Wonderful Workshop Card Creations!

Hi there!  I'm taking advantage of the weekend to get in some much-needed blog updates.  I just finished my Taste of Fall September Card Workshop tonight.  I look forward to getting together with these ladies, let me tell you!

I will be sharing the cards we made over the next few weeks, as they all have a lusciously fall feel that is PERFECT for the changing weather recently.  Here is the first one!  I used this fantastic card as inspiration.

This was a wonderfully easy card to make since there is no need to measure the angle at which you stamp the beautiful Season of Thanks strip in Champagne Exclusive Ink.  The edge is covered with a nice line of Topiary Striped Washi before adding the details.  I adore the new cork shapes from the Pathfinding Assortment.  I cut the maple leaf from the Cricut Artiste Cartridge exclusively available from Close to My Heart, and tied a bit of Hemp Baker's Twine on the stem.  A circle of Kraft CS that is given a bit of texture with the Chevron Embossing Folder rounds out the cluster.  I absolutely LOVE the font for this sentiment from the Perfect-Fit Thanksgiving My Acrylix which I stamped in Chocolate Exclusive Ink.

You can pick up almost all of these supplies on my website using the links above.  While you shop, check out these specials for September--National Stamping Month!

Family is Forever

Order just $30 worth of My Acrylix Stamps and receive this adorable mini-set FREE!  :)

Another Gift Card Holder from Artiste

Hi again, everyone! 

I am almost caught up on all the GREAT projects I have to show you in my stash.  In case you are out browsing for gift card holder ideas, I have one for you!  The Close to My Heart Artiste Cartridge has two wonderful gift card cuts to choose from.  I used the Laughing Lola Paper Packet to whip up a beautiful example for you to see!

I want the recipient of this gift to feel very special indeed, so it resembles an award ribbon.  :)  It also features one of my favorite ribbons, the Slate Satin Polka Dot Ribbon.  Get your hands on this gorgeous 1.5 inch wide ribbon before it disappears...they just added it to the retiring list!  Gasp!  The items on this list are only available while supplies last--except for the My Acrylix Stamps which are available until January 31st. 

I used black and silver shimmer trim and the slate striped twist ties to make these accents...yep, I inked one side of the twist ties in Gypsy!   I used the My Acrylix sets from the Artiste Collection and the Frame Flair My Acrylix to stamp the different elements of the sentiment in Black, Crystal Blue, and Gypsy.  Each of the shapes is cut out on my Cricut to match the stamps!  This is one of my favorite features of our three Cricut collections!

The inside panels of the card are simply matted CS rectangles.  The Black really sets off the pop of white.  I used a sentiment from the Perfect Fit Thanksgiving My Acrylix on the bottom corner.  I adore the font in this set!

I spent my gift card, so had to use CS to show where it goes, lol!

Not too long ago, I posted up a cute Christmas themed gift card holder. using this same cut.  In case you missed it, check it out HERE!  :)  There are so many ways to dress this one up!

And now, let me share a secret with you!  Get ready for some awesome deals!!!

Babycakes and Mojo Monday Get Together for Thanksgiving

Hi everyone!  We have a super new challenge for you at Color My Heart this week!

Grab your Sunset and Buttercup Close to My Heart colors (or similar if you don't have them) and get creating with the Autumn hues of Babycakes!   The neutrals in this great paper packet are Chocolate, Slate, and Colonial White, so I went with those as well.

This color combo was particularly difficult for me at first, because I have been in Christmas creativity mode since Halloween!  I used a tried and true method of getting inspired by looking for a sketch...and chose this week's Mojo Monday 318.

I have wanted an excuse to use this gorgeous reindeer image from the Close to My Heart Artbooking Collection on a creation, and the time was NOW!  That not only helped me keep my Christmas connection, but also became a great way to highlight one of my favorite new products--the wood grain washi tape included in the Party Washi Tape 3-pack featured in our new Holidays from the Heart Brochure!  :)

I simply placed strip after strip of the washi over a piece of Colonial White CS and folded the ends over.  I then adhered it to my cardbase with my foam tape.  I now had the perfect foundation.

I pulled out a retired stamp set, Autumn Splendor, to make two leaves using Buttercup, Sunset, and Chocolate Inks.  That hauntingly barren tree in the background is a second generation Slate ink image from the Always Grateful My Acrylix.

Again, for a hint of Christmas coming, I added a silver jingle bell to the Verve Ribbon at the top of the tag feature.  I simply could not resist adding a sparkle star from the Sparkle Holiday Shapes.  These are a limited time item, so grab them soon if you want some!  My apologies in advance if I take them ALL!  ;)

Finally, I needed a sentiment.  The font from the Perfect Fit Thanksgiving My Acrylix is stunning to say the very least.  I thought it would be perfect to tie the Autumn/Winter themes together.  Thanksgiving has always meant Fall's last hurrah around here, ushering in the Winter holidays.

I am really pleased that I didn't freeze up when I was not sure which direction to go with this particular challenge.  Do you ever use sketches to get your creative juices flowing?  If not, give it a try!   It can take you from "huh?" to "YES!" in no time at all!  :)

Come and play along with us this week and link up with the Color My Heart Color Dare...you could win a badge to proudly display on your blog!  You can't win if you don't play!  ;)

You can read the rules HERE if you need a refresher.   :)

Want to earn FREE Close to My Heart products like these?  Join my Rewards Club today and get a chance to win your choice of our three Cricut Collections!  Click HERE for details!

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!  :)

Color Dare Reminder and a New Record!!!

Get your creations in for this week's Color Dare by Thursday the 26th at NOON!

I just whipped this little CAS card up in 40 minutes FLAT!!!!  If you know me, you realize this is a totally record-breaking moment, lol!  I am celebrating by linking it up to CAS-ual Fridays CFC115 and the Color My Heart Color Dare right NOW!  ;) 

I used two fantastic Close to My Heart My Acrylix stamp sets for this one:  Cityscape and Perfect Fit Thanksgiving.  I simply (no pun intended....ok, so yeah, it is intended) ADORE this sentiment--"give thanks" in that petite little font.  Isn't it amazing?  The Olive Twine is from the Harvest Baker's Twine Assortment, and I cut that tiny tag from the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  :)

Can you see the sparkle that I HAD to add to the tree leaves?  Gotta love that Glitter Glitz!  This color is the Almond variety.

I used the three challenge colors and then used the neutrals Champagne, Colonial White, and Cocoa.

I am sooooooo in love with the CAS style right now!

ALSO!!!  In case you read an earlier post about my Aunt who has been battling some health issues, I wanted to let you know that this card is for her--after so many weeks, she is HOME!!!!  The docs are optimistic that they removed all the cancer, and she is eating her way back to her old self!  Praise God for all He has given and provides...give thanks!  :)

Color Dare Time Again!

Welcome back for another Color Dare over at Color My Heart!  Let's just get down to the nitty gritty today with our colors for the week!

We have a splendidly similar line-up as two weeks ago for those of you who prefer the lighter side of things.  ;)  Our Close to My Heart colors are Sky, Sweet Leaf, and Buttercup.  Use these three colors (or similar if you don't have the exact Close to My Heart Colors) along with any neutrals of your choice!  I chose White Daisy and Black.

First I cut my White Daisy CS to size.  Then I gently rubbed the area I would be stamping on with my powder pouch.  This really works well to keep your embossing powder from sticking to the other parts of your card front.  I used my Versamark Ink Pad to stamp this little bunch of flowers on the CS where I had rubbed.  Then I dusted it with Clear Detail Embossing Powder and hit it with my craft heater.  This process forms a shiny, slightly raised image that will resist any ink that you sponge over it now.  You can see it in the picture below.  The whole technique is called Emboss Resist.

The next part is easy even though it looks tricky.  I started with the lightest color, Buttercup, and used my Sponge Dauber to apply the ink in a circular motion while the paper was lying flat on my Kraft sheet.  Then I did the same with the other colors and touched up where I needed to add more ink.

I let it dry REALLY well before I stamped the sentiment from Prefect Fit Thanksgiving so that it would not bleed.  I LOVE the contrast!

Well, I hope you guys enjoyed the little emboss resist lesson today, and I cannot wait to see what you make for the Color Dare this week!  Come and link up with us HERE!  :)