H2H Challenges: Oh, Deer!

The final 2016 Heart 2 Heart Challenge is to use the beautiful Oh, Deer collection.  I created this five-card workshop based on five of the Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 2  card sketches.

In addition to the Oh, Deer Workshop Your Way collection, I added Aqua, Gold, and Silver shimmer trim, Sea Glass glitter paper, and red epoxy gems.  I incorporated Sea Glass, Desert Sand, and Ruby inks on my cards.

 This snowflake (above) and holly (below) were cut with the CTMH/Cricut Flower Market cartridge.

 Don't the red gems make great holly berries?

 The kraft star pieces are part of the Oh, Deer complements, which are included in the Oh, Deer Workshop Your Way or you can purchase separately.

 This Merry Christmas stamp (and swirl flourish) are only $2.95!

The bell is one of the Oh, Deer complements pieces.

Be sure to check out what ALL of of the 2016 Heart 2 Heart Designers have created with this beautiful paper pack.  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Thoughtful Flowers

The Close To My Heart December stamp of the month is a lovely floral set that would make a great gift for year-round use- either projects made with the set or the stamp set itself!  You'll get lots of great ideas as you hop through this blog hop. (If you're already hopping then you've arrived from Corinna's blog and you'll visit Sheila Bennett next.)

With all the pretty flowers, I knew that I wanted to feature one or two of the flowers and random stamp my background, so I selected this card sketch from Make It From My Heart, Vol. 1.   I chose the analogous color scheme from the Whimsy Fundamentals of Smoothie, Sorbet, and Canary with Sweet Leaf accents.  (Analogous colors are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.)

To create the focal flower, I first stamped it in Sweet Leaf on the White Daisy square and then I stamped it again on Smoothie B&T in Smoothie ink.  After fancy cutting out the flower, I adhered it onto the base.  The sentiment banner was cut with the CTMH/Cricut Flower Market cartridge.  I tested my ink choices on scrap Sweet Leaf and liked how Smoothie popped on the Sweet Leaf.

Thanks for participating this month's blog hop!  Please leave a comment before continuing on to Sheila's blog and the rest of the hop!

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}

Braces: Before & After LO

After two years and eight months (but who's counting?), our younger daughter finally got her braces off!  Here is the layout that I made to celebrate.

This layout shows how you can pair Picture My Life cards (pocket scrapbooking) with traditional scrapbooking.  In this case, I used the Swan Lake Workshop Your Way collection.  The photo mat with the gold diamonds and the Picture Perfect card are both from the gold watercolor PML set.  You can actually add watercolor or ink over these and the gold (or clear in the clear set) will resist the color.

To make the "gorgeous" sentiment stand out, I traced the CTMH/Cricut Flower Market cut with my gold marker.  Other embellishments include the gorgeous gold foil tape and gold sequins.

Can you tell what stamp set I used to random stamp the background of the White Daisy piece and the pennants on the right page?

It's the November stamp of the month, New Year's Cheer! It's only available for one more day, so get yours today.

H2H Challenges: City Sidewalks

Are you singing the classic Christmas carol?  I can't help it!  I am super excited about the holiday season this year, and at Heart 2 Heart Challenges we want to help you get the season off to the right start.  You have to bust out your City Sidewalks paper collection and get to work!

My card is based on a sketch from the Make It From Your House, Vol. 1.  The cute washi tape comes with the City Sidewalks Workshop Your Way.  I used my cute Merry Christmas stamp set (a STEAL at $2.95) and added a blue epoxy gem.

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season!  Be sure to check out all of the H2H Designers' work this week.  You have until this weekend to link up to this final November challenge.

CTMH/Cricut Flower Market Blog Hop

The CTMH/Cricut Flower Market collection is so much fun!  (And for CyberMonday only, CTMH is offering a deal on Cricut collections!)  Of course it's full of flowers, but it has so many other awesome Cricut cuts too.  My stamp of the month blog hop group wanted to showcase this versatile collection for you.  {If you're already hopping, then you've arrived from Jennifer D.'s blog and you'll visit Brenda next.)  I have two different cards to share with you.

My brother and sister-in-law recently moved into their new home, so I made this card for them with pieces of the Enchantment and Rustic Fundamentals.  Doesn't it match their home well?  We are so excited for them!

My daughters, my cousins, and the homeowners

My next card features the Oh, Deer paper pack and one of the lovely tree cuts on the Flower Market cartridge.  The star and white & gold twine are part of the Oh, Deer Workshop Your Way collection.

I like how simple this card is, but then I decided to fancy it up a bit with the addition of white enamel gems.

What do you think?  Do you like the plain card or the "ornament" card better?  Feel free to leave me a comment before you head off.  Thanks for hopping by!  Now go see what BRENDA made!

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}

Here are a few more of my favorite CTMH/Cricut Flower Market projects!

Be sure to visit BRENDA now!

Out of This World Birthday Card

My darling nephew turned 10 about 6 weeks ago, and I surprised him with a globe and this card.

It uses the CTMH/Cricut Flower Market cartridge for all the cut pieces.  He loves the color yellow, so I used the Whimsy Fundamentals paper pack and embellished with some retired embellishments.  I think he liked his card and his present!  He is truly out of this world!

Fall Flower Market Birthday

This card went clear across the country to celebrate the birthday of one of my daughter's friends last month.  I realized with the current cold snap that fall will be gone before we know it!  This card uses the CTMH/Cricut Flower Market cartridge and Swan Lake paper pack.

The red stripes are washi tape from the City Sidewalks collection, and the bow on top of the cake is from the (retired) Peacock fundamental accessories.  Can you see the shimmer that I added to the Whisper cake overlay with my shimmer brush?

I love how the Cricut did all the work for me to create a beautiful card.

CTMH Technique Blog Hop: Ravishing Ribbon

Have you see the pretty ribbon that Close To My Heart offers?  We have these great collections- not too much, not too little.  (Think Goldilocks and the "just right" rule!)  The CTMH Technique Blog Hop group is featuring our Ravishing Ribbon this month.  (If you're already hopping then you've probably arrived from Wendy's blog.  From here you'll visit MICHELLE next.)

My card is a very clean & simple holiday card featuring ribbon scraps.  I started with a 4"x6" White Daisy card stock base and a 3.75"x5.75" White Daisy panel.  I zig-zagged some Enchantment ribbon (Fern, Ruby, and Cranberry) across the card panel.  My sentiment uses the M-size Merry Christmas stamp set (only $2.95!) stamped in Fern and Ruby.

Using ribbon doesn't have to be complicated.  Thanks for hopping by!  Please leave me a comment before heading off to see MICHELLE'S Ravishing Ribbon creation!

Thinking of You Poppies Card

Just in time for Veterans Day, I wanted to share this thinking of you card featuring poppies cut from the CTMH/Cricut Flower Market cartridge.

 The poppies were cut at 4.5" from Fern card stock for the stems then Black and Poppy for the flowers.  The vase was cut at 2".  The pretty patterned paper is from the Swan Lake collection, paired with the City Sidewalks washi tape.

To give the flowers dimension, I sponged the Poppy base portion with Poppy ink.  Black & gold ribbon (also from the Swan Lake collection) finishes off the card.

Poppies are a symbol of remembrance, so please take a moment to remember and to thank a veteran!

Happy, Happy Christmas Blog Hop

Have you seen this month's Close To My Heart special offer, Happy, Happy Christmas?  You get your choice of red album and all the materials you need to create five layouts and some bonus projects (minus your basic tools like scissors and glue)!  My blog hop group wanted to share other ways you can use this kit, so enjoy hopping along.  {If you're already hopping then you've arrived from Jennifer D.'s blog and will visit Darlys next.}

Here is a title page that I made to open my album.  It uses leftover pieces of the kit after the five layouts have been made.  I used four My Crush album pages pages, one Picture My Life card, and a few of the sparkly embellishments to create this Quartet - Pinwheel sketch (from Reflections).  The black "washi" tape is the back side of the red page, cut in 1/2" strips.  I can't wait to add this year's holiday pictures!  I am going to try to create a December Daily album, so we will see how it goes.  (I already enjoy taking and posting a photo each day on Instagram.)

Thanks for checking out my project.  Make it a Happy, Happy Christmas!  See what DARLYS created next!

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}

November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: New Year's Cheer

The November Close To My Heart stamp of the month, New Year's Cheer, is now available!  It may seem a little early to be ringing in the new year, but it will be here before we know it! (If you're already hopping, then you've arrived from Nina's blog.  You'll visit Priscilla next.)

My card combines several pieces of the Uptown paper pack with some extra Slate and White Daisy card stock.  (This sketch is a pattern from Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 2.)  I added gold foil tape, gold shimmer trim, and a gold sequin to my card.  Believe it or not, if you look closely at the Whisper "sparkles" above the glasses, I added a gold marker dot to the center of each one.  This subtle effect is more powerful in person.  I almost traced the edges of the stamped focal panel with my gold marker but decided that if I did I just might be gilding the lily.  Less is more, right?

Thanks for hopping by!  I would love a comment before you go spread some cheer and visit PRISCILLA'S BLOG NEXT!

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}

Happy Halloween!

This large sugar skull (11.5" tall) was a surprise for my older daughter to decorate her dorm room for her favorite holiday!  (I really think she loves Halloween as much as Christmas!)  I used new Pansy and Blossom cardstock (plus obviously Black and White Daisy), and my CTMH/Cricut Flower Market cartridge did the work!  (We learned at my recent card class when making this in a small size, the holes can be difficult to punch out.  Cut intricate cuts slowly and with a sharp blade.)

Happy Halloween!

H2H Challenges: Change

Love it or hate it, we all face change in our lives, and that is the theme of the first November Heart 2 Heart Challenge.  (Don't worry; your calendar is correct!  Today is October 31 but since our challenges always end at the end of the month, we knew no one could participate in a one-day challenge.  You have until the end of November to make your change project and link it up.)

My card features a fall wreath from the CTMH/Cricut Flower Market collection on a Kraft cardstock base.  All of the other papers are from the Enchanted Fundamentals plus a little Desert Sand.  The cap of my acorn is actually Cocoa ink instead of the Cricut cut.  The banner and sentiment are from the Finding the Words stamp set (which is also available in French and Spanish).  A little shimmer trim completed this simple card.

We would love to see your interpretation of "change."  Visit the H2H blog to let our design team inspire you and to link up your project!

H2H Challenges: Jeepers Creepers

Here is a super fun card that I made for my daughter and her BFF for Halloween (two versions of the same card)!

The cool sugar skull was so easy to make with the CTMH/Cricut Flower Market cartridge!  (It did take a while to punch out all the little cuts, though.  A toothpick can be your BFF!)

The washi tape is actually from the City Sidewalks collection, so I am really mixing up my holidays here- not that you can tell!  I can't decide if I like the sentiment in black or Willow best.  Either way, have a happy Halloween!

Be sure to visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges to see some terrific ideas with the Jeepers Creepers collection!

CTMH Technique Blog Hop: Wacky for Watercolor

This month's technique blog hop is featuring our beautiful watercolor paints.  You are going to get some creative ways to use this versatile crafting product!  (If you're already hopping then you've probably arrived from Wendy's blog.  From here you'll visit Darlys next.)

As I searched for creative watercolor techniques, I really liked the look of the abstract dripping watercolor technique. I didn't want to create a canvas, but after a few trials I was able to make this "thinking of you" card.  (If you'd like to skip the tutorial, go to Darlys next.)

 To begin, I cut a panel of watercolor paper 4"x5.25" that I attached to the flap of an open box with a little rolled washi tape on the back.  (I needed the panel to be vertical so it would drip rather than flat on a table.  The small box was very effective.  I could tilt the box flap as needed to encourage the paint to run.)  I learned that for the drip to be effective on paper, you need to wet the watercolor paper first.  I just brushed stripes of water across the panel from left to right with my large flat brush.

Then I saturated the purple paint with water.  Using my largest round brush, I began pouncing color across the top of the card, working from left to right.  The paint began to drip in two placed on the left but nowhere else.  (Unfortunately I forgot to photograph this step.)

 Next I added the blue color I had chosen in the same manner as the purple.  I went back and added a little water and got more drips across the card.  (When the paint hit an especially wet strip across the bottom third of the panel, it ran from side to side rather than down.)

 In the same manner, I added the third, green color. I tried adding a very light, watery fourth green and found that adding more water was more effective.

Because the water worked so well at adding additional drips, I went back and dabbed water in places along each color band.

After the panel dried, I inked up the sentiment from the Happy to Be Friends stamp set in Emerald for the "for you" portion and Pacifica for "Thinking" then stamped on the bottom right of the card.  I adhered my watercolor panel to an Emerald card stock base.  A pair of blue enamel and glitter gems finished it off!

Thanks for hopping by!  I'd love to know what you think of my card and this technique.  You should definitely give it a try; no two creations will be alike.  Now go see Darlys's beautiful watercolor project!

Click HERE for the complete list of participants.

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Yuletide Joy

Even though I was appalled to find Christmas trees at our local Walmart a few days ago, in the crafting world you have to work ahead of the season.  With that in mind, Close To My Heart has a pretty Christmas stamp set, Yuletide Joy, as the October stamp of the month.  If you're not ready to bring out the tinsel and lights, don't worry!  This blog hop will start the festivities!  (If you're already hopping then you've probably arrived from Brenda's blog.  From here, you'll visit Michelle Loncar's blog next.)

My card pairs Yuletide Joy with the City Sidewalks collection: paper pack, embellishment assortment, washi tape, and red epoxy gems.  (You can purchase them all individually, or save with the City Sidewalks Workshop Your Way collection.)  I knew I wanted to use the stocking stamp, which is super easy to cut with the (retired) CTMH/Cricut Art Philosphy cartridge.  In keeping with the City Sidewalks retro feel, I stamped the stocking in Lagoon.  My sketch is from Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 2.  The sentiment is stamped in the new Willow exclusive ink.  Don't you love the silver shine of the star and the washi tape?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Please leave me a comment and then check out Michelle's lovely project next!

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}

Blessed Beyond Measure Layout

Time is running out on ordering the September stamp of the month, Blessed Beyond Measure!  You literally only have hours to get this beautiful fall stamp set.

 This layout uses the pretty Swan Lake paper pack.  This sketch is found in the Swan Lake Workshops Your Way kit.  We random-stamped the outside edges of the card bases.

 To create the leaves on the title section, I cut a mask with my Cricut and then sponged color into the negative space.

For the pumpkin, I inked it up in Goldrush and then inked the edges by rolling them in Poppy ink.  

Remember, the Blessed Beyond Measure stamp set is only available through the end of the month- tonight!

September Stamp of the Month Swap Cards

The Close To My Heart September stamp of the month, Blessed Beyond Measure, is so pretty!  I wanted to share the cards that my swap group made this month.  These are NOT my work, and unfortunately they aren't signed so I can't give credit where credit is due.  Please know that these aren't mine.  They sure are pretty, aren't they?

You can easily cut out the pumpkin and leaves with the CTMH/Cricut Artbooking cartridge.  Happy Fall, y'all!