Consultant Swap - Make a Wish

The new Seasonal Expressions catalog launches on September 1 and I got a sneak peek at the new products recently.  I made this birthday card featuring the new Boutique Paper Pack and Your Special Day stamp set for a consultant card swap.  I can't wait to see what the other consultants come up with!

This card folds flat for mailing in a regular A4 size envelope.

If you'd like to make this card yourself, here are the instructions for the stand up card.

Color Dare 289 - Thinking of You

For this week's Color Dare challenge, I made a Thinking of You card to go along with a meal delivery for a neighbor of ours.

I used the Doily Wishes stamp set to stamp in both White Daisy and Juniper ink on my Raspberry paper.  For the Mink color needed, I used some burlap ribbon and a few sequins I had in my stash.

Thanks for stopping by, check out more entries in the challenge at the Color Dare blog.

Color Dare Blog

Color Dare 288 - Happy Birthday

Our son's birthday is this week so I was very happy to see the blues in the Color Dare challenge.  I got some inspiration from a few different Pinterest boards and then tweaked it a bit for this birthday card theme.

For the swirls, I selected some wreaths from the Flower Market Cricut Cartridge and used the weld feature to make them a bit more robust.  Here's the design space file if you want to recreate this yourself.  Here are the supplies I used for this card:

• Peacock paper from Enchantment Fundamentals (Base and stripe)
• Mink paper from Basics Fundamentals (stripe)
• Peacock, Lagoon and Mink cardstock for the swirls
• A few drops of Peacock re-inker on my watercolor brush for the splatter background
• Wise Guy birthday stamp (retired)
• Silver sequins (retired)

This was a really fun card to make and it's off in the mail to bring smiles to the recipient.  Thanks for stopping by.  You can check on the latest specials from Close To My Heart at my website.  Visit the Color Dare blog to see more fun creations made from this color palette.

Color Dare Blog

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Creative with Cards

For this month's CTMH technique blog hop, we have 12 consultants sharing fun art work featuring Picture My Life cards.  I've following Danielle Wagner in this blog hop and am sharing a couple of birthday cards I made:

This first item is a shaker card with some different leftover gems I had on hand.  Did you know you can put baby powder or flour on the back of sticky gems to remove the "stickiness?" I use transparencies for the clear layer behind the Raspberry cut-out on the top part of the card.

For this card, I used a couple of techniques here.  I only had a small piece of this floral paper left in my stash so I cut out a small section that was going to be covered up by the PML card anyway and hand trimmed a few extra flowers to go with the corner floral border.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look at my cards, Catherine Nowak is up next in the blog hop, feel free to leave a comment then hop on over to see what she has to share.

Color Dare 287 - Happy Birthday

For this week's Color Dare challenge, I made a birthday card for a friend of mine featuring the happy thin cut that's in our going soon section of the website.  

This is a fun technique for doing something a little different with  your thin cuts to get the layered look here, you'll stack two different colors of paper on top of each other and make sure that the thin cut goes just past the edge of the paper.  For this card, I used Bashful paper from the Gimme Some Sugar paper pack and Raspberry cardstock.  It looked like this before I ran it through the Cuttlebug, notice how the edges of the thin cut are just past the paper edge:

I forgot to get pictures of the cut paper after it went through the Cuttlebug.  You'll end up with a top and bottom of each color that you cut through, for my card, I mounted the top part in Raspberry on Pebble paper from Chelsea Gardens paper pack, then mounted the Bashful paper under it so I could see where the next thin cut of "happy" should go (note, you'll want to keep the little cut out pieces from the "h" and "y" so you can layer them back on in the blank spots.)

Next, stamp on the Raspberry cardstock with the small flower from the For You Darling stamp set
 with Raspberry ink for a tone on tone effect.  Cut out "happy" from silver glitter paper then use a masking technique for the birthday stamp in Raspberry.

I was on a roll so used white glitter paper for the 2nd card that has the Raspberry cardstock on the bottom and Bashful paper on the top. 

Then I couldn't let perfectly good negative cuts go to waste so made more cards to share as well.

Thanks for stopping by, let me know which one is your favorite.  I love how different the cards look just by changing up a few items!

Color Dare Blog

Color Dare 284 - Happy Birthday

We have three separate birthdays to celebrate this week for my aunt, sister-in-law and husband.  I've got two cards in the mail already so was happy to see the blues posted for this week's Color Dare challenge so I could use that as inspiration for my husband's birthday card.

For this card, I used the pattern on page 53 of the Wishes book and changed up the circles to use balloons cut at 1.75", 2.25" and 2.75" from the Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  I stamped Happy Birthday from the Birthday Times stamp set with White Daisy and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder then sponged with Pacifica ink.  Then I did a quick swipe with a baby wipe across the title to remove left over ink. Since silver was optional for this challenge, I added some with a piece cut from "All About the Gold" Fundamentals  (did  you know the back of the gold is silver? makes it more versatile!)

March SOTM - Birthday Time

Thanks for stopping by, you can check out more entries in this week's Color Dare challenge from this picture.

 

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Purposeful Patterns

For this month's CTMH Technique Blog Hop, we have 14 consultants sharing artwork using patterns from our latest Make It From You Heart Volumes.  I'm following Michelle Johns in the hop and am sharing a birthday card I made using pattern 3 from volume 4.  These patterns are great for inspiration and you can add your own touches to add a little extra punch.  In this case, I added the bits of shimmer trim for some sparkle.

I used Chelsea Gardens paper pack for this card and the stamp came with the Flower Market Cricut Cartridge collection.

Next up in the blog hop is Catherine Nowak, head on over to see what she has lined up to share with us.

SOTM Blog Hop - Birthday Time

We have 26 CTMH consultants participating in the March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop; I'm following Jean McNulty for this hop.  It works out really nice for me that this month's stamp has such fun birthday options since we have all kinds of family birthdays in March.

I used pattern #11 from the latest Make It From Your Heart book, volume 4 to make a couple of different cards.  I always think it's so fun to see how different the cards look just by switching up the paper and a couple of accents.

I used Adventure Fundamentals paper,  Basic Circles Thin Cuts and some fun embellishments for these cards.  On the inside of the card, I used the big "Celebrate" stamp for the message.

The full stamp set has all kinds of stamps for your birthday celebrations and can be purchased for just $5 with a qualifying purchase in the month of March.

Next up in the hop is Krista Hershberger so head on over and see what she'd got lined up for us this month!

CTMH Blog Hop - Think Pink

Welcome to the CTMH Blog Hop where we have 16 consultants featuring items that make you Think Pink and are part of this month's special promotion.

I am following Brenda Lapp and decided to create a fun birthday card for a co-worker to feature here.

I used the rose embossing folder for the background and heat set with gold embossing powder.  Then mounted that on top of Raspberry card stock.  The sentiment is from the Notes of Inspiration stamp set inked with Raspberry and I set this off with more Raspberry card stock and gold ribbon.

Notes of Inspiration

Next up in the hop is Brandi Robinson head on over to see what she has to share with us.

Feb SOTM - Sunny Thoughts

I'm glad you found my post for the February SOTM Blog Hop featuring fun projects by CTMH Consultants.  This month's stamp is called Sunny Thoughts and we need that about now in Wisconsin where the weather has been a bit gloomy and cold lately!

I am following Michelle Loncar in the hop list this month.  For this card, I'm featuring a side step card using Gimme Some Sugar paper and a flower vase from the Flower Market Cricut cartridge.  The card is super easy to cut, I followed these instructions from the Splitcoaststampers site.

Here is a picture from the side so you can see the "steps"

My clients love to try different styles of cards so leave a comment and let me know your favorite type of fancy fold card then head on over to see what Danielle Black has for the blog hop.

So Hard to Say Goodbye - Blog Hop

Welcome to the "So Hard to Say Goodbye" blog hop where we are sharing some last looks at products that are retiring soon.  For this hop, I am following Vickie ODell and am sharing this anniversary card.

The Love thin cut and stamps from D1646 - Finding the Words will retire at the end of July and the Prickly Pear paper is only available through August.  Be sure to place an order of your favorite Thin Cuts, Stamps and Paper Packets before they are gone!

Now head on over to see what Marie Flayer has to share with us.

Color Dare 251 - Enjoy Your Adventure

I've been away from blogging for a bit, had a crazy work schedule and then when it got nice out, just HAD to spend more time outside.  The CTMH convention was last week and they shared tons of ideas so I figured I should get back into my blog posts and share some of the fun products we have.

For this card, I a piece of  Prickly Pear paper and cut just the stripes I needed to meet the color challenge.  Then I embossed a piece of White Daisy with the confetti embossing folder and put that next to the colored paper.  The Uptown ribbon pack has this super versatile black and gold ribbon. For a title, I used the No Worries card making stamp set.

Color Dare 251

Check out Stampaganza where you can purchase two stamp sets and get one FREE through the end of July.

Live Beautifully - Together

May is National Scrapbooking Month and for this post, I am featuring a card made with the Live Beautifully paper packet for the special Color Dare challenge to use either the paper packet or the lovely colors featured.  I used a piece of the floral paper and the zip strip on the card base.  I don't have the coordinating stamp set so used a retired stamp that is similar and stamped on Pixie paper then layered on a piece of vellum to give it a bit more texture.  The "together" title is from the May Stamp of the Month and inked with Glacier; final touch of a few clear bitty sparkles and this anniversary card is ready to go in the mail.

Color Dare - Live Beautifully Challenge

Celebrate Card

For this week's Color Dare challenge, I made this card using some different techniques with the different colors. Start with a black and white mat from Some Kinda Wonderful paper packet. Then make a slightly smaller mat cut from White Daisy.  Use the end of a pencil and Canary ink to make a random pattern.  Then use a slightly larger circle stamp inked with Glacier. (Remember, you can use the smooth side of a stamp for this if you don't have the right size circle.) Then a little larger circle stamp using Juniper pigment ink and heat set with embossing powder.  Cut three titles from Thistle paper using the Celebrate thin cut and layer them together, really gives it a raised look.  The next photo shows that a bit better.  Finish off with a few silver sequins and this card is ready to go in the mail.

Thanks for stopping by, check out other entries in this week's Color Dare challenge.

Color Dare 244

Anniversary card with May SOTM

For this week's Color Dare challenge, I just had to break out the May Stamp of the Month called "Live, Love, Laugh" for a wedding anniversary card with these super bright and cheery colors.  I stamped LOVE with Raspberry ink and cut the letters apart then substituted a heart for the "O" and matted the letters with Lemon card stock and mounted them on the Willow patterned paper.  Next up, use a sponge dauber to ink with Raspberry, layer on the "together" stamp in White Daisy and heat set.  

You can purchase this stamp set for just $5 with a qualifying purchase on my website in the month of May or visit the Color Dare site to see more artwork for this week's challenge.

Color Dare 241

Way Awesome Card

For this week's challenge card, I combined the Color Dare colors and the CAS(e) This Sketch to make cards for a project team at work.  We are wrapping up a big initiative and I thought it would be nice to have handmade cards for each team member.

Close To My Heart supplies used with this card:

• Paper: Some Kinda Wonderful, Pacifica, Willow and White Daisy
• Stamp Sets: Ink Blot Flair and Beyond Awesome
• Ink: Raspberry, Lemon, Willow, Pacifica
• Cricut: Artistry page 50 for the title and outline shape
• Stripes Embossing folder (set paper at an angle in the folder)

Thanks for stopping by, if you don't already have a Close To My Heart consultant, check my website for these and other fun products.

Challenge entries:

Color Dare 240

CTS 218

Color Dare 239 - Thanks Card

For this week's Color Dare challenge, I made a fun Thank You card with the Flower Market Cricut Cartridge.  I haven't played with this one much so thought it would be good for this challenge.  I'm happy with how it turned out and can't wait to send it off in the mail.

Instructions:

• Cut a 4" planter image on Uptown Fundamentals paper using the image found on page 32 of the Flower Market Cricut Manual (cut off the bottom 2" and use it on a second card), wrap the container with slate/white twine.
• Cut flowers on page 24 from Eggplant and Canary paper at 2.25" and 1.5" (remember the keys are linked so you cut the middles at the same size as your flowers and they fit perfectly!)
• Apply Liquid Glass to the flower middles (that way, you can stay true to the color challenge)
• Cut "thanks" from a Thincut and White Glitter paper

Check out my website for these fun Close To My Heart products and much more.  You can also head over to see what other creations are available on the Color Dare blog site.

Color Dare 239

CTS 217 - Happy Birthday Card

For this week's CAS(e) This Sketch challenge, I turned it upside down and made a birthday card for our son.  I can't believe he's turning 25, it really doesn't feel like it! Where did the time go?  Anyway, back to the card, I used supplies from Close To My Heart:

• Artiste Cricut Cartridge - balloon image found on page 70 cut at 1.5" from five different papers including white glitter paper for a bit of sparkle
• I used a black marker to draw the balloon strings
• The title was cut at 1.5" three times and layered together before mounting on the card.

CTS 217

If you'd like to learn more about Close To My Heart products, visit my website for the latest idea books and products.

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Vellum Makes Everything Better

Welcome to the April CTMH Technique blog hop which features vellum that makes everything better! I am following Haley Dyer for this hop.

My mom's birthday is coming up so I decided to use vellum on her card for this blog hop.  I started with a White Daisy card and stamped balloons with Raspberry, Sea Glass and Tangerine inks using the C1660 - Happy For You stamp set.  Then I stamped the outline balloons on vellum with White Daisy and embossed with white powder and heat set that.  I stamped the Happy Birthday title with White Daisy ink and heat set with white embossing powder.  Final step was to layer on a couple of strips of Sugar Rush paper to adhere the vellum to the card base.

If you don't already have a Close To My Heart consultant, you can shop my website and see all the cool, fun products we have for you.

Next up in the blog hop is Michelle Loncar, head on over to see what fun project she has created for us.

Color Dare 238 - Masculine Birthday

We are in prime time birthday season for my family and this week is no exception so I used this week's Color Dare challenge colors for this masculine birthday card. 

To make this card, I broke out my watercolor paints and used a splatter technique to cover the whole card with Willow and Peacock colors.  Then I did a basic wash with Willow watercolor on the left side of the card.  For the Peacock layer on the bottom, I used a sponge dauber with Peacock ink.

For the title, I stamped the "One in a Million" phrase on White Daisy and layered that on Peacock paper.  Next up was to cut a few circles out of Peacock paper and apply a few white sequins.  

Overall, I'm real happy with the results, it's fun to use different techniques on cards.  Thanks for stopping by, check out the other Color Dare entries at the link below.

Color Dare 238