Three Challenges in One!

Alright, it sure isn't often that you just hit that SWEET spot when crafting, but everything lined up JUST right to make this special birthday card and it all started with this simple-tastic sketch from Jen for Freshly Made Sketches...

It also started with a great little bit of theme and color inspiration with this picture from the MCT Challenge!

The card was going to be for my daughter's birthday next month, so I selected just the perfect paper from Close to My Heart called Seaside.

The paper strip at the top is from the Blossom Paper Packet also from CTMH.

I knew right away when I saw the sketch that I wanted to use my neglected Paper Smooches Happy Birthday die for the sentiment...

If you read my blog regularly, you might know my big kid went off to college this past year for the first time EVER. Her campus has a very unique system of transportation via yellow bikes that you just grab and go.  I could not WAIT to use the MCT Way to Go dies to make one for the card!  She is going to LOVE it!

I used Canary CS from CTMH and a black from my stash that has a little bit of a texture.

I always like to add a bit of sparkle to my cards, and the almond glitter glitz gel I used for the sand is actually on clearance on my website right now!  :)

I cannot believe I made it work for all three challenges this week!  Thanks to all the DTs for all the amazing inspiration each month, and thanks to YOU for peeking in on me today!  :)

Happy June with FREE Close to My Heart Products!!!

Hello all my crafty peeps!  June is here at LAST!!!  I have been waiting for this month to come since last summer when Close to My Heart announced that Convention 2014 was to be held in June at Disneyland!  But that is not the only reason!

This is also my birthday month--not just any birthday either--one of the milestones!  We are talking one of those, "oh my goodness, I cannot be that old" birthdays!  I decided that I am DONE dreading it though, and I want to share the celebration with YOU instead!

Now, I am certainly NOT giving up my age, but pay close attention, because during June I am giving away FREE Close to My Heart products to EVERYONE who places an order of $40 or more!  ;)  I have everything from embellishments to stamps to paper packets stashed away to send out, and you don't have to do a THING but place your $40 order to qualify to win one from me.  I will send everyone their goodies at the end of the month when I return from convention!

BUT WAIT, there's MORE!  I set lots of business goals for myself as the year goes on, and if I reach my sales goal this month, AND my goal to reach 300 FB followers, I will also be giving away a box of goodies!  The box contains at least $40 worth of CTMH products!  So spread the word, and give a girl some birthday love so I can make somebody VERY happy!  :)

You can find my Facebook Page HERE!

Don't miss the fantastically patriotic new 

June 2014 Stamp of the Month for just $5 when you spend $50!

 Celebrate 30 years of Close to My Heart!

Here are the collections to choose from only WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!!    They are each yours for just $30 with a $50 purchase!

Delightful Ribbon and Trim Collection--a $54 Value!

• Hemp Black
• Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon
• Party Washi Tape 3-Pack
• Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape 3-Pack
• Colonial White Rosette Ribbon

Extraordinary Embellishments Collection--a $50.55 Value!

• Mini Medley Accents Antiqued Gold Collection
• Just Blooms™ Floret Paper Shapes
• Pixie Glitter Alphabet
• Glamour Glitter Alphabet
• Color Ready-Canvas Alphabet
• Chalkboard Shapes
• Durables Round Studs
• Durables Square Studs
• Colonial White Rosette Ribbon

Accessory Coordinates Collection--a $53.55 Value!

• Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Huntington Complements
• Chantilly Complements
• Huntington Assortment
• For Always Assortment
• Tommy Assortment
• Surfs Up Assortment
• Chantilly Assortment

Holiday Happiness Collection--a $64.55 Value!

• Season’s Tweetings Gift Bags (2 sets)
• Frosted Paper Packet
• Frosted Complements
• Frosted Assortment
• Sparkle & Shine Textiles
• Sparkle Holiday Shapes
• Sparkle & Shine Complements
• Sparkle & Shine Assortment

Papercrafting Possibilities Collection--a $61.25 Value!

• Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon
• Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel
• Almond Glitz Glitter Gel
• Colonial White Die-Cut Cards
• My Creations™ Cubby
• My Creations™ Collage Cubes
• My Creations™ Star

Gifts and Kits Collection--a $64.70 Value!

• Hemp Black
• Glamour Glitter Alphabet
• My Originals™ Matchbook Card Kit
• Chantilly Textiles
• Seasons Tweetings Gift Bags (2 sets)
• My Creations™ Collage Cubes

Happy Birthday Card with Casual Expressions My Acrylix

Happy Monday!  I'm starting this Monday out with a birthday card to ease the transition into the week.  I made this one for day 7 of my upline's Card-A-Day Challenge this month!  It is also one of the cards you will get to make in my Creative Cards Workshop this month!  Here it is...

I used the retired Dakota paper and Outdoor Denim Cardstock and Ink, along with the Casual Expressions My Acrylix Stamp Set.  This set has sentiments for all occasions...check it out!  I added some Durables Artisan Studs to make it even more studly, lol. 

I didn't stop there, though--I made another version for the feminine side!  On this one I used the Laughing Lola zip strip with Dakota and Crystal Blue CS. 

A clear sparkle and a little purple embellishment from the Laughing Lola Workshop on the GO Cardmaking Kit blinged it up nicely.

Here are the other cards for my workshop!

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!  :)

Birthday with a Cherry on Top!

I tried out the Happy Birthday key on the Cricut Artiste Cartridge for the first time yesterday.  I can't believe it took me so long, but you should see my list of "want to's!"  ;)

Heart 2 Heart has an April Challenge called Bake a Cake that I am entering with this card.  I hope so anyway...the linky is gone.  :(  Oh well, I am still excited about having made it!  EDITED:  I am linking this to the Heart 2 Heart Tuck it In challenge for the month instead since the other link closed early.  How awesome is it that I made an envelope!?  ;)

Anyway, here it is!

This is made with the brand new Dream Pop Paper packet that is available finally today!!!

You can get these 12 B&T Duo papers and 12 Emboss Resist Cardstock sheets for just $10 with a $35 order of regular priced products from my website!  Finish looking at my card and then go check it out!  :)

I used the Chantilly Cardmaking Kit My Acrylix to make these banners.  Cotton Candy, Sunset, and Creme Brulee Inks work well with these papers.  I very carefully trimmed the edge of the cupcake wrapper with Close to My Heart's self adhesive silver shimmer trim.  Mmmmhmmm.

I finally made an envelope liner, too!  I just cut the envelope out at 5 inches and the liner at 4.75.  Then I cut out the section that I needed for the envelope and adhered it to the inside.  I LOVE this paper as a liner!  I think it makes a yummy looking frosting too!  You can really see the glossy resist pattern on the two pictures below...

I used the retired Tiny Typewriter Alphabet to make the inside sentiment.  THAT was tricky.  

Happy, happy birthday, Betty!!!  HUGS with a cherry on top!  :)