.

  

Check out what the rest of the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team B has to inspire you:  Gretchen, Michelle, Sheila, Hansi and Sarah.  You have until Thursday, Feb. 27 9PM CT to enter your papercrafted creation here.  We look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you create with the colors Goldrush and Topiary.

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

:) Marie

Merry Monday #96 Meets Retrosketch #102

It's fun when you can make one card that meets requirements for several challenges. This holiday card meets three:  Merry Monday #96--Holly, Retrosketch #102 and Addicted to Stamps and More #83--holiday theme.  This was a really fast card to make following the sketch!

Close To My Heart products used:

     Kraft CS

    Cranberry CS

    To You and Yours stamp set--has a beautiful cardinal in this set

    Cranberry Ink

    Mistletoe paper (retired)

    Family Treasures heart punch (retired)

Here is the sketch that inspired me:

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

:) Marie

Feathers for Freshly Made Sketches #124 with Stampin' Royalty Colors #215

I've been seeing a lot of cards with feathers lately and find myself drawn to them.  I love the three panel sketch by Freshly Made Sketches this week and especially liked how Design Team member Rita Wright used feathers in the sketch.  The twist on my feathers card is that they are created with negative space.  Card size is 6.5" x 5". The colors I chose are from this week's Stampin' Royalty color challenge which is a new challenge for me. (I don't know why I haven't played along with this challenge sooner--after all  my blogging persona is NJ Stamping Queen!)

Here is a close-up to show the textured lines of the feathers created with a small stylus:

Close To My Heart products used:

     Artiste Cricut cartridge (page 78 accent 3 shift cut at 3")

     Pacifica CS

     Honey CS

     Ruby CS

     Just a Number stamp 

     Ruby Ink

Here is the Freshly Made Sketch I followed:

Here is the Stampin' Royalty Color Palette--since I don't have SU inks I substituted the closest Close To My Heart colors.

I'm also entering this card into Seize the Birthday Challenge.

If you like color challenges like I do please consider joining us at Color My Heart Color Dare.  We have weekly blog badges that are awarded along with a monthly prize to be given out.

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

:) Marie

Cat Sympathy Card for My Time To Craft Challenge #235

It's always difficult when a beloved pet passes away and I made this card for a dear family friend whose cat was just short of her 22nd birthday.  That's a long time to have a cat!!  Here is my card for My Time to Craft Sympathy Card Challenge #235:

Close To My Heart Products Used:

     Olive CS

     Olive Ink

     Words Of Comfort stamp set

     Grey Flannel Marker (retired)

     Gold Metallic paper (retired)--cut a 1" circle with a hole punch and then made a second cut for halo

     Olive Fleur des Jardines patterned paper (retired)

     Meow stamp set (retired)

     Wings are from unnamed angel with hearts stamp (retired)

      Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

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

:) Marie

Gelato Pattern for Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge #191 and Seize the Birthday

The color challenge at Pals Paper Arts this week is Gumball Green, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White.  I decided to use a Plaid stencil and Lime and Tangerine Gelatos by Faber-Castell to create a block pattern for this card.

Close To My Heart products used:

     Clover Meadow CS (retired)

     4 My Friend Stamp (retired)

     Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit Stamp

     Clover Meadow Ink (retired)

     Silver Metallic Paper (retired)

     Gelatos by Faber Castell

     stencil by Plaid

Here is the Pals Paper Arts Color Graphic;

If you like participating in color challenges I encourage you to play along with Color My Heart Color Dare. We have weekly blog badges that are awarded and a monthly prize to give out.

I'm also linking this card up to Seize the Birthday this week.

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

:) Marie

     

Hearts Galore with a Freshly Made Sketch #123

The Heart 2 Heart challenge this week is to feature hearts and the current Freshly Made Sketches #123 sketch makes it easy to do!

Close To My Heart Products used:

      Ruby CS

      Ruby Ink

      Black Ink

      Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment

      3D Foam Tape

      Mad About You stamp set (retired)

      Sweetheart Paper (retired)

Here is the Freshly Made Sketch #123 that inspired me:

     

I'm also entering this card into The Pink Elephant Challenge #237 with a Valentine theme.

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

:) Marie

Cardinal Christmas Card for Three Challenges

It's a snowy day in the Northeast so why not make a Christmas card?  I was inspired by the Tuesday Morning Sketch # 236, the February color challenge by 52 Christmas Card Throwdown and a theme challenge by Merry Monday #95 to use an animal on your card.

Close To My Heart products used:
    To You and Yours Stamp Set
    Black Ink
    New England Ivy CS
    White Daisy CS
    Ruby CS
    Ruby Alcohol Marker
    Pear and Partridge Paper (retired)
    Mistletoe Paper (retired)
    Lace
    Opaque Adhesive Gems
    Metallic Paper  (This retired pack from D.O.T.S. had Black, Gold and Silver Metallic paper.)

Here is the Tuesday Morning Sketch I followed:

The "twist" requirement is to add pearls and lace.

Here is the Color Graphic from 52 CCT:

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

:) Marie

Color Challenge Time at Sunday Stamps

Welcome back to another Sunday Stamps Color Challenge!  We love to have you join us in using these challenge colors in your creations.  This week our challenge colors are White, Yellow, Green and Kraft.  Please use ALL of these colors and post a direct link to your blog entry. 

My card was made following the RetroSketches #100:

It is a 6 x 6 card with Sunny Yellow B & T paper (retired CTMH), Topiary CS, Sunny Yellow CS, Kraft CS and Topiary Ink.  The focal image was made by first clear embossing the numbers (Friendship Alphabet--retired CTMH) and then stamping the acrylic block in Topiary ink, spritzing it with water and then onto the paper.  The other embellishments are a star hole punch, licorice adhesive gems and Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment.

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, February 21 at 6PM EST 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

Sequined Chevrons for Seize the Birthday

If you are looking for the Color My Heart Color Dare post please go here.

Did you ever make a card for a challenge and miss the deadline for posting it?  Well I did that this week.  I made a couple of cards following last week's CAS(E) This Sketch sketch and could have posted them the evening I made them but put it off to discover the challenge was over.  So, I adapted the card to make a birthday card so I could post it with Seize the Birthday--their topping suggestion this week is "Chevrons".

Close To My Heart Products Used:

       White Daisy CS

       Ruby CS

       Casual Expressions Stamp--greeting

       In the Background--Chevron

       Blush Ink

       Ruby Ink

       Silver, Pink and Red Sequins

Here is the sketch I followed:

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

:) Marie

Jigsaw Pieced Valentine Card

If you are looking for the current Color My Heart Color Dare card go here.

Next Friday is Valentine's Day and it has inspired me to make some cards.  I'm following Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #196 to use Red, White and Pink, Cards in an Envy Love in the Air theme, Cut it Up #38 to make a Valentine card and the sketch from CAS(e) This Sketch #63.

Close To My Heart Products Used:

    White Daisy CS

    Cranberry CS

    Cotton Candy CS

    Artiste Cartridge (page 57 accent 2 cut at 1.75")

    Artiste banner stamp

    Whoo's Your Valentine greeting stamp (retired CTMH)

    Cotton Candy Ink (second generation ink for banner and first generation ink for greeting)

Here is the sketch I used:

I'm also entering this card into the Catered Crop challenge to use a heart and Heart2Heart challenge about Love.

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #80--Ruby, Sunset, Cotton Candy

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare blog post!  This week the challenge colors are Ruby, Sunset and Cotton Candy. We invite you to use the featured Close To My Heart colors in your papercrafting. (Neutral colors are permitted as are close color substitutions if you don't have the assigned colors yet.)  We look forward to seeing what you  create and leaving comments on your blog.  We also have a randomly chosen monthly prize winner--the more challenges you enter the greater your chance of winning a prize!

Products Used:

    Ruby CS

    Sunset CS

    Cotton Candy CS

    White Daisy CS

    Black CS

    In The Background floral stamp

    Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit Thinking of You Stamp

    Ruby Ink

    Sunset Ink

    Cotton Candy Inkwww.colormyheartcolordare.blogspot.com

   3D Foam Tape

I'm also entering this card into Dream Valley Challenges--to use NO Designer Paper,the Catered Crop to use a heart and Heart2Heart to show LOVE.

Check out what the rest of the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team B has to inspire you:  Gretchen, Hansi, Michelle, Sheila and Sarah.  You have until Thursday, Feb. 13 9PM CT to enter your papercrafted creation here.  We look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you create with the colors Ruby, Sunset and Cotton Candy.

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

:) Marie

Red, White and Blue Valentine Card for Dynamic Duos #88

I love color challenges and enter them as often as is possible.  The inspiration for my card colors came from Dynamic Duos Challenge #88.  Next week is Valentine's Day and I chose that as my theme for the card.

Close To My Heart Products used:

      Pacifica CS

      Tulip CS (retired)

      White Daisy CS

      Artiste cartridge (page 72 accent 3 shift cut at 1.75"

      Dotted Love

      Silver Shimmer Trim

      White Embossing Powder and Versamark Ink

      3D Foam Tape

I'm also entering this card into Heart2Heart challenge to show LOVE.

Thanks for stopping by!  Please stop by tomorrow for a new color challenge by Color My Heart Color Dare.  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

Masculine Birthday Cards for Nacho Average Challenge #75

Close To My Heart has a new catalog out with 7 new paper packs which you can see here.  Timberline lends itself to making cards for the men in your life.  I used the Nacho Average Challenge #75 sketch to make two guy cards.

This card uses Ponderosa Pine, Outdoor Denim and Whisper cardstocks.  The woodgrain panels are from Timberline.  The stamp is from Casual Expressions Occasions in Ponderosa Pine ink.  It is placed onto a small piece of platinum metallic CS (retired CTMH) and then raised off the card with 3D Foam Tape.

This card features Kraft CS embossed with a Darice Woodgrain folder a it's card base.  The ink is Outdoor Denim..

Here is the Nacho Average Challenge #75:

I can't decide which card I like better--what do you think?

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

Close to My Heart New Product Blog Hop is Here!

On February 1, 2014 a new Close To My Heart Idea Book and Catalog was released. You can see the new catalog here.  A group of CTMH consultants is sharing some new products from this catalog in a "blog hop".  Please visit the thumbnail links below and leave some appreciation (comments) for these hard working consultants.

My masculine card features patterned paper from the new Timberline Paper pack and the stamp set "Banner Wishes". The ink is Ponderosa Pine on Bamboo CS and the mats are Goldrush and Ponderosa Pine.  I also used 3D Foam Tape and Bakers' Twine Harvest Assortment.  I followed Pattern #21 from the Make It From Your Heart Vol.2.

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

p.s. Have fun blog hopping!