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.

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.

Dream Catcher Card for November 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!  

My card features Boutique paper and the beautiful Hostess Rewards stamp set called "Dream Catcher" (page 6 of current catalog) with Peacock ink. (Second generation used on stars, clouds and feathers)

My card layout was inspired by this fabulous Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch #383:

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

     Heart 2 Heart Challenges--Inspired by Nature

     Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--Anything Goes

     As You Like it Challenge--Monochrome or Rainbow (I prefer monochrome colors on this card because these patterned papers are so pretty!)

     

Now it's time to head over to Michelle Loncar'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.

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.

     

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 #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 #233 Meets Freshly Made Sketch #277

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we have just 5 colors--Black, White Daisy, Pomegranate, Peacock and Sea Glass.  The challenge is to create something using only these listed colors and all of the listed colors. (Of course if you don't have these exclusive Close to My Heart colors yet you may substitute similar colors so you can still play along).

My card features small scraps of each of these colors glued on to an Anna Griffin cuttlebug folder.  

Close to My Heart products used:

      White Daisy CS

      Sea Glass CS

      Black CS

      Sugar Rush paper (Pomegranate and Sea Glass                 patterns)

      Swan Lake paper (Peacock pattern--retired paper               pack)

      Pomegranate CS

      Happy Belated Birthday (retired)

      Happy to Be Friends (tiny flower)

      Peacock Ink

      Pomegranate Ink

Here is the Freshly Made Sketch that inspired my layout:

I'm also entering this into the Scrappin' 4 Fun challenge--Boys, Masculine theme.  

Head on over to the Color Dare blog and 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

Twist and Pop Card for Color Dare #226--Peacock, Glacier, Black and White Daisy

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge!  We have a wonderful year of great color challenges lined up for you.  This week we are inviting you to try out all and only these Close to My Heart colors:  Peacock, Glacier, Black and White Daisy.  (Of course if you don't have these CTMH colors yet you may substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun!)

My card has a special surprise inside--when you open it a special panel jumps into view.  (To make one of these fun cards check out this great video.)

Close to My Heart products used:

      White Daisy CS

      Peacock CS

      Black CS

      Glacier CS

      Zoe paper (retired)

      Dreamin' Big Cardmaking stamps and Thin Cut                 Dies

      Birthday Sparkles stamps

      Peacock Ink

      Glacier Ink

      Black Shin Han Touch Marker

      Peacock Green Shin Han Touch Marker

      White Shimmer Trim

      Clear Shimmer Brush

Other products

      Cricut Design Space--to draw "Sensational 70"                banner

      Cricut Gold pen

      Thin Craft Foam (underneath butterflies)

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

     Seize the Birthday--Anything Goes

     Fab 'n Funky challenges--birthday with a number

     Paper Craft Crew Challenges--Birthday

     

Please head on over to the Color Dare Blog.  Just click on the Color Graphic to get to the Color Dare site to be inspired by what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to share with you.

We sure hope you can find the time to share your creations with us over at the Color Dare blog.

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