You Are Here Birthday Camper for April Joyful Stars Blog Hop

Welcome back to another 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 Debi Brile's blog you are on the right track. (The complete lineup is on Joyce's blog in case you get lost.) Have fun being inspired!  

A friend of mine said she was going to surprise her friend celebrating a big birthday.  She told me that she liked camping and daisies so I combined those ideas to create this card.  The camper is from the latest Close to My Heart cartridge called You Are Here.  The trees are Peacock and Juniper, the camper is White Daisy, Glacier and Sapphire, the ground is Kraft and the sky is Sky (retired CTMH).  The tiny daisy stamp is from Adorable stamp set (retired CTMH) and the Birthday sentiment is from Belated Birthday (also retired CTMH).  I used Peacock ink on the birthday greeting and Memento Black ink on the daisies.  The daisy centers were colored in with a Golden Yellow Shin Han Touch marker.  The camper was popped up with 3D Foam Tape.

  
Now head on over to Andrea Sherman's blog.  I'm sure you'll be inspired by her project! 

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

     HeARTful Stamping--Anything Goes plus a stamp (daisy)

     A Gem of a Challenge--Female Birthday with  a Sentiment

     Challenge Up Your Life--#88 Vehicles

     Fussy and Fancy Challenge--#209 Add a Sentiment

     Simply Create Too--#137  Use Die Cuts
     Heart 2 Heart--Birthday Bash

         Seize the Birthday--Optional Birds
     Always Fun Challenges #53--Anything Goes

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 "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

Color Dare #278 Meets Freshly Made Sketch #322

If you are looking for the February Stamp of the Month blog hop post please go here.

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are challenging you to combine Bashful Pink with Kraft with an option to use Gold.  Black and White are always free to use in any of our challenges.  If you don't have the exact Close to My Heart colors you can substitute similar colors so you can still play along.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Bashful CS

     Bashful Glitter paper

     Artistry cricut cartridge

     Kraft CS

     White Daisy CS

      Say it All stamp set (retired)

     Versamark Ink

     Ranger Gold Embossing Powder

     Marvy Uchida Black Journaling pen (to create

        black lines around White Daisy and Kraft                    papers)

If you would like to use my Design Space file just click here.

Just click on this Color Dare graphic to see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.

     

This challenge will be open until Thursday evening, February 15 at 9PM ET.

Here is the fabulous Freshly Made Sketch that inspired my card layout:

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

      Fusion Challenge--Hearts

    Cards4Galz--Think Pink

Don't forget about Color Dare #277--A Tic Tac Toe board of Chelsea Gardens colors which closes on February 8 at 9PM ET.

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 "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch #246

The new sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch challenge blog is here and it inspired me to make this masculine card using up some of my stash of retired Close to My Heart products (Tommy paper, Bamboo and Outdoor Denim cardstock.)  The sentiment is from Home for the Holidays cricut cartridge and was modified in Design Space.

Our new sketch features stripes within stripes--how will you interpret this card layout?  You have until Monday evening, January 14 to share your creation with us here.

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

      As You Like It challenges--Anything Goes

      Crafting From the Heart--Anything Goes

      Classic Design Team Open Challenge--Anything             Goes

      Crafts Galore Encore--Anything Goes

      World Wide Open Design Team Challenge--                      Anything Goes

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

:) Marie

p.s.--If you like color challenges please check out

Color My Heart Color Dare:

Atlantic Hearts Sketch #237

Welcome back to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog post.  This sketch features diagonal stripes and repeated elements along the left side.  My card was painted with Nuvo Embellishment Mousse (Fresh Copper, Indian Gold and Cosmic Brown) to give it some sparkle and shine.  Some leaves were cut from metallic gold or brown cardstock from the Paper Cut with Spellbinders Leaves dies.  The striped paper is from Close to My Heart Happy Times paper set from last year.

Here is the fabulous Atlantic Hearts sketch.  We would love to see how it inspires you to create!  You have until Sunday evening, November 12 to link up to us here.

Other challenges entered:

    Fusion Challenge--Leaves

    Seize the Birthday--Kraft base

    Crafty Calendar Challenge--Autumn Colors

    Addicted to CAS--Leaves

    Addicted to Stamps and More--Anything Goes

    Glitter 'N Sparkle--Fall Colors 

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 "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

   

No Worries for Atlantic Hearts Sketch #225

Welcome back to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog post!  We have another fabulous sketch for you this week.  My card uses Close to My Heart No Worries paper, Kraft paper, Sapphire Ink and the retired Holiday Tags stamp set.

Here is the wonderful sketch that I followed:

 

We hope you find the time to share your creations with us here this week. 

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

     City Crafter Challenge--No Flowers 

     Inky Chicks--Sentiment instead of Image

     Through the Craft Room Door--Anything Goes

     Tuesday Throwdown--Anything Goes    

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 "following" me by email or in your blog roll so you don't miss out on any of my fabulous card making ideas. You can sign up on the right sidebar.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #144 Meets Cardz4Guys #104

This card is for a good friend of mine who is undergoing 30 days of radiation treatments.  My goal is to send him a card a week and this is card #2.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Kraft CS

     Zoe paper

     Gold Metallic Marker--to make dots inside the circles, color the wood bird

         and color some gold leaves in tree)

     Keep Your Chin Up stamps

     Chocolate Ink

     Versamark Ink

     Clear Embossing powder

     3D Foam Tape

     Buttercup spiral clip (retired)

     Wood Trinkets (retired)

Here is the Atlantic Hearts Sketch #144 that inspired me to make this card:

I was also influenced to make this card by the Spots and or Stripes challenge over at Cardz 4 Guys.

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

:) Marie

p.s. There is a new color challenge over at Color My Heart Color Dare:

Challenge ends on Thursday evening, February 4 at 9PM CST.

Love Ya Silly Halloween Card for Color Dare #166

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!  This week we are challenging you to combine the following Close to My Heart colors:  Sunset, Black, White Daisy, Kraft and an option of green.

I'm still making Halloween cards and these challenge colors were perfect for my card:

I followed the Retrosketches #187 sketch to make my card:

Close to My Heart products used:

     Black CS

     White Daisy CS

     Pear CS

     La Vie En Rose paper (black and white print)

     Hooligans paper (retired)

     Love Ya Silly stamp

     Say it All stamp

     Black Ink

     Pear Ink

     Liquid Glass (to coat the little monster and make him shiny)

     My Legacy Writer .05 to outline monster

Other products:

     Drippy Goo border punch by Martha Stewart

     tiny wiggle eyes

We would love to have you join in on the challenge!  If you don't have these exact colors you may substitute similar colors so you can still play along.  You can link up your project here.  The challenge ends on Thursday evening, November 5 at 9PM CDT.

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #156 Meets Retrosketches #177

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are inviting you to join us using the fabulous Close to My Heart colors Hollyhock, Goldrush, Colonial White and Kraft.

My card features the August Stamp of the Month called Framed and Paper Fundamentals Adventure paper.  (Don't you just love the glossy chevron pattern on the paper?)

Close to My Heart products used:
     Colonial White CS
     Paper Fundamentals Adventure paper
     Kraft CS
     Goldrush Ink
     Hollyhock Ink
     Charming Cascades stamp (available Sept.1)
     Framed stamp set (retiring Sept.1)
     Artistry Cricut cartridge to cut label frame
     Colonial White Mini Medley (retired)
     Colonial White Rosette Ribbon (retired)
     Pink Glitter Gem

Here is the Retrosketches #177 Sketch that inspired me:

Now it's your turn to use these colors and share it with us here.  Don't worry--if you don't have these exact colors you may substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun.

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #128--Cranberry, Flaxen, Black, White Daisyand Kraft

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post.  The Close to My Heart colors we are featuring this week are pictured here:

These are the only 5 colors allowed for the challenge although if you do not have these exact CTMH colors you may substitute similar colors.

My card features a new stamp set found in the Seasonal Expressions catalog called "A Bunch of Thanks".  I used Freshly Made Sketch #42 as my card layout.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Kraft CS

     Cranberry CS

     Black CS

     White Daisy CS

     Flaxen CS

      Cranberry Ink

      Flaxen Ink

      Bunch of Thanks stamp set

This was my first card which I forgot to include black:

I really like how the black makes the focal panel "pop"!

Now it's your turn to create with these 5 colors.  We look forward to seeing what you create. Please use a direct link to share your creations with us here.

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

:) Marie

p.s. If you haven't seen my blog candy giveaway post from last week go there NOW as the deadline to enter is midnight, February 6.

Treasured Friendship Seashells with Retrosketch #130

There is a pretty interesting sketch at Retrosketches this week that I used to make this birthday card.  I was happy to use some new products from Close To My Heart (Treasured Friendship stamps, Seaside Paper and Shin Han Touch Markers).

Here is the sketch that inspired me:

Close To My Heart products used:
     White Daisy CS
     Seaside Paper
     Treasured Friendship stamps
     Banner Wishes stamp
     Pacifica CS
     Kraft CS
     Shin Han Touch Alcohol Markers
     3D Foam Tape

I'm also entering this card into Seize the Birthday and Designer's Choice Challenge at The House That Stamps Built.

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

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

H2H Challenge--"Brown Paper Packages Tied up with String"

The Heart 2 Heart challenge this week comes right from a song--can you guess which song it is from?  "Brown Paper Packages Tied Up with String" is our theme this week and you can interpret it any way you want--just be sure to use some Close To My Heart products!    (Answer at the bottom of the post--hint it is from a Broadway musical).

 

Close To My Heart Products Used:

Cranberry CS

Pear and Partridge paper (retired)

Kraft paper

Burlap Ribbon

Harvest Baker's Twine

Bronze Shimmer Trim

A Little Gift stamp--paper pieced from Kraft, Cranberry and Champagne)

Chocolate Ink

Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel

I've got a brown package and lots of string--I removed a few strands of burlap to create spaces to weave the twine through and left it ragged on the edges.   How will you be inspired to create using our theme this week?  Please use a direct link to enter here.  We look forward to visiting your blogs.

Answer:  the phrase comes from the song "My Favorite Things" from the musical "Sound of Music".  

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

  

I don't know about you but I'll be singing it in my head all night now!  

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

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

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

:) Marie

Seize the Birthday #11--Masculine Card

"Buzzing with Good Wishes" is the greeting on the front of this card made for Seize the Birthday#11--Masculine Card challenge this week.  It is from the new Close To My Heart stamp "Quick Cards--Bumblebee".  I stamped the bee separately onto Creme Brulee CS with Cocoa ink and cut him out and then glittered him with Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel on his body and Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel on his wings. He was also popped up from the card using 3D Foam Tape. The focal paper stripe is from Close to My Heart Buzz and Bumble.  The background panel is Kraft CS which has been run through my Cuttlebug with the SU folder "Honeycomb".  This design went together very quickly and I can see making lots of cards using this fabulous sketch..

Here is the Seize the Birthday sketch:

 

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

Shelly's Terrifically Thrilling Thursday challenge--anything goes

Clearly Inspired Challenge #71--anything goes

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

More Hexagons for Tuesday Morning Sketch #181 and Make it Monday

I had some leftover hexagon pieces from my last card for Color My Heart Color Dare and they are useful in the Make it Monday with Kraft Outlet Use Your Scraps Challenge this week.  It fits in quite nicely with the Tuesday Morning Sketch #181 and gave me the chance to use Cozy Cat again--he'll appear in the Close To My Heart catalog on February 1.  The greeting is from Hooray Bouquet and the hexagon pieces are from CTMH retired Black Background and Texture paper.  The cat was stamped onto Grey Wool B & T paper and Holiday Red B & T paper and then cut out and lifted up off his pillow with 3D foam dots.

The sketch:

 

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

:) Marie

p.s. don't forget to check out the current color challenge at Color My Heart--black, white and a pop of color (your choice of Close To My Heart colors!)  due Thursday, Jan. 25 at 9pm CT

Clean and Simple Challenge FTL 153

When I have time I enjoy doing card sketches. The Clean and Simple Challenge can be found here. This one came pretty easily to me using Close To My Heart products. I used Kraft CS, Crystal Blue CS, Treasure Life Stamp set (D1306) and For Every Occasion stamp set (D1187) and Chocolate ink.

The colorful stripe came from the tear off strip from one of CTMH's new cardstock weight patterned papers from the Dreamin' pack. I love being able to use every little bit of paper! Thanks for looking!