Paper Bird Meets Color Dare #144

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post.  We invite you to create using Close to My Heart colors. (Of course, if you don't have these specific colors yet you may substitute similar colors so you can still play along.)  This week our challenge features the following colors:
Juniper, Ruby, Canary and white Daisy.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Ruby CS

     Juniper CS

     Canary CS

     Paper Bird stamps 

     Ruby Ink

     Juniper Washi Tape (retired)

     Ruby ChevronWashi Tape

Here is the color graphic that we would like you to post in your blog if you decide to take the Color Dare challenge:

The challenge at the Male Room this week is to use Washi Tape so I am entering this card into that challenge also.

Now, head on over to the Color My Heart Color Dare blog and see what the other Design Team members have to inspire you.

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

:) Marie

P.S.  Stop by again on Monday for a special post featuring "Blog Candy" to be won!

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #252--With a Sketch

I'm so excited to share with you that I've been selected to join the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog Design Team!  I've been following this blog for years and playing along on occasion and am delighted that I will be getting to share more Cricut inspired challenges with you.  This week's challenge is sponsored by Bugaboo stamps and features the use of an old Retrosketch Challenge from July 2012.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Artbooking cartridge pg. 53--Photo Mat 2
     Brushed Paper
     Ruby CS
     Pixie CS
     Black CS
     For Every Occasion stamp-Hi--retired
     Finding the Words--tiny heart stamp
     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel--retired

Other products:
     Baby Flower Pot image by Bugaboo stamps
     Prismacolor pencils

Here is the Retrosketch graphic that we are asking you to use for this challenge:

So head on over to the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog to see what the other fabulous Design Team members have to inspire your creativity.  We hope you can play along with us.  The challenge ends Sunday evening, June 7.

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

:) Marie

Use Your Stash Blog Hop--Use an Uninked Stamp

Welcome back to another Use Your Stash Blog Hop!  We are a group of Close to My Heart consultants who are trying to use up what we have.  Our theme this month is "If you stamp it, they will love it!" and we are using stamps we have not yet used or loved.   If you are coming from Michelle Loncar's blog you are on the right track.

My card features stamps from the Blossom Cardmaking Kit which I purchased several months ago but had not yet created anything with them.

I followed the Technostamper's 1st and 3rd Monday Lunchtime Sketch #363 to make this card.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Blossom Paper

     Sunset CS

     Blossom Cardmaking Kit stamps

     Sunset Ink

     Lagoon Ink

     3D Foam Tape

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

The next stop on our blog hop is Casandra Bennett's blog.  I'm sure you will love what she has to share.

Our Blog Hop Coordinator, Shirley Ross, has also asked us to share stamp storage ideas.  Here are a few pictures of my stamp organizational process but I have to admit I need more SPACE!

Some of my old Close to My Heart stamp sets (pre My Acrylix) are stored on this book shelf.  The cabinet to the left holds lots of paper and there are lots of supplies in plastic shoeboxes.

Some of my old Close to My Heart stamps (pre My Acrylix) are contained within these cabinet drawers that I purchased at IKEA about 17 years ago.  On top of the cabinet are plastic shoeboxes with CTMH My Acrylix organized alphabetically.  (My most recent acquisitions are not filed alphabetically and are stored together in a big plastic container).   There is one CTMH box labeled Christmas.  Above the cabinets and plastic shoeboxes is an old wooden casette display cabinet that is overflowing with Close to My Heart stamp pads.  (I've collected quite a few over the 18+ years I've been a consultant!)

Several years ago, my best stamping buddy Arlene, made me this binder to help me be able to see what stamps I have to choose from.  Previously I stamped all the sets in black but this summer I decided I would choose one of the newly released colors (Thistle) so I would be better able to see what the current stamp sets are.

Here is a picture of the outside of the binder that was stamped with Close to My Heart stamps:

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

:) Marie

Finding the Words with Blossom Paper for AHSC #108

Welcome back to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog post.  My card features some new Close to My Heart items.

The Close to My Heart Seasonal Expressions 2 catalog features a beautiful new paper pack called "Blossom" and a wonderful new stamp set that features words to make dozens of greetings.  It is called "Finding the Words" and it is a very versatile stamp set.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Lagoon CS

     Blossom paper

     Art Philosophy cartridge frame cuts

     Finding the Words stamp set

     Lagoon Ink

     Sunset Ink and sponge dauber

     Teal Shimmer Trim

Here is Atlantic Hearts Sketch #108:

  

Please stop by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and check out what the rest of the Design Team has done with this sketch.  We would love to have you join us in our gallery.

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

:) Marie

     

Color Dare #142 Meets Atlantic Hearts Sketch #107

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are challenging you to create something with the following colors:  Glacier, Lagoon, Pear, Sunset, Smoothie and White Daisy.  My card is based on the current Atlantic Hearts Challenge sketch.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Lagoon CS

     Smoothie CS

     Hopscotch paper (retired)

     Blossom paper

     Tagged With Love stamp

     Pear Ink

     Smoothie Ink

     Coral Reef Sequins

Other

     white picot ribbon trim

Here is the Color Dare color graphic:

Here is the Atlantic Hearts Challenge Sketch:

Head on over to these two wonderful challenge blogs to get inspired and share your creations.

I am also entering this card into the Seize the Birthday challenge.

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

Happy Mother's Day Card for Joyful Stars Blog Hop and Other Challenges

Welcome back to our monthly blog hop called "Joyful Stars".  We  are a group of Close To My Heart consultants sharing our love of Close to My Heart products with you. If you are coming from Krista Hershberger's blog you are on the right track.  If you get lost along the way you can find your way back on track by visiting Joyce's blog for a complete lineup.

I followed the Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch to make my card:

Close to My Heart products used:

     Art Philosophy cricut cartridge for doily

     White Daisy CS

     Black CS

     Brushed paper

     Topiary CS

     Ruby CS

     A Budding Friendship stamp

     Happy to Be Friends greeting

     Black Ink

     Pixie Ink

     Canary Ink

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

     3D Foam Tape

Challenges entered:

     Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch

     Friday Mashup--Mother's Day

     Bitten by the Bug--Mother's Day

     Shopping Our Stash--Big, Bold and Beautiful

Now it's time to head on over to see what the very talented Nancy Brown has to share with you!

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

:) Marie

Using My Stash for Atlantic Hearts Sketch #106

Welcome back to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch challenge blog post!  This week's sketch has some interesting layers.  Cas-ual Fridays is celebrating their 4th birthday so I used their color scheme (Black, White, Turquoise and Orange).  My favorite turquoise paper is called "Tropical Blue" by Close to My Heart and was retired many years ago.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Black CS

     Dotty for You paper (retired)

     Tropical Blue B & T paper (retired)

     Belated Birthday stamps

     Sunset Ink

     Black Ink

     3D Foam Tape

Other products:

    Ribbon--unknown source

    Frost Glitter Glue by Recollections

As I was making this card I was debating whether or not to add the black and white ribbon.  Here is a photo of my card before I added the ribbon:

My preference is the card with the ribbon?  Which one do you like better?

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

Below is the Atlantic Hearts Sketch #106 that I used to make this card.  We hope that you will find time to create with it and share it with us here.  The Design Team always does an amazing job so you should definitely check it out.

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

:) Marie

Taste of Summer Thank You

The Close to My Heart May special offering is a wonderful paper pack called Taste of Summer.  (A coordinating stamp set is also available.)   Retrosketches is one of my favorite challenge blogs so I paired this beautiful fruit filled with this week's sketch.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Taste of Summer paper

     Taste of Summer stamp

     Pathfinding Cardmaking Kit stamp

     Silver Geometric Washi Tape

     3D Foam Tape

     Topiary Ink

     Tulip CS (retired)

Other products:

     Raffia trim

     Wink of Stella (on strawberry accent)

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

:) Marie

Wavy Blooms for Color Dare #140

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are challenging you to use the following Close to My Heart colors:  Ruby, Crystal Blue, Colonial White and White Daisy.  I used Sunday Stamps Sketch challenge #100 for my card layout.

Close to My Heart products used:
     White Daisy CS
     Colonial White CS
     Ruby CS
     Wavy Blooms stamp
     Typed Note sentiment stamp
     Ruby Ink
     Crystal Blue Ink
     Sponge Daubers
     Clear Sparkles
     Ruby Alcohol Marker to color clear sparkles
     White Daisy 3/8" ribbon (retired)

If you don't have the above Close to My Heart colors yet you may substitute similar colors so you can play along.  The challenge closes on Thursday, May 8 at 9PM CDT.  We would love to have you share your papercrafted creation in our gallery. 

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

:) Marie