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!

Blog Hops with Heart 1 Year Anniversary! (Well, Almost!)

There is nothing quite like realizing your new blog hop group is heading for its FIRST anniversary...

...and also nothing quite like realizing that date has already passed, lol!!!  

In the spirit of anniversaries both forgotten and remembered, welcome to the Blog Hops with Heart (ooops we missed our) First Anniversary Blog Hop!

I used the opportunity to be AHEAD of the game for my in-laws wedding anniversary next month.  The Lawn Fawn Scalloped Box Card dies are absolutely my new favorite toy, and I'm not afraid to use them!

I paired the box dies with the Close to My Heart Uptown Fundamentals paper that is gray and black with white polk-a-dots.  Then I added a variety of colorful circles cut from the little round yarn die in the new Lawn Fawn Meow You Doin' set.  You never know where you'll find the purrrr-fect size circle!  ;)

I used a separate LF grass die to add some grassy knolls for my clan to adorn.  Those glittery little hearts are a die included with the box card set, along with all the parts to this coordinating banner!!!  I fashioned my own banner to fit the poles and wire...

Then I slightly bent the pliable acrylic stamps from CTMH Finding the Words to fit...

Each of my family members is represented here by a kiddo from the Mama Elephant In My Heart stamps and dies.  Our feline friend, Willow, needed to be a part of things, so I grabbed the Meow You Doin' sets as well.  Then I used my Copics and ShinHan Touch Twin Markers to color them to suit each of our personalities and styles.  One of my kiddos has super-curly-Q hair, so I HAD to give it a try, lol...anyone have any ideas for that one?

These three black dots dressed it up nicely...

I really love the contrast and the bright colors!

Now you are off to see Kelly's anniversary craftiness!  Thanks so much for joining us, and we hope you come back for future hops too!  :)

Here is the complete line-up this month...

Amie (that's ME!)

Kelly

Becca

Jayma

Stephanie

Mixing and Matching Magic Part 2

I apologize for the delay in getting this layout posted!  I took my hubs to have a hernia repaired today, and didn't quite get this written up before we left.  He is doing great, and I just might have a crafty day tomorrow while he heals up!  :)

Here is my Easter layout featuring not 1, not 2, but THREE different Close to My Heart My Reflections paper packs! Mixing and matching papers is a bit intimidating at first, but once you start, the possibilities are endless!

I started off interestingly enough, with the title word, "happy" in the Penelope Complements.

I cut this half of my title on my Cricut Explore with the Artistry Cartridge.  I love the little patterns in the Fundamentals Papers...this one is Canary in the Whimsy Collection.

I colored my silver sequins with the ShinHan Alcohol ink markers to match!

I had a couple of obstacles to overcome when putting this layout together...one of those being my complete lack of knowledge as to when this particular egg hunt took place, lol.  That was easy enough to remedy by using the Fundamentals Stickers for the year...I just left the last number off for when I can find the date...and a blank journaling box.

These eggs were cut on my Cricut in a pattern from the Kaleidoscope Paper Pack.

The second issue I dealt with was my kiddo's choice of "Easter" egg hunt clothing, lol.  She is a die-hard Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks Fan, so her wardrobe is HEAVILY red.  My Penelope Paper is PERFECT for this with that touch of red in the PML card sheet, but I needed to pull in a strip of Ruby from the Regatta Paper Pack to add a bit more...

LOVE these glittery Playful Puffies!

I adore how this grass turned out!  I used the Limeade Washi stuck to White Daisy CS and my Fiskars grass border punch to create a little border on two photos...

Did you notice one of my favorite features of CTMH paper packs?  That yellow woodgrain pattern is a ZIP strip! What is a zip strip?  It is a 1/2 inch strip of paper along the side of each of our 12 x 12 pattern papers--once you cut it off there is a true 12 x 12 paper left, plus you have another embellishment that coordinates with your papers!  :)

Many of the supplies I used are available in the Workshops Your Way Penelope Scrapbooking Kit.
This makes it super-easy to have embellishments that coordinate with your papers.  It also provides you with a download that gives you directions for making three layouts and even some cards!  Most of the products I used are not available after April, so be sure to check them out soon!

Only in April!

PLUS, earn a FREE Cricut Collection!  Only in April!

The Pure Joy of Washi Wednesday!

Happy Washi Wednesday!

Today, I actually have an awesome video that shows one of my favorite layouts in the Spring and Summer 2014 Close to My Heart Idea Book.  Remember, you can absolutely USE your idea books to make your favorite projects you see in them!  Close to My Heart not only has a YouTube Channel, but they also list the recipes for the gorgeous projects you see in the pages of the book.  Just click HERE to go to my website page that displays the two current Idea Books and scroll down to find the "Recipe" clicky right underneath the photo of the Idea Book.  If you need any help finding these, please let me know.  :)

Without further adieu...here is that gorgeous layout!

If you are as eager to replicate this layout as I am, here are the products you will want to pick up from my Close to My Heart online shopping website, or your own Close to My Heart consultant if you already have one! 

Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment Z1939
Stitch Guide Z1852
Foam Mat Z1859
Piercing Tool Kit Z1114 (Tip:  I just use the smaller foam mat in this kit instead of the large one listed above.)
Smoothie Striped Washi Tape Z1923
Ruby Chevron Washi Tape Z1933
Honey Triangles Washi Tape Z1931
Chocolate Woodgrain Washi Tape Z1930
Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape Z1920
Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape Z1850
Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape Z1817 or Silver Geometric Washi Tape Z1932
Teal Shimmer Trim Z1918
Aqua Dots Z1853
Flamingo Dots Z1934
The letters in the title are cut using the Artiste Cricut Collection with a Cricut Machine
White Daisy, Smoothie, Honey, Goldrush, and Lagoon Cardstock
White embroidery floss or other threading material

If you happen to stock up on these supplies in March, you will qualify for more than one entry in my Mystery Hostess Drawing!!!  This drawing is my own personal giveaway this month in celebration of my second year with Close to My Heart!  :)

AND you will be able to order the Stamp of the Month for JUST $5!!!

Look Out...Yeti on a Motorcycle!

I know I say this a LOT, but I am SOOOO excited to share this card with you guys today!

I absolutely use many other products besides my Close to My Heart stash...and I adore all things Lawn Fawn.  When this little Yeti showed up in my stocking this past Christmas, I was smiling from ear to ear.  I never imagined I wouldn't get a chance to use him until Valentine's Day!

I used my adorable little Yeti along with the brand new Paper Fundamentals Basics Assortment from CTMH to make a fun Valentine's Day card for Lawnscaping Challenges #75:  Dots and Hearts.

THIS card is for the hubs.  It suits him to a tee from the motorcycle I used from the Born to Ride My Acrylix, to the sentiment found on the LF Yeti set.

This envelope was made out of Teresa Collins' new You Are My Happy 6x6 inch paper with one of my new toys from MCT called the Stitched Mini Envelope Die.  I used another MCT die to cut this tiny little heart right out of my Red Shimmer Trim!  It was so easy, you would not believe me.  ;)

This came together nicely using three different stamp sets!  This one is also from MCT called Fun Paper Airplane Die and Stamp.  Someone has been doing heart-shaped wheelies!  ;)

Alright, this is the most exciting thing to me...see that little helmet the yeti is wearing?  I made it out of Whisper CS and the earmuff stamp by simply drawing in one line and trimming it out! 

Here is what the earmuffs looked like before a little presto-change-o!  Have helmet, will travel!  ;)

This was a really fun project to make, and I know my hubs is going to LOVE it!  :)  Thanks so much for popping in to see my card!  I am linking up with the Hearts challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog and also with Heart 2 Heart Challenges this month since it is all about the LOVE!

One more!  I am also linking this up with CAS-ual Fridays:  Over the Edge!  :)

Don't forget about my CTMH Specials at mimimyselfandi.ctmh.com!!!