An Irish Birthday Blessings Card for a Game of Thrones Fan

Today is my sister's birthday!  She just got home from an amazing trip around England/Ireland including a tour of the filming locations one of her favorite shows, Game of Thrones.  Now, I haven't ever even seen one episode of GOT, but I decided to make her a card designed to take her back!

I combined some brand new products arriving next month from Close to My Heart for this one...including the gorgeous new basic grey, Charcoal, for my base.  I cannot believe I don't have a pic of the inside of the card!  It shows the amazing new feature of the Close to My Heart CS--the softer tone reverse side!  All the solid color CS except White Daisy and Black will soon have this feature and some of the packs are already available!

I also used one of my fast favorite product lines...the Fundamentals!  I combined the NEW Basics pack (floral print) with two colors from the Adventure set (Willow green watercolor pattern and this beautiful Pacifica ombre watercolor pattern...)
 

Here is the cut I used for this card on my Cricut Explore machine...

Those big white clouds are cut using a die from the Little Dreamer Scrapbook Set on my Sizzix Big Shot.  I'll have a layout created with this set up next week right here, so be sure to check in!

IF I had remembered to take a pic of the inside of the card, you would see I chose a beautiful sentiment from Verve called Blessings.  It says, "birthday blessings" with this beautiful verse following, "May your troubles be less and your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door."

Happy, happy birthday, Sis!  :)

Just a few more days!

ONLY in July!

Another Card Buffet Design

You know how I'm always referring to my Close to My Heart catalog as an Idea Book?  That's because it IS!!!  I take ideas from it all the time, including this new design for my card buffet using the BRAND NEW CTMH Fundamentals patterns available next month...

This one is on page 64 of the New Annual Inspirations Idea Book that goes live to customers on August 1st.  I changed it up just a bit for my workshop  with the supplies I have on hand, but it's the same basic design.  It uses the Heartfelt Thoughts My Acrylix, Black, Fern, and Eggplant Inks, and papers from the Enchantment and Whimsy Fundamentals Papers.  I added Bitty Sparkles and Black Dots as embellishments.

Lucky for you I even made a little boo-boo on this one that I can use as a "teachable moment!"  ;)

That's not quite where I wanted to have a smudge of black ink...

So I grabbed this handy little tool called a "sand eraser" by Tombow.  It actually sands away a layer of the paper, so its a great way to correct ink smudges on white cardstock...

Since it also took away a bit of the greenery, I popped the stamp onto my handy dandy little Misty stamping tool to give it another layer of ink...

Buy any 2, get a third free!!!

Check it out soon!

Live Beautifully with Happy Heart

I've been super busy working to get things all squared away for my traveling workshop this week.  Here is one of my new additions to the card buffet!

Close to My Heart is SOOOOOOOO good to its consultants.  This is a card designed by one of the many talented consultants that is provided to us to use for our own workshops!  I just adore the banners along with the Heart Thin Cut Die!  I just changed up the sentiment to this one from Happy Heart to provide my ladies with options and added some bling!  :)

This sentiment is from the Happy Heart My Acrylix from Close to My Heart.

This Live Beautifully paper was actually only available during one special month, but it is now back in the "Going Soon!" category on my website, so it isn't too late to get your hands on it!  :)

PLEEEEEEASE, don't forget that the MAIN IDEA BOOK, called Annual Inspirations, is retiring at the end of July.  Sea Glass in all forms, except the D-Ring and Post bound Albums, will be GONE!  (Glitter paper is already sold out I'm afraid.)

If you have your heart set on anything in this book then grab it soon.

Only a few more days!

Only this month!

A Card for My Girl on Her 21st Birthday

OK, I had put this one off for as long as possible, but the time had come.  Too quickly.

My girl is turning 21 today.  My mom heart was screaming at me that this cannot even be possible while my creative side (being held in check by said mom) was chomping at the bit to do what it does best.  Even so, the build up to the occasion was far toooooo intense for any part of me to even think about.  I couldn't bring myself to make the card.  Nothing was right.  Until the night before, of course! 

Side note:  The whole "night before" business is of course what led to such drab photos, but it is what it is, lol.

My girl is a rose gold kind of girl, so I used one of my favorite dies from Avery Elle to add a ring of hearts in a rose gold foil from my stash.  They form a frame around a circular window in the front of the card that I made with my 2.5 inch CTMH Circle Thin Cut Die.

Inside I used two brand new colors coming from Close to My Heart in August called Bashful and Heather.  I gotta say, I adore them both!  The balloon image is found on the Happy For You My Acrylix while the numbers are included in the beautiful Pen Pal Alphabet set.  That little bow on the balloon is so adorably delicate! 

I originally didn't use the circle die on the inside, but alas, I forgot to put my foam behind my card with I stamped the balloon inside the first time--and it was the easiest way to cover up the oops.  ;)

Oh, yeah!  I also used the new Charcoal color Ink for the word, birthday!

My "Happy Birthday" sentiment is from the CTMH Happy to Be Friends stamp set.  Did you know that if you buy two of these sets during Stampaganza in July you would get the third one free!?!  Every stand alone stamp set except the Stamp of the Month is included in this crazy deal!!

Only in July!

Red, White, and Anything BUT Blue

Here came July...and there it almost goes! What in the world is it about the days after July 4th?  They just seem to melt away.

Blog Hops with Heart is celebrating with a bit of a twist on your usual patriotic July motif--Red, White, and Anything BUT Blue!  You are probably arriving from Becca's Blog, but if not, you will get there if you keep following our links at the end of each post.

I must confess, the Cubbies fan in me had a really hard time getting past the "no Blue" mandate...we're talking paper torture, people.  I mean, come on...no blue???  Who does that?  I put it off for DAYS as I found some relief painting our garage THE actual, legit Cubbie Blue from Benjamin Moore Paint (I will post some pics before and after when I have it all put back together!)  I honestly don't think I would have survived otherwise!

Soooooo, I will be the first to admit I LOVE the end result of my torture, hahaha! I have been wanting to use the So Many Smiles stamp set from Close to My Heart again for eons, and now seemed the perfect time to add some color punch with the Cranberry red against black and white.  Since it is DEFINITELY not blue, I threw in a bit of a sneak peek of Close to My Heart's new color of the year available starting in August--Bashful!  (Technically a shade of red, mind you, right Becca?)  ;)  The real POP happened when I threw in the Willow green leaves. 

I don't know about you, but I adore Jennifer McGuire's blog and have found SO many techniques to try over there...including this one.  I layered three "hello" die cuts to make it stand up and out.  My original idea included a layer of Bashful Glitter Paper--but the white was a bit more stunning, albeit less glittery, lol.  I intentionally left all bling (again the torture!!!) off this card in the end as I felt it really needed to let the paper and ink speak for itself.

You are now on your way over to Kelly's Blog to see her rendition of "blueless" red and white!  Enjoy!!!  Here is a complete line-up if you ever get lost along the way...

Becca

Amie (that's me!)

Kelly

Stephanie

Wendy

Jayma

Did you hear!?!?

This One Time, At Card Camp...

Giggling still from typing that title, so give me a second...and I think I just accidentally came up with the greatest name ever for my card workshops!!! 

OK!  I'm back with another card I made with my favorite little bear, Jack.  I wanted to play with some angled paper lines for this one.

The beautiful Sea Glass Glitter paper and sprinkle paper from Sugar Rush that I used are sadly gone now, but easily substituted!

Confession.  I made this one so long ago that I have no recollection which sequins I used, lol.  They could be from the Prickly Pear pack...or Dreaming Big (retired.)  Personally I think it could be both.

I DO know that I love this cloud paper from Little Dreamer.  As in I want to gobble it up (right Beth?)  ;)  It's soooooo perrrrrrrtty!

That vellum balloon is included in the Baby Girl OR Boy Complements...take your pick!

I used the gorgeous Pen Pal Alphabet to stamp the HB2U sentiment.  Seriously, this little sign being held by his bear hands is pure genius.  SO versatile when you just use the die without the stamp!!!  It is UBER easy to draw in his paws to color and also add the outline of the sign!  I stamp the lettering first so I know how much room I have to play with.  ;)

I hope these tips help you to make the most out of your stamps and dies!  Thanks so much for stopping in today! 

Seriously???  YEP!

Only during July!

A Birthday Card and a Bear Called Jack

I've been super swamped lately with "house" stuff.  Seriously would consider a tiny home if I could have a second one for my crafts!  ;)

Thank goodness for a back-log of projects I made with the Close to My Heart Jack Cardmaking Stamp and Die set.  This bear.  I cannot explain my love--because bears are not really high on my list of creatures in real life.  Not by a long shot.  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger--but bears, they will kill you!  I like to think my fear is a "healthy" fear.  ;)

Anyhow, this little guy who I just like to call Jack is SOOOO incredibly versatile!  And if you know my crafty self, versatile is a must.

I am definitely not what I would call an experienced "artist" when it comes to coloring, but we can't all be good at everything, so I'm willing to cut myself some slack.  Luckily, the ShinHan Touch Twin markers make it enjoyable and the results smooth themselves out to a point. I like the Mahogany for his fur. My go to ink for coloring stamped images with no embossing is Memento.  Always.

This set mixes so easily with others since this little guy has adjustable arms--he can hold virtually any item!  I used the candle from the Sweet Birthday Stamp and Die set.  (PLEASE NOTE:  You will want to wait to purchase this one if you haven't yet!  It will be available in August as a set with the die included.  Only the stamp set is currently available.  I know it will be tempting to get this one during Stampaganza right now, but you will NOT be able to purchase the dies separately later, only in the set!!!)

One of my new favorite easy-button techniques is attaching burlap ribbon with the Mini Stapler...

I also used one of my favorite card kits right now...Workshops Your Way Let's Party.  I just love this sentiment for the inside...

The papers I used on this one come in the Jack Paper Pack (mmmmm, those trees!) and the Let's Party Kit.  I will have some more Jack to show you later this week!  :)

Never let anyone dull your sparkle!

Only in July!

Buy two get one free!!!!!!  Really!

Thin Cuts Tip for Tuesday!

I completely missed this pic when I posted my project last month using the Little Dreamer stamp and Thin Cuts from Close to My Heart.  HERE is a link back to see it if you missed it.

I had a GREAT tip to share when using the stamps and thin cuts on multi-stamp images.  This unicorn has several different stamps to line up to create the image.  If you are a stamp then cut girl like me, this can get a bit tricky.  I found that using the die cut as a guide helps to keep all the "parts" within the frame of the die cut...

Anyone else do this a different way?  Please share your ideas!  :)

More Fundamental Frame Fun!

I might have mentioned how I adore the CTMH Fundamentals line of patterned papers from Close to My Heart...because I use them for everything!

I recently used another pattern to frame a photo--you can see my first one HERE.  This time I chose a favorite from the Uptown Fundamentals.

Oh how I ADORE this photo!!!  It is my all time favorite from November 2, 2016 when my Cubbies won the World Series!!!  I cannot get enough of this one.  The words on the pattern paper go perfectly with how I feel about the entire 2016 baseball season...enjoy...play...love...fun...joy...be happy!

Here it is hanging on my entryway gallery wall!

I can't wait to frame some more! 

Monkeying Around with the CTMH Rustic Home Fundamentals

OK, it isn't Fundamental Friday, but I'm back to share another layout with the Close to My Heart Rustic Home Fundamentals Papers--some of my favorite scrapbooking papers!

All the little embellishments are from the soon to retire Baby Boy Complements pack--definitely not JUST for boys!  :)  I also used papers from the retired old style Fundamentals and Some Kinda Wonderful Paper Pack.  It's some kinda wonderful indeed how all of our old and new products combine so well!!!  ;)

LOVE these silver foil and glittery accents!  Here you can see the embossed wood grain on the fundamentals kraft paper...

I also used the Marker Alphabet My Acrylix stamp set to create the title for my page.  This month ONLY, you can stock up on your CTMH stamps on my website by getting one free for every two purchased!!!  BEST deal of the year!!!

B2G1 FREEEEEEE!!!!

 

Speaking of Alphabets, don't forget to grab this month's Storybook Alphabet for just $5 with your $50 purchase!

Weekend Book Review! :)

Hi there! 

How many of my paper crazy friends out there love to read?

Well, one of my paper crafty friends, Becca Whitham, also happens to be pretty crafty with a pen--she's a novelist!  I was MORE than happy to be one of the first to read her new book collaboration with Gina Welborn that comes out in September, The Promise Bride. 

Oh my goodness what a delight to kick off my summer reading!  I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Emilia's adventure as a mail order bride, while accidentally picking up a bit of historical knowledge in the process.  The gently alluring romance drew me in from the second we met Mac, and I'm afraid I won't be able to get him out of my mind.  This is the perfect blend of romance and mystery/suspense!  The pacing was just right too as I was able to set it down for some zzz's each night. Truly a book that keeps you guessing to the end.  Wonderfully done and can't wait for the next!

I highly recommend you add it to your summer reading list!

So what are you guys reading these days? I am now (re)reading the third book in Stephen King's Gunslinger (The Dark Tower) series.  I was a member of his book club back in the day so managed to scoop up the entire series.  Between moming, and my daycare business, I somehow didn't get them read between 200? and now, lol.  Also, I seem to have misplaced the 4th book during my move last summer, so I am down to just one book to look for it, yikes!  Wish me luck, I am hoping to finally read them all before school starts again.  :)

Amazing Dan and Phil Birthday Card!

Hello!  THIS is the moment we crafty cardmakers LIVE for...you know what I am talking about...that moment when you have the PERFECT card idea for that special someone!!!  It only happens once in a while for me so I am especially excited to share this one.

This birthday card is for my niece--who happens to be a HUGE "phan" of YouTubers Dan and Phil.  If you are too, you may get it right away...and if not, I am truly sorry.  Lol!

This card is based off the wickedly popular book that Dan and Phil wrote called, "The Amazing Book is Not on Fire."

I am not a "phollower" of theirs so that is all I know, lol.  I just happened to be paying attention at the right time in the right place.  ;) Moms have to be sneaky like that...always paying attention.  I also had a bit of help from my girlie who is also a "phan." 

I designed all the lettering on the front of the card using Design Space for my Cricut Explore.  Then I chose the colors from my Close to My Heart Cardstock palette.  The inside is randomly stamped with the candle image from the Close to My Heart Sweet Birthday Stamp set.  Ok, so it wasn't very random...I'm a bit of a control freak.  ;)

The sentiment is from the Workshops Your Way Let's Party Cardmaking Kit.  I love this versatile sentiment that you can either leave as is or color in!

I just want to add that my girl exclaimed, "MOM!  This is the most AMAZING card EVER!!!!!" when she laid eyes on it.  That is all.  For. The. Win.

Happy Birthday, Miss Mia!!!!!!

Summertime Fun Challenges!

Time for another challenge!  Ummmm...make that two!  ;)

Both Lawn Fawnatics and the Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog have issued Summertime Challenges this week! How could a crafty girl resist???

I'm SO excited to share this super fun box card I made for one of my BFFs...it includes THE most fantastic of summer themes: ocean beachy water fun!

Lawn Fawn sure hit the nail on the head with this box card die.  It makes the box card process practically painless!  Easy button?  OK!  This is what it looks like before you add all the pretties...

I did add the waves and sand from other LF border dies, but you get the gist.  ;)

Then you get to start creating a scene!  I used the mermazing LF Mermaid for You stamps and dies...

With a box card, you can decorate the inside, outside, anything you like! I used the banner dies included in the box card set to make some fancy party decor.  It is especially fun to use some clear packaging or leftover carrier sheets from embellishments to make "floating" details.  I used Glue Dots to make sure they stay put...

Be sure to add a blank panel in the back of the card for you to write a note to your card recipient...

The coolest part of this box card is that it folds flat to fit inside a standard size envelope!!!

Just like magic!

Thanks for coming to take a peek!

Here is a list of the other crafty toys I used to make this one...

Sizzix Big Shot

Lawn Fawn--various inks and plaid papers (I cannot get enough of these plaid patterns!)

Close to My Heart--Sea Glass Ink, Birthday Sparkles My Acrylix, 2x2 My Acrylix Block, ShinHan Touch Twin Alcohol Ink Markers, Champagne CS, White Glitter Paper

Copic Sketch Markers