Flakey Friends #2 Thank You

Here is another Thank You card I made using the Flakey Friends stamp set and the Frosted Papers.

Layered on Burlap ribbon. For the snow I used white Liquid Applique and prisma glitter.

Flakey Friends Thank You

My card today is one of a set of 24 Thank You cards I made for my Granddaughter to give to her 1st grade teacher for Christmas. I actually made 8 different cards and 3 of each. 

This image is from Close to my Heart, Flakey Friends Stamp Set. I also used the CTMH paper pack called Frosted. And some fun Burlap Ribbon. 

I used Liquid applique and prisma glitter for the snow.

Card #3 for this months card class

This is my 3rd and last card for my December card class.
Here is a card again using the stamps from the Frosted WOTG Card Kit. I just love these stamps so much. First I used a Holly Embossing folder for the portion under the sentiment on the New England Ivy Cardstock. Then sponged New England Ivy ink over the raised images and edges of the card.

I next used the VersaMark Pad to stamp the sentiment and applied white embossing powder and heat set it.

The trees were stamped first and second generation stamping with New England Ivy ink. Edges sponged with Desert Sand ink. Then layered on a scalloped oval cut with the gold glitter cardstock. 

I'm going to really miss making Christmas cards. 

Challenges for this card:
Stamping with the Dragon - Last minute Christmas

Reverse Masking Technique

This is card number two of this month's card class. This card teaches the reverse masking technique. I cut the tree, the size I wanted, from the center of a piece of white cardstock. I removed the actual center tree portion and was left with the cardstock with a hole the shape of the tree, making the mask. Using some repositionable tape, I layered the mask over a piece of white Cardstock, the size I needed, and taped down. Then taking two of the smaller snowflakes stamps from the Frosted Card Kit, I randomly stamped the smallest one with Juniper Ink, then repeated the larger one with New England Ivy Ink. I then went back and used the smallest stamp again and second generation stamped it with Juniper to fill in any blank areas of the tree. Before removing the mask, using a sponge dauber and Desert Sand ink, lightly sponge the edges of the tree. Now, carefully remove the mask and you have the shape of the tree on your white cardstock. 

I then sponged the edges of the white cardstock with the Desert Sand ink for a more aged look. I wrapped Red Bakers Twine around the base of the card twice and tied a bow. Layer this piece onto a piece of Ruby Cardstock and then all onto a card base. 

Stamp Peace and Joy in Ruby Ink. 

I took some of the self adhesive clear sparkles and colored them with a red Copic Marker. and scattered them on the tree.

The snowflakes around the card were punched from the silver glitter paper.

The star is a corrugated cardboard shape from a retired pack of embellishments. I swiped the VersaMark embossing ink over the raised area of the star and covered with gold embossing powder then heat set it. I then added the Almond Glitz Glitter Gel in the recessed areas.

Fun with Wearable Art

Joyful Stars December Blog Hop.

Welcome to the Joyful Stars December Blog Hop. This hop features Close to my Heart Products by 11 fabulous and talented Consultants.

If you've come here from Elizabeth's Blog you're on the right track. If you just happened upon my blog, that's fine, just continue from here and when you get back to me, you know you've seen them all.

Please leave us a little lovin' in our comments. We Love hearing from you. *Ü*

My card today is the first of my Class Cards and was made using the Mary and Babe stamp set from the CTMH Holidays from the Heart mini catalog.

I just got home yesterday from a three week  vacation, so I needed something quick to make. This is a monochromatic card stamped with Smokey Plum ink on Smokey Plum Cardstock that has been sanded to give a linen look. 

Now hop on over to Lori's Blog and see what fabulous artwork she has to show you.

Santa Clause - November Club card #2

This month I wanted to focus on Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't get inspired with Thanksgiving cards when I had so many Christmas stamps that I hadn't used yet. So, for this month and December, my clubs will be making Christmas Cards. Of course they don't mind because you can never have too many Christmas Cards! These are my favorite card to make. I actually would like to make them year round!!!
So, here is card #2 of 3 fro my clubs to make. Card # 1 is here.

I started with a white piece of cardstock and inked up Santa and sleigh, from the Santa Clause stamp set, with Ruby ink and and the reindeer with Saddle. Stamped them at the top. Then I used the Pine Tree for the Always Grateful stamp set in Olive and New England Ivy Ink.  I added white liquid applique to the branches of the trees and Santa, then added prisma glitter before heating to puff. 
The oval for the sentiment and the matting for it were both cut out using the new exclusive Close to my Heart Cricut cartridge called "Artbooking".  The sentiment was stamped with New England Ivy Ink.

Other Challenges for this card"
CAS-ual Fridays - Inspirational picture with tree.

Joyful Stars November Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joyful Stars November Blog Hop. This hop features Close to my Heart Products by 10 fabulous and talented Consultants.

If you've come here from Nickie's Blog you're on the right track. If you just happened upon my blog, that's fine, just continue from here and when you get back to me, you know you've seen them all.

Please leave us a little lovin' in our comments. We Love hearing from you. *Ü*

My card today was inspired by the Mojo Monday Sketch challenge. 

I used the Sparkle and Shine Workshop on the Go papers and stamp set. The ornaments are form the Trim the Tree stamp set along with the Sparkle Holiday Rhinestone shapes. The Ornaments are strung with Grey Bakers Twine.

The ornaments, circle and tag are all cut from the Close to my heart exclusive Cricut Cartridge,  "Art Philosophy".

I finished my card off with a bow from the Slate Satin Polka-Dot Ribbon and the clear assortment of sparkles. 

Now hop on over to Cindy's Blog and see what great eye candy she has for you.

Other Challenge Blogs for this card:
Bunny Zoe Crafts - Ribbon
Cards in Envy - Sentiment as focal point
Corrosive Challenges - Bling, Image, Layers
Stamping Sensations - Christmas
Jingle Belles - Holiday traditions 

My Creations Craftable Containers

Artbooking Fall Layouts

Scandinavian Wishes

Here is the third card for my October club members. This is a Christmas card with non traditional colors using the Close to my Heart Stamp of the Month, Scandinavian Wishes. It's actually amazing how many types of NON Christmas cards can be made with certain stamps in this set. 

The Christmas Ornament was cut from the Close to my Heart exclusive Cricut cartridge, Art Philosophy.  Then stamped with the matching ornament stamp also from the SOTM.

The background paper on my card is from the ProPlayer paper pack. Cardstock is Cashmere & Ruby.
Inks are Ruby, Bamboo, Saddle, and Outdoor Denim. 

Now, if you take a close look at the stamping, you will notice that it looks a little different. I honestly don't know what this technique is called. But you ink up your stamp and them swipe it across the pad in one direction, then apply it directly to your paper. 

This set reminds me of Fold Art & a lot of Folk Art is painted on Wood and naturally weathered outdoors or lightly sanded for distressing. This gives the same look to your stamped object. This technique can be done with any solid stamp.

Other challenges for this card:
Scrapbooker PhD.- Christmas without using Christmas Cricut cart.
Color My Heart - Cranberry + one other color
Crafts 4 Eternity - Clean and Simple
Dorcerela Creations - Must use Embellishment
Jo's Scrap Shack - Favorite technique (ink stamp, swipe across ink pad for distressed look.)

Joyful Stars October Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joyful Stars October Blog Hop. This hop features Close to my Heart Products by 12 fabulous and talented Consultants.

If you've come here from Betty's Blog you're on the right track. If you just happened upon my blog, that's fine, just continue from here and when you get back to me, you know you've seen them all.

Please leave us a little lovin' in our comments. We Love hearing from you. *Ü*

My card today is a Halloween card that I designed for this month's card club. They all went bananas over it. I combined the Eek and Shriek stamp set along with the Close to my Heart exclusive Cricut Artbooking cartridge. 
The ghost is actually from a sizzix die. I needed a ghost and there is non on any of the CTMH cricut cartridges.

The background paper is from Surf's Up. I backed the house and pumpkin with Buttercup Cardstock. The bats are from a retired set called Spellbound. I could have used the bats from Creepy Creatures, however, it's MIA right now.

Now hop on over to Krista's Blog and see what fabulous artwork she has to show you.

Other Challenges this card is being submitted to:
By Lori Designs - Black, Orange +1
Color Throwdown - Yellow, Orange, Black & Gray
House that stamps built - Halloween
Paper Pretties - Halloween
Party Time - Pumpkins
Use it Tuesday - Use scraps (Small yellow scraps used behind the windows of the house and pumpkin. Scraps also used for the ghost and moon)
City Crafters - Trick or Treat
Sara Hurley - Halloween

Halloween Yo Yo Card. Club card #1

Can you believe it's almost Halloween already. Where is this year going! The weather here in Pennsylvania has really been strange for October. The nights have been cool, but the days have been up in the 70's. However, this morning is the first day that I'm not wearing shorts. Well, at least not this morning. May have to change after lunch. 

Anyway, I had my October club this week and this is the first of three cards that we made. This is called a Yo Yo card. You pull the string and the circle spins. Wish it would spin back too. But then this is how my real yo yo's always worked. I never was good at it. 
The trick to this card is to not have anything dimensional on it except for the circle. Anything else raised would get in the way when rewinding the circle.

The paper I used is from the Laughing Lola paper pack. Don't you just love the colors in this paper. Not at all a Halloween paper but I think it works beautifully. 

The branch, owl, large bat, pull tab, and the mouse were all cut from the Close to my Heart exclusive Cricut Cartridge, Artbooking. The smaller bats were too tiny to cut out with the Cricut so I stamped them. Bats can be found in the Creepy Creatures stamp set. The Happy Halloween is from the Perfect Fit Halloween.

Stop by tomorrow for club card #2 and then Friday for card #3.

Other Challenges submitting this card to:
The House that stamps built - Halloween
Paper Pretties - Halloween
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes
City Crafter - Trick or Treat

Poster Tidings - Winter

Here is the second card my clubs will be making this month. The first one was the prior post to this. This one is using the winter phrase from the September Stamp of the month, Poster Tidings. The card is 5"x7".

I used the Frosted Paper Pack along with Twilight and Slate Cardstock. The snowflake was cut with our CTMH exclusive Cricut cartridge, Art Philosophy. I used the slate gray CS for the back and the silver glitter paper to cut the snowflake

Joyful Stars September Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joyful Stars September Blog Hop. This hop features artwork using Close to my Heart Products by 12 fabulous and talented Consultants.

If you've come here from Betty's Blog, you're on the right track. If you just happened upon my blog, that's fine, just continue from here and when you get back to me, you know you've seen them all.

Please leave us a little lovin' in our comments if you enjoy our artwork.

My card this month is made using the September Stamp of the Month - "Poster Tidings". I also wanted to play around with my cricut cartridges. The pumpkins, ivy vine, and maple leaf were cut from the NEW CTMH exclusive Cricut Cartridge, "Artbooking". 

The other two leaves are from the CTMH exclusive Cricut Cartridge, "Art Philosophy".

I also used a strip of Bronze Shimmer Tape down the left side and then some of the Jute twine from the Mini Medley Accents Wooden Collection.

Now, if you started hopping with Joyce's blog, then you have reached the end of the hop. If not, hop on over to Joyce's Blog and see what she has to show you.

National Stamping Month - You are my Happy

During the fabulous month of September, Close to my Heart is offering  THREE "D" size stamp sets for only $10, with a qualifying purchase of $50.00, to celebrate National Stamping Month.

Check out the Video above in the Header and Let's Get Happy!

While you're at it, why not pick up the September Stamp of the month, pictured at bottom, for only $5.00 with that SAME qualifying purchase.  
That's a $71.80 retail value for only $15.00. 

Don't miss out on this amazing offer. It only lasts until September 31, 2013. You can order directly from my website or notify me directly with your order. Don't forget to watch the video above.

Here is a close up of the three stamps sets in the special.

Here is the September Stamp of the Month.

Stop back later in the week to see some artwork with the Stamp of the Month!

Another Wedding Card

Here is another wedding card I made for my grandson's wedding yesterday. This one was for my daughter to give. I really need to teach her to stamp! *Ü*

I used "The Happy Couple" stamp set from Close to my Heart.  The paper is retired "La Belle Vie".

Wedding Card - FSS Hearts & Roses

Today was my Grandson Jarett's Wedding. So hard to believe I have a married Grandson already. 
So, here is the wedding card I made. I combined several ellements from Close to my Heart and some4 from Fred She Said.

I finally got around to playing with the new CTMH exclusive Cricut Cartridge "Artbooking". This cartridge is loaded with things for scrapbooking and mini books, however, with the magic of the cricut craft room, I was able to take a scrapbook overlay and make it to fit my 5 x 7 card. In order for it to show up, I cut it out of white CS and layered it onto a Colonial White Card base.

The Heart and Roses are pre-colored images from Fred She Said. I typed in the sentiment and date onto the heart. I cut out extra roses and layered them with foam tape on top of the original ones. The upper corner looked a little bare, so I stamped the bride & groom in black from the CTMH "The Happy Couple" Stamp Set. Then I added some small pearls around the heart.

Using a Spellbinders Die, I cut out CS to fit the Sentiment "Congratulation", also from the CTMH "The  Happy Couple" Stamp Set. I Fussy cut another two sets of roses and added to the top of the sentiment. Also, layering more roses with foam tape on top of the originals.

I took some off white ribbon from my stash ans layered it across the middle of the card and lined it with big pearls. Then made an off white bow. 

Other Challenges with this card:
Fussy and Fancy - Bingo- Flower, free, die cut
Aud Sentiments - Anything but Birthday
Paper Crafting Journey - Vintage/Distressed

Joyful Stars August Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joyful Stars August Blog Hop. This hop features Close to my Heart Products by 12 fabulous and talented Consultants.

If you've come here from Joyce's Blog you're on the right track. If you just happened upon my blog, that's fine, just continue from here and when you get back to me, you know you've seen them all.

Please leave us a little lovin' in our comments to entice us to create for you every month! *Ü*

This month we are highlighting NEW Products from the CTMH Fall/Winter Idea Book. 

I wanted to use a Center Step card for my club this month, so I decided to use my club card for this blog hop. 

The NEW paper pack I used is called Frosted and is matted with Twilight cardstock. My focal point image is called Bright All Night and is one of the stamps that you may purchase with some of your Hostess credits. Can you believe it's only $4.00. But, you must be a hostess in order to buy this stamp.

The snowflakes are cut from the Silver Glitter Cardstock. Actually the glitter snowflake is backed with a twilight snowflake layered just slightly askew. I just thought is showed up better this way.

The snowflakes stamped down the sides are from the Polar Bear Holiday stamp set

Now hop on over to Lori Meadows blog.

Hello Tweety - class/club card #3

Here is the last of my July club/class cards. This card is a monochromatic card using Lagoon CS and Ink.

The CTMH stamp set I used is called Hello Tweety. I used NO designer papers, just background stamps.
The first one on the right side is a fine mesh look from the Distressed Backgrounds Set. The I stamped a stamp from Hello Tweety set twice on top of it.
Then the white strip on the left is stamped with a flowered stamps from the "In the Background" stamp set.
The a little matching bakers twine from the Paradise assortment.

Other challenges for this card:
Sentimental Sunday - You've been frames
I Did It! - Things with wings
Brown Sugar - Shades of Blue
Card Makin' Mamas - Monochromatic
Pattie's Creations - Monochromatic
Charisma Cardz - No DP
DRS Designs - Monochromatic
Aud Sentiments - Two Words

Jardin - Card #2 - July Club/Class Card

Here is card #2 for my July club/class.  

The inspiration for this card started with the monthly sketch challenge at Crafting Life's Pieces. 

The stamp set I used is called Jardin. I bought this set over a year ago because I absolutely LOVE it. Time just got away from me and the Sonoma papers that I planned to use with it was retired. Now, in two weeks this stamp set will also be retired. I guess it's better late then never. But this is a stamp set that I will never get rid of. It's perfect for any occasion. Wouldn't this make a beautiful sympathy card!

I don't know why the ribbon looks off-color on the photo. It looks perfect in real life. The background paper is from the CTMH paper pack called For Always. This paper will also retire the end of this month. 

The Cardstock and Ink Pad is Smokey Plum.

Other Challenges with this card:
ABC Challenge - Roses
Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes
Papercraft Star - Travel
Sisterhood of Crafters - Black, White + One Accent
Stampotique - French Flair
Card Crafter's Circle - Purple

Sweet Life - July Class Card #1

Here is the first of three cards I am using for my July Class/Club.

I have several, well, to honest, MANY stamp sets from the CTMH Spring/Summer book that I hadn't used yet. The set I used for the background is one of them. It's called Patterned Pennants. The colors I used were Twilight, Buttercup and Cranberry. I then used The Deconstructed Sketch for the design of the card.

The Circle and background mat were cut from the CTMH exclusive Cricut Cartridge "Artiste". Then I used the Cherries from the July Stamp of the month called Sweet Life. I colored them is with Colored Pencils.

Other Challenges with this card:
One Stop Craft Challenge - Summer Colors

Joyful Stars July Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joyful Stars July Blog Hop. This hop features Close to my Heart Products by 15 fabulous and talented Consultants.

If you've come here from Nicki's Blog. you're on the right track. If you just happened upon my blog, that's fine, just continue from here and when you get back to me, you know you've seen them all.

Please leave us a little lovin' in our comments to entice us to create for you every month! *Ü*

Today is my Grandson Jeffrey's 4th Birthday, so I wanted to make a special card for him.

The inspiration for this card started with a sketch challenge over at Sketch N' Stash. 

I have three packs of Later Sk8r that I only used once and is retiring in a few days, and is already sold out. This paper makes great cards for my grandsons and since I have four that are still Children and one a Teen, it works perfectly.
From my stash, I also pulled a black glitter button with a grey pearl in the center and two grey pearls in the tire hubs. 

The stamp set I used is Fast and Furious. The truck was stamped on the paper with Whisper ink. Then parts stamped again in Lagoon and the tires in black. All pieces were cut out and layered with foam tape.

I always like to Hand Stitch on my family's cards to make them a little extra special. 

I also used a little of the Green Glitz Glitter Gel in the number "4" for added sparkle as well as some of the Black Shimmer Trim on the corners and under the truck.

Now hope on over to Lori's blog and see what great eye candy she has for you!

Sweet Life - CTMH July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close to my Heart July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. 
If you came here from Annette's Blog, you are on the right path. If you just happened upon my blog, then just continue following along until you get back here again. There are 53 consultants sharing their fabulous SOTM artwork with you today so take you time and enjoy each one and please leave each of us a sweet comment before leaving.

My project today is one I made for My granddaughter's Kindergarten teacher. I guess I'll have to make another one for her first grade teacher in a few weeks. The image was stamped with the Momento Black Tuxedo Ink Pad then colored in with the Close to my Heart exclusive alcohol markers.

The designer papers I used are from the Scholastic paper pack which will be retiring the end of this month and while supplies last.  The small apple that I used to embellish the corners was from an OLD retired Word Puzzle stamp set.

• Now hop on over to Mary's Blog and see what fabulous eye candy she has for you.

A Flowering Bunch - June SOTM

I have another one of my club cards to feature today. This card uses the CTMH June Stamp of the Month called A Flowering Bunch. The flowers and sentiment are from this same stamp set.
My card uses the Spot Light technique. THANKS Jolene for the inspiration for this card. My forever friend and downline who always comes through for me when I have a brain freeze.

The images were stamped with black Memento ink and colored in with the two CTMH exclusive Cranberry Alcohol Markers. The center was colored with the Pear marker and then topped with the Green Glitz Glitter Gel. The center of the small flower was dotted with one of the Pink Glitter Gems.
All was tied together with a piece of Red Bakers Twine from the Harvest Assortment.

Joyful Stars June Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joyful Stars June Blog Hop. This hop  features Close to my Heart Products by 11 fabulous and talented Consultants.

If you've come here from Nicki's Blog. you're on the right track. If you just happened upon my blog, that's fine, just continue from here and when you get back to me, you know you've seen them all.

Please leave us a little lovin' in our comments to entice us to create for you every month! *Ü*

My card today was inspired by a sketch challenge over at My Favorite Things.  All products are from Close to my Heart.  The Stamp Set is called Fabulous You, The paper packs I used are Avonlea and Clementine. Both of these papers are being retired July 31st. So, if you love them, pick up on them while you can. These are two of my favorite papers and I hate to see them go.

The bird and flowers were stamped & fussy cut twice and layered with foam tape.

The images were colored in with our exclusive alcohol markers in the colors of Sorbet, Juniper and Whisper.

There is a strip of Slate Polka Dot Washi Tape across the bottom. 

This is one of my June Club/Class cards so make sure you sign up for this month's class.

Now hop on over to Stephanie's Blog and see what fabulous eye candy she has for you.