Boxing Week Sales at Close to My Heart!

Would you like to purchase Close to My Heart Embossing Folders and Thin Cut Bundles (stamps and coordinating dies) for 1/2 price?  There is an assortment of current and retired items available for sale today only until 3PM MT (2 PM PST, 4 PM  CST or 5 PM EST).

Come check it out here!  Stop by again every day this week for another assortment of highly discounted items.

Be sure to check out the Clearance button and the Going Soon buttons for additional values.  If your order reaches $50 you will also be eligible to purchase the December Stamp of the Month for just $5!

Happy Shopping!

:) Marie

Color Dare #224 Meets CAS Challenges #366.

Here is the last Color My Heart Color Dare challenge for 2016! We invite you to use the designated Close to My Heart colors to create something you like.  (Of course if you don't have the exact CTMH colors yet you can substitute something similar so you can still join in on the fun!)  This year we are extending the usual one week challenge to 3 weeks (ending 9PM EST January 5) so you have plenty of time to join us over the holidays.  

Our colors this week are:  Cranberry, Crystal Blue, Willow and White Daisy.  My card features stamps and thin cuts from the Thankful for You Thin Cuts Bundle.

Here is a close-up so you can see how sparkly the Clear Shimmer pen made the swan's bill and wings.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Thankful for You Thin Cuts Bundle

     White Daisy CS

     Adventure Fundamentals Paper (Willow green pattern)

     Cranberry CS

     Crystal Blue CS

     White and Gold Ribbon

     Clear Shimmer Brush

     Willow Ink

     Crystal Blue Ink

     Scallop Punch (retired)

Other product:

     Stitched Oval Die by Katscrappiness.com

     Tiny wiggle eye

Here is the Color My Heart Color Dare graphic.  Just click on it to get to the challenge blog to check out what the rest of the awesome Design Team has to inspire you.

     

My usual creative process often starts with pairing the color challenge with a current sketch challenge.  I often consult the Paper Playful blog to find other challenges to inspire me.  This week I found the Crazy 4 Challenges blog in which you can use any of their sketches for the whole year.  I chose challenge #341.

I'm also entering my card into the Sunny Day Crafting challenge where it is always Anything Goes.

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

:) Marie

CAS Christmas Card for Addicted to Stamps and More #224

The last six months has really flown by!  This is my last project for the Addicted to Stamps and More Design Team.  I've been honored to be among this very talented group of people in sharing my passion for creativity.  The theme this week at Addicted to Stamps and More is CAS or Clean and Simple.  We are being sponsored by Happy Little Stampers.

My card features a cut from the Celebrate With Flourish cricut cartridge, some gold embossing and Fireworks Craft Ink (Cottage Ivy) sprayed background.  Indian Gold Embellishment Mousse was rubbed on the edges of the base layer to accent the card.

Here is a second photo to show off the shimmer of the present.

My card was inspired by this wonderful sketch from Case This Sketch.#201

I'm also entering this card into the Sunny Day Crafts--Anything Goes challenge.

Please stop by the Addicted to Stamps and More blog to check out what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.  We would love to have you share your CAS projects with us in our last challenge of 2016!

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

Thoughtful Flowers and City Sidewalks for December Joyful Stars Blog Hop

Welcome to the December Joyful Stars Blog Hop!  We are a group of Close to My Heart consultants who share something each month on the 9th and at 9PM EST.  If you are coming from Donna Ackley Long's blog you are on the right track.  (The complete lineup is also on Joyce's blog in case you get lost.) Have fun being inspired!

One of my favorite stamps from the December Stamp of the Month Thoughtful Flowers is this poinsettia stamp.  I colored it several times with our Shin Han Touch Markers (Carmine and Tender Pink) and then used the CTMH Clear Shimmer Brush on the center petals.  I used a 1/4" hole punch to cut the flower centers from CTMH Gold Shimmer Trim.

Here is a closeup so you can see the sparkle on the top leaves made by the Clear Shimmer Brush:

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Thoughtful Flowers

     Memento Black Ink 

     City Sidewalks paper

     Light Cerulean Blue Shin Han Touch marker (to create lines on top panel)

     Clear Shimmer Brush

     Tender Pink Shin Han Touch Marker (base layer of color on top of flower)

     Carmine Shin Han Touch Marker (several coats on top flower petals and bottom flower petals)

     Gold Shimmer Trim

     3D Foam Tape

Here is the Atlantic Hearts Sketch that inspired my card layout: 

I'm also entering this into the Feeling-Sketchy Anything Goes Sketch challenge.

Now it's time to head on over to Donna Thomson Digby's blog to see the awesome project she has to share this month.

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

P.S. If you like what you see on my blog please consider becoming a follower of my blog so you won't miss any of my fabulous projects.

Color Dare #222 Meets Paper Players Sketch #323

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week it's about Metallics!  We would love to see your projects made with your choice of Gold, Silver, Rose Gold, with Black and White Daisy and/or Colonial White.  I went to the Close to My Heart Uptown Fundamentals to create my card.

I varied the light position of these photos to show off the gold foil shininess!

Close to My Heart products used:
      Colonial White CS
      Hearts Embossing Folder (retired)
      Black CS
      Uptown Fundamentals Paper (script paper and foil paper)
      True Love Stamps
      Versamark Ink
      Ranger Gold Detail Embossing Powder
      Memento Black Ink

Here is the Paper Players Sketch #323 that inspired my card layout:

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:
      Simon Says Wednesday--Anything Goes
      Sunny Day Crafting--Anything Goes
      The House That Stamps Built--Anything Goes
      As You Like it Challenge--Choose your favorite metallic and why.  My          favorite metallic is Gold--to me it is such a rich and regal color.

Now head on over to the Color My Heart Color Dare blog to check out what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.  Don't forget we are looking for some new Design Team members.  Read about it here.

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


   

December Stamp of the Month--Thoughtful Flowers

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring December's SOTM, which is "Thoughtful Flowers", a set of 14 stamps.  If you have come here from Krista Hershberger's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog:  http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html. 

This month we have 30 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

My card features two floral stamps and one (of 6) sentiment stamps. 

      

Close to My Heart products used:
      Cranberry CS
      Canary CS
      Uptown Fundamentals Paper (gold strip)
      Adventure Fundamentals Paper
      Memento black Ink
      Marigold Shin Han Touch Marker
      Golden Yellow Shin Han Touch Marker
      Clear Shimmer Brush
      Clear Epoxy Bubbles

Here is the Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch that inspired my card layout:

Now "Hop" on over to Gina Brandstetter's blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the December SOTM is only available until December 31!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount!

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

:) Marie

P.S.  If you are looking to participate in a challenge that features Close to My Heart Exclusive colors please check out Color My Heart Color Dare blog.

     
     
   

Music Themed Birthday Card for Addicted to Stamps #222

Welcome back to another Addicted to Stamps and More challenge blog post.  This week we are inviting you to "Make Your Mark" using ink, markers, pencils, chalks etc.  This week we are being sponsored by Paper Smooches who is generously offering a $25 gift certificate to one lucky participant.

Products used:

      Memento Black Ink

      Music and Violin Rubbernecker stamp

      Casual Expressions birthday greeting--retired Close to My Heart

      Uptown Fundamentals paper (gold foil stripe)

      Pomegranate Ink

      Prismacolor pencils

Here is the Sunday Stamps sketch that inspired my card layout:

    

     

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

      Sunny Day Crafting--Anything Goes

      Color Inspiration Monday--Hand Colored Image

      Get Creative Challenge--Birthday

      The Pencil Case--Anything Goes Coloring Challenge

      Patti's Creations--Birthday

Now head on over to the Addicted to Stamps and More blog to check out what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #221 Meets Case This Sketch

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week our challenge colors are Close to My Heart colors Saffron, Goldrush, Poppy and Colonial White.  Of course if you don't have these Close to My Heart colors yet you can substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun.  Here is a really quick card I made using the CTMH Artbooking cartridge and following Case This Sketch #199:

 

Close to My Heart products used:

      Artbooking cartridge

      Colonial White CS

      Saffron CS

     Goldrush CS

     Poppy CS

     Poppy Ink

     Balloon Animals stamp (retired)

Here is the wonderful Case This Sketch #199 that inspired my card:

 

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

      Seize the Birthday

      Addicted to Stamps--Diecuts plus stamp 

      Crafting With Friends--Anything Goes 

      Fun Day Fridays--Cut it Up 

Have you ever wanted to challenge yourself, and inspire and encourage others by joining a Design Team?  Color My Heart Color Dare is looking for new Design Team members and we'd love to have you join our fabulous team.  Many of us currently on the Design Team had never been on a Design Team before and have found it to be a very rewarding experience.  Be sure to check out the Color Dare blog for more details.

Please head on over to the Color Dare blog to check out what the other awesome Design Team members have to inspire you and the details about joining the Color Dare Design Team.

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

:) Marie

Shimmering Thanksgiving Card

As I was cleaning up my craft room I found this Thanksgiving message (Simple Holiday Cards cricut cartridge) cut from a kraft paper leftover from last year so I decide to create another Thanksgiving card.  I used Nuvo Embellishment Mousse (Fresh Copper and Indian Gold) to paint the background and then glued the cut piece on top.  The leaf veins were made with Nuvo Crystal Drops (Copper Penny).

Here is a close up so you can see how shimmery the painted Mousse is.  I just love these products!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
      Die Cuttin' Divas--Anything Goes
      Bitten by the Bug2--Thanksgiving
      Sunny Day Crafting--Anything Goes
      City Crafter Challenge #339--Goldfinger

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

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #290--Give Thanks

Welcome back to another Fantabulous Cricut Challenge blog post!  We would like to see your Thanksgiving projects made with your cricut machines!  We are being sponsored by Dreaming Tree with a $20 Gift Certificate to the winner.

Products used:
      Holidays Through the Year Iron on Cricut cartridge
      Flower Market Cricut Cartridge (sunflowers)
      Autumn Terracotta CS (retired Close to My Heart)
      Barn Red CS (retired Close to My Heart)
      Goldrush CS
      Canary CS
      Chocolate CS
      Colonial White CS
      Nuvo Crystal Drops--English Mustard

I'm also linking this card up to the following challenges:
      Bitten by the Bug--Thanks or Thanksgiving
      Hiding in My Craft Room--Show Thanks
     
Now head on over to the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge blog to see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.

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

Color Dare #220 Meets Feeling Sketchy #157

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are challenging you to use all and only the following Close to My Heart colors:  Pomegranate, Saffron, Poppy, New England Ivy and Colonial White.  (Of course, if you don't have these exact CTMH colors yet you can substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun!)

My card features Happy Heart sentiments stamps and the challenge colors.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Poppy CS

     Enchantment Fundamentals paper

     New England Ivy CS

     Colonial White CS

     Pomegranate CS

     Poppy Ink

     Happy Heart stamps

     Colonial White Pigment Ink

My card was inspired by the Feeling Sketchy sketch #157:  

Here is the Color Dare graphic.  Click on it to get to the Color Dare blog to check out what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you with these fabulous colors.

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

      Craftaholics--Fall Cards for Guys

      A Bit More Time to Craft--Anything Goes

      Paper Creators Crafts #53--Anything Goes

      Sunny Day Crafting #23--Anything Goes

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

:) Marie

Addicted to Stamps and More #220--Photo Inspiration

Welcome back to another Addicted to Stamps and More challenge blog post.  This week we have a photo inspiration for you.  My card was so easy to make with Anna's Winter Wonderland cartridge.

Close to My Heart Products used:
     Oh Deer! paper
     Cranberry CS
     Champagne CS
     Topiary CS (retired)
     Fern CS

Other products:
     Anna's Winter Wonderland Cricut Cartridge
     Nuvo Crystal Drops--Morning Dew (on dots on background paper)

     Nuvo Crystal Drops--Red Glitter (on holly berry)

     Nuvo Crystal Drops--White Blizzard (on the letter C)

Here is the photo inspiration graphic and prize notice from the ATSM blog:

Sponsor

Happy Little Stampers was created in 2015 by Kylie (owner of ATSM and ATCAS). Kylie wanted to bring out a line of stamps that were useful for every day crafters. From cute to whimsical images, from everyday to funky sentiments there is something for everyone!

Shop: Happy Little Stampers

Prize: $15 gift certificate

We would love to have you join in on the fun at the Addicted to Stamps and More blog!

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

:) Marie

      
     
    
    

Thanksgiving Card for Several Challenges

The Thanksgiving holiday in the United States is next week so I'm making cards to send to special people I won't have a chance to see.  I used the Classroom--October and November Cricut cartridge to make this card. 

Close to My Heart products used:
     Champagne CS
     Olivia patterned paper (retired)
     Barn Red CS (retired)
     Goldrush CS

Other products:
     Cricut cartridge:  Classroom--October and November
     Wink of Stella Gold (applied to turkey--closeup below)

 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

     Bitten by the Bug--Anything Goes Thanksgiving

     Simply Create Too--Gobble, Gobble

     Simon Says Monday--Thanksgiving 

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

:) Marie

Flower Market Sunflowers in Paper Play Sketch #21

Here is a card I made with the new Close to My Heart Flower Market cricut cartridge using Paper Play Sketch #21.

Close to My Heart products used:
      Flower Market Cricut cartridge     
      Champagne CS
      New England Ivy CS
      Goldrush CS
      Canary CS
      Saffron CS
      Chocolate CS
      Clear Shimmer Brush (on flower centers and 3 chocolate accents)

Here is the Paper Play Sketch #21 that inspired my card (rotated 90 degrees)

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

City Sidewalks for Color Dare #219 and Mojo Monday

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post.  This week we are challenging you to use all and only the colors from the City Sidewalks paper packet.  (Of course, if you don't have these Close to My Heart colors yet you may substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun). The featured colors are Black, Cranberry, Lagoon, Peacock, White Daisy and Willow.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Willow CS
     City Sidewalks paper
     Cranberry CS
     Season of Magic stamps (poinsettia stamp)
     Cranberry Ink
     Holiday Tags stamps (retired)
     Peacock Ink
     Clear Shimmer Brush (on poinsettia and snow on paper) 

Here is the Color Dare graphic.  Just click on it to check out what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.

 

This is the Mojo Monday Sketch that inspired my card layout:

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

     Sunny Day Crafts--Anything Goes

     Cardz 4 Gals--Contemporary Christmas 

     Sweet Stampin' Christmas--Anything Christmas

     Inspiration Destination--Anything Goes 
     Scrapping4Fun Challenge #78--Christmas

Are you ready to take the Color Dare challenge this week?

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

:) Marie

Flower Market Pumpkins for Joyful Stars Blog Hop

Welcome to the November Joyful Stars Blog Hop!  We are a group of Close to My Heart consultants who share something each month and at 9PM EST.  If you are coming from Debi Brile's blog you are on the right track.  (The complete lineup is also on Joyce's blog in case you get lost.) Have fun being inspired!

I made this card for my sister's birthday.  She loves everything "pumpkin" so I got to use the latest Close to My Heart Flower Market Cricut cartridge to create a birthday card for her.  The stamped greeting is also from the Flower Market Cricut collection.  The "frost" on the pumpkins was made with the new Clear Shimmer Brush.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Flower Market Cricut collection
     Pansy CS
     Colonial white CS
     Sunset CS (recently retired)
     New England Ivy CS
     Goldrush CS
     New England Ivy Ink
     Clear Shimmer Brush

I'm also linking this card up to the Cards in Envy Pumpkins challenge.

Now it's time to head on over to Betty Locco's blog to see the awesome project she has to share this month.

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

P.S. If you like what you see on my blog please consider becoming a follower of my blog so you won't miss any of my fabulous projects.


     

Brusho Color Burst For Case This Sketch

My new Brusho watercolor crystals arrived last week and this is the first card I made using this fun medium.  I sprinkled tiny bits of the powder onto the paper and then spritzed with water.  It was fun to watch the colors appear and move around!

Products used:
     Brusho Color Crystals--Leaf Green, Turquoise, 
          Brilliant Red
     Glossy CS (retired D.O.T.S.)
     4 My Friend Stamp (retired Close to My Heart)
     Cranberry CS
     White Embossing Powder
     Silver Signo pen

Here is the Case This Sketch sketch that inspired my card layout:

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

     Nacho Average Challenge--Gratitude Challenge

     Shopping our Stash--Thank You or Thanksgiving
     Scrappin4Fun Challenge--Thanks or Thanksgiving

     Crazy Challenge--Thank You

     Paperminutes #460--Diagonal

     Paper Players--Thankful

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

:) Marie

     

French Manor Thinking of You Card

Here are two  quick cards I made for the "Thinking of You" challenge over at the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge blog this week.  I love how quick it is to create something lovely with my Cricut machine!

Products Used:

      French Manor Cricut cartridge

      Peacock CS (Close to My Heart)

      Thinking of You stamp (Repeat Impressions)

      Silver Lining Stack paper (DCWV)

      Silver Embossing Powder (Ranger)

Here is a slightly different card--the silver patterned paper is replaced with Antique Gold Shimmer Paper by Recollections and White embossing powder. 

Which card do you like better?

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

     Sunny Day Crafting--Anything Goes

     Through the Craft Room Door--Anything Goes

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

:) Marie