Thanks A Bunch Color My Heart!

Hi everyone!  Thanks a bunch for stopping in today to see the next challenge from the Color My Heart Color Dare.

This week, we are using Gypsy and Buttercup along with any neutrals of your choice.  I used White Daisy and Slate for the neutrals on my card, and tried a little technique with my white gel pen that I have seen around quite a bit.

There are a few things that I just LOVE about this card...first being the awesome background stamp I used from the Close to My Heart Geometric Backgrounds My Acrylix.  I stamped it in Buttercup all down the front of my White Daisy card base.  I wanted a nice "picnicky" feel from it to go along with the grapes.  The Gypsy CS grapes were easy to cut out with a small 5/8" size circle punch.  I inked the edges with Gypsy Exclusive Ink and highlighted a little semi-colon on each of the top grapes with my white gel pen--SO fun!

The edges of this White Daisy panel are distressed to add some texture, and I even popped it up with foam squares.  Some of the grapes are popped up as well--I am kind of a dimension girl, lol.

Now for my absolute FAVORITE part of the card--the Slate Striped Twist-Ties!  I simply cannot thank whoever came up with these enough!!!  They are perfect for grape vines, don't you think?  I find that glue dot minis are perfect for adhering these to my projects.

I try not to use too many retired products in my DT designs, but this was exactly the right sentiment for my grape bunch!  It is from the June 2013 Stamp of the Month, A Flowering Bunch.  I stamped it and the leaf from the same set in Slate Exclusive Ink and added a little Slate CS stem.

Ready to get busy creating yet?  I hope you have time to join us this week over at Color My Heart, and cannot wait to see what you make with your Close to My Heart colors Gypsy and Buttercup!

I still have a few more spots left open in my NEW Close to My Heart Reward Clubs, so please check them out HERE!  You could win your choice of Cricut Collection!  :)

Month-long Cardmaking Challenge! Who's In?

Hi there!  My upline, Mandy Leahy, is hosting a fantastic little challenge this month to create a card-a-day.  You can find it HERE.  She even gave us a different theme or guideline for each day!  I finished the first one just in time...but posting is another matter all together, lol.  Here is day #1 Use a Banner!

This card is dedicated to my two friends who I was having a washi discussion with yesterday.  I was determined to use it as more than an afterthought...and for this one, it was actually the FIRST part of the card I make!   Girls, I love this banner even more than capris!  ;)

This adorable sentiment is found on Close to My Heart's Joyful Birthday My Acrylix stamp set.

I even used washi on the inside of the card to easily add a bit of interest!

Any other washi lovers out there?  Check out these two that I used on my website!

Slate Polk-a-dot Washi Tape
Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape

Guess what!?  Very soon there will be MORE washi to choose from!!!!  I will let you know when they are available, but let me leave you with a few hints of what is to come...spots, chevrons, and woodgrain and MORE....is anyone else drooling???  :)

Mooooooving on to day 2, we had a challenge with embossing!  Sweet!  I desperately need more little thank you cards to send with my Etsy orders, so I came up with an idea using 3x3 card bases made of Kraft paper, our Mini Pigment Inks, and clear embossing powder...

You can see the shiny detail in the stamp a bit better in this one...the stamp is cut out of White Daisy CS on my E2 from the Close to My Heart Art Philosophy cartridge...

I used the retired June Stamp of the Month, A Flowering Bunch, to make a row of flowers to go along with the thank you...and added sparkles to match on a few of the blooms!  I was even able to color the clear Sparkles with my Alcohol Ink Markers to match the ink on the stamp!  :)

Two days down and 28 to go!  :)

One More Chance for Color Dare!

I guess I did get a bit carried away with the color combo for this week, lol.  The deadline to link up over at Color My Heart is today at 9pm CST, so you still have time to play with your Smoothie and Topiary CTMH colors (or similar)!

Here is one more version of the card I showed you on Monday.  

I used Saddle Ink on the flower and leaves this time...and matted the White Daisy with a piece of Saddle CS as well.

A really pretty CAS (clean and simple) card that didn't take long at all!  In fact this is a good way to make several cards at once.  Just cut out multiples of each element, stamp, and assemble!  :)

Now go play! 

Color Dare #48 Take Two!

So, I mentioned on Friday that I originally made up a floral themed card with this week's Color Dare colors from Close to My Heart, Smoothie and Topiary.   Appropriately enough, I used the June Stamp of the Month, A Flowering Bunch, lol.  Flowers, anyone?

I really wanted to add this glitter button in the middle, but it was kind of small to go it alone.  It was the perfect opportunity to add a flat button!  Huh?  What's that, you say?  Well, with Close to My Heart's My Acrylix stamp set Buttons, Bits, and Bobs, you can do just that!  Add a button without the bulk!  This is an amazing solution for those of you who don't like the bulk of buttons on your scrapbook pages, but like the look!  :)  The Cricut Artiste Cartridge contains the shapes that match the stamps, even down to the buttonholes!  See how I was even able to thread the Bamboo Waxy Flax right through them both?

To complement the stitching in the leaves, I added a faux stitch around the edges of the size A2 card with my Bamboo Marker.  The sentiment is stamped in Saddle Ink.  Love this color combo!

It definitely isn't too late to play along with the Color Dare this week, so play along and link up with us at Color My Heart before 9pm CST on Thursday!  :)

Also, if you find yourself drooling over this Stamp of the Month, don't wait!

When June is gone, so is this stamp set!  You can get it either at the regular price of $17.95 or for only $5 with a $50 purchase on my CTMH website HERE!  :)

You Had Me at Chevron!

So, I was doing my usual run through FB morning routine when I saw the next Atlantic Hearts Challenge sketch.  The chevron background stopped me in my tracks.  Well, yeah, of course I can do that!

There has actually never been a more perfect set-up, because the remnants from my previous craftiness was still spread out over my workspace...and it fit PERFECTLY!!!  I just dug out my favorite paper with a chevron pattern from the Close to My Heart For Always Paper Packet, and trimmed out the background...I was done in record time with this little cutie!  :)

Here is the sketch:

The June Stamp of the Month has turned out to be a wonderful addition to my stamp collection.  I stamped this flower  in Smoothie Ink on Smoothie CS, and the leaf in Topiary Ink on Topiary CS, inking the edges as well.  These black glitter buttons remain one of my favorite embellishments.  The little bit of Hemp tied in the middle is a great touch with the gold flecks in the chevron paper.

I love the sentiments included on this stamp set too, but they would not have shown up on the bold chevron background.  I decided to solve this by cutting the word, "thanks," from the Cricut Artiste Cartridge instead.  I actually used a great layering trick that I have seen before on cards.  I cut it three times in Smoothie CS and layered them to stand out more.  LOVE the effect with a bit of Smoothie Ink on the edges for emphasis.

So glad this all came together in a flash so I could link up again with this challenge!  :)

Remember, the June Stamp of the Month won't be available for long--when June is gone, so is it!  Check it out here on my website for the amazing price of $5 with any other $50 purchase!  Just fill your cart with your wishlist and then you will be prompted to add the stamp at the discounted price.  It's that easy!  Of course you can always buy this set at the regular price of $17.95 during the month of June!

Look for more artwork on my blog using this stamp set later this week!  :)

My New Favorite Toy!

Hi everyone!  I caved in a few weeks ago and got myself some new crafty toys from My Creative Time.  Well, I finally had a chance to play with them since summer opened up my schedule a bit!  ;)

Here is my favorite so far...

I KNEW this plaid paper from Close to My Heart's Later Sk8ter Paper Packet would be perfect to use on a pair of rain boots.   These boots were clearly made for dancing...

 I made this spunky little bow with my bow-easy tool...perfect every time! 

Want to check out some of the products I used for this one?  Here you go!

CTMH Later Sk8ter Paper Packet
MCT Stitched Boots Dies
MCT I'm Here for You Rain or Shine Stamp Set
CTMH Outdoor Denim Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Guess what?  There are some great new specials happening in my webshop this month that I just HAD to share!  There is a lot to see, but it is worth it, so stick with me here!  :)

First of all, any $25 current product purchase including a qualifying stamp set will get you a FREE My Creations Mini Banner!  This little chipboard banner is PERFECT for home decor and party decorations!  It contains 10 white chipboard pennants in 4 different shapes with 9 jump rings. Pennants are approximately 4" x 3".  Click HERE for more details.

Secondly, here is an announcement from the company that I am so proud to represent!  "Close To My Heart is making a new Autumn/Winter 2013 stamp set, A True Thank You, available immediately and will donate 100% of the profits from sales of the set from May 23 through June 30 to the American Red Cross to aid the Oklahoma victims. Help us provide relief to those affected by the devastating Oklahoma tornado by purchasing A True Thank You stamp set for $2.95 (M1029) today!"  I am also giving every bit of my profits from the sales of this stamp to the Red Cross so that I don't benefit from this amazing gesture by CTMH. 

 The stamp fits on a 2 x 2 inch block.  Here is a close up...

Thirdly, during the months of June and July, you can pick up these LIMITED EDITION Patriotic My Acrylix sets!

These stamps will be PERFECT for my upcoming Operation Write Home Card Workshop!


This is what CTMH has to say, "As a show of our support, Close To My Heart will donate $3 from each B-size My Acrylix^® Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix^® Home of the Brave stamp set to the USO, the leading, most recognized military-support and services organization in the United States, or $3 from each B-size My Acrylix^® Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix^® Strong and Free stamp set to the Canadian Hero Fund, which supports spouses and children of fallen Canadian military troops by providing post-secondary education in Canada. Show your support today—stamp style!"

FINALLY, the last special this month is the Stamp of the Month for June, A Flowering Bunch.

As with every SOTM, it is available only during June.  You may purchase it regular price for $17.95 or snatch it up for only $5 with a $50 purchase!  ALL of these promos and specials are combine-able, so you can make some serious bang for your buck in June!