Quick Cards for July 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!  

This month I've created a few cards using new Thin Cut Dies from the current Seasonal Expressions catalog (ends August 31) called It's Your Day and A Big Thank You.  These dies are 3.75" x 5" to fill up an A2 card base quite nicely.  It is so quick to make cards with these fabulous Thin Cut Dies!

My first card was created with the current challenge colors (Mink, Bashful and Pacifica) from Color My Heart Color Dare which is celebrating it's 300th challenge featuring Close to My Heart colors.  (A Mystery Box of CTMH products is being offered as a prize so check out the requirements here).  Bashful Shimmer Brush was added to the candle flames for a bit of sparkle.

This next card was made with New England Ivy card stock (soon to be retired color) and patterned paper from Fresh Air Paper Pack (available through August 31).  Although it's difficult to see I applied the Gold Shimmer Brush to the candle flames.

I remembered that I had some Nuvo Crystal Drops in my stash and applied them to the candle flames.

This next card uses Lemon Card Stock, Pacifica Card Stock  and a Cranberry Card Stock strip.  (Cranberry and Pacifica are among my favorite colors but they will be retired at the end of August.) The Clear Shimmer Brush was used inside the heart for a bit of sparkle.

Now head on over to Michelle Loncar's blog.  I'm sure you'll be inspired by her project! 

I'm also entering these cards into the following challenges:
     Heart 2 Heart--Anything Goes with CTMH products
     Seize the Birthday--Option to use Sequins
     

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 #300--Bashful, Mink and Pacifica

The Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team is celebrating our 300th challenge with a prize giveaway!  We've made lots of changes over the years and we are happy to still be going strong.  Although we LOVE Close to My Heart colors and products you don't need to use them to join in the fun--just use similar colors without adding new colors to your creation.  (It is always acceptable to use Black and White Daisy to any of our color challenges unless specified not to). 

This fortnight we are challenging you to combine these fabulous Close to My Heart colors:

My card features stamps from last year's Constant Campaign called "From the Heart".  The background panel is Bashful Card Stock that was randomly stamped with a flower in Bashful Pigment Ink and then Clear Embossed.  Next Pacifica Ink was rubbed over the flowers with a Sponge Dauber to make the flowers "pop".  The Pacifica frame is accented with Bashful Pearls.  The greeting and flower spray on the Mink panel was stamped with Pacifica Pigment Ink and clear embossed.

Here is another view so you can see how shiny the Clear Embossed Pacifica Pigment ink is:

Please head on over to the Color My Heart Challenge Blog to read about the Prize Giveaway details and to get creative inspiration from our fabulous Design Team.  Our challenge will remain open until Thursday evening, July 19 at 10 PM CT so you have plenty of time to play along.  We can't wait to see what you create!

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

     Incy Wincy Designs--Use Flowers

     A Bit More Time to Craft--Anything Goes

     World Wide Open Design Team Challenge--

          Anything Goes

     Crafting By Designs--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.

Tuesday Morning Sketch #454 Meets Double Trouble #1

Some of my Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team friends have started a new blog challenge and I just had to be supportive and try it!  The inaugural Double Trouble Challenge is to use at least two different patterned papers.  I combined this with last week's Tuesday Morning Sketch #454 to create a special card for a friend who turns 90 next week.

Here is a second view so you can see how shiny the Silver Foil paper is!

Close to My Heart products used:

     Blossom CS

     Adventure Fundamentals Paper (heart pattern)

     Silver Foil Paper

     Beautiful Friendship Paper

     Bashful CS

     Silver Embossing Powder

     Silver Metallic Marker

     Just a Number stamp (retired)

Other:

     Dazzling Details by SU (highlights on flowers)

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

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

     HeARTful Stamping--Anything Goes with a stamp

     Seize the Birthday--Patterned Paper

     

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 #265 with Beautiful Friendship Paper

Beautiful Friendship is a beautiful paper pack from Close to My Heart and I'm using it with this fabulous sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch #65.

I've added some Bashful Pearls, Bashful card stock and Glitz Glitter Gel on the floral piece.  The new Stitched Circles Thin Cuts were used to cut the circles.  The greeting is from February's Stamp of the Month called "Sunny Thoughts".  It was stamped with Sapphire pigment ink and clear embossed.

Here is the wonderful sketch I followed:

We hope you will find the time to join the Atlantic Hearts Sketch challenge which ends Monday night May 27.  Please be sure to check out our challenge blog on Wednesday when the rest of the fabulous Design Team will be posting their projects to inspire you.

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

    Always Fun Challenges--Anything Goes

    Cards in Envy--Follow a Sketch

    Whoopsy Daisy--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 #263

Welcome back to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge!  This week we have another fabulous sketch to inspire you. Here is my interpretation:

Close to My Heart products:

     Bashful Card Stock

     Beautiful Friendship Paper

     Blue Burlap Ribbon

     Smoothie CS

     Thoughtful Bird Stamp

     Basics Fundamentals Paper

     Sapphire Pigment Ink

     Art Philosophy cartridge (to cut scalloped circle)

     Versamark ink

The three embellishments were made with an pencil eraser top dipped in Sapphire pigment ink and then embossed with Clear embossing powder.  

Here is this week's sketch:

I

Our challenge is open until Sunday evening May 13.  We would love to see how you interpret this sketch!

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

      Hiding in My Craft Room--Anything Goes

    My Time to Craft--Stamp or Color on Anything But White

    AllSorts Challenge #466--Papercrafters' Linky Party

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

:) Marie

   

Celebrating Atlantic Hearts 250th Sketch with Prize Giveaway

Hello my crafting friends!  I'm happy to share some exciting news today!  Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge is celebrating its 250th sketch!  Congratulations to Michelle Stewart and the Design Team whose vision created this wonderful challenge platform and all these wonderful sketches!  Please read to the end to find out about a prize giveaway that I am offering to help celebrate this milestone event.

Here is my interpretation of this week's sketch:

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Bashful CS

     Monogram Crest (Hostess Reward Option)

     You Are More Workshops Your Way stamp

      Ruby Ink

      Shin Han Touch Markers (Sweet Leaf, Cherry                     and Tender Pink)

      Dotted stamp on sides from Sunny Thoughts set

      Memento Black Ink

      3D Foam Tape

 Other products:

      Silver Delicata Ink (for side strips)

      Ribbon from my stash--source unknown

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

      

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:
      Just Us Girls--Love
      AAA Cards--All You Need is Love
      Scrappin' 4 Fun--Love, Wedding, Valentine
      Cards in Envy--Love you so much
      My Creative Scoop--Something Colored In
      Simon Says Monday--Love is in the Air

I will be donating a prize to a randomly selected winner from those that participate in this week's sketch challenge.  The prize will include a Close to My Heart stamp set, patterned paper and ribbon trims.  The lucky winner could be YOU!  All you have to do is create something following the above sketch and link it here to be eligible to win a prize.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team has to offer by checking out their blog posts which will be posted Wednesday on the AHSC blog.

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 #278 Meets Freshly Made Sketch #322

If you are looking for the February Stamp of the Month blog hop post please go here.

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are challenging you to combine Bashful Pink with Kraft with an option to use Gold.  Black and White are always free to use in any of our challenges.  If you don't have the exact Close to My Heart colors you can substitute similar colors so you can still play along.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Bashful CS

     Bashful Glitter paper

     Artistry cricut cartridge

     Kraft CS

     White Daisy CS

      Say it All stamp set (retired)

     Versamark Ink

     Ranger Gold Embossing Powder

     Marvy Uchida Black Journaling pen (to create

        black lines around White Daisy and Kraft                    papers)

If you would like to use my Design Space file just click here.

Just click on this Color Dare graphic to see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you.

     

This challenge will be open until Thursday evening, February 15 at 9PM ET.

Here is the fabulous Freshly Made Sketch that inspired my card layout:

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

      Fusion Challenge--Hearts

    Cards4Galz--Think Pink

Don't forget about Color Dare #277--A Tic Tac Toe board of Chelsea Gardens colors which closes on February 8 at 9PM ET.

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 #247 3 Ways

Have you been inspired to create something using this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch yet?  I created 3 cards off this one fabulous sketch!  The first card uses recycled cellophane under a window panel I created in Design Space with Close to My Heart colors Pomegranate and Bashful.

This picture was shot from a different angle so you can see how shimmery the butterfly is with the application of the Close to My Heart Clear Shimmer Brush.  The sentiment is from Heartfelt Thoughts.  

Since I had already created the window panel in Design Space I decided to experiment with some brighter colors.  The three vertical panels were inlaid into the contrasting window frame.  (If you would like to use my Design Space file go here.) The floral paper is from the Adventure Fundamentals paper pack and the blue is Sapphire card stock.  The bow in the first card is from the Ribbon Border Thin Cut Die and the flower and greeting are from the Chelsea Gardens Cardmaking Stamp Set.

The sketch was rotated 90 degrees to create my last card using this sketch.  The Chelsea Gardens flowers were stamped on Raspberry card stock and then brushed with White Wink of Stella.  The sentiment is from the Happy Heart stamp set.  Glossy White Nuvo Crystal Drops were applied to the flower centers.

I would love to know which card you like best--you can leave me a comment down below.

Here is the fabulous Atlantic Hearts Sketch that inspired all 3 of my cards:

The challenge will remain open until Sunday evening, January 21 at 9PM ET.  We would love to see how you are inspired to create with this great sketch!

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

      Through the Craft Room Door--Anything Goes

      Crafting From the Heart--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 #245

Happy New Year!  Welcome back to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog post!   We have a wonderful sketch for you to try this week.  Nine squares on a rectangular card--how will you interpret it?  I chose to create a window in Design Space with a piece of rose cellophane wrap that held my last set of roses.  Yes, I saved it because it could be useful in my cardmaking even though my boyfriend wanted to throw it out.

Here is the rose patterned cellophane that I've recycled to create this card:

Products used:
     Rose patterned cellophane wrap
     Bashful CS
     White Daisy CS
     Memento Black Ink
     Say it All stamps (retired Close to my Heart) 
     1" Foam Brush to distress white cardstock edges.
     Design Space to create window--file shared here
    
Here is the Atlantic Hearts Sketch that inspired my card layout:

 

We'd love to see how you'll interpret this sketch.  You have until Sunday night, January 7 to share your artwork with us.  You can link up here.  Be sure to stop by the AHSC blog on Wednesday to see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has to inspire you. 

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

      Crafty Friends Challenge #74--For a Girl or Lady

      Cute Card Thursday--Anything Goes 

      HIMCR #333--Freestyle

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #260 Meets Try Stampin' on Tuesday #338

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  Our color challenges now go for two weeks to give you more time to play along.  This week we are challenging you to create something with all and only these exclusive Close to My Heart colors:  White Daisy, Charcoal, Bashful, Willow and Raspberry.  Of course if you don't have these Close to My Heart colors yet you can substitute similar colors so you can still join in the fun!

The gorgeous stamp I used is from the CTMH September National Stamping Month promotion card kit which comes with 10 interactive cards.  Charcoal Ink was used for stamping the focal image onto White Daisy cardstock.  The flower and leaves were colored by painting with Bashful, Raspberry and Willow inks. Clear Shimmer Brush was added to the flowers for a little extra shine.  The glittery bow trim was cut with the new Ribbon Border Thin Cut Die and Bashful Glitter paper. The focal panel is matted with Willow cardstock and the background papers are Raspberry cardstock and Bashful cardstock.

Here is the Color My Heart Color Dare graphic.   Don't you love how our new image features the papers instead of the inks as the papers are now two toned!  Just click on the image and it will take you to the Color Dare blog so you can see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has created to inspire you.

Here is the Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch that inspired my card layout:

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

     Simon Says Wednesday--Stamp It

     Watercooler Wednesday--Feminine Anything Goes

     Simply Papercraft--Anything Goes

     Daisy Chain Challenges--In the Pink

     Classic Design Team Open Challenge--Anything             Goes

Here is the color scheme for Color Dare #259 which will end on September 14 at 10 PM EST:

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.

New CTMH Products for Atlantic Hearts Sketch #223

The new Close to My Heart Annual Inspirations catalog went live today and my Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #223 creation features several *new products.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Black CS
     *Bashful Pink CS (CTMH Color of the Year!)
     *Bashful Pink Glitter Paper
     *Basics Fundamentals patterned paper
     Pansy CS
     Thistle CS
     Flower Market Cricut Cartridge (Rhododendron                    flower and sentiment)
     Pansy Ink and sponge dauber to distress edges
     Several layers of 3D Foam Tape

Here is the fabulous Atlantic Hearts Sketch #223 that inspired my card layout:

How will this sketch inspire you?  We can't wait to see what you do with it.  The challenge ends Sunday evening, August 6.

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

     Ooh La La Creations--Anything Goes

     Crafting from the Heart #170--Anything Goes

     Dream Valley Challenges--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.