Freshly Made Sunshine

One of the reasons I LOVE being able to play along with the sketches over at Freshly Made Sketches is that I really have fun writing the blog post title!  ;)

The new sketch this week begged for some sunshine today, so I whipped out the Close to My Heart March Stamp of the Month, Sunshine Birdies.  Here's your sneak peek!

I used my watercolor paints, paper, and medium round brush to create the background. The sun was stamped first in Memento Ink, but I wasn't happy with the dullness after I painted, so I took a fine tip black marker over it again.

A sprinkle of Pretty Pink Posh sequins gives a little sparkle to the flat paint.  I colored the sentiment with my ShinHan markers and trimmed it out into a flat-bottomed cloud.  I wasn't done yet, though--I added some vellum cloud layers and white gelly roll accents.

I LOVE how it turned out!  Thanks for the great sketch, Jen!  :)

Balloon Animals Zoo Layout

I showed my Facebook followers a little peek at this layout title over the weekend, so I can't keep them waiting much longer, lol...

Speaking of Facebook...how many of you utilize it for keeping track of WHEN your pictures were taken?  I seriously blanked when the time came to date these pics, but Facebook came to my rescue...since I had posted them on the day of the event!  :)

The lettering is from the Cricut Artistry Cartridge and I just elongated it on Design Space before I cut it out on my Explore.

The framed image on the Close to My Heart Balloon Animals Stamp of the Month serves as a great little frame for the letters in my layout title!  I stamped in Sapphire Ink on Crystal Blue CS. The shapes are cut from the Artistry Cartridge on my Cricut Explore where I was able to tweak the size a bit for the inner white shape in Design Space.  It was then that I discovered my carrier sheet has incorrectly listed the size to cut in order for the stamped image to fit.  It should be a height of 1.25 inches, NOT the .75 it has listed.  Does anyone else have that issue?

I stamped this little guy in Eggplant Ink.

I used the super-springy Penelope Papers for my background.  Some Fundamentals Stickers and Silver Sequins round out my embellishment clusters for a quick and easy layout!  :)

Time is quickly running out to get your Balloon Animals Stamp set!  February is just about history!

You can still Share the Love with this special My Acrylix stamp AND donate $7 to Operation Smile! 

My CTMH Instalife Album

I made my daughter an adorable little Instalife Album for Valentine's Day.  I love these little 4 x 4 canvases because they don't take long at all to preserve your favorite memories. 

The album I made documents one of her life's most exciting and anticipated moments so far--her first time seeing her favorite artist in concert.

I started with this stack of supplies including the Black and White Album, City Limits Cards, Memory Protectors Mini 4x4, and Memory Protectors Mini 2x2...

Here are some of the pages I love...

These cut-out cards are SUPER fun to incorporate into the pictures.  Do you see how I cut up the photos to fit in the pockets?

My girl and I might not have the same taste in music, but she loves the gift!  These are definitely a fun and affordable little gift!  Who can you make an Instalife Album for?

Fundamental Friday Returns!

Yes, it HAS been a while since I have shared a Fundamental Friday layout featuring the fantastic Close to My Heart Fundamentals products...so here you go!

I had SUCH a fun time making an album for my daughter full of pics from her first year of college.

For this page I used the Paper Fundamentals Basics in Black for the base and spruced it up with a title made from stickers included in the Adventure and Enchantment packs.  A sprinkle of White Enamel Gems rounds out this simple styled layout.

As you can see, it is FUNdamentally simple to put together fabulous layouts with these coordinating products!  They truly make scrappin' your pics FUN and easy!  :)

Only in February!

Only in February, too!

Washi Wednesday: Bible Journaling Edition

Welcome back to another wonderful washi filled post all about my latest Bible journaling!  I am SO grateful that you stopped by and hope you find inspiration here.

Back in January, I signed up for one of those "read through the bible in a year" emails...and wouldn't you know it, I finally read the first one for this post, lol.  I don't really thrive on structure.  Guess that is an understatement.  ;)

What I DO know is that when I seek God out in His Word--the Bible--He has a way of being very pertinent to me in my NOW.  SO whatever the reason I didn't read that verse last month...when I read it NOW--was the right time.  I hope that makes sense.  If I had read it then, it would not have had the right impact.  Don't let that encourage you to procrastinate--I'm just saying that God has a way of making ANYTHING work out.  :)

Here is what I started with in Exodus 14...

Remember--I'm a stamper and a sticker-er, hahaha, not an artist.  I LOVE playing with letters though, so tried a bit of fancy lettering.  I ran some fun gelato sticks over the lettering and rubbed it with my finger to blend.  This is SO easy and makes such a wonderful feeling.  Next came the washi!

Those last two words are kind of hard for me...lol.

 I googled some fonts to try and freehand for this page...the star was MY idea though!  :)

THIS gold polka-dot washi is one of my faves.

Since I have tons of Close to My Heart washi from being an independent consultant, I have a lot to work with...I have no idea how I collected SO many of the others though!  ;)

There's those two words again...sigh.

I hope you were able to get some inspiration from the art or from the Word today too!  :)

Anniversary Card with Cricut Artistry

Tomorrow is my 20th wedding anniversary.  It is pretty crazy to read those words in black and white, let me tell you.

I had this awesome little tree stump cut from the Cricut Artistry Cartridge just sitting around for a while, so I decided to use it on a card for the hubs...

I used the Zoe Paper Packet and Compliments for the top card, as well as some leftover Kraft CS hearts from the same cartridge.  The sentiment is found on a Hostess Rewards My Acrylix call Say It All.  You can earn one FREE by hosting your own Close to My Heart gathering with your friends or by joining my NEW Frequent Buyers Club!!!  (Click HERE for more details.)

Then, I realized I could actually make the card into an entirely different season pretty easily...

The leaves and acorns I used in this version were from a wreath image (also on Artistry) I had used on several gift tags in a previous workshop HERE.  I just LOVE using up shapes I have already cut out!  :)

Which version/season do YOU like the best?  

A Zoo Layout with Balloon Animals

It has been snowing here, so I am happily scrappin' in my craft cave!

Here is a super fun layout I threw together using the Close to My Heart Penelope paper and compliments as well as the Balloon Animals Stamp of the Month for February...

Of COURSE I used Penelope zip strips at the bottom!  :)

I can thank my friend (and fellow CTMH scrapper) Shelly for the following trick using the Fundamentals Sticker Assortments.  Just trim the extra sticker packaging around the letters for a second use!  :)

These silver foiled vellum clouds from the Penelope Compliments are now my favorite embellishment EVER!!!

These little balloon animals are SO versatile!  I have seen them in layouts, baby cards, birthday cards, birthday decor, and cards for other occasions too!  I rock and rolled mine in Canary and then Sorbet Ink.

If you like these guys as much as I do, don't wait because this My Acrylix set is only available for purchase on my CTMH website in February!  :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just one more quick card to show you before today is over!

I made this one with the La Vie En Rose Paper Packet, Forever in My Heart My Acrylix stamp set, and the Springtime Wishes My Acrylix and Thin Cuts.

I love this heart image with the typeset.  It was a great pattern to throw into the mix.  I created my own pattern paper on the left with the Springtime Wishes images and Pomegranate Ink.  The final pattern is a polka-dotted zip strip!  :)

The Playful Puffies added just the right touch to the flowers I cut from the La Vie En Rose pattern paper.

 If you would like some more inspiration from the La Vie En Rose Papers, check out the inspiration today over on the Make It From Your Heart Blog!  It's never too early to get started on your cards for next year!  ;)

Balloon Animals are Stuck on You Again!

OK, yes, I did get that Balloon Animals card from THIS POST finally finished and out for delivery by my deadline.  Yay me!

Want to see how I upgraded it?  Here you go!

BEFORE...

AFTER!

I added another prickly cactus from the Stuck on You My Acrylix and some Red Enamel Hearts to liven it up a bit.  Check out all the rest of the products I used HERE.

What do you think?

Right now is the PERFECT time to pick up the Balloon Animals Stamp of the Month...and you can also take advantage of TONS of CLEARANCE items!  I cannot believe the prices are slashed so much!  You can get Picture My Life kits for less than $3!!!  Washi tape for under $2!!!  Embellishments for as low as $1!!!  Green Glitter paper tooooooo!  Go check it out on my website HERE!

Products We Love: A Valentine's Day Hop

Welcome back to another fabulous Blog Hops with Heart production!  Our short but sweet hop runs in a circle, so just keep on clicking the name at the end of the post to see all the beautiful artwork. I will post a list of our talented participants at the end in case you get lost.

This month we are featuring some of our favorite products with a Valentine's flair!

Now, most of my blog creations predictably feature my very favorite accessory, Shimmer Trim!  THIS time I wanted to feature my OTHER favorite CTMH product--cricut cartridges!!!  I chose to use the Artiste Cartridge (I could absolutely NEVER pick a favorite cartridge since I use them all so much), sized the image in Design Space, and put together this cute little purse full of love.

My choice of paper is Charlotte--a beautiful and delicately feminine NEW collection from Close to My Heart.  My new favorite, in fact, so I am linking up to the Heart 2 Heart Challenge this month.  I was even able to fashion a little tag with the Charlotte Complements and White and Gold Ribbon.

The little clasp on the purse is one of the Gold Treasured Puffies.

It came together so easily!  This purse was created just the right size to hold a little nailpolish bottle and some candies.  I love using my Cricut Explore with Design Space because I can tweak my design to be the right size for just about anything!

Now you are off to see Kelly's fabulous creation...enjoy, and thanks for coming along for the hop!!!

Amie (that's ME!)

Kelly

Becca

 Stephanie

Washi Wednesday Meets Bible Journaling

Wellllllllllllll.....

It has definitely been awhile since I have posted a Bible Journaling update.  I know.  I haven't had nearly enough time to dabble...until lately!  I was able to finally get my Chapters washi'd (that IS really a term, you know.)  Check it out...

Let me tell you, this was more relaxing than I thought it would be, but it isn't for the faint of heart.  I didn't measure or anything, just eye-balled lining up the washi tape (some of them are on CLEARANCE right now on my website) along the edge while trimming it off with my non-stick micro-tip scissors.  The corners are definitely not all perfect and some of the strips wander, but let me tell you I love it!  The project came together just as imperfectly as I did!  ;) 

I only used the washi tape on the first page of each chapter.  I ran it along the length of the side and folded half underneath.

AND I wouldn't have it any other way.  There is a lot to be said for recognizing and admitting imperfections.  So why would I try to place perfection where I absolutely do not require it?  Jesus did that for me!  I am a work in progress, and by Bible Journaling certainly is too.  Freedom is absolutely freeing, isn't it? 

Thanks for taking a peek today.  I will be back in one week with another Bible Journaling update (and also tomorrow with another crafty CTMH creation!)  Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Balloon Animals are Stuck on You

It felt so good to finally get crafty this weekend.  This card was particularly fun to make!  I was inspired by Melinda over at If You Bling It with THIS colorful creation of hers.  Here is my translation of her idea...

I completely threw this one together JUST as the National Anthem was being played on Sunday before the Super Bowl, so I still want to add some embellishments to the somewhat naked card before Valentine's Day.  I hope to get it out by Wednesday in the mail, so I'll repost it when I am finished.  I just really couldn't wait to share the idea with you so you can pick up this crazy fun Stamp of the Month soon!  :)

I used the Balloon Animals Stamp of the Month, Stuck on You My Acrylix and Thin Cuts, ShinHan Alcohol Ink Markers, and the Penelope Paper Packet.  The cloud background is actually found on one of the 4 x 6 PML cards in the pack!  I love how it creates an instant scene.  :)

Buy it in February for $17.95 OR get it for just $5 with a $50 order!  :)

Support Operation Smile today!

La Vie En Rose is for Valentines

Happy day after the Super Bowl!  I finally got in some crafty time this weekend while waiting for the big game...it is soooo nice not having a favorite team in the Super Bowl to stress about winning, lol!

Over on the Make It From Your Heart Blog, Close to My Heart issued a call for Valentines made using the La Vie En Rose Paper Packet, so you know I needed to answer, lol.

The bold B&W patterns of La Vie are SUPER versatile.  I combined them with flowers from the new Springtime Wishes My Acrylix and Thin Cuts.  The flowers are colored with ShinHan Alcohol Markers.

Vellum and Glitter Paper are SUPER easy to cut with the new Thin Cuts!

I finished off the card with a sentiment from the CTMH Hostess Rewards stamp set, Say It All.  This SUPER collection of sentiments has something for any occasion!

A cute little arrow from the Playful Puffies adds JUST the right touch!

I will have more for you from La Vie En Rose later this week, so be sure to come back!  You have until the 11th (Thursday) to play along with this challenge, so get crafting, and have a SUPER week!  (OK, I am done, lol!)

Show Them the Love!

Just wanted to give you a quick peek at THIS awesome idea a friend shared on Facebook.  I have been having a great time every night placing more hearts on their doors!  I was even able to use my new MCT stamps and dies to add a little note to this one...

That little paper clip is my silver glitter paper cut with an MCT die!!!  It IS!  :)

It isn't too late to get in on the action!  :)