A Birthday Card and a Bear Called Jack

I've been super swamped lately with "house" stuff.  Seriously would consider a tiny home if I could have a second one for my crafts!  ;)

Thank goodness for a back-log of projects I made with the Close to My Heart Jack Cardmaking Stamp and Die set.  This bear.  I cannot explain my love--because bears are not really high on my list of creatures in real life.  Not by a long shot.  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger--but bears, they will kill you!  I like to think my fear is a "healthy" fear.  ;)

Anyhow, this little guy who I just like to call Jack is SOOOO incredibly versatile!  And if you know my crafty self, versatile is a must.

I am definitely not what I would call an experienced "artist" when it comes to coloring, but we can't all be good at everything, so I'm willing to cut myself some slack.  Luckily, the ShinHan Touch Twin markers make it enjoyable and the results smooth themselves out to a point. I like the Mahogany for his fur. My go to ink for coloring stamped images with no embossing is Memento.  Always.

This set mixes so easily with others since this little guy has adjustable arms--he can hold virtually any item!  I used the candle from the Sweet Birthday Stamp and Die set.  (PLEASE NOTE:  You will want to wait to purchase this one if you haven't yet!  It will be available in August as a set with the die included.  Only the stamp set is currently available.  I know it will be tempting to get this one during Stampaganza right now, but you will NOT be able to purchase the dies separately later, only in the set!!!)

One of my new favorite easy-button techniques is attaching burlap ribbon with the Mini Stapler...

I also used one of my favorite card kits right now...Workshops Your Way Let's Party.  I just love this sentiment for the inside...

The papers I used on this one come in the Jack Paper Pack (mmmmm, those trees!) and the Let's Party Kit.  I will have some more Jack to show you later this week!  :)

Never let anyone dull your sparkle!

Only in July!

Buy two get one free!!!!!!  Really!

Hello Foxy, Meet Jack

WELL, now isn't June just moving right along?

There is just a bit under half of the month left, so I wanted to show you the versatility of a couple of my current favorite Close to My Heart products--the Hello Foxy stamp of the month and the Jack papers!

Now Jack is kind of a guys guy if you know what I mean, so I wanted to reveal his softer side.  See those two strips of patterned paper on the edges of my card?  I adore how they peek out to frame the floral centerpiece!  

I used a Basic Circle Thin Cut to make the opening in my front panel before stamping.  It gives the card a little more dimension when I used my thin 3D foam tape to make a CS sandwich for the front...

My ShinHan Alcohol Ink Markers in Marigold, Cerulean Blue, and Lavender combined beautifully for a pleasing color scheme.  I finished it off with some hand drawn leaves with my LePen and sequins from the No Worries collection.

Don't tell Jack I let you in on that little secret!  They just might take away his man card!  ;)

One more quick little tidbit before I go...this little fox from the same stamp set is a cutie.  Here's a little tip for stamping and cutting out your images.  I used a black marker on the edges of the cut-out image to really make him pop.  Try it and see what a difference it makes!  :)

This Stamp of the Month is only available for the month of June, so grab him soon he's on your wish list!  :)  Remember, it's my birthday month, so anyone who places an order on my website on Amie's Birthday Bonus link will receive a gift from me!  See THIS POST for a quick tutorial if you don't know how.

Good-bye, Mojo Monday!

Oh my goodness what a SHOCKER!  When Julee announced that Mojo 500 would be her final Mojo Monday sketch challenge my jaw totally hit the floor.  I completely understand her two little precious reason, though.  ;)

Thank you, Julee, for providing us with so many wonderful sketches to jump start our mojo!

Mojo was one of the very first "challenge" blogs that I discovered through my other crafty friends after I became a Close to My Heart Consultant.  Let's just say I was quickly hooked on sketches!  I have had the joy of winning a couple of different stamp sets, and my Verve collection has somehow outgrown it's drawer...no idea how that happened.  ;) So I went back and found my very first Mojo Monday post when I played along with sketch 249...so promise you won't click, but it is HERE, lol.  Wow that was a long time ago! My VERY favorite entry (go ahead and click, lol) is THIS one from all the way back in January of 2013!  Or maybe it's THIS one.  I love them both!!!

I guess I can't stall any longer reminiscing, so on to the final sketch!!!

Now, I recall receiving these papers and ribbon with my Mojo order a while back--and there was some new challenge to use them for...but oh my goodness, I had no time to play along and now I have no idea what they were for, lol.  I decided it would be fitting to use them for this sketch along with the Blessings and Sunny Days Verve stamp sets and dies.

Those white dots work beautifully with all the other color here...

I happened to have some perfect paper pairings that complemented the two pattern papers I was working with...a Juniper wood grain paper from Jack that I used for the sentiment and a scalloped lace zip strip from one of the Prickly Pear 12 x 12 papers that runs along the ribbon.

I also glittered up the flower and button with the two Shimmer Brushes offered by Close to My Heart.  Can you see it?

Well, the time has come to say good-bye to Mojo Monday...but I'm hoping it is more of an "until we meet again!"  ;)  (sniff, sniff)

Teacher's Appreciation Week

We celebrated our teachers at school a couple of weeks ago, so I wanted to share this little card I whipped up with one of the new Close to My Heart stamp and die sets...the Jack Cardmaking set.

I have to admit, this bear has completely stolen my heart! He is such a versatile guy to have around the craft room...and can hold a variety of items in his arms, including this apple from the School Kids Stamp and Die set.  He looks fab in front of these trees found in the Jack Paper Packet.

These No Worries Sequins add a nice woodsy touch!

I colored my bear and apple pretty easily using the Carmine, Vivid Green, Barely Beige, and Mahogany ShinHan Markers. 

Don't forget to remember your kiddos' teachers as this school year comes to an end!  Just a few words of thanks is a tremendous way to let them know how much you appreciate them!

Only in May!