Sunday Stamps Sketch #56

This week Joan designed this lovely sketch.  Didn't she do a great job?

 

There are so many things you can do with this sketch as you'll see by visiting the Sunday Stamps blog.  Feel free to change the circles to any shape you want.  

Materials used (from Close To My Heart):

Blush CS

Artbooking Cricut Collection stamp

Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit stamp

Artiste Cricut cartridge to cut heart shapes (page 66 @ 1.5")

Musical Flourish Embossing folder by Cuttlebug

Sanding Kit

Black Shimmer Trim Adhesive Ribbon

3D Foam Tape

Opaques Licorice Adhesive Gems

Tulip ink--retired CTMH

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.

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

Color Dare #55--Laughing Lola Colors

Close To My Heart has a wonderful new Idea Book out and this week's Color My Heart Color Dare features one of its new paper packs called "Laughing Lola".

 

I also used the new Artbooking Cricut cartridge in making these two cards.

The card on the right was the first card I made for this challenge.  The background has a subtle texture to it created by a Bamboo CS overlay from page 84 of the Artbooking handbook cut at 5.5" Real Dial Size placed over Bamboo CS.  (Artbooking overlays can replace embossing folders for a textured effect!).   I created the herringbone sriped panel using Laughing Lola papers and Lagoon CS.  The "hugs" greeting was cut from page 49 Icon at 4" Real Dial Size from Black CS and then trimmed from the frame and placed over a strip of Lagoon CS.  The heart flowers are from the same page cut at 2.25" Real Dial Size.  There is a strip of Silver Shimmer Trim with black and white Bakers' Twine over it.  The hugs greeting is popped up using 3D Foam Tape.  The final touch was the application of Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel on to the heart flowers.  I am also entering this card into Crafty Creations Challenge #234--Texture.

When I finished my card I looked at my Cricut mat and saw that I had the "negative" scraps still on my mat and decided to make another card using the black square and individual letters.  I stamped Quick Card--Bumble Bee with White Daisy Ink onto the black square and heat set it with my embossing gun.  The images were colored with colored pencils in a technique called "Black Magic".  Using Gypsy Ink I also stamped onto White Daisy CS and fussy cut the bee.  His wings were folded up and Stardust  Glitz Glitter Gel was applied.  There is a thin line of Silver Glitz Glitter Gel applied to the horizontal stripe.  I used Bonding Memories glue pen to adhere the letters but 3D Foam Tape to adhere the black square and bumblebee body.

If you would like to see other items made with the new Artbooking cartridge you can jump onto the Artbooking in August blog hop here and visit 40 other consultant blogs for inspiration.  There will be new items posted on everyone's blogs on each Monday in August so plan to visit then too.  

Now it's your turn to challenge yourself using these unique colors.  As substitutions for Laughing Lola you could use Lagoon, Gypsy or Flirty Raspberry or Bamboo.  If you don't have these colors you could substitute something similar.  Please post our challenge graphic (first pic on this post) and link back to Color My Heart Color Dare on your blog post.  (Be sure to post a direct link so we can find your entry more easily.  To do this, click on your blog post title and copy the URL from the Location Toolbar on top of your screen.)

Welcome to our new Design Team members on Team A: Shirley, Sheri and Gretchen.

Check out what the rest of the Design Team and this week's fabulous Guest Designer Jayma has to inspire you:Sarah, Pam, Becca, Shirley, Sheri and Gretchen.  Don't forget to leave them some comments on their projects. 

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

:) Marie

p.s. Be sure to stop by on Sunday for new Sunday Stamps Sketch Challenge post and on Monday for new Heart 2 Heart Challenge post (and don't forget Artbooking in August Blog Hop post!).

August Sketch for 52 {Christmas Card} Throwdown

Here is a card I made following the wonderful sketch at 52 {Christmas Card}Throwdown.  It is made from papers and stamps from my Close To My Heart stash and most of these products are no longer available.  Products used are:  Traditional Holiday Paper, Metallic Combo Set, Mistletoe Accent, Holiday Wishes Stamp Set, Polysparkle Tinsel Embossing Powder, Cranberry Ink, Versamark Ink and my favorite embellishment--Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel.

 

Here is the card sketch:

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

Artbooking in August #1

Here it is!  The Artbooking in August Blog Hop starts today. 

 

  Many thanks to Adeline Brill who set up this event!  There are 40 Close To My Heart consultants sharing artwork using this brand new Artbooking Cricut cartridge just released by Close To My Heart.  Each week we will share 1 of 4 items (2 page layout, minibook, card or home decor or giftable item).   This is a circular hop so you can start anywhere.  If you are coming from Pam Ellison's blog you are on the right track. (We love it when you leave us comments!)

The first item I will share with you is a "giftable item"--it is a chocolate holder with 4 slots. 

View of the Inside:

View of the Outside:

View with Ghirardelli Chocolates:

View from the top:

 Would you like to know how I made this?  If so, read on.  If not please go to Shalana Glass' blog  to see another fabulous Artbooking project.

1.  Artbooking Cartridge--page 84--Real Dial Size Photo Mat 1 Shift at 4.5"--Cut 2 from Ruby CS

2.  For Always paper--cut 2 pieces at 3 1/4" by 4 1/8" and adhere to inside of photo mat.

3.  For Always paper--cut 1 piece 6 1/4" x 12". "Valley" score at 3" and 9".  turn paper over and "Mountain" score at 6". Next score your paper from the other direction at 4" to form the pocket bottom.  Use really strong adhesive to secure the pockets--I used red liner tape 1/4" wide (Recollections Adhesive Tape available at Michaels).  Be sure to place the tape close to the edges so the chocolates will fit inside.
4. Silver Shimmer Trim--peel off the liner and attach to the bottom edge of the outside part of  For Always paper so it will show through the cutout hearts.
5,  Attach tiny white rick rack (from sewing stash) or other embellishment.
6.  Attach accordion folded piece to the front and back covers.   (I used the red liner tape again as those chocolates can place stress on the paper)
7.  Insert chocolates--I used Ghirardelli squares as they are fairly flat and the individual packages will fit inside nicely.
8.  Wrap with 18" of ribbon and tie a bow (I like the look of picot edge ribbon but you could easily use Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon)

Would you like to WIN this chocolate holder?  Sign up to become a follower of my blog AND leave me a comment on this post saying that you want to win this sample and that you are following my blog.  I will randomly select a winner on Sunday, August 11 at 8PM EST and post it to my blog for the second Artbooking post.

Please go to Shalana Glass' blog to see another fabulous Artbooking project.

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

Post-it Note Holder for Close To My Heart New Product Blog Hop

I'm excited to be a part of this special event!  Thanks to Tresa Black for organizing this wonderful showcase of talent.  The new Close To My Heart Idea Book went live on August 1 and many consultants are sharing items made from new products in the catalog.  I can't wait to check out all the wonderful new artwork that you'll see at the bottom of this post.

My creation for this New Product Blog Hop took about 10 minutes to make (including locating all the supplies!).  I started with a 3.5" x  5" standup acrylic frame and cut Sarita paper to go inside the frame.  Next I used the Artiste cartridge to cut the banner for the Hugs sentiment from Lagoon CS.  The sentiment is from the new Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit and was first inked in Versamark and then inked in Outdoor Denim ink and then clear embossed to give it a shine.  I attached a rectangular piece of Outdoor Denim CS to the top of the frame (frame turned upside down from it's usual use) with Tombow Adhesive.  Next I used 3D Foam Tape to adhere "Hugs" to the CS and lastly I used Tombow Adhesive to attach the 3" x 3" Post It Note Pad.  This makes a useful and inexpensive gift.

 View from the side:

 Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week filled with fun and creativity.  Please visit again soon!
:) Marie

Don't forget to visit these other blogs and leave some comments for the hardworking consultants that are willing to share their fabulous ideas.

"This blog hop is open for members of the CTMH Blog Boosters. Please do not enter if you are not a member of the group."

Ombre Challenge for Heart 2 Heart

Welcome back to another Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog post where we feature Close To My Heart products!  We would love to have you join us in entering the "Ombre" challenge combining several shades of colors.  I chose a very simple yet effective way of doing this (easily repeatable and great for mass card production).

I started with cutting up 1" x 3.75" strips of Buttercup, Creme Brulee, Goldrush, Sunset and Autumn Terracotta.  Next I placed them over a contrasting piece of Barn Red CS and then over a Cashmere card base.  The ovals were cut with the Artiste cartridge (page 36) at 1.25" and 1.5" to coordinate with the greeting from Casual Expressions stamp set.  Happy Birthday was stamped in Barn Red Ink.
Before I adhered the Barn Red piece to the card I wrapped some Sunset Bakers' Twine around and tied a bow.  How did I get the bow to lie flat?--a mini-glue dot!

Now it's your turn to share your papercrafted creations..  Please use a direct link to enter this challenge here.  You don't have to use 100%  Close To My Heart products but we would love it if you did!  (If you don't use any CTMH products your entry will be deleted).  Since this is our last challenge of the month, you have until August 3 to submit your entries for any of the July challenges.

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

Sunday Stamps #55--Brown, Lavender and Turquoise

Welcome back to another Sunday Stamps Challenge post!  (If you are looking for the Color My Heart Color Dare post please go here).  This biweek we are challenging you to use these 3 colors in your card--Brown, Turquoise and Lavender.  Two of the colors I'm using are retired CTMH--Tropical Blue and Amethyst while the Desert Sand is still available.  It's great to use up your stash, wouldn't you agree?

The greetings are all from Close To My Heart Perfect Fit--Birthday set.  The patterned paper is retired Desert Sand Victorian paper.  The ends of each banner were dotted with white Liquid Pearls. 

Now it is your turn to play along.  Click on the challenge picture below to be taken to the Sunday Stamps Challenge blog where you can use a direct link to link up.  Entries are due by August 9, 2013 at 6PM Eastern.

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.

I'm also linking this card up to the current Keep It Simple challenge for birthdays.

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

Color Dare #53--Gypsy, Blush and Sorbet with Artbooking Overlay

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare post!  We are into our second year of providing this challenge featuring Close To My Heart Colors.  (You may substitute with similar colors if you don't have the challenge colors).  Thanks, Sarah Stone, for your vision and hard work in creating and maintaining this creative outlet for Close To My Heart enthusiasts!

Close To My Heart has a new Idea Book coming out on August 1 and as a consultant I was able to acquire new products earlier.  I'm having so much fun using the new Artbooking cricut cartridge and the Laughing Lola Cardmaking kit!  The lattice overlay was cut from Gypsy CS at  5.5" (page 50 of Artbooking handbook-- Overlay button).  This is layered over Blush CS. The horizontal strip was scallop punched from Sorbet CS with our new Scallop punch. Purple Gems (from the Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit) were applied within the scalloped edges.

I usually don't purchase the Cardmaking Kits but when I saw the stamp set that comes with this kit, I just had to get it.  I love, love, love the greeting;  "You can never have too much happy"--what an awesome motto to live by!  The Laughing Lola Cardmaking kit includes this stamp set, 15 cards and envelopes, 2 sheets of Laughing Lola paper, 2 sheets White Daisy, 1 sheet Outdoor Denim, 1 sheet Pear, 1 sheet Slate, 1 Whisper, Black & Silver, Baker's Twine (10 yards), 1 package of Purple Gems and Instructional Brochure--priced at $24.95--a great value!) Check out my website on or after August 1 to order these fabulous items.

 

The background rays were stamped in Sorbet ink. Most of the greeting was stamped in Blush ink and the bottom of it was stamped in Gypsy ink and glued over the top. The greeting label (an Artiste cut) was popped up with 3D Foam Tape.

Click on the above photo to be taken to the Color My Heart Color Dare blog to view what the rest of the Design Team and Guest Designer have to inspire you this week.  We hope you will play along with us this week.  There are two prizes to be won--Color Dare Diamond Award for the best entry of the week and a monthly prize (some type of craft supply) to be mailed to one lucky participant which is randomly selected from all the entries of the month.  So the more you play, the better chance you have of winning!

This is also the last call to apply to be on our Design Team--applications are due today, July 26, 2013. Check it out here.

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

Frosted Snowflakes for CAS(E) This Sketch #37

Today I was inspired to enter the challenge at CAS(E) This Sketch.  The sketch features hexagons and many people used them already so I decided to use a snowflake image instead.  The snowflake comes from the Frosted Cardmaking Kit from Close To My Heart which will be available on August 1 from my website.  The first card uses Crystal Blue CS as a mat and Crystal Blue ink for the snowflakes.  The greeting was stamped in Twilight Ink.

The next card has a reversed color scheme--snowflakes are white embossed.

Which card do you like best?

 

Here is the sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch #37:

These cards were really fast and easy to make!

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

:) Marie

Nautical Theme for Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge Feeling Nautical with a Freshly Made Sketch #96

Today as I was commenting on Heart 2 Heart Challenge entries I was drawn to Hansi Brittain's beautiful Guest Designer entry which you can see here.  The theme this week at H2H is "Water, Water, Everywhere" and as I was reading through Hansi's post I learned about another new challenge called Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge whose theme this week is  "Feeling Nautical".  Having many sailors in my family I knew I had to make something for this challenge.  I used Tommy paper from Close to My Heart for both tag and background panel.  "Hello" was cut with the new Artbooking cartridge (available August 1 on my website here) from Outdoor Denim CS.  The tag was matted with Honey CS.  The White Daisy card front was dry embossed with a Cuttlebug folder called "Anchors Aweigh".

Here is the Freshly Made Sketch #96 that I followed:

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #52 Ruby, Twilight and Olive with a Mojo Monday Sketch #303

Have you heard that there is a Design Team call for Color My Heart Color Dare?  This is a challenge blog that features the use of Close To My Heart colors.  Applications are due July 26--go here to check it out.

Although this is my week off from Color Dare Design Team responsibilities I just had to join in using these jewel toned colors: Ruby, Twilight and Olive.  I used the new CTMH Artbooking cricut cartridge which will be available on August 1 here to cut the holly leaves and ornament overlay. The White Daisy background panel was run through the Cuttlebug Machine with a holiday themed embossing folder.  The vertical stripe on the Twilight panel is Silver Shimmer Trim which was colored with a Ruby Alcohol Marker. The ornaments were glitzed up with Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel.

My inspiration for this card came from Mojo Monday #303--although I did change the orientation of the elements! Here is the sketch I loosely followed:

The Artbooking cartridge is so versatile!  Starting on Mondays in August several Close To My Heart consultants will be showcasing different ways to use this new cartridge so you'll have to come back then to check it out. Why not become a follower of my blog so you won't miss out on any fabulous Artbooking ideas?

Now it's your turn to see what you can create with these fun colors.  If you don't have these CTMH colors use something similar. Link up your papercrafted creation (does not have to be a card) by Thursday, July 25 at 9PM CST here.  We look forward to seeing your artwork in our gallery!

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

Celebrate Ice Cream Theme for Heart 2 Heart Challenge

Welcome back to another Heart 2 Heart Challenge post!  Did you know that in 1984 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed that July 22 is to be Ice Cream Day?  In honor of that proclamation we are challenging you to use "Ice Cream" as your focus on your papercrafted creation.  Please use mostly Close To My Heart products and link up your creation here.  You have until the end of the month to enter this challenge.

This card was made with the Art Philosophy cartridge!  The cone was cut from tree1 and layer on page 31 with the trunk cut off and inverted.   The three scoops were cut from tree3 on page 53 also inverted and with the trunk cut off.  Colors used are Chocolate, Desert Sand, Blush and White Daisy.  The background panel is from Surf's Up with a Colonial White band with Cranberry scalloped border.   The greeting is from Remarkable Wreath.  I certainly feel that "Life is Good" with delicious ice cream cone in my hand!

Check out what the rest of the Design Team has to inspire you:
Brittany, Carol, Kelly and Haley and leave them some well deserved comments.

We look forward to seeing what you can create for this challenge!

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

Tee-rific Birthday for Sunday Stamps Challenge #54

Welcome back to another Sunday Stamps Challenge post!  This week we are using a sketch designed by Hayley.  Don't you just love it? I do!

 

I used this sketch to make a masculine birthday card.  There are lots of golfers that I send birthday cards to.  

The background paper is Victory (retired Close To My Heart).  The golfer and golf balls are from Tee Time (retired CTMH) which is matted with Avonlea Green (retired CTMH) and Outdoor Denim.  The banner golf balls and tees were stamped in Outdoor Denim ink and placed over a piece of Bakers Twine Neutral Assortment and popped up with 3D Foam Tape.  The "Have a Tee-rific Birthday!" greeting was generated on my computer.  I ran the printed greeting through a cuttlebug folder from the reversed side so the circles appear to be golf ball dimples.  It was pretty quick to make this card and I will be doing more of these for my lady golfer friends too.  

Now  it's your turn to join in on this challenge fun!  You have until Friday,evening, July 26 to link up your creation here.

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

Color Dare #51--Desert Sand, Bamboo with Choice of Color

Welcome back to another Color Dare post!

The Color My Heart Color Dare challenge this week is to create a papercrafted item using the Close To My Heart colors Desert Sand and Bamboo as neutrals combined with a color of your choice.  I've had this lovely Quick Cards--Bountiful Season stamp for awhile which hadn't yet been inked so I chose the color Autumn Terracotta to showcase this beautiful stamp.

The paper strip on the left is very old Desert Sand B & T paper. The background panel on the right is Bamboo CS which was dry embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and then swiped with a Desert Sand ink pad to give it some "smudgy" color.  The shimmery stripe is actually Silver Shimmer Trim which was colored with an Autumn Terracotta Alcohol Marker.  (Coloring Silver Shimmer Trim with CTMH alcohol markers gives you so many more shimmery color opportunities!)  Bountiful Season was stamped in Autumn Terracotta ink onto Colonial White CS and then matted onto Autumn Terracotta CS and lifted off the card using 3D Foam Tape.  This card came together very quickly.  Now it's your turn to play along with us.  (You can always substitute similar colors if you don't have Close To My Heart products yet.)  Link up your card here.

Check out what the rest of the Design Team and this week's fabulous Guest Designer Pam has to inspire you:Sarah, Pam, Lela, Becca.

Ombre Shades of Blue for Atlantic Hearts Sketch #11

My FedEx man dropped off a box of new Close To My Heart products yesterday and I just had to break open the box and play.  Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #11 appealed to me so I was inspired to find a way to use some of my new goodies.  New products that I used for this card (available August 1 here) are the inksplatter stamp from the Laughing Lola Cardmaking Workshop on the Go and the new Artbooking cricut cartridge for the Hello.  It might look as if I masked and sponged this card but I used  a stamp instead (and kept my fingers from getting inky).  The colors from top to bottom are 1st generation Outdoor Denim, 1st generation Pacifica, 2nd generation Pacifica, 1st generation Twilight, 2nd generation Twilight, 1st generation Crystal Blue and 2nd generation Crystal Blue.  Hello was cut from Artbooking cartridge (page 39 Title at .75").  I used Bonding Memories Glue Pen to adhere the Hello to the card.  The final touch is a pair of wiggle eyes and a hand drawn smile. 

Here is the sketch I followed:

I don't usually purchase Workshops on the Go kits but I really loved the D sized stamp set that is included so I purchased Laughing Lola.  Here is a photo of these new stamps:

Please stop by tomorrow for the newest Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!

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