Balloon Ride Colors for Color Dare #96

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post where we invite you to create using the specified Close To My Heart colors. (You are welcome to substitute similar colors if you don't have Close To My Heart colors yet).  This week our colors are Creme Brulee, Sorbet, Crystal Blue with an option of Juniper and Sky.  All of these colors can be found in the CTMH paper collection Balloon Ride.

Close To My Heart Products Used:

     Creme Brulee CS

     Sorbet CS

     White Daisy CS

     Crystal Blue CS

     Crystal Blue Ink

     In the Background chevron stamp

     Perfect Fit--Birthday stamp (cut into two pieces!)

     Just Blooms paper butterfly (retired)

     Blue and Green Sparkles (retired)

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

Other products:

     Sizzix Daisy Blast Embossing Folder

Here is the Atlantic Hearts Sketch that inspired me:

    

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

Check out what the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team B and Guest Designer Arlene has to inspire you:  Gretchen, Michelle, Hansi and Sarah.  You have until Thursday, June 5 9PM CT to enter your papercrafted creation here.  We look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you create with the colors Creme Brulee, Sorbet and Crystal Blue.

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

:) Marie

Memorial Day Greetings in Operation Write Home Blog Hop

The color theme for this year's OWH Memorial is Red, White and Blue.   OWH Sketch #128 is the inspiration for my card:

Close To My Heart products used:

    Cranberry CS

    White Daisy CS

    Star Spangled Blue B&T paper (retired)

    Cranberry Ink

    Card Chatter--Birthday (retired)

Other products

   Star punches (brand unlabeled)

   Self-Adhesive Holographic Paper by Darice

Are you up for winning some Blog Candy?  Please see my previous post or go here for more details.

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

:) Marie

• 
  

Color Dare #95--Two Greens and an Orange and Blog Candy Alert

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare post!  This is Color Dare #95 and we are challenging you to create something using the following Close To My Heart colors:  Sunset, Olive and Lagoon.  (Of course you may substitute similar colors if you don't have the exact CTMH colors).

I must admit that I struggled with this color combination and that is why there is so little Lagoon on this card.  

My card follows this week's Try Stampin' on Tuesdays sketch challenge #168.  Here is the sketch:

I'm also entering this card in the Heart 2 Heart challenge "In the Garden" theme.

Close To My Heart products used:

     Sunset CS

     Olive CS

     White Daisy CS

     Black CS

     Olive ink

     Sunset Ink

     Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape

     Silver Geometric Washi Tape

     Happy Autumn stamp set

     Sanding Kit

    

Other products:

     Cuttlebug Pinking Stitch Embossing Folder

Check out what the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team  has to inspire you.  You have until Thursday, May 29 9PM CT to enter your papercrafted creation here.  We look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you create with the colors Sunset, Lagoon and Olive.

This weekend I will be participating in Operation Write Home Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop and have something to give away to a lucky blog follower.

BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

In celebration of our military heroes (proud Navy mom here) I'm offering a prize to one lucky person whose name will be picked at random.  The prize is this beautiful new Close To My Heart stamp set called Sweet Life. (It is no longer available from CTMH)

To be eligible to win you must:

--Become a follower of my blog AND

--Write a comment on my 5/24/ 2014 Operation Write Home post indicating you are a blog follower

--Deadline to comment on my 5/24/14 blog post is midnight EST, May 31st, 2014

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!  Good luck in the prize drawing!

:) Marie

Roxie Rose for Try Stampin' on Tuesday #167

The sketch challenge at Try Stampin' on Tuesday really appealed to me so I made a second card based on the sketch.  (You can see my first card here). This time I met the option of "Roses". 

Close To My Heart Products Used:

      Roxie paper (retired)

      Rosy Regards stamp (retired)

      Say it in Style stamp (retired)

      Smoothie Ink

      Cocoa Ink

      3D Foam Tape

      Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

I love how all these papers from the Roxie paper set look so good together in this sketch!

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

:) Marie

Sketch Time Again at Sunday Stamps!

Welcome back to another Sunday Stamps challenge post!  This fortnight's challenge is a fabulous sketch:

I found this sketch very easy to work with and hope you will too!  

Close To My Heart products used:

    Graduation paper (retired)

    Graduation hat stamp (retired)

    Banner Wishes

    Black Ink

    Bamboo CS

Other products:

    Flourished Square punch

    Decorative Tiles Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

I'm also entering this card into the Hiding in My Craft Room challenge #149 to use embossing and Heart 2 Heart challenge to use a banner.

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, May 30 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

Watercolor Wash Nautical Card With Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch #167

If you are looking for the Color My Heart Color Dare #94 card please go here.

There is a nautical theme challenge at Cards 4 Guyz and a Maritime theme challenge at Keep it Simple that interested me so I combined this theme with the current Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch #167 that I really like.  I've been taking the Online Card Class for Watercolors so I chose to paint my background instead of using strips of paper (although I do plan to try this sketch with patterned paper soon).

First thing I did was put Versamark ink on the positive side of a Cuttlebug folder.  Next I pressed the Bristol paper against it and rubbed with my fingers and then sprinkled Clear Embossing Powder on it and heat set it.
Masking tape was applied to create the white area while I painted the stripes from four different Close To My Heart ink pads.  (Acrylic block stamped with ink and then spritzed with water to create the "watercolor paint".)

Close To My Heart products used:
    Sky ink
    Lagoon ink
    True Teal ink (retired)
    Pacifica ink
    acrylic block
    Hello stamp (retired)
    Sailboat stamp (retired)
    Clear Detail Embossing Powder
    3D Foam Tape
 

Other products:
    Cuttlebug Anchors Aweigh embossing folder
    Bristol paper by Strathmore
    Versamark Ink

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

Color Dare #94--Buttercup and Hollyhock with a Sweet Sunday Sketch #219

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!  This is challenge #94 and we are featuring the colors Buttercup and Hollyhock.  (You may substitute similare colors if you don't have these colors yet and you may combine them with neutrals such as white, black, tans and greys also). 

I must admit that I struggled with this color combination for awhile before I started looking for a sketch to follow.  

Close To My Heart products used:

    White Daisy CS

    Buttercup CS

    Hollyhock CS

    Swirls Around Stamp set

    Hi stamp

    Hollyhock Ink

    Scallop punch

    Hollyhock Alcohol Marker

    Buttercup Alcohol Marker

    3D Foam Tape

Other products:

    Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch

    Liquid Pearls White Opal

Here is the Sweet Sunday Sketch Sketch Challenge #219 that inspired me:

Check out what the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team B has to inspire you:  Gretchen, Michelle, Hansi and Sarah.  You have until Thursday, May 22 9PM CT to enter your papercrafted creation here.  We look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you create with the colors Buttercup and Hollyhock.

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

:) Marie

Sympathy Card for Atlantic Hearts Sketch #55

When I saw the current sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge I thought of this beautiful floral paper that has been sitting unused in my stash for about a year.

Here is the lovely Atlantic Hearts Sketch that I followed:

Close To My Heart products used:
    Words of Comfort
    Graduation paper (retired)
    True Teal Ink (retired)
    True Teal CS (retired)

Other products:
    Twilight p Florals paper by Nicole
    gold edged ribbon--unknown source

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

p.s. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a new Color Dare challenge post!

Watercolor Class Day #2 Homework

The Online Card Class Watercolor class is really fun yet I'm a little behind in my "homework".   Lesson #2 was about more background watercolor techniques.  I started this card last week with the Color Dare #93 colors and just finished it today.  I used 4 Close To My Heart ink pads for the watercolors.  First I placed an acrylic block onto the ink pad and then misted with water and used a brush to paint on the colors.

Close To My Heart products used:

    Cranberry Ink

    Twilight Ink

    Honey Ink

    Juniper Ink

    Friendship Alphabet stamps (retired)

    True Teal CS (retired)

    Metallic paper (DOTS retired)

    3D Foam Tape

Other products used:

    Watercolor paper by Faber Castell

    Stazon Teal Ink

    Studio G star punch

    Perfect Pearls Heirloom Gold Mist spray by Ranger

As this is a special birthday card for a dear friend I'm also entering it into Seize the Birthday.

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #93--Honey, Cranberry, Juniper, Twilight With Watercoloring

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!  This week we are daring you to combine all four of these Close To My Heart colors in your project.  (Of course close color substitutions are allowed if you don't have the assigned colors).

Since I recently enrolled in the Online Card Classes Watercoloring class my card reflects that.  The top banner was made by clear embossing the floral stamp from In the Background onto watercolor paper.  Then I used a narrow acrylic block pressed into the inkpad and then spritzed with water to stamp on the paper.  I did this several times with all the challenge colors and I like how it came out.

Close To My Heart products used:

    Cranberry CS

    Black CS

    Twilight CS

    Honey Ink

   Cranberry Ink

   Juniper Ink

   Twilight Ink

   1 x 4 acrylic block

   Enjoy the Little things stamp set (Hostess only set)

   In the Background Stamps

   3D Foam Tape

   Clear Embossing Powder (retired)

   

Other:

   Watercolor paper by Faber Castell

   Versamark Ink

   Prismacolor pencil

Please head on over to the Color Dare blog and check out what the fabulous Design Team and special Guest Designer Caroline have to inspire you.  We would love to see your artwork in our gallery.  Please use a direct link to your blog post when entering the challenge.

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

:) Marie

Monochromatic Mother's Day Card for Colour Me...With Freshly Made Sketch #135

This Sunday we celebrate Mother's Day in the United States and my mom may actually receive her card in time this year!  The Colour Me... challenge this week is monochromatic SU Cherry Cobbler--I substituted CTMH Ruby.  I followed the new Freshly Made Sketch #135 with a horizontal orientation to fit the Mother's Day greeting.

Close To My Heart products used:

    Ruby CS

    White Daisy CS

    Ruby Ink

    Dots embossing folder

    Chevron stamp from Artbooking Cartridge Collection

    Heart stamp from It's Your Day stamp set (retired)

    3D Foam Tape

Other products used:

    Rubbernecker background Floral Damask stamp

    Mother's Day stamp by PSX 

Here is the Freshly Made Sketch I followed:

    

Here is the Colour Me...Color Graphic:

Come play along with either of these challenges and while you're at it why not join in on the current

Color My Heart Color Dare challenge and Sunday Stamps Color challenge this week!

I'm also entering this card into the Scrappin 4Fun Challenges.

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

:) Marie

Free To Be Me Paper with Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch #165--Entry #2

Welcome to my blog! If you are looking for the Sunday Stamps Challenge post please go here.  If you are looking for the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge post please go here.

Try Stampin' on Tuesdays has a great sketch this week with an option of Bugs or Blossoms.  In honor of National Scrapbooking Month Close To My Heart is offering an awesome paper pack for just $5 called Free To Be Me.  Check it out here.

I'm not sure why this happened but the orange color paper should be more of a dark pink than orange.   The pale orange colored flower should be pink.  I tried playing around with photo programs such as Picasa and Microsoft Picture It  but I couldn't get it to the actual color.

Close To My Heart products used;
    Free to Be Me paper
    Black CS
    Black Ink
    4 My Friend Stamp Set (retired)

   Other:
        Flowers from Michaels
        Pearl Adhesive gems-unknown source
        

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

    

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

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

Free To Be Me Paper for Try Stampin' on Tuesday #165--Entry #1

Welcome to my blog! If you are looking for the Sunday Stamps Challenge post please go here.  If you are looking for the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge post please go here.

Try Stampin' on Tuesdays has a great sketch this week with an option of Bugs or Blossoms.  In honor of National Scrapbooking Month Close To My Heart is offering an awesome paper pack called Free To Be Me for just $5.  Check it out here.

I'm not sure why this happened but the background color should be more of a dark pink than orange.  I tried playing around with photo programs but I couldn't get it to the actual color.

Close To My Heart products used:
    Free to Be Me paper
    Black CS
    Black Ink
    4 My Friend Stamp Set (retired)
    Feathers Stamp Set
    Smoothie CS (for feather)
   Other--Liquid Pearls--silver Pearl

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

    

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

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

Sunny Card for Freshly Made Sketch #134

Welcome to my blog! If you are looking for the Sunday Stamps Challenge post please go here.  If you are looking for the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge post please go here.

When I saw this Freshly Made Sketch I knew immediately what I wanted to do with it and I'm pleased with how this card came out.  The half circle shape reminded me of the sun so that was my starting point.

Close To My Heart products used:
    Sky CS
    Honey CS
    Metallic CS (retired)
    Outdoor Denim Fleur Des Jardines B & T paper (retired)
    Honey Ink
    Black Ink
    White Daisy CS
    Lifting Spirits stamp set--clouds and banner
    Lots of Love stamp set--sunshine greeting
    My Sunshine stamp set (retired)
    Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape
    3D Foam Tape

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

Bright and Bold Colors for Sunday Stamps #75 with Technostampers Sketch #312

Are you ready for another Sunday Stamps Color Challenge?  Thanks to all the talented ladies who participated in last fortnight's Sketch challenge--we hope you will join us for this color challenge too!

The recommended Stampin Up colors are Black, Melon Mambo and Coastal Cabana.  The closest Close To My Heart colors are Black, Cotton Candy and Lagoon.  

Close To My Heart products used:

     Black CS

     Lagoon CS

     Cotton Candy CS

     For Always paper (retired)

     In The Background stamp set

     Swirls Around stamp set

     Salutation Seals stamp set (retired)

     Lagoon Ink

     Cotton Candy Ink

    3D Foam tape

Other products:

     Liquid Pearls--White Opal

This is the Technostampers Sketch #312 that I followed:

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, May 16 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

     

Foxy Birthday for Color My Heart Color Dare #92

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!  This week we are inviting you to make something using the Close To My Heart colors Sweet Leaf and Crystal Blue.  (You may substitute similar colors if you don't have these colors yet and you may combine them with neutrals such as white, black, tans and greys also).

Close To My Heart products used:

    White Daisy CS

    One Way Border stamps

    Crystal Blue Ink

    Black Ink

    Black CS

    Winter Cozy B&T paper (retired)

    Sweet Leaf Marker

    Wild About Love stamp set (Feb. 2014 Stamp of the Month)

    Reverse side of Artiste Word Balloon stamp (so it could face the fox who is "speaking")

    Say it in Style Happy Birthday (retired)

    Aqua Dots--flower center

    also--tiny wiggle eyes--source unknown

My card design was inspired by this Operation Write Home sketch:

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

Check out what the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team B has to inspire you:  Gretchen, Michelle, Hansi and Sarah.  You have until Thursday, May 8 9PM CT to enter your papercrafted creation here.  We look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you create with the colors Crystal Blue and Sweet Leaf.

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

:) Marie