Color Dare Twisted Tic Tac Toe Meets Tuesday Morning Sketch #470

My friend Laurie just celebrated a milestone birthday which warranted a special card.  My colors were inspired by the current Color My Heart Color Dare Twisted Tic Tac Toe Challenge--to use 3 or more of the newly retired colors.  This card uses Crystal Blue, Pacifica and Cranberry cardstocks along with White Glitter paper.  The Cranberry panel was stamped in White Daisy Ink (and then clear embossed with Versamark Ink) with the new stamp set Love Notes.  The Crystal Blue heart doily is from the retired Artiste Cricut cartridge.

Here is the Color My Heart Color Dare color palette that I chose from:

This Color Dare challenge goes until Thursday evening September 20 and you can substitute similar colors if you don't have the exact Close to My Heart named colors yet.  Why not give it a try?

My card layout was inspired by this fabulous Tuesday Morning Sketch #470:

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

     Seize the Birthday--Use Die cuts or Punches

     Always Happy Birthday

       Daisy Chain Challenges--Birthday

     House of Cards--Birthday Theme

     Cut It Up #156--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.

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.

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. 

Color Dare #224 Meets CAS Challenges #366.

Here is the last Color My Heart Color Dare challenge for 2016! We invite you to use the designated Close to My Heart colors to create something you like.  (Of course if you don't have the exact CTMH colors yet you can substitute something similar so you can still join in on the fun!)  This year we are extending the usual one week challenge to 3 weeks (ending 9PM EST January 5) so you have plenty of time to join us over the holidays.  

Our colors this week are:  Cranberry, Crystal Blue, Willow and White Daisy.  My card features stamps and thin cuts from the Thankful for You Thin Cuts Bundle.

Here is a close-up so you can see how sparkly the Clear Shimmer pen made the swan's bill and wings.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Thankful for You Thin Cuts Bundle

     White Daisy CS

     Adventure Fundamentals Paper (Willow green pattern)

     Cranberry CS

     Crystal Blue CS

     White and Gold Ribbon

     Clear Shimmer Brush

     Willow Ink

     Crystal Blue Ink

     Scallop Punch (retired)

Other product:

     Stitched Oval Die by Katscrappiness.com

     Tiny wiggle eye

Here is the Color My Heart Color Dare graphic.  Just click on it to get to the challenge blog to check out what the rest of the awesome Design Team has to inspire you.

     

My usual creative process often starts with pairing the color challenge with a current sketch challenge.  I often consult the Paper Playful blog to find other challenges to inspire me.  This week I found the Crazy 4 Challenges blog in which you can use any of their sketches for the whole year.  I chose challenge #341.

I'm also entering my card into the Sunny Day Crafting challenge where it is always Anything Goes.

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

Color Dare #181 Meets Sunday Stamps Sketch #120

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week the Color Dare blog is challenging you to create with the following Close to My Heart colors:  Colonial White, Cranberry, Honey and Pear.  The stamp set I've used is the February Stamp of the Month "Balloon Animals"

Close to My Heart products used:

     Cranberry CS

     Colonial White CS

     Pear CS

     Jubilee paper (retired)

     Balloon Animals

     Cranberry Ink

     Pear Ink

     3D Foam Tape

Here is the Sunday Stamps Sketch that inspired me:

    

I'm also entering this card into the Seize the Birthday challenge and the Friday Mashup Birthday Theme.

Head on over the Color My Heart Color Dare blog to check out what the other fabulous Design Team members have to inspire you.  We would love to have you join us in our gallery.

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

:) Marie

Wreath Card for Retrosketches #195

This lovely wreath card was made 10 days ago but I never got a chance to post it until now.  Retrosketches #195 was the inspiration for my card and I used two different Cricut cartridges and some retired CTMH papers to create it.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Cranberry CS

     Artiste Cricut cartridge (Merry Christmas)

     Dutch Blue CS (retired)

     Deck the Halls paper (retired)

     Clover Meadow CS (retired)

     Ponderosa Pine CS (retired)

Other products:

     Celebrate with Flourish Cricut cartridge

Here is the sketch that I followed:

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week (and New Year) filled with fun and creativity!

:) Marie

     

Color Dare #172 Meets Mojo Monday Sketch #427

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!  This week our challenge colors are from the Close to My Heart White Pines paper pack:  Glacier, Fern, Cranberry, Champagne, Chocolate and Colonial White.

Here's my card:

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Pines Paper

     Cranberry CS

     Glacier CS

     Fern CS

     Chocolate CS

     Cranberry Ink

     Holly Jolly Christmas

     Artistry cartridge

     Leaf Green Shin Han Touch Marker

     Glitter Gems

     Opaque Adhesive Gem

     

Other products:

     Liquid Pearls 

My inspiration for this card came from Mojo Monday #247:

I'm also entering this card into the Heart 2 Heart challenge for using ideas from the Holiday Expressions catalog.

You can play along at the Color Dare Challenge here.

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #171 Meets Atlantic Hearts Sketch #136

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post.  This week we are inviting you to use the following Close to My Heart colors:  Gold, White Daisy, Pear and Cranberry.

I found my inspiration for this card from Atlantic Hearts Sketch challenge #136.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

      Pear CS

      Cranberry CS

      Gold Shimmer Trim

      Floral Embossing folder

      Cranberry B & T paper (retired)

      Cranberry Ink

      Feel Better stamp

      Scallop punch (retired)

      Art Philosophy cartridge to cut 2.25" circle

Here is the Atlantic Hearts Sketch I followed:

We are looking for new Design Team members at the Color My Heart Color Dare blog.  Please go here for more details.  We hope you will have some time this week to indulge your creative side and join us in the Color Dare gallery.

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

:) Marie

Watercolored Stripes for Color Dare #170

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week we are challenging you to use the following colors:  White Daisy, Cashmere, Cocoa, Fern and Cranberry.

I started my card by painting wavy stripes on my white daisy panel using the ink pads. ( I squeezed the closed ink pad lid against the ink pad to create a source of ink and added a little water and brush which gives a lighter tone).  From top to bottom my stripes are Cocoa, Fern, Cashmere and Cranberry.  The deer is from the Artbooking cartridge.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Artbooking cartridge

     White Daisy CS

     Fern CS

     Cranberry CS

     Cashmere CS

     Cocoa CS

     Cocoa Ink

     Fern Ink

     Cashmere Ink

     Cranberry Ink

     Holiday Tags stamp

I'm also entering this card into the Heart 2 Heart "Watercolor Wonder" challenge, the Cards in Envy "Extra Layers" challenge and Stampin' Royalty #305 "Winter Theme".

Now head on over to check out what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has created to inspire you. The challenge will end on December 3 at 9PM CST.  Hope you can join in on the fun!

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

:) Marie

Use Your Stash October Blog Hop--Ribbon Destash

Welcome back to another Use Your Stash Blog Hop!  This month we are trying to use up the ribbon in our stash.  I have many shoe boxes full of ribbon that I've picked up over the years (mostly because they were on sale!)  If you are coming from Anna's blog you are on the right track.

Here is my card:

I followed the current Sunday Stamps sketch to make my card:

I am also entering this card into Heart 2 Heart challenge theme--use your cricut (Artiste)

Close to My Heart products used:

     Artiste cartridge to cut balloons

     Sapphire CS

     Canary CS

     White Daisy CS

      Banner Wishes stamp

      Black Ink

      Cranberry CS

      Hydrangea CS (retired)

      Orange Popsicle CS (retired)

      Metallic CS (retired)

Other products:

     We R Memory Keepers Geometric Embossing Folder

     Variety of Picot ribbon

      Black and White twine

Now head on over to Wendy's blog for some more great ideas.  (If by chance there is a broken link you can find the other  Use Your Stash Blog Hoppers at Shirley's blog.)

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

:) Marie

     

     

Captain Tom's 80th Birthday Card

My friend Tom is celebrating a milestone birthday so I made him a "one of a kind" card using Freshly Made Sketch #208.

Close to My Heart Products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Cranberry CS

     Sapphire CS

     Sapphire Ink

     Metallic CS (retired)

     3D Foam Tape

Other products:

     Cricut Stand and Salute cartridge

     Cricut Alphabet font for "80"

     Happy Birthday Cuttlebug folder

     Anchors Aweigh Cuttlebug folder (inked with Sapphire Ink)

Here is the Freshly Made Sketch that inspired my card:

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

     Less is More--Masculine

     Seize the Birthday

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

:) Marie

Numbered Birthday Card Using CAS(E)This Sketch #135

Happy 21st Birthday to my dear nephew Brendan!  Here is your special birthday card:

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Cranberry CS

     Sapphire CS

     Happy Birthday from Artfully Sent Cricut Collection

     Cranberry Ink

     Silver Metallic CS (retired)

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

     3D Foam Tape

     Art Philosophy cartridge--star, cranberry and silver starburst

     Artistry cartridge--"21"

Other products:

     Star themed tape--source unknown

This is the CAS(E) This Sketch#135 sketch I followed:

     

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

     Cardz 4 Guys--"A Numbered Birthday"

     Seize the Birthday--Anything Goes

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

:) Marie

Hole in One Congratulations Card With Atlantic Hearts Sketch #114

Welcome back to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog post!  We have another wonderful sketch for you to try.  Last week a good friend of mine had a "hole in one" and I used this week's sketch to make him a congratulatory card.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Cranberry CS

     Topiary CS

     Black CS

     Champagne CS

     Dutch Blue CS (retired)

     Dutch Blue Ink (retired)

     30 Years of Happy stamp (retired)

     

Other products:

      Decorative Tape (argyle pattern)

     All Sports Cricut cartridge

Here is the Atlantic Hearts Sketch #114 that I followed to make the card:

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

Red, White and Blue Father's Day Card for Color Dare #148

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post!  This week's challenge colors are Cranberry, Outdoor Denim and White Daisy.  I imagine that many of you will make patriotic themed cards but I needed to make a Father's Day card last week and combined that with this week's challenge.

This card was really easy to make using Close To My Heart's Artfully Sent cartridge!  This Z-fold card is on page 40 of the Artfully Sent booklet and featured mustaches instead of stars.  In Design Space I changed the card to eliminate the mustaches by first "ungrouping" the base card and then clicking on each mustache and clicking on "hide contour".  

Here is a photo of the card partially open:

Close to My Heart products used:

      Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge

      White Daisy CS

      Cranberry CS

      Outdoor Denim CS

      Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

      

Other products:

     Star hole punches

I'm also entering this card into Heart 2 Heart's "Man Oh Man" challenge.

Here is the color graphic we would like you to include with your Color Dare entry this week.  You have until Thursday, July 3 at 9PM CT to link up your papercrafted item here.

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

:) Marie

     

Bouncing Brayer Technique for Friday Mashup #205

Don't you just love trying out new stamping techniques?  I had never heard of the "Bouncing Brayer" technique that is being featured in this week's Friday Mashup and knew I just had to try it!

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Cranberry CS

     Black Ink

     This Moment stamp (retired)

     Blue Shimmer Trim

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

Other:

    Kaleidacolor Calypso Ink pad

    Brayer

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

:) Marie

Happy Everything for Joyful Stars Blog Hop

Welcome back to another Joyful Stars Blog Hop blog post!  We are a group of nine Close To My Heart consultants who are sharing products currently available in the Annual Inspirations or Seasonal Expressions catalogs.  We hope to inspire you to create something just for the fun of it.

  

If you are coming from Krista Hershberger's blog you are on the right track.  If you getlost along the way you can find your way back on track by visiting Joyce's blog for a complete lineup.

I'm ready for spring so I made this bright and cheery card with a new stamp set from the back cover of the latest Seasonal Expressions catalog.  It is called "Happy Everything" and for each of this stamp set purchased Close To My Heart will make a contribution to Operation Smile.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Pacifica CS

     Cranberry CS

     Canary Ink

     Happy Everything stamp set

     Art Philosophy cartridge--arrow

Your next stop on this blog hop tour will be to visit Nancy Brown's blog.  I'm sure you will be delighted with what you find there!

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #128--Cranberry, Flaxen, Black, White Daisyand Kraft

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post.  The Close to My Heart colors we are featuring this week are pictured here:

These are the only 5 colors allowed for the challenge although if you do not have these exact CTMH colors you may substitute similar colors.

My card features a new stamp set found in the Seasonal Expressions catalog called "A Bunch of Thanks".  I used Freshly Made Sketch #42 as my card layout.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Kraft CS

     Cranberry CS

     Black CS

     White Daisy CS

     Flaxen CS

      Cranberry Ink

      Flaxen Ink

      Bunch of Thanks stamp set

This was my first card which I forgot to include black:

I really like how the black makes the focal panel "pop"!

Now it's your turn to create with these 5 colors.  We look forward to seeing what you create. Please use a direct link to share your creations with us here.

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

:) Marie

p.s. If you haven't seen my blog candy giveaway post from last week go there NOW as the deadline to enter is midnight, February 6.

Color Dare #121 Meets Freshly Made Sketch #165

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare blog post.  This week we are challenging you to use Cranberry and New England Ivy.  It was just so easy to make a Christmas card with these two colors!

Cranberry and New England Ivy

I followed the Freshly Made Sketch #165 for my card layout:

Close To My Heart products used:

     Cranberry CS

     White Daisy CS

     Holiday Magic tree stamp (retired)

     Cranberry Ink

     New England Ivy Ink

     Ink splatter stamp from Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit

     Holiday Tags greeting stamp

     Woodgrain Washi Tape (retired)

     Silver Geometric Washi Tape

Now it's your turn to play with these fun colors.  If you don't have these exact colors you may substitute similar colors and you may also combine them with neutrals such as black, white, tans, greys.  Please visit our challenge blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has created and then link up your papercrafted creation with a direct link  here. Hope to see you in our gallery!  The deadline is Thursday evening, December 11 at 9PM CT.

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

:) Marie

Sunday Stamps Colors Meets a Freshly Made Sketch

Welcome back to another Sunday Stamps Color Challenge post!  This week we are challenging you to use some fall colors along with turquoise.  For my card I used the Close To My Heart colors Sunset, Canary, Crystal Blue and Cranberry.

This color graphic inspired me to go with a fall themed card.  

Close To My Heart products used:

    Sunset CS

    Canary CS

    Cocoa CS

    Crystal Blue CS

    Sunset Ink

    Canary Ink

    Cranberry Ink

Other products:

    Fiskars punch

    Gold Sparkles

    Darice Foliage Embossing Folder

    Paintbrush

    Ranger Craft Pen Nibs    

How did I color the Crystal Blue panel with embossed leaves?  First I placed an acrylic block into one of the three ink colors used and spritzed with water.  I then used a paintbrush to color the leaves with the inked up acrylic block and used a Craft Pen Nib dipped in the same ink to ink the veins and outside edges.

This is the Freshly Made Sketch that I used:

We can't wait to see what you create using these colors!   Please use a direct link to join us here and include a link back to us in your blog post.  (Feel free to post our color graphic too to let your readers know about our challenge.)  You have until Friday, October 31 at 6PM EST to enter this challenge.

Please take the time to visit the rest of the Design Team's blogs and leave them some appreciation.  Holly, Alyson, Brenda, Steph, Angel,Leena and Kathya.

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

:) Marie