Love Blossoms with Freshly Made Sketch #380 and Sunday Stamps Easter Hues

Love Blossoms is a special stamp set from Close to My Heart that is available until March 31st.  It includes beautiful floral stamps AND a second set of lots of wonderful sentiments.  I used it with the current Freshly Made Sketch using the challenge colors from Sunday Stamps and Marvy colored pencils.  The grid background is Thistle Card stock and the sentiment was stamped with Thistle Ink.

Here is what is included in the Love Blossoms set:

Isn't this a fun sketch?

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 #237 Meets Freshly Made Sketch #281

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are challenging you to use the following exclusive Close to My Heart colors:  Thistle, Lagoon, White Daisy and Tangerine.  Of course, if you don't have these exact CTMH colors yet you may substitute similar colors so you can still play along.  My card features the fabulous March Stamp of the Month called Tea--rrific.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Lagoon CS

     Thistle CS

     Tangerine CS

     Lagoon Washi Tape (retired)

     Tea--rrific Stamp set

     Thistle Ink

     Lagoon Marker (retired)

     Adventure Paper Fundamentals

     Chevron Embossing Folder

Just click on the Color My Heart Color Dare graphic to view what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.

Here is the wonderful Freshly Made Sketch that inspired my card design:

One of my crafting goals this month has been to complete all of the challenges at Heart 2 Heart challenge blog and this qualifies as my last entry for the "Tea Time" challenge.

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 #214 Meets Retrosketch Any Sketch Challenge

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we invite you to use all and only these colors:  Thistle, Pear, Black and White Daisy.  (If you don't have these Close to My Heart colors yet feel free to substitute something similar so that you can still play along!   My card features the new Close to My Heart Thankful for You stamps and the challenge colors.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Thankful for You stamp
     Uptown Paper Fundamentals
     White Daisy CS
     Thistle CS
     Thistle Ink
     Black Ink
     Adventure Paper Fundamentals (original patterns--retired)
     Pear Ink (retired)

Here is the Color My Heart Color Dare graphic.  (Just click on it to see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to share).  We would love for you to join us in our gallery.

Here is the Retrosketch Sketch that inspired my card layout:

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

     Stampin' Royalty#348--Anything Goes

     Heart 2 Heart--"Uptown"

     Cardz 4 Guys--Nature

     Shopping Our Stash--Duck, Duck, Goose

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

:) Marie

ATSM #210 Meets Case This Sketch #188

The new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More is a "photo inspiration" challenge and we are being sponsored this week by QKR Stampede.

Sponsor

QKR Stampede and Eureka Stamps was purchased by Stamp On It in 2013 from the state of Colorado and moved to its new home in Michigan! We(Stamp On It) had its humble beginnings over 25 years ago and is now a mobile(on-the-road) family owned and operated business. We travel coast to coast and attend as a vendor over 25 retail stamping and scrapping shows each year. 

Blog: http://qkrstampede.blogspot.ca

Prize: 3 digital images 

When I first saw the photo I was drawn to the quilt and wanted to create something that resembled a quilt.  The blotches of color on the wall behind the quilt called me to create a watercolored background with a "smooshing" technique.  Here is my card:

If you would like to "recreate" this card and have a Cricut Explore here is the Design Space file.  Enjoy!

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Thistle Ink

     Canary Ink

     Crystal Blue Ink

     Flower Market cricut cartridge

     Thistle CS

      3D Foam Tape

      Spray Pen (for water)

Other products:

     Cricut silver and black pens

     Ruler

     paintbrush

     Nuvo Embellishment Mousse Pure Platinum

          (used with water to paint "quilting lines" on watercolored panel)

     

My creative process usually entails finding a card sketch challenge to play along with so I used Case This Sketch #188 pictured here:

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

     CAS on Sunday--pastels

     Cut it Up--Watercolor

Now it's time to head on over to the Addicted to Stamps and More blog to see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.  We are looking forward to seeing how this photo inspires you to create and commenting on your blogs.

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #205 Meets Mojo Monday #459

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are inviting you to create something with all and only the following Close to My Heart colors: Juniper, Thistle, Eggplant, Crystal Blue and White Daisy.  Of course if you don't have these exact CTMH colors yet feel free to substitute similar colors.

My card uses the brand new CTMH cricut cartridge called "Flower Market". The 3 background panels were stamped with the coordinating stamp sets from the "Flower Market" Cricut Collection.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Flower Market Cricut Collection (cartridge and stamps)
     Eggplant CS
     Crystal Blue CS
     Juniper CS
     White Daisy CS
     Sponge Dauber
     Thistle Ink
     Juniper Ink
     Crystal Blue Ink

My card was inspired by Mojo Monday #459:

Here is the Color Graphic for Color Dare #205.  Just click on it to get to the challenge blog to be inspired by the rest of the fabulous Design Team.

   
The challenge ends at 10PM EST on Thursday, August 11.

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

Color Dare #195

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post.  Our challenge this week is to combine Close to My Heart colors Thistle, Pear, Crystal Blue, Lagoon and White Daisy.

My card features the "smooshing" technique.  I inked up my craft mat with all 4 colors, spritzed with water and then picked up the ink using an acetate sheet and then smooshed it down onto the paper.  I held the acetate between my fingers to limit the contact with the paper so that I could create lines of color.  Then I stamped a small flower from the Hawaiian Hibiscus stamp set in Thistle ink across the page and added some purple and clear glitter gems.  The sentiment is from the Artfully Sent Cricut collection which will be retiring soon.

Close to My Heart products used:
     White Daisy CS
     Lagoon CS
     Lagoon Ink
     Pear Ink
     Thistle Ink
     Crystal Blue Ink
     Hawaiian Hibiscus stamp
     Artfully Sent stamp
     Purple Glitter Gems
     Clear Glitter Gems (retired)

Here is the Color Dare challenge graphic with this week's challenge colors:

Now it's your turn to get creative--how will you use all and only these challenge colors?  Come check out what the rest of the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team has to inspire you.

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

Color Dare #189 and Try Stampin' on Tuesday Take Two

When I made my Color Dare challenge card the other day I had leftover pieces from the background panel I randomly stamped with the Ink Blot stamps.  Here is what I made with those extra pieces:

Here is my first card:

Which one do you like better?

Close to My Heart products used:
     White Daisy CS
     Juniper CS
     Thistle CS
     Hollyhock CS
     Hollyhock Ink
     Thistle Ink
     Ink Blot stamps
     Artistry cricut cartridge
     White Shimmer Trim
     Thistle ribbon

Here is the Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch that I used:

Here is the Color Graphic from Color My Heart Color Dare:

I invite you to play along in both of these fun challenges this week.

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

:) Marie

Music to My Ears Hello Card

The theme at Bitten by the Bug 2 this week is "Music to My Ears" and I decided to play along by combining it with a Heart 2 Heart sketch.  I love these two colors together!

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Sapphire CS

     Thistle CS

     Sapphire Ink

     Thistle Ink

     Hello Blooms stamp set

     You Rock stamps (retired)

     Artiste cartridge

     Art Philosophy cartridge (blue mat modified in Design Space)

     Silver Foil Tape

Other products used:

     Crystal Stickles

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

:) Marie

     

Color Dare #189 Meets Try Stampin' on Tuesday #266

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are inviting you to create something with just these colors:  Juniper, Thistle, Hollyhock and White Daisy.  Here is my card:

Here is the Color Dare color graphic:

    

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Juniper CS

     Hollyhock CS

     Thistle CS

     Artistry cartidge

     Ink Blot stamp set

     Hollyhock Ink

     Thistle Ink

     Thistle Ribbon

     White sequins from Coral Reef sequins (retired)

My card was inspired by the Try Stampin' on Tuesday #266 Sketch:

Now it's your turn to get creative--how will you use these challenge colors?  Come check out what the rest of the fabulous Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team has to inspire you.

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

Freshly Made Sketch #220 with For Family Stamp Set

I was snowed in yesterday and got to spend some extra time in my craft room making cards.  The following two cards were made for a friend whose twin grand daughters are celebrating birthdays next weekend.

Which card do you like better?

Freshly Made Sketches #220 was my inspiration for the card design:

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

      Topiary CS

      Thistle CS

      Topiary Ink

      Thistle Ink

      Honey Ink

      For Family sentiments stamps

      Happy to Be Friends floral stamps

The current challenge at Seize the Birthday is "Clean and Simple" so I'm entering this card into that challenge also.

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

:) Marie

      

Celebrating Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #100--Blog Candy Alert!

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge has posted it's 100th sketch challenge!  I'm going to be giving away a Close To My Heart stamp to one lucky US reader in celebration of this event so be sure to scroll down to the end of this post for more information.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team has posted as many of them will be offering prizes also.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Art Philosophy cartridge for frame cuts

     White Daisy CS

     Canary CS

     Paper Bird stamp set (Hostess reward set available April 1)

     Season of Thanks

     Thistle Ink

     Black Ink

     Moonstruck CS (retired)

     Moonstruck Ink (retired)

     Just Blooms flower sponged with Thistle Ink (retired)

     3D Foam Tape

    

Other products

     Lavender pearls by Want 2 Scrap

     Tiny wiggle eye

Are you wondering how I was able to perfectly line up the purple bamboo image?  It was with a cool new tool I found called the MISTI (Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented).  The manufacturer is My Sweet Petunia and you can find lots of You Tube videos on it's use.  I love using it!

The theme of this week's Bitten by the Bug challenge is "Frame it" so I'm also entering my card into their challenge.

Here is the fabulous 100th sketch by Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge:

You have until Sunday evening to join us with your direct link.  We hope you have fun with this sketch AND enter it in our challenge.

On to the Blog Candy notice:

Can you believe it; we have reached Sketch 100! Everyone at Atlantic Hearts Sketch challenge is so excited to celebrate this milestone with all of our followers and participants.

To celebrate Sketch 100 we will be giving our some blog candy and all you have to do is visit our fabulous design team members blogs and leave a comment on their design for Sketch 100 and you are entered.

 We will be drawing several names at random from the comments. To increase your chances of winning, leave comments for all of the design team members!  And to be fair, you can only win 1 time!  Please invite your friends and family to join the fun!

Thanks again for being part of our challenge community and we are all looking forward to the next 100 fabulous sketches and your awesome creations!

Happy Crafting!

The Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Design Team

Lauren Moore

http://laurenctmhcraftings.blogspot.com/…/atlantic-hearts-s…

Marie Flayer (that's me!)

http://njstampingqueen.blogspot.com/…/celebrating-atlantic-…

Lisa Mensing

http://thecraftingcave.blogspot.com/…/sketch-100-with-atlan…

Linda Norman

http://www.scrappytherapy.com/…/atlantic-hearts-sketch-chal…

Brandi Robinson

http://crzy4scrapbooking.blogspot.com/…/sketch-100-from-ahs…

Stephanie Keats

http://stephsshoebox.blogspot.com/…/happy-100th-atlantic-he…

Wendy Coffman

http://www.stampingrules.com/…/day-30-atlantic-hearts-sketc…

Jasmina Bursic

http://jazzy-crafts.blogspot.com/2015/03/ahsc-100.html

Michelle Stewart

http://mycreationswithmichelle.blogspot.com/…/ahsc-100-time…

Kelly Janes

http://papercraftingwithkellyjanes.com/2015/03/23/ahsc-100/

Candra Holmes

http://www.paperdragonfleur.ca/…/atlantic-hearts-sketch-cha…

Lisa Bzibziak

http://www.facebook.com/l.php…

Barbara-Ann Himelman

http://barbarahimelman.blogspot.com/…/03/lets-celebrate.html

Laura Davidson

http://www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.ca/…/ahs100-birthday-car…

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

:) Marie

A Little Note for Joyful Stars December Blog Hop

I'm so excited to be joining the Joyful Stars Blog Hop this month!  It is being led by Joyce Hauck, a fellow Close To My Heart consultant, whom I've recently reconnected with. 

If you've come from Betty Locco's blog you are on the right track. If you get lost on the hop you can check the list from Joyce's blog.

My card features a new stamp set from the newly released Seasonal Expressions catalog from Close To My Heart.

Close To My Heart Products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Canary CS

     A Little Note stamp set (from Seasonal Expressions)

     Your Own Kind of Wonderful (butterfly stamp)

     Black Ink

     Thistle Ink

     Shin Han touch Markers--Vivid Green, Marigold and Golden Yellow

The sketch at Case This Sketch was my inspiration to make this card:

Please continue on to Nancy Brown's blog.      

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #116--Thistle and Sunset with Case This Sketch #97

Color My Heart Color Dare has the perfect color challenge as we approach Halloween.  Color Dare #116 is Thistle and Sunset.

My card follows the Case This Sketch #97 challenge.

   

Close To My Heart products used:

    Thistle Ink

    Sunset Ink

    Spellbound paper (retired)

    Spider Web stamp (old wood stamp--long ago retired)

    Spider (old wood stamp--long ago retired)

The background texture was created with a bunched up piece of Saran Wrap and Sunset Ink.

I'm also entering this card into a new challenge blog I found called The Paper Plunge.

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

:) Marie

Creative Blogger Tour, Gelato Galaxy Card and Giveaway!

Don't you love getting good news from an unexpected source?  That's what happened to me two weeks ago when the super talented Jody Gustafson emailed me to nominate me for the "Creative Blogger Award"!  I've always had tremendous respect and admiration for Jody's artwork and first became aware of her through the Color My Heart Color Dare blog where she would participate in so many of our challenges--being selected as a winner numerous times.  Thank you, Jody, for inviting me to join this group of Close To My Heart consultants.  I am humbled and honored to be among this amazing group of talented women.  Here are links for you to check out many of the other women who have been part of this Creative Blogger Tour.

    Jody Gustafson

    Amy Moore

    Karen Day

    Brenda Rose

    Vicki Wizniuk

    Kelly Janes

    Amie Kiger

    Katy Donaldson Taylor

Creative Blogger is a chain of blog hop tours.  Each invited member answers the same four questions and then passes on the nomination to someone else.  I'm sure you will find lots of inspiration in the above blogs.

What am I currently working on?

It seems I've always got several projects in my head and on my crafting table. As a member of the Color My Heart Color Dare and Sunday Stamps Design Teams I am often working on upcoming challenges. I also have ongoing scrapbooking projects. (My grandson's scrapbook is done in Studio J and my sister's scrapbook is done in an 8.5 x 11 format so I can color copy pages for my other siblings.) Since Halloween is quickly approaching I've just completed a "Card in a Box" for my grandson using cuts from Artfully Sent and Artbooking.  (Paper is retired "Spellbound" with a Champagne back panel.  Ghosts were cut from Artfully Sent Envelope Liner #8 cut at 9".  Bats were cut from Artiste at .75" and 1".  The skulls were cut from Artiste at 1.75")  I'm also entering this card into the Cardz4Guys  and The Male Room Halloween theme challenge.

Here is another one that I made for him but haven't posted yet featuring cut out computer images of his favorite Transformers (Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Chase and Heatwave Autobots).

Other projects that I'm working on are Christmas cards and a collection of cards to donate to Operation Write Home.

How does my work differ from others in its genre?

I'm not sure how my artwork differs from others. I do like clean lines, some paper layering and trying new products and techniques. Here is a new technique I just learned from the Friday Mashup Challenge called "Galaxy" in which I used Gelatos as watercolors to create this unique background.

My "Gelato Galaxy" technique involved scribbling with various Gelatos on a craft sheet, spritzing with water and then dragging a piece of watercolor paper over it.  I used a heat tool to dry the paper in between layers of colors.  I tried to create a "moon" in the bottom right corner by removing some color with a wet paintbrush.  Lastly I flicked tiny drops of Pearl Paint form an old toothbrush and then added the sentiment from the Close To My Heart retired "Mad About You" stamp set in Thistle ink.  (Outdoor Denim CS and Silver Shimmer Trim were also used on this card).

                                                    Why do I create what I do?

The main reason why I create cards and scrapbook pages is because I enjoy it!  If I go more than 3 days without making something I start to feel a bit out of sorts. A few hours in my craft room and a completed project and then I feel "complete" again. I get a lot of satisfaction out of making things for other people. I have always loved "making things" starting with making potholders and learning to sew when I was a young girl. Although I've made quilts, clothing, curtains and scrapbooks cardmaking is my favorite crafty pursuit at present.

                                   How does my creative process work?

 Would you believe that sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with a card idea in my head? Sometimes that is my process. If it is a color challenge I'm creating for I will often look to find a current sketch challenge to use. (Some of my favorite sketch challenge blogs can be found here: Freshly Made Sketches, Try Stampin' on Tuesday, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, Retrosketches, Mojo Monday, Stampin' Royalty and Pals' Paper Arts.) If it is a sketch challenge I'm creating for I will look for current color challenges. (Color My Heart Color Dare, Colour Me..., Pals' Paper Arts and Nacho Average Challenges.)

When I'm really stumped, I read my blog list and start commenting on other people's artwork which gets my creative juices going again.  Pinterest, Facebook (CTMH Artwork, CTMH Eye Candy) and the Close To My Heart consultant Artwork Bulletin Boards are also additional sources of inspiration.  You can check out my Pinterest boards here.  


Are you ready to continue on the Creative Blogger Tour?  It is my pleasure and honor to nominate Hansi Brittain from the Quilting with Paper blog.  She is an amazingly talented Close To My Heart consultant!  I've been a huge fan of her artwork ever since she started submitting cards to the Color My Heart Color Dare challenge.  Her awesome sense of design, color and flare for beautiful card embellishment have awed me on many occasions.  I'm sure you will be inspired and impressed by her artwork.  Please visit her blog post on Monday, 10/27/14 to read more about her.  (If you become a blog follower of hers then you will see it in your blog list).

Thank you for reading this far!  To celebrate my Creative Blogger Award I'd like to have a giveaway of some craft supplies to one randomly drawn commenter. I have an extra April 2014 Stamp of the Month called My Sunshine AND an assortment of Close To My Heart papers cut into 4.25" x 5.5" pieces that can be used as card fronts.

To be eligible to win you must:

--Become a follower of my blog AND

--Write a comment on this blog post indicating you are a blog follower

--Deadline to comment on this blog post is midnight EST, October 26th, 2014.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity!  Good luck in the prize drawing!

:) Marie