Golf Themed 80th Birthday Card With Freshly Made Sketch #286

One of my weekend golf partners turns 80 next week and when I saw this week's Freshly Made Sketch I knew it would work perfectly for his birthday card!

 

Here is the wonderful FMS sketch that inspired my card layout: 

The golf ball and tees were die cut with a Quick Cutz die.  The background is Close to My Heart Sea Glass CS embossed with a We R Memory Keepers Next Level Geometric Embossing folder.  The tees were die cut from CTMH Ruby and Pacifica CS.  The numbers were cut using the CTMH Artbooking cartridge and Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel was applied to the numbers and tops of the golf tees.

Other challenges I'm submitting this card to:
     Seize the Birthday
     My Time to Craft #345--Masculine
     A Gem of a Challenge--Wet or Dry Embossing
     Words to Craft By--Numbers

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

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. 

Addicted to Stamps and More #216--Anything Goes!

Welcome back to another Addicted to Stamps and More challenge blog post!  This week we invite you to join our "Anything Goes" challenge. 

Our wonderful sponsor is

Happy Little Stampers was created in 2015 by Kylie (owner of ATSM and ATCAS). Kylie wanted to bring out a line of stamps that were useful for every day crafters. From cute to whimsical images, from everyday to funky sentiments there is something for everyone!

Shop: Happy Little Stampers

Prize: $15 gift certificate

My center panel step card was cut and scored on the Cricut Explore.  Here is the Design Space file if you would like to replicate it.  Are you wondering how I created the textured background on the main panel?  I placed a piece of Press 'n Seal on an acrylic block and pressed it into Glacier ink and stamped the white focal panel.

Close to My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Topiary CS (retired)

     Topiary Ink (retired)

     Cotton Candy CS (retired)

     Cotton Candy Ink (retired)

     Glacier Ink 

     Topiary Chevron Ribbon (retired0

     Blossom Cardmaking Workshop stamps (retired)

     Happy to Be Friends stamps

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

I'm also sharing this card with the Sunny Day Crafting Blog #19--Anything Goes and Scrappin' 4 Fun Anything Goes challenge.

Be sure to stop by the Addicted to Stamps and More blog to see 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 I've shared here please consider becoming a follower of my blog. :)

Color Dare #198--Cotton Candy, Sweet Leaf and White Daisy

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge blog post.  This week we have another 3 color challenge--Cotton Candy, Sweet Leaf and White Daisy.  Here is a quick card I made using the Artistry cartridge and a Sketch Saturday sketch.

Would you like to know how I created the "texture" on the main panel behind the Cotton Candy flowers?  Here is a closeup view:

Okay, here is what I used:
     Sweet Leaf Ink pad
     White Daisy CS
     Large acrylic block
     Glad "Press n Seal"--place the 'sticky" side onto the block, smooth it out and            apply ink to the other side and then "stamp" onto White Daisy CS.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Artistry cartridge
     Cotton Candy CS
     Zoe paper
     White Daisy CS
     Seaside Greetings birthday greeting
     Adorable stamp set (retired)
     Cotton Candy Ink
     Sweet Leaf Ink
     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

Other products:
     White craft foam to back the center panel
     Liquid Pearls White Opal

Here is the Color Graphic for Color Dare #198.  Just click on it to get to our challenge blog to be inspired by the rest of the fabulous Design Team.  We would like you to use all and only these colors but if you don't have these Close to My Heart colors yet you may substitute with similar colors.
   

   

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

I'm also entering this card into the Seize the Birthday Anything Goes challenge.

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

:) Marie

   

Let it Snow for Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog #268

Welcome back to another Fantabulous Cricut Challenge blog post!  Today we are challenging you to create something with your cricut with a Snow Theme.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Artfully Sent cricut cartridge

     White Daisy CS

     Wonderland paper (retired)

     Black CS

     Sunset CS

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

I'm also entering this card into the Clear it Out Challenge blog to add a snowflake and Heart 2 Heart "Frozen" challenge.

Challenge #268-Snow
Make a project featuring snow

This Weeks Sponsor

Pretty Cute Stamps

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.

And, if you submit a project in our challenge that isn't a card, you will get two entries for a chance to win the prize instead of one! 

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

Zoe Christmas for 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 Joyce's blog you are on the right track.  (If you get "lost" along the way visit Joyce's blog for the complete lineup.

My card features the Zoe paper along with Peacock trees cut from Art Philosophy cartridge.  (The trees are part of the image on page 52.)

Close to My Heart products used:
    Zoe paper
    Glacier CS
    White Daisy CS
    Peacock CS
    Holiday Tags
    Peacock Ink
    Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)
    Aqua Dots
    3D Foam Dots
    Black pen for stitching line

The inspiration for my card came from the current Atlantic Hearts Sketch challenge #137.

Now head on over to Helen's blog to see what she has to share.

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

Color Dare #164 Meets Global Design Project #006 and Can You Case It Halloween Theme

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare challenge post!  There are 6 colors for this week's challenge:

I found a new blog challenge called Global Design Project and decided to combine these two challenges with a Halloween theme.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Whisper CS

     Pear CS

     Sunset CS

     Sunset Ink

     Spellbound paper zip strip (retired)

     Slate CS

     Eggplant CS

     Confetti Stars embossing folder

     Love Ya Silly Stamp

     Sunset Ink

     Say it All stamp

     Black Ink

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired) on embossed stars

     My Legacy Writer Black Pen .03 (retired) to outline monster     

Here is the Global Design Project Sketch #006 that inspired me:

I'm also entering this Halloween card into the Can You Case It? Halloween challenge this week.

Will you be able to take the Color Dare challenge this week?  If you don't have the exact Close to My Heart colors listed you may substitute similar colors.  Just have fun with it!  Link up your papercrafted creation here by Thursday evening, October 22 at 9PM CDT.  

Thanks 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

Artistry Octopus In Atlantic Hearts Sketch #118

Welcome back to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog post.  This is the final one for me as new Design Team members will be joining the team.  It was a great pleasure and honor to work with the talented AHSC designers.

My card features some current Close to My Heart product and has a sneak preview of the Artistry Cricut collection which will be available to customers on August 1.

Close to My Heart products used:
     Artistry Cricut Cartridge--coming soon!
     Seaside paper--retiring soon
     Outdoor Denim CS--retiring soon
     Chocolate CS
     Colonial White CS
     Teal Shimmer Trim
     3D Foam Tape
     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel--retired

If you have the Cricut Explore and the Close to My Heart Artistry cartridge, the cut file to make the above card is here.

Here is the Atlantic Heart Sketch #118 that I followed to make the card:
   

The challenge at the Male Room Challenge Blog this week is to use "Spots and Stripes" so I'm entering this card into that challenge also.  (Did you see the stripes in the Woodgrain background panel?)

Now go to the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog and be inspired by the other Design Team members.  We hope you'll be able to enter our challenge this week.

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

     

Use Your Stash Blog Hop--Use an Uninked Stamp

Welcome back to another Use Your Stash Blog Hop!  We are a group of Close to My Heart consultants who are trying to use up what we have.  Our theme this month is "If you stamp it, they will love it!" and we are using stamps we have not yet used or loved.   If you are coming from Michelle Loncar's blog you are on the right track.

My card features stamps from the Blossom Cardmaking Kit which I purchased several months ago but had not yet created anything with them.

I followed the Technostamper's 1st and 3rd Monday Lunchtime Sketch #363 to make this card.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Blossom Paper

     Sunset CS

     Blossom Cardmaking Kit stamps

     Sunset Ink

     Lagoon Ink

     3D Foam Tape

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

The next stop on our blog hop is Casandra Bennett's blog.  I'm sure you will love what she has to share.

Our Blog Hop Coordinator, Shirley Ross, has also asked us to share stamp storage ideas.  Here are a few pictures of my stamp organizational process but I have to admit I need more SPACE!

Some of my old Close to My Heart stamp sets (pre My Acrylix) are stored on this book shelf.  The cabinet to the left holds lots of paper and there are lots of supplies in plastic shoeboxes.

Some of my old Close to My Heart stamps (pre My Acrylix) are contained within these cabinet drawers that I purchased at IKEA about 17 years ago.  On top of the cabinet are plastic shoeboxes with CTMH My Acrylix organized alphabetically.  (My most recent acquisitions are not filed alphabetically and are stored together in a big plastic container).   There is one CTMH box labeled Christmas.  Above the cabinets and plastic shoeboxes is an old wooden casette display cabinet that is overflowing with Close to My Heart stamp pads.  (I've collected quite a few over the 18+ years I've been a consultant!)

Several years ago, my best stamping buddy Arlene, made me this binder to help me be able to see what stamps I have to choose from.  Previously I stamped all the sets in black but this summer I decided I would choose one of the newly released colors (Thistle) so I would be better able to see what the current stamp sets are.

Here is a picture of the outside of the binder that was stamped with Close to My Heart stamps:

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

:) Marie

Happy Mother's Day Card for Joyful Stars Blog Hop and Other Challenges

Welcome back to our monthly blog hop called "Joyful Stars".  We  are a group of Close To My Heart consultants sharing our love of Close to My Heart products with you. If you are coming from Krista Hershberger's blog you are on the right track.  If you get lost along the way you can find your way back on track by visiting Joyce's blog for a complete lineup.

I followed the Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch to make my card:

Close to My Heart products used:

     Art Philosophy cricut cartridge for doily

     White Daisy CS

     Black CS

     Brushed paper

     Topiary CS

     Ruby CS

     A Budding Friendship stamp

     Happy to Be Friends greeting

     Black Ink

     Pixie Ink

     Canary Ink

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

     3D Foam Tape

Challenges entered:

     Try Stampin' on Tuesday sketch

     Friday Mashup--Mother's Day

     Bitten by the Bug--Mother's Day

     Shopping Our Stash--Big, Bold and Beautiful

Now it's time to head on over to see what the very talented Nancy Brown has to share with you!

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

:) Marie

Love You Card for Bitten by the Bug2 with a Mojo Monday Sketch

Everyday I learn a little bit more about how to use Design Space with my new Cricut Explore.  Today I taught myself how to weld two images from Artbooking (Love You and scalloped circle) together to make a new shape.  I really like how it came out.

Close to My Heart products used:

     Sweetheart paper (retired)

     Tulip CS (retired)

     Artbooking Cricut cartridge

     Black CS

     White Daisy CS

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

This card meets the challenge requirements for:

     Bitten by the Bug2--Cricut Letters or Phrase

     Mojo Monday sketch

Here is the sketch that inspired me:

     

At the end of January I will be offering some FREE crafts supplies--please become a follower so you will have the opportunity to win!

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

:) Marie

     

Marble Rolled Background for Friday Mashup #180

If you are looking for the Color My Heart Color Dare post please go here.

The Friday Mashup had an interesting link for a new technique in today's challenge post called "Marble Rolling" so I had to try it out!  It was fun and easy to do.

Close To My Heart Products used:

      Lagoon CS

      White Daisy CS

      Frosted Cardmaking Kit stamp (retired)

      Holiday Wishes stamp (retired)

      Lagoon reinker

      Lagoon Ink

      Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

Here is the Friday Mashup Sketch Graphic:

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

:) Marie

June Guest Designer for 52 Christmas Card Throwdown

I'm so excited to be a Guest Designer for 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.  Thank you, Mynnette, for inviting me to share with you and your readers this month.   Each Saturday in June I will share with you the cards I've made following the challenge guidelines.  I hope you will play along with us here.

The first week of the month brings us a sketch challenge:

It was fun following this sketch.  Have you tried the Glowing Lights technique yet as found on Splitcoaststampers?  Here's how I did it:  The tree was colored with a Topiary Alcohol Marker by CTMH.  I then used a Signo white gel pen to color in the stars and circles.  When it was dry I rubbed red and yellow chalks over it with a Q-tip.  (The string garland also has some Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel).

Here's another tip for the stitching lines--instead of running the paper through your sewing machine, use a ruler that has a grid line and holes that you can poke a piercing tool through to make the stitching holes. Then use the straight edge of the ruler and a fine tip marker to draw in the stitching lines.

Close To My Heart products used:

     White Daisy CS

     Cranberry CS

      Mistletoe Paper (retired)

     Tree Delights stamp

     Black Ink

     Cranberry Ink

     Holiday Wishes stamp set

     Chalks (retired)

     Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel

     Scallop Circle Punch (retired)

     Cranberry Marker (retired)

     3D Foam Tape

Other products

    McGill 2.25" Circle punch

    Piece of ribbon scrap

Now it's your turn to create and share with us.  We look forward to visiting your blogs and commenting.  Please turn off word verification and use a direct link to us here.  This challenge will end at 6PM GMT on Friday, June 13, 2014.

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

:) Marie

    

Roxie Rose for Try Stampin' on Tuesday #167

The sketch challenge at Try Stampin' on Tuesday really appealed to me so I made a second card based on the sketch.  (You can see my first card here). This time I met the option of "Roses". 

Close To My Heart Products Used:

      Roxie paper (retired)

      Rosy Regards stamp (retired)

      Say it in Style stamp (retired)

      Smoothie Ink

      Cocoa Ink

      3D Foam Tape

      Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

I love how all these papers from the Roxie paper set look so good together in this sketch!

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

:) Marie

Color Dare #91 Meets Ariana

Welcome back to another Color My Heart Color Dare blog post!  This week we are challenging you to create something with the Close To My Heart colors found in the Ariana paper pack:  Crystal Blue, Outdoor Denim, Ariana Coral and Ariana Green.  (Substitutions are allowed as long as they are close to the assigned colors).  You may also combine these colors with neutrals such as white, black, greys, tans.

Close To My Heart products used:

    Outdoor Denim CS

    Ariana paper

    Outdoor Denim Ink

    Cloud Nine stamp--retired (I changed the shape of the stamp by selective inking and an Outdoor Denim              Marker)

    Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel

    3D Foam Tape

    Teardrop Corner punch--made by Family Treasures--retired CTMH

My card inspiration came from the CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge #71:

Come check out what the rest of the Design Team and Guest Designer Amy Kiger have to inspire you.  We would love to visit your blogs and see your Ariana creations so please use a direct link to us here.  We do award blog badges to weekly winners and award a monthly prize to a randomly drawn participant so the more times you enter in a month the greater your chance of winning.

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

:) Marie

Artbooking Hello Card for Atlantic Hearts First Year Anniversary

Congratulations to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge on the successful completion of your first year in inspiring us crafters!  It has been a while since I played along here but with a celebratory prize package up for grabs it helped make it a priority on my crafting list of things to do.  (I love winning prizes!)

Close to My Heart Products Used:

    Artbooking cartridge (overlay and hello)

    Sky CS

    Jubilee paper

    Star Spangled Blue CS (retired)

    Dutch Blue Marker (retired)

    Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)

Other products

    Prismatic paper by Colorbok

    Dragonfly punch by EK Success

On the first version of this card I left off the Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel.  Which one do you like better?

This is the sketch that inspired me:

             

If you like to participate in sketch challenges I invite you to play along with Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge this week.  I'd also like to suggest the great sketch that Hayley has for you at Sunday Stamps:

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

:) Marie