Life is Wonderful - CTMH July Stamp of the Month

I combined the July Stamp of the Month, Life is Wonderful,  and Treasured Friendship for my card today.
Because it's a bigger stamp, I decided to make an easel card with it. I love Easel cards.

Along with those stamps, I also used the Seaside Paper Pack.

The NEW Close to my Heart catalog comes out September 1st.
You have until August 31st to order any products that will be retiring or they will be gone forever.
Here is the link to see what is going.
Pictures of everything., not just a list is at this link. If there is something you would like, you can order directly from that link.

Challenges for this card:
Scrap Creations - Summer
Hand Stamped Sentiment - Color Challenge

Top Tip Tuesday - Summer Fun
Try it on Tuesday - In the Frame
Artistic Inspiration - Summer
Bunny Zoe's - Summer Breeze
Eureka Stamps - At the Beach
Heart 2 Heart - Life is a Beach
The Crazy Challenge - Summer Vacation

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.

Love You Forever - HAS April swap card

I forgot to post this card a while back. This was made for the Humble Artists Swap which we have every two months. We have very specific guidelines. Here they are.

-Use at least one alphabet stamp set
-Have at least three stamped images (can be featured or background)
-Use at least one colour cardstock, from each of 3 different colour palettes
-Use embossing wet or dry (you may use cuttlebug; sizzix; nestabilities or other means for dry embossing)
-There must be at least 7 layers (this means in one spot, I should be able to count 7 layers....make sense?)
-There must be at least 3 different embellishments (can be ribbon; waxy flax; buttons; brads; flowers.......)
-Use only paper featured in the Spring catalogue
-Card must be no smaller than 4 1/4 x 5 1/2
-Use only CTMH products"

My card is 5.5”x5.5” and was made into an easel card because I’m addicted to them.
The papers I used are from the Caboodle paper pack.
I used “The Works” alphabet set for BABY.
All of my images were embossed with Clear Detail EP.

The hand stitching was done with matching embroidery floss.

Childhood Portrait - Easel Card

My card today is an easel card using the Childhood Portrait Stamp Set from Close to my Heart.
Whether I'm making cards for myself to have on hand or to sell, I try to make it able to fit more occasions and people. This card started out as a Valentine, but I change it around a bit so it could be a valentine for the love of your life or to a special friend. I could even send one like thios to my daughter and family. What about an Anniversary Card. That's how versatile it is.
The picture above is what it looks like when you have it open and sitting up. Hence the name Easel Card.

This picture is when it's closed. I made mine 5.5 x 5.5.

It has Hand Stitching around the card done with matching Embroidery Floss.

The colors are Tulip and Chocolate.

This is a picture of the card when it is completely open. There is plenty of room to write your own personal message. The message will not be seen when it is open and sitting up in the Easel position.

This card is also for the La La Land Challenge , As well as The Corrosive Challenge Blog, for making a fancy fold card.

AND, for the Crafty Cardmaker's Challenge #13 for Hearts and Romance.

Here is the sketch I used for inspiration. It's the CCEE Stampers sketch Challenge