May Stamp of the Month--Live, Laugh, Love

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring May's SOTM, which is Live, Laugh and Love, a set of 9 stamps.  If you have come here from Kathy Burrow's blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog:  http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html.

This month we have 26 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

Close to My Heart products used:
     Tangerine CS
     Sapphire CS
     Live, Laugh and Love stamps
     Sponge Dauber
     Blossom Ink
     Tangerine Ink
     Sapphire Ink
     Shin Han Touch Markers--Tender Pink and Cherry            Pink
     Ranger White Fine Detail Embossing Powder
     Versamark Ink

The background panel was created by "ink smooshing" over the clear embossed stamped image.  A sponge dauber was used to rub Sapphire ink into the letters.  The scalloped Sapphire CS border was created in Design Space.

I'm submitting this card to the following challenges:
     Make My Monday--May Flowers
     Always Fun Challenges--Flowers
     
  

Now "Hop" on over to Melissa Robinson's blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the May SOTM is only available until May 31!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount!

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. 

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

Fantabulous Cricut 300th Challenge--"Happy Mother's Day!"

Happy Monday and welcome to our 300th Challenge! 

We are having a BLOG HOP to celebrate!

Challenge #300
Make a project about Mother's Day!

One lucky commenter will be chosen (from all blog hop comments on each blog, plus this one) to win this-

a brand new Cricut Explore! Courtesy of 

of Denton, Texas

ALSO-

The FCCB Design Team is sponsoring TWO $25 gift cards at

Amazon!

We also have:

$15.00 Gift Certificate

And two $10 gift certificates to-

Dreaming Tree SVG's

To qualify for the gift certificates, be sure to use at least 1 Cricut cut on your project and if it's not obvious, let us know what cartridge you used. If you use a Cricut Explore machine, at least one cut must be from the Cricut catalog of images.

There is a limit of three entries per person.

Be sure to visit each Design Team member leave a comment and become a follower - those will be put into a drawing for their blog candy (if offered).

Here is our blog hop list for Mother's Day challenge #300!

1. Michelle
2. Penny Light 
3. DIANA L. 
4. Karla Yungwirth 
5. Carol 
6. Dorlene Durham 
7. Marie Flayer
8. Stacey
9. Sheila Harper
10. Lynn 
11. Cindy
12. Cynthia
13. Diana Lynn Martin 
14. Linda Israel
15. Jamie 

We can't wait to see your projects!

Welcome to this special celebration of our 300th challenge!  woohoo!

The size of my card is 5" wide by 6.5" long.  I designed my card using the Flower Market Cricut cartridge in Design Space.  If you have the cartridge and would like to replicate it you can use my cut file here. 

Here is a photo from a different angle so you can see how sparkly the paper is:

Close to My Heart products used:

       Flower Market Cricut Cartridge

       White Daisy CS

       Tulip CS (retired)

       Hello Lovely patterned paper

       Clear Shimmer Brush (applied to red roses)

Other products:

        Stardream Azalea and Aquamarine Metallic                     papers by The Paper Cut

       Gold Metallic cricut pen

       Stitched Rectangle Die by KatScrappiness

I'm also entering this challenge:

      Glitter 'n Sparkle--Flowers 

      Inspiration Destination--Anything Goes

      Creatalicious Challenges--Mother's Day

      Always Fun Challenges--Flowers

Now for my blog candy prize:

One Close to My Heart Exclusive Stamp Set called Hello Foxy which will be available during June 2017 only and 1 roll of Close to My Heart Blush Shimmer ribbon.

To be eligible to win, just leave me a comment and become a follower of my blog.  (See upper right sidebar to become a follower)

Please continue on to Stacey's blog to see what wonderful project she has to share.  Remember the more comments you leave on our DT members blogs will give you more chances to win the Cricut Explore!

Good luck in the prize drawings!

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

:) Marie

     

     

Color Dare #241 Meets The Paper Players Sketch #341

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we have just 3 colors and 1 neutral for you to create with.  Our challenge colors this week are: Raspberry, Lemon, Willow and White Daisy. Of course if you don't have these exclusive Close to My Heart colors yet you may feel free to substitute similar colors so you can still join in on the fun, 

Here is a quick card I made using Some Kind of Wonderful paper, Brushstrokes stamp and Dreamin' Big Cardmaking Bundle stamp and Thin Cut Die.  I swiped the ends of the sentiment panel in Lemon Ink to add a little more color to the card.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Artfully Sent Just to Say stamp--retired

     Dreamin' Big Cardmaking Bundle stamp &                            Dragonfly Thin Cut Die
     Lemon Ink
     Willow Ink
     Raspberry Ink
     Raspberry CS
     Versamark Ink
     Ranger Fine Detail White Embossing Powder

Here is the Paper Players sketch that inspired my card layout:

  

Challenges I'm submitting this card to:
     Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Blog--anything goes
     The House That Stamps Built--anything goes
     The Paper Shelter--Birthday
     Heart 2 Heart--All creatures great and small
     Seize the Birthday--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 #209 Meets Cut it Up #120 Music Challenge

Welcome back to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog post!  This week's sketch is pretty unique and an idea didn't come to me until I saw the Music theme at Cut it Up this week.  My images were cut with the help of the Cricut Explore, Design Space and the Cindy Loo and Quarter Note cricut cartridges.

The sentiment "Music is the strongest form of MAGIC" was written with a silver metallic cricut pen. The violin was chosen as my son plays it masterfully.

Products used:
     Silver metallic paper by the Paper Cut
     Brown metallic paper by the Paper Cut
     La Vie En Rose paper--retired Close to My Heart
     Stoneware Texture stamp--retired CTMH
     White Daisy CS--CTMH
     Ruby CS--CTMH
     Whisper Ink--CTMH
     Cindy Loo cricut cartridge--floral frame panel
     Quarter Note cricut cartridge--violin, music notes

Here is the fabulous sketch that inspired my card:

We hope you find the time to create using this special sketch this week.  You can link it up here.

I'm submitting this card to the following challenges:
     Cut it Up #120--Music
     Inspiration Destination--Anything Goes
     Glitter and Sparkle--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. 
     
     
     

Floral Birthday Card for Muse Card Club Challenge #212

Here is a rather quick card I made following this wonderful Muse Card Club inspiration photo.  The floral background prompted me to random stamp flowers and since I wanted to "make it my own" creation I changed the colors.

The greeting is continued inside the card:

The Muse card that inspired me is here:

  

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Here for You Cardmaking stamp set

     Poppy Ink

     Poppy CS

     Ruby Ink

     Black CS

     Versamark Ink

     Ranger White Fine Detail Embossing Powder

     Card Chatter--Birthday (retired)

     Clear Shimmer Brush on flower centers and                         highlighted areas (didn't photograph well)

Other card challenges I'm entering with this card:

     Simon Says Wednesday--Showers and/or Flowers

     Card Mania--April Showers Bring May Flowers

     Creatilicious--Anything Goes/Birthday

     Seize the Birthday--Optional Two Patterned Papers

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 #240--Some Kinda Wonderful Colors

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post.  This week we are featuring the colors from the "Some Kinda Wonderful" paper pack. There are a lot of colors in this palette and we are challenging you to use at least 4 of them without adding any colors not in the palette.  

Close to My Heart products used:
     Glacier CS
     Simple Chevron Embossing folder
     White Daisy CS
     Willow CS
     Pacifica CS
     Get Better Soon Stamps
     Raspberry Ink
     Memento Black Ink
     Black and White Dots
    Some Kind of Wonderful patterned paper (black                 flag)
    Distressing Kit

Here is the Sketch Saturday sketch that inspired my card layout:

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

     Cuttlebug Mania--"A Nice Cuppa..."

     Three Amigos Blog Hop Challenge April--Some Kinda     Wonderful
     Heart 2 Heart--Some Kinda Wonderful

     Between the Folds--Some Kinda Wonderful

     Through the Craft Room Door--Anything Goes

Here is the Color My Heart Color Dare graphic--please click on it to view what the rest of the fabulous Color Dare Design Team has to inspire you.

If you get a chance to enter our challenge you could submit your project to these other wonderful blogs who are also featuring the Some Kinda Wonderful paper pack: 
     Three Amigos Blog Hop Challenge April                          (ends 4/30)

       Between the Folds--Some Kind of Wonderful                    (ends 4/24)

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. 

Distress Oxide Background for Daisy Birthday Card

Several weeks ago I attended a Stamp Show in Allentown, PA and I came home with some goodies including a complete set of the new Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks.  It was fun to play with them and watch how water interacts with the inks to create unique backgrounds.  This is the first card I've actually finished using Broken China and Fossilized Amber inks on the card.

The Daisy stamp was inked in Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide Ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.  Daisy "masks" were applied and Broken China Ink was applied with a Mini Ink Blending Tool between the flowers.  When finished I spritzed the whole panel with water and let it dry.

Products used:

     White Daisy CS

     From Me to You stamps (retired Close to My                       Heart)

     Sapphire CS

     White Enamel Dots

     Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide Ink

     Broken China Distress Oxide Ink

        Ranger Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder

        Ranger Fine Detail White Embossing Powder

     3D Foam Tape

        Mini Ink Blender

Here is the Fusion Card Challenge sketch that inspired my card layout:

I'm also sharing this card with these challenges:

     Simon Says Wednesday Challenge--Showers or                  Flowers

     Simon Says Monday Challenge--Splash it On

     Fab 'n Funky Challenge--In the Garden

     Watercolor Wednesday--Spring Theme

     Inspiration Destination #126--Anything Goes

     Seize the Birthday--Optional Two Patterned Papers

     

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 Play Sketches #40 Meets Cardz 4 Guyz #166 Shades of Brown

Don't you just love the simplicity of this Paper Play sketch?  Here is a quick card I made using the sketch and the Cardz 4 Guyz "Shades of Brown" theme.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Champagne CS

     Chocolate CS

     Saddle CS

     Oak Brown CS (retired)

     Wood Slats embossing folder

     Bronze Shimmer Trim (retired) --1/4" hole                        punched

     Flower Market Cricut Collection Sending Smiles              stamp

     Chocolate Ink

Other products:

     Nuvo Cosmic Brown Embellishment Mousse                      (painted along the edges and rubbed over                       embossed pieces)

Here is the Paper Play Sketch #40 that inspired my card layout:

     

This card is being submitted to the following challenges:

     Cardz 4 Guyz--Shades of Brown

     Seize the Birthday

     Crafting from the Heart--Anything Goes

     Make My Monday--Embossing Heat or Dry

     Ooh La La Creations--Birthday

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

:) Marie

     

Patriotic Card for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #207

Welcome back to another Atlantic Sketch Challenge blog post!  I'm sharing a card I made for my nephew who just graduated from Army Artillery School.  Needless to say I'm very proud of his commitment to serve in the US Military. The red stars and flourishes were cut using the Artbooking Cricut cartridge.  

Close to My Heart products used:

     Cranberry CS

     White Daisy CS

     Sapphire CS

     Artbooking cartridge--circles and star flourishes

     Sapphire Ink

     Stamp set--retired

Other products:

     Brusho watercolor powders for vertical strip

We hope that you find some time this week to play along with this fabulous sketch.  You can check the Atlantic Hearts blog on Wednesday, April 12 to be inspired by what the rest of the fabulous Design Team 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. 

April Joyful Stars Blog Hop

Welcome back to the April 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!

My card features "Birthday Sparkles" and various trims from Close to My Heart--Gold Foil Tape, Black and Gold Ribbon, Black Shimmer Trim and Black Shimmer Ribbon. Although it may be difficult to see I used the Clear Shimmer Brush on the stamped "sprinkles".  The background panel is Sea Glass cardstock over Black cardstock.

I'm including another photograph so you can see the shiny gold from a different angle as sometimes it just appears black.  The three black accents on the bottom stripe were made with a hole punch and Black Shimmer Trim.

Here is the the fabulous sketch that was the inspiration for my card:

Other challenges:

     Simon Says Wednesday--Happy Birthday

     Seize the Birthday--optional topping--vellum

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.


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. 

Flower Market Happy Easter for Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #298

Welcome back to another Fantabulous Cricut Challenge blog post!  Our theme this week is "Easter" and we'd love to have you share your cricut made projects with us here.  You have two weeks to enter our challenge.  

My card was made with the Close to My Heart Flower Market cartridge in Design Space. (Click here for the DS file.) The shimmery papers (pink, green blue and purple) are from The Paper Cut which I purchased at a stamp show recently.

Challenge #298-Easter
Make a project about Easter.

This Weeks Sponsor

And the prize is-

To qualify for the prize, be sure to use at least 1 Cricut cut on your project and if it's not obvious, let us know what cartridge you used. If you use a Cricut Explore machine, at least one cut must be from the Cricut catalog of images.

If it isn't a card, you will get two entries into the drawing!

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:
     Come and Get it challenges--Easter
     Glitter and Sparkle--Pastel colors 
     Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge--Anything Goes 
     Crafting from the Heart--Anything Goes 
     Scrappin' 4 Fun--Happy Easter

We can't wait to see what you create! 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. 

April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring April's SOTM, which is "Flock Together", a set of 11 stamps.  If you have come here from Miss Carrie's Creations
you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog:  http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html.

 

This month we have 20 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

Close to My Heart products used:
      Flock Together stamps
      White Daisy CS
      Pomegranate CS
      Sea Glass Ink
      Pomegranate CS
      Sugar Rush paper
      3D Foam Tape

Now "Hop" on over to Cat Nowak's blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the April  SOTM is only available until April 30!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount!

My card layout was inspired by CAS(E) This Sketch #215:

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