Two Words: One Layer (of Peace)

I don't think there have ever been two words that haunted me more than these two, lol.  What does it MEAN???  I absolutely love to challenge myself to go CAS (clean and simple) whenever I can.  Not only does this make creating quick(er), but it also is supposed to be easier, lol.  Huh?

Yep--One Layer is the code word(s) over at Addicted to CAS right now.  How easy terrifying is that?!  Well, let me show you!  :)

This is the third version of this particular card design that I have made, but this time I used a different tree.  You can take a peek at my first version HERE.   I still LOVE that Framework Alphabet from Close to My Heart in all its versatility!  The tree image is found on a retired Christmas My Acrylix called Christmas Love.  I stamped all the images directly onto the card base for a change, and then I colored in the star with my Gelly Roll Stardust Glitter pen.  *swoon*

SO, then is that ALL I can add to this little beauty?  I dutifully took my pics for the challenge and brought it back to my workspace.  I really added JUST a couple of details...but is it still CAS???

I really, really, really am loving this NEW washi tape that comes in the Close to My Heart Party Washi tape 3-pack.  Isn't it the BEST thing next to sparkle?  ;)  Speaking of sparkle, I added those too!  Just a few red ones on the Christmas tree.  So is it still CAS?

I hope the girls over at the challenge can help me out with this one...because I am just not sure!  What do you think, ladies?   :)

Linking this up with the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge!  :)

Alright, so now, I want to introduce you to the NEW Stamp of the Month!  It is my absolute favorite so far...meet, Illuminate!  Yours for only $5 with a $50 purchase at mimimyselfandi.ctmh.com!

Color Dare #64 Cramberry Meets Her Match

What day is it?!

Nope, not hump day, lol...it is Friday, so time for another Color Dare!

This week, you get to make a color choice!  Use whichever color you like with Close to My Heart Cranberry, plus neutrals, of course!

In the process of creating my DT card, I stumbled on two different color combinations and could not decide which to use!  Lucky you will get to see BOTH....eventually!  In this first card, I paired Cranberry up with her friend Sky...

Can you guess where my inspiration came from?  The vision I started with in my head was that of the poor little tree in the Charlie Brown Christmas movie.   After that, I was not sure where my card would go.  I DO like where it ended up, though!  :)

Let's start quickly with the background of my card.  I used a sponge dauber and hand trimmed "snowy hill stencil" to lightly pat Sky Exclusive Dye Ink onto the card base to hopefully create a winter wonderland.  This is my first time trying this particular technique, so be kind, lol.

I cut a tree shape using my Close to My Heart exclusive Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge on my Expression 2 cutting machine.  It had too many branches, so I chopped two of them off.

The ornament is found on the retired Christmas Love My Acrylix.  I stamped it in Cranberry Exclusive Dye Ink and added some sparkle with one of my new favorite toys, the Wink of Stella Glitter pen. 

This sentiment was JUST what I wanted to say with my card.  It is found on the retired Card Chatter Christmas My Acrylix.  I inked up part of it in Chocolate Ink, and after cleaning it off really well, used the Cranberry Ink to stamp the word "heart."  I completed the sentiment on the inside with the same method, stamping the word "air" in Sky.  Love it!

Are you up for the challenge?  Ready to match up Cranberry with another color to create a paper project of your own?   Link up with us over at the Color My Heart Color Dare by NOON on Thursday, October 17th to play along!  We can't wait to see what you make!  :)

I will have another card for you using Cranberry next week, so stay tuned!  :)

I am linking up again with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge since I have used my Close to My Heart clear acrylic stamps!  Thanks, SSS, for the awesome challenges!  

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas I Say, "MERRY CHRISTmas!!!"

I wish each of my readers a very Merry CHRISTmas!  I appreciate you all being interested in what I have to make and say.  :)  Enjoy the day doing whatever you do to celebrate!  Here is my Christmas card to share with you this year.

I used a few different stamp sets (and altered two of the stamps!):
D1492 Christmas Love
D1483 Glory to God
D1440 Everlasting Life
D1522 Giggle Lowercase Alphabets

Can you guess which two I altered?  ;)

Flakey Friends Christmas Cards

I am not quite ready for snow yet, but snowmen I can handle!  Here are a few of the Christmas Cards I have made using the Close to My Heart C1506 Flakey Friends My Acrylix Stamps.

These first two are made with the Wonderland Bulk paper from Close to My Heart which is retired.
I colored them in with our awesome Alcohol Ink Markers.  Then I added some Glitter Glitz to the snowy parts of the picture for some sparkle.  I used CC1015 Holiday Wishes for both sentiments.

The cardstock with my snowman friend is popped up with some foam tape for dimension.

Some shimmer trim was inevitable...

For the second card, I changed up the color scheme for the picture a bit and flipped the background paper to the other side.  A new sentiment gave the card whole new possibilities.

Here is that Glitter Glitz...

Finally, I wanted to do a more traditional color scheme.  I embossed our Sweet Leaf cardstock and sanded it to reveal the white core.  I LOVE using our cardstock to do this easy but powerful technique.  I stamped some White Daisy snowflakes onto Cranberry cardstock to break up the red.  The simple sentiment sums up my wish for the recipient.  It is from the D1492 Christmas Love My Acrylix set.

A bit of organdy ribbon and twine wrap this one up just perfectly!

You can find these adorable snowmen in my Etsy shop now just in time for Christmas or on my CTMH website to make your own!

CHRISTmas Card Close Up

Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting up the Christmas Cards and tags that are available to make at my upcoming Workshop.  You can already see them by clicking on the Christmas Card Workshop Tab at the top of my blog.  I hope you are inspired to make some cards this year!

This is one of my favorites so far.  You probably hear me say that a lot though, lol!  I love the bicycle stamp so much from the Close to My Heart La Belle Vie Workshop on the Go.   The present stamp is from the Christmas Love My Acrylix Set.  I used my micro-tip scissors to carefully snip it from the sentiment.  Sometimes my lack of inhibition scares me.  ;)  I really have no qualms modifying my stamps.

Here is a closer look at that beautiful sentiment.  I used my Bow-easy for the darling little bow, of course!

Here are the other supplies I used in creating this wonderful Christmas card:

Pear and Partridge Paper Packet
Cranberry Grograin Ribbon
Almond Glitz Glitter Gel
Green Glitz Glitter Gel
Black Exclusive Ink (Dye Pad)