Joyful Starts Monthly Blog Hop!!

Thank you so much for stopping by..if you came here from Betty's blog

you are on the right track. 

As fall approaches, and the Holiday Expressions Catalog has arrived, 

I can't help but get in the spirit of creating my Holiday Cards. 

I love to give gift cards and have to dress them up with the handmade

touch. 

Below you will see my current design.

I used the Cricut Cartridge Artiste to make the card. 

Even though it is a retired cartridge, I know there are 

many templates out there that you could use. 

The stamps used are: 

Silver & Gold Cardmaking Stamp set & thin cuts!

I am totally in love with this paper pack!

It is called: 

Silver & Gold!  Gorgeous!!

and how about that Gold Embossing on Black Cardstock!!

I hope this can be a spring board for ideas of your own! Make gift giving as fun as receiving.

Give handmade cards and enjoy the process!!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Now....hop on over to Tracey's blog for more ideas. 

to see a list of all participants and their blog address, stop by Joyce's Blog!!

Holiday Expressions NEW Product Blog Hop!

Holiday Expressions NEW Product Blog Hop!!

Welcome to the HOLIDAY EXPRESSIONS New Product Blog Hop!! This book is packed with so much yumminess I don't know how to fit it all in before it ends!! No kidding!!

If you came here from Miss. Carrie's Creations blog you are on the right track! 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy my artwork.

I chose to use Falling For You paper along with the Falling For You Cardmaking Stamp Set and Dies.        

Along with the Grateful Heart Wreath stamp done with water color

To water color this wreath, I stamped the wreath using the blank stamp pad on water color paper. Then I used our exclusive ink pads and water brush to paint. 

If you use your ink pads for watercolor, do not use the brush directly on your stamp pad.

You will ruin it. You want to stamp the ink onto an acrylic block and use that as your 

palette. 

Thank you for taking the time to hop by my blog...

now onto Vickie Odell's blog!

Joyful Stars Monthly Blog Hop!!

Welcome to the Joyful Stars Monthly Blog Hop!!

We're excited to share our creativity with you using PRODUCTS

from Close To My Heart!!

I am glad you chose to make it this far and stop by my Blog to 

see my Artwork. If you have come from Debi Brile's Blog you are 

on the right track.

For this month I wanted to try something different. 

I always like to improve my skills and learn something new!

I chose to try Mirror Stamping. 

You Tube is a wonderful place to learn in the comfort of your

own home....nothing compares to attending a workshop where you can get

the hands on approach, but none the less, great resource.

I made a 5x7 card using: Sweet Baby Stamps & Die Cuts

How can you not adore this Elephant. And the Balloons that come with the set

can be used for so many occasions. Don't think of it as just a baby set.

I mirror stamped the Elephant so they're could be 2. It definetly takes practice but

in the end, the look is so worth it. 

I also used one of the Circuit Cartridges that Close To My Heart offers. 

Artistry!

That is the Banner where I stamped the "YOU" and the "ME" on. The Heart that is behind the banner is from the same Cartridge.

The papers I used are from the NEW Catalog just released in August!

I used 2 of them: Basic Fundamentals & Adventure Fundamentals

If you have never tried the Fundamental Paper Packs. You are missing out. The simplistic

patterns and colors go so well with so many things you are 

by far not limited on the possibilities.

I decided to also try my hand at some water coloring. 

Can I say "NEW ADDICTION" there is always something

I get obsessed with, right now I feel watercoloring wins out. 

I used our Silver Embossing Powder, VersaMark ink pad, and the Watercolor set. 

It really makes you look like a pro when in fact I am not. 

Try your hand at some watercoloring sometime....it is freeing! You can be as messy as you

want and get a fantastic look. 

If you would like to learn more on Mirror Image Stamping, let me know in the comments.

Now, you can take yourself back to Joyce's blog as I am the end of the hop!!

Thanks again for stopping by!

Memory Planning with "Close To My Heart"

I can't say enough about my LOVE for this paper 😍 I can say that I was not fond of it when I first saw it. I'm not the outdoor type. (Well, unless it's the beach) BUT when I was going through the next set of pictures I wanted to put in my memory planner,  it was the only paper I could think of!!  It is truly PERFECT for my fur babies and there outdoor adventure! Their first time putting their little paws in the grass and feeling the sunshine on their fur!

It just happened to be Easter Sunday as well. So I had to document my groceries because what scrapbooker doesn't document these things! 

In this first photo I wanted to share a little close up of the great compliments that this set called "Jack" has. Literally for $4.95 you get 2 6x6 sticker sheets and 2 little packets of die cuts. 

And those little paw prints couldn't be cuter. That is one little stamp with a pattern of paw prints.

I made them repeat across the bottom of the page using Ruby ink

Notice the "handsome" sticker? That is also part of the Jack Compliments set and describes 

my babies perfectly!! 

I hope this will inspire you on using Jack papers and compliments!

New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to the NEW Annual Inspirations Blog Hop!  We will be featuring brand new products from our Annual Inspirations idea book that starts August 1st 2017 and goes through July 2018. If you have come here from Jennifer Dykstra's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog:  http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html.

We have around 27 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using BRAND NEW product from the new Annual Inspirations idea book on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

For my creation I used 2 new stamp sets, and the COLOR of the year glitter paper! While I love last years Sea Glass as color of the year the soft delicate pink of BASHFUL is stunning. It was hard to chose the saying. There are so many new fabulous sentiment stamp sets with beautiful fonts it's hard to chose one! I chose Inspire! 

For the flowers I chose Many Congratulations!!

Here you can see the beauty of the Bashful Glitter paper. I also used the Shimmer Brush to highlight the word "shines"

I also used the shimmer brush on the bow that holds the flowers.

For the flowers I used our watercolor brush and ink pads colored Thistle, Fern, Canary and Blossom,. Simply pounce the ink pad face down on your acrylic block and use that as you palette. 

If you have any questions on what was used, how I used it or any thoughts you'd like to share comment below!

Thanks for visiting!!

Now "Hop" on over to Miss. Carrie's Creations Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to get your copy!

Little Dreamer.....

     I'm back in the saddle again and couldn't be happier! Creating soothes my soul and is healing! I recently reorganized my craft area to get off to a fresh start.

     Yesterday was a Consultant crop day for me and the team I am on. I got a decent amount done so am pretty proud of that. I love to memory plan and here is the spread in my planner.

I used the paper pack Little Dreamer along with some coordinating Cardstock.  That's my favorite thing about Close to my Heart is everything matches for you. Of coarse I can't really create without using my Cricut. My go to is Artbooking.

Here's a peak at the details:

Thanks for stopping by.....

I can't wait to share more with you.

Healing, lots of healing......CTMH Special.

Yes, it has been quite some time since I have been around.

Unfortunelty I have just had my 3rd knee surgery in under a year. 

Making a long story short, I have 6 weeks at home, can't drive, hopefully

I can get back into my blogging and possibly "touch" a stamp??

Well, anyhow, I at least wanted to get the latest offer out to you all from Close To My Heart:

For details, please feel free to email me. 

Also, I would like to share my NEW CTMH Website with you.

You can see up to date specials, videos, artwork and you can even place an order.

24/7!!

So please visit:

Lucy's CTMH Website!

Divas By Design and Birthdays!!

This week at Divas By Design, we are focusing on Birthdays!!

Everyone has reason to celebrate when it comes to Birthdays.....there is cake involved =0)

Our Sponsor this time around is 

Digi's With Attitude

I was lucky enough to work with Rockband Tween....too cool! 

I love the Tween images at Digi's With Attitude, if you haven't had a chance to check out their store

you really should. You even have a chance to win some just by creating your own Birthday Artwork

and sharing your link with us at Diva's By Design.

isn't she sizzlin. I am pleased with how this turned out, she looks like a true rebellious teenager, LOL.
Papers are all from CTMH of coarse. As is the "happy" and "birthday" I hand wrote "rockin".

Sketch I followed and challenge I am entering is at I Heart 2 Stamp:

Magical Monday~Let's Get Wild

Jennifer Scull brings us our challenge this week and she wants us to use any type of animal image and go wild on your creativity!
  show us your animal side!!

This week's challenge at There's Magic in the Air Challenge Blog!!

I chose to use the Image From the Heart found at Paper Cupcakes Store!!

the base card is done with the new Cricut Cartridge Art Philosophy from Close To My Heart.

the paper is from the collection Animal Crackers, Happy Birthday stamp also from Close To My Heart.

Miscellanous punches for the rest of the circles. 

Okay, now find your image of choice, create your artwork and don't forget to link back to the blog

for your chance to win some images from the Paper Cupcakes Store.

Guess what I got yesterday!! My new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge from CTMH!!

You know you are going to be excited with the unveiling of each Idea Book, but can I tell you I don't know HOW they will top this one.

I got my NEW Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge just released from Close To My Heart. And can I tell you it is done CTMH style. Highest quality down to the box. The box is all plastic, no cardboard, all plastic.

 

Here is what you get in the bundle. 

I know you can't see well from the photo, but each stamp image that lines up with a cricut cartridge, gives you a measurement to cut on your machine for a perfect match. Cut the image, stamp, DONE!!

I can NOT wait to play with this baby. Of coarse I want every other stamp set in the idea book that matches up with the cartridge. Oh boy, this may be my highest sales year yet!!

Here is a little peak at the back of the box. 

Beautiful, just beautiful.

Yes, I have an addiction, and it just got worse. Isn't the first part of getting better admitting it, HA!!

Thanks Close To My Heart, you have yet done it again.

Magical Monday!! Mystical Creatures....

Oh what a fun challenge this week. 

I love fairies and pixie dust and everything mystical!

Show us your creation with a Mystical Creature.

Here is what I choose for my challenge: Enchanted Meeting

Isn't she darling especially her new little friend!! 

Magical!

here is a bitty close up:

I used a new cuttlebug embossing folder, well, for me it is new. 

It has butterfly type patterns and thought that went perfectly with her wings. 

All paper is Close To My Heart Bella!

I used OLD templates also from Close To My Heart to surround the image. 

Colored with Prismacolor Pencils and OMS.

Now, if you want to win some digi's, create your mystical project and link back to

the There's Magic in the Air Challenge Blog.

I know there's a FREEBIE available today only, then thereafter it is only $1. 

Don't miss out!

Can't wait to see what you share with us.

Let's Layer!! Magical Monday!!

I almost did not make this weeks challenge!!

I am still a bit slow and yesterday was my first day back at work!!

Torture to sit at that desk all day. My knee swelled to 3 times its size. Not very happy.

Hopefully my therapist will help me with this as I feel like I set myself back a good 2 weeks in my therapy.

Okay, sorry, enough saga and drama, on to this week's Magical Monday Challenge.

Layers, layers and more layers.

How many can you add??

I decided to paper piece my Digi Stamp for the layer effect.

I used Golf Outing Cupcake for my card

and used some Masculine paper from Close To My Heart.

I didn't go all crazy with embellishments as I wanted all my

paper piecing to stand out.

Remember, if you use a Paper Cupcakes Image, your entry is put in times 2. You aren't required to use their image, but it is always a bonus .......

Share your link at the challenge blog:

There's Magic in the Air!!

Good Luck!

Close To My Heart & Cricut Come together, preorder through me today!!

We’re happy to announce our exclusive Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection with 700 shapes, 3 My Acrylix® stamp sets, and 3 sheets of Dimensional Elements! You’re going to love it

Available August 1st!!

Summer Time!! Challenge # 38 @ Daisy Doodles

This weeks challenge at Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges  is " Summer " in honor of the New Moon!!

And there is a special sponsor this time too!!

Clare!! She is also a Designer with Daisy Doodles.

Check out her store~Thread-Bare

she is giving away a set of 5 Provomarkers!!

so make sure you link back your creation for a chance to win.

Here is my creation for the challenge:

the idea for my card is from:

CASE Study Challenge #48

I often go and CASE their cards, always elegantly done.

Little close up of the deets!!

The image I used is from:

Summer Fun found at Daisy Doodles Digi Store.

I used a saying stamp from Close To My Heart to make a background and as the main saying of the card!

The little bit of pattern paper that I used is also from Close To My Heart.

Be A Diva!! show us your Pastels =0)

The challenge for Divas By Design is Pastels!!

Show us your creations using Pastel Colors. 

I have to say this was a challenge for me!! I am not particular to Pastels. But, I am pretty pleased with how my

card turned out and hope you enjoy it also.

The image I used is from Daisy Doodles Digital Stamp store from her Summer Fun Stamp set!  I LOVE this set, especially the flip flop!!

So many images and so much you can do for all those Summer time events.

Our sponsor for this Challenge is : 

Crafty Emmas!!

Now on to my project!!

 

paper is from Close To My Heart! Punches, Martha Stewart and Fiskars, and "Chillin" stamp and ink from Close To My Heart.

The challenges I have entered this into are as follows:

The Sweet Stop: Sketch SSS116

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle: ....cream, brown + 1 other color.

Totally Gorjuss: Challenge #88, Summertime

Wee Memories: Challenge #61

One Stop Craft: Challenge #139 Summer

Little Claire's: Challenge #10 Pink & Brown

Crazy for Challenges: Challenge #C4C95 Summer Themed

Magical Monday~Birthdays!!!!

Who doesn't love to celebrate Birthdays? There's cake, ice cream, cupcakes......all kinds of sweets & treats!!!!

This weeks Magical Monday challenge is birthday related, anything to do with Birthdays!!!

For my card, I was inspired by a card I saw in a little insert of card ideas from Better Homes & Gardens. Of coarse, there's looks a lot better than mine, but none the less : )

 

I used Dogwood Cupcake from Paper Cupcakes yummy store!!

I used the Birthday embossing folder from Cuttlebug!! I have always wanted to get it, but really didn't think I would use it a lot. Well, I knew I wanted to dry emboss the entire background of this card, as that is how they did it in the brochure I looked at. So, since the theme was Birthdays, I took advantage and had an excuse to purchase the folder, OH DARN!! HA!

The strip of paper is from Close To My Heart. Perfect colors for what I wanted for the cupcake. 

Simple, but pretty =0)

Now you create a Birthday card or project an d link back to the Challenge Blog for your chance to win an adorable image from Paper Cupcakes!!