A Dynamic Duo Indeed!

Have you ever tried one card, two ways?  That is what I did for this next challenge post!

I love to try and combine challenges when able because, quite frankly, it is a super time saver!  I also enjoy the added challenge to combine challenges!  ;)

The first version of this card is for the Dynamic Duos Challenge this week to combine Black with a Kraft color--I used Desert Sand from Close to My Heart.  You are allowed to use any neutrals for the challenge along with these colors.

I used a gorgeous fall themed stamp set from Close to My Heart called Harvest Happiness.  They are clear, acrylic stamps, so you can see through them to stamp on the shapes that coordinate.  These shapes can be cut with your Cricut cutting machine from Provo Craft with the exclusive Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  I used the rock-and-roll technique to make the leaves all sorts of brown shades with my Cocoa, Saddle, Bamboo, and Desert Sand Inks.

You can see how I mimicked the shapes on the front on the inside below.  I just cut out two of these card shapes out with the Cricut Artiste Cartridge from Close to My Heart as well--one in Black and one in Desert Sand.  Then I just used the Black one as my card base, and cut up the other one to use the different parts on the inside so it would not be all Black.

For the second challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays, I added some color to the leaves.  They are having a fall colors challenge and you must use at least one leaf on your clean and simple card.  I was quite happy to add some color!  ;)

I really do like how the Colonial White CS makes the leaves pop out from the black background.  That cute little tag is cut from the Art Philosophy Cartridge as well, and I used two different stamp sets to create the sentiment:  Perfect Fit Thanksgiving and Holiday Tags.  A couple of Black Opaques complete the tag.   I fashioned a frayed bundle of Hemp to "attach" the tag to the leaf cluster.

Well, what do you think?  Which do you prefer?  Color or neutral?  Would you like to win your favorite of the two?  All you have to do is 

1.  Leave me a comment telling me which is your favorite and why.

2.  Become a follower here on my blog, Mimi, Myself, and I.

3.  Like me on Facebook.  

I will pick a winner from all the eligible US entries who will receive the card of their choice!  :)  You have until the end of September to comment, and I will announce the winner here on my blog.  Good luck, and thanks for popping in to see what I made today!  :)

Catching Up With the Card-A-Day Challenge!

I really cannot keep up the blog posts with this card a day challenge, lol!  Along with the cards, I still have that LIFE thing every day too!  ;)

Here are a couple of cards from this week to catch up on.  First is Day 14: Woodgrain...

I used the retired Dakota papers that I have been using all month!  Love that woodgrain pattern paper.  I also used the Laughing Lola WOTG Cardmaking Kit My Acrylic Stamps.

Day 16:  Use hearts...do NOT laugh, I know this picture is sideways!  But I could not for the life of me get it to load the right way, lol!  :)

Red shimmer trim and hearts just naturally go together.  :)  The black and white papers are from the For Always Paper Packet.  The adorable little "i <3 u" is a leftover cut from the Artbooking layout I made HERE.  I save these things for a reason, people!  ;)

Finally, Day 18:  masculine card...

OF COURSE I used the Dakota!  ;)

I also used natural hemp, the Chantilly WOTG Cardmaking Kit My Acrylix Stamps, and Durables Round Studs.

I am WIPED!  See you back here again soon! 

Huntington Gets Fresh with Me

Well, I think I got your attention today, lol!  Happy Friday!

I desperately needed some time to clear my head and craft yesterday, and I think it was a success all around.  I whipped up a great card using Freshly Made Sketches #104.  I think I acheived a wonderfully crisp Autumn feel (even though it was 90 degrees outside!)

THIS cluster at the top is my favorite little part of the card.   I combined a few different awesome Close to My Heart products that complement the Huntington Papers beautifully.  The Huntington Assortment, Natural Hemp, Mini Medley Accents Wooden Collection, and Mocha Opaques coordinate SO well together.

The stamps for the Huntington Workshop on the Go Scrapbooking Kit are rather large, but I really wanted to use them this way for the sketch, so I made a 5 x 7 card base out of Cocoa CS.  I stamped the sentiment in Cocoa Ink on Champagne and Colonial White CS.  I rather like how I swapped out the banner image to turn the sketch on its side.  ;)

This sentiment is warm and fuzzy, isn't it?  I love the positivity it exudes!  I hope YOU have a GOOD day too!  It sure is a good day to try!  :)

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!  :)

Buttons Galore!

Hi there!  I have been super-blessed and busy making baby frames for my Etsy shop.  Here is one of two gorgeous little numbers that I just finished up.  I used lots of beautiful buttons in each one, and it just so happens that Heart 2 Heart Challenges would like us to use....{buttons}....so I am linking up to the challenge!

This first is for a new little baby boy...

Here it is in the frame.  I took pics before I put it in to avoid the glare of the glass.  ;)

A great big shout out to Carolyn Burch, The Crafty Lady, for her information that helped me create my very own watermark for my pictures!  What do you think of it?  Did you notice that it sparkles?  ;)

Stella Gets Roses :)

Hi everyone!  Now that the hopping is over, I have a project to share that I made for my Kick-Off.  I wanted to use the My Creations Milk Carton as a vase somehow, just was not sure how until it all came together.  I experimented with different ways to make the roses too with our Art Philosophy Cartridge.  Here is the finished project all decked out with Stella papers:

 I added a Bling Button with this natural hemp to add some sparkle.

 FYI--I tried to stamp a heart on the metal tag, but it didn't work with my Ink.  Not sure if the Stayz On would have worked, but I might try that another time.  I used the Stella Compliments on this side.  Have I ever mentioned that this is my FAVORITE paper pack right now?  ;)

 It was not difficult to measure this up to paper the sides at all--very easy measurements.

 I had to use my favorite stamp set right now in this project too--Just For You.  The Pewter Badge Button adds exactly the right touch.

 These leaves were so much fun to make.  I used my stylus to make the veins and then inked them up really well around the edges and some in between dabbing.  I was not careful to keep the paper flat so that it would look more "handled."  The stems of the roses are sucker sticks from the local craft store that I rolled on my Olive Ink pad.

 Experimenting with the roses was super-fun.  For this one, I rolled two cuts at the same time.  You can see that it opened a bit more than I would have liked at the center.  Wish I had a larger Opaque to pop in there than this one.  This is the biggest there is, however.  I will just have to work the paper a bit more next time I try this technique.

 This might be my fave.  Colonial white tipped with hmmmmm...yep not sure!  My best guess is Hollyhock Ink.  Isn't it gorgeous?  I can almost smell it.  ;)

 This rose is cut out of Sunset cardstock and tipped with the same color ink.  Subtle, but I like that the white core is hidden.  Can you see the base of some of the roses?  I inked up one of the small pointed flowers from the Just Blooms Paper Shapes to thread them on the stem.  I really like the leaffy effect it gives and it also makes a nicer transition from the flower to the stem.

 This one is in Colonial White and just so elegant.

 My personal favorite side is this one...the bracket is from the Irresistibles Miracle Chipboard Die Cuts.

Which side or flower is your favorite?  :)