Quick Birthday Cards with Monstrous Halloween for September 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 Betty Locco'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! 

I haven't received my new items from the new Close to My Heart catalogs yet so I looked in my online business account and found that the Monstrous Halloween stamps and Thin Cuts from last year are still available.  It has cute little monsters and this fabulous birthday greeting.  I used the Love of Color book to choose some coordinating colors.

Here are two cards with the same layout with a different arrangement of colors (Sage, Peacock, Carolina and White Daisy):

Which card do you like better?

My card layout was inspired by this Mojo Monday sketche that was rotated 90 degrees.

I'm also entering these cards into the following challenges:

   Cardz 4 Guys--Celebrate
   Dragonfly Dreams Challenge--Birthdays
   Crafting Happiness--Birthday
   Simon Says Monday Challenge--Stamp It   

Now it's time to head over to Debi Brile's blog --I'm sure you'll be inspired by what she has to share.

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.

Paper Hug Card with Case This Sketch #326

When I saw this week's Case This Sketch challenge I immediately thought of using an older Close to My Heart stamp set called "Swirls Around" as the background flourish.  The cricut cut oval is from the Lacy Labels cartridge and the sentiment stamp is from a retired CTMH stamp set called "True Love".

The paper color is Sugarplum and the stamps were inked with Peacock Ink.  Don't you love how great these two colors look together?  I cut an oval from white craft foam to "pop up" the oval frame.

Here is the fabulous Case This Sketch #326 that inspired my card layout:

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

     Sparkles Forum #117--No Patterned Paper

     Aud Sentiments Challenge #229--Anything Goes & Sentiment

     Crafty Sentiments--Anything Goes

     Retro Rubber Challenge--Anything Goes (Sentiment stamp--2             years old, Swirls Around background stamp about 5 years                 old)

      Addicted to Stamps and More--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.

Zoe Birthday Cards with Atlantic Hearts Sketch #315

Close to My Heart recently brought back their retired paper pack Zoe last month and it is available until the end of May.  I just love the Glacier argyle pattern and am using it once again with these two cards.  (Other cards made with this special paper can be seen here, here and here).Contrasting card stock stripes are Glacier and Peacock.  In the first card the top corner embellishments are Peacock dots from the retired Documented embellishments and the ribbon is White and Gold Ribbon.  The sentiment is from the retired Belated Birthday stamp set and was stamped in Peacock Ink.

The second card uses recently retired So Much Happy sequins and Glacier and White Ribbon.

Which card do you like better?

There is still plenty of time to enter this week's Atlantic Hearts Challenge:

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:
     Sweet Stampers--Birthday
     The Crafting Challenge--Bows or polka dots
     International Art and Soul--Birthday
     

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.

Love So Sweet Leaves for Atlantic Hearts Sketch #310

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #310 has a fabulous sketch this week and I immediately thought of using the leaf spray in this month's Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month set called "Love So Sweet."  I'm actually going to send this card to my nephew who just received a large scholarship to attend medical school.  Way to go, John!

Close to My Heart products used:
     Peacock CS
     Mint CS
     Mink CS
     Love So Sweet
     Peacock Pigment Ink
     Card Captions (retired)
     Clear Embossing Powder

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

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

     Cardz 4 Gals--Flora or Fauna

        Moving Along With the Times--For a Man
     Watercolor Wednesday--Anything Goes
        Sparkles Forum Challenge--Stamped Background

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.

Milestone Birthday Card with Freshly Made Sketch #356

Here is a quick card I made for a milestone birthday for a golfing friend.  Freshly Made Sketch #369 made it so easy to showcase that large number.  

Close to My Heart products used:

      White Daisy CS

      Peacock CS

      Sugar Rush patterned paper (retired)

      White Shimmer Trim

      Artbooking Cricut Cartridge (to cut 60)

      

Other products:

     Metallic posterboard

     Small Dot Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)

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

     Seize the Birthday #156--Confetti Optional

     As You Like It--Anything Goes

     Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge--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 #308 Meets Atlantic Hearts Sketch #279

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog.  It is the last week of the month so we have another fun "choose your own" color challenge using the Tic Tac Toe challenge board featuring Documented color palette.  I used the top row featuring Peacock, Heather and New England Ivy.  The background stamp is Heartfelt Thanks and the butterfly is from the retired Chelsea Gardens stamp set.  The butterfly was black embossed and then painted with Saffron ink.  Several layers of Clear Shimmer Brush were then applied.  Peacock Large Dots Ribbon from the Enchantment Ribbon pack was placed over the Saffron card stock horizontal stripe.

Here is the Documented Tic Tac Toe Board to inspire your creativity.  Please be sure to let us know which row or column you are using when you submit your entry. You must use 3 in a line but you may add other (or all) colors from the challenge board. If you don't have these exact colors yet you may substitute similar colors so you can still join in the fun.  Just click on the graphic below to get to the Color Dare blog to see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.  Our challenge is open until Thursday evening, September 13.  We look forward to seeing how you use these colors. 

My card layout was inspired by this fabulous Atlantic Hearts Sketch #279:

This sketch challenge goes until Sunday evening, Saturday 2 so you still have time to play along.

I'm also linking this card up to the following challenges:

      Addicted to Stamps and More--Make Your Mark

      Crafty Gals Corner--Anything Goes

      Simon Says Wednesday--Anything Goes

      Mod Squad Challenge--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 My Heart Color Dare #304 Meets Try Stampin' on Tuesday #373

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This fortnight we are challenging you to combine the following three Close to My Heart colors:  Peacock, Linen and Eggplant with and option of Silver.  Of course, if you don't have these exact colors you can substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun.  Our challenge ends on Thursday evening, August 16 at 9PM CDT.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Peacock CS
     Shells and Stars stamp
     Eggplant Ink
     Peacock Ink
     Enchantment Fundamentals
     Heartfelt Birthday Wish (retired)
     Clear Shimmer Brush (used on vertical strip                      which pulled some of the ink to color the                      shells)
     Vineyard Berry Marker (retired)

Just click on the Color Dare Graphic below to get to see what the rest of the wonderful Design Team has to inspire you and to find the link to share your project with us.

My card layout was inspired by this Try Stampin' on Tuesday #373:

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

     Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges--Anything Goes

     Craft Rocket Challenges--Anything Goes

     Seize the Birthday--Option of Water

     Crafty Addicts--Boys or Men

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 #269 With Punny Pals Frog

This week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch features a small tag and a greeting.  My card features a waving frog from Close to My Heart Operation Smile Punny Pals stamp set and Thin Cut Basic Tag and Hello Dies.  The background color is Peacock and the patterned paper is from the retired Olivia paper pack.  The frog was colored with Shin Han Touch Sap Green and Vivid Green Markers.

Here is this week's Atlantic Heart Sketch #269:

Doesn't this look like a fun sketch?  You have until Sunday evening June 24 to link up your project here.  We can't wait to see what you create!

I'm also linking this card up to the following challenges:

      Three Amigos Blog Hop--Die Cutting Challenge

      International Art and Soul--Sentiment as Main                   Focus

      Inkspirational--Use Small Stamps

      Happy Little Stampers--Anything Goes with Dies

      

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.

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.

Sympathy Card With Case This Sketch #257

Card sketches are a great way to spark creativity and I knew that Case This Sketch #257 would make a lovely sympathy card.  The branches are from the Chelsea Gardens Stamp set by Close to My Heart along with Glacier card stock and Peacock card stock and Vellum.  I love the way these two bluish green papers look together!  The sentiment is from the Sincere Expressions stamp set (retired Close to My Heart) and was stamped in Versamark Ink and Peacock Ink and then clear embossed.

Here is the fabulous sketch that inspired my card layout:

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 #256--Black, White, Pomegranate, Peacock and Juniper

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 exclusive Close to My Heart colors:  Black, White, Pomegranate, Peacock and Juniper.  Of course if you don't have these CTMH colors yet you can substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun!

My card features Birthday Sparkles sentiment, For You Darling flowers and patterned paper from Jack PML card.

My floral array was stamped with Black ink (I created a mask to get the three connected) and sponged with Pomegranate ink.  I didn't like how dark it was so I brightened it up by creating white dots with the Chalk marker.  I fussy cut it and dipped it into Versamark ink and embossed with Polysparkle Tinsel embossing powder (retired CTMH) to give it a glossy look.  Here is a close up photo:

Here is our color palette for this week's challenge:

Just click on the color graphic to get to see what the rest of the fabulous Color Dare Design Team has to inspire you.  Our challenge will end Thursday evening, August 17.  We can't wait to see what you create!

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:
     Through the Craft Room Door--Anything Goes
     A Bit More Time to Craft #49--Anything Goes
     Love to Craft--Anything Goes
     World Wide Open Design Team Challenge--                       Anything Goes
     Sunny Day Crafting #47--Flowers

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.

Thinking of You Card for Case This Sketch #229

Case This Sketch #229 appealed to me so I used it to create this card:

Before I used the Direct to Paper inking technique with Distress Oxide inks, I used washi tape and Scotch Post it removable tape.

Next I just rubbed Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick and Broken China Distress Oxide Inks.

After peeling the washi tape and post it note tape I stamped SU's Thoughts and Prayers tree stamp in CTMH Peacock Ink.  The greeting is retired from Close to My Heart 30 Years of Happy Set.

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

 

I'm also submitting this card to the following challenges:

     Through the Craft Room Door--Anything Goes 

     Inspiration Destination--Anything Goes

     Crafting from the Heart #167--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.

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.

May Joyful Stars Blog Hop with Global Design Projects Sketch

Welcome back to the May 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 Betty Locco'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!

The card I am sharing with you today uses some 

beautiful new papers from the May National 

Scrapbooking special called "Live Beautifully" and 

the Flower Market cartridge. The image I chose is 

called Cherry Blossoms and reminds me of the cherry

trees in my backyard that have been dropping most of 

their pink petals.

Here is a slightly different angled photo so you can better see the shiny gold foil backgrounds and gold shimmer on the ribbon.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Live Beautifully paper

     Flower Market Cricut cartridge

     Blossom CS

     Raspberry CS

     Fern CS

     Chocolate CS

     Peacock CS

     Peacock Ink

     Jack Cardmaking Bundle greeting stamp

     Gold Shimmer Brush

     Uptown Fundamentals (gold mat for greeting)

The inspiration for my card layout came from Global Design Project #86:

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

     Die Cuttin Divas--Mother's Day or Feminine

     Heart 2 Heart--Teeny Tiny

     Crafty Cardmakers--Sentiment

     Bitten by the Bug--Happy Mother's Day   

     Always Fun Challenges--For a Female or Mom 

     Cards in Envy--Motherly Love 

Now it's time to hop on over to my friend Jennifer Benner's blog. I'm sure you'll be inspired by what she shares.

     

If you would like a chance to win a new Cricut Explore please visit my blog post here for more details.  

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 #238 Meets Tuesday Morning Sketch #397

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  Only three colors this week!  Use all and only Close to My Heart colors Willow, Peacock and White Daisy.  (Of course if you don't have these CTMH colors yet you may substitute something similar so you can still join in on the fun!)

My card this week features the dragonfly from the Dreamin' Big Cardmaking Thin Cut bundle and Adventure Paper Fundamentals paper. First I diecut the dragonfly.  I smooshed Willow and Peacock inks onto a craft mat and then pressed the diecut dragonfly on to it to get the mottled appearance.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Dreamin' Big Cardmaking Thin Cut Bundle
     Adventure Paper Fundamentals Paper
     Peacock CS
     White Daisy CS
     Peacock Ink
     Willow Ink
     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired) 
     Vellum (retired)

other:
     Thin White Craft foam to pop up dragonfly image

Here is the Color Dare graphic: 

 Just 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.

Here is the Tuesday Morning Sketch #397 that inspired my card layout:

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

     The House That Stamps Built--Add a Diecut

     Stamplorations--Things with Wings Spring Hop                 Linky party
       Addicted to Stamps and More--Anything Goes


Special Announcement!
Close to My Heart is having a special "Flash Sale" from 3PM MDT Friday, April 7 to Saturday April 8 #PM MDT--30% Discounts on special items while supplies last.  Click on the graphic below to get to check it out on my website.    

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.